The Institute for Economics and Peace, in conjunction with the Economist Intelligence Unit, recently named New Zealand the most peaceful nation in the world in their assessment of 144 countries around the globe. This was the latest accolade for the nation that has always ranked in the top 10 for countries in which expatriates really want to live.
The nation has fared particularly well with would-be British migrants in recent decades because of the way of life, the lack of language difficulties, the employment opportunities and the stunning nature of the nation – however, is New Zealand now failing British expatriates?
In recent reports in the British press, expatriates who have lived and worked in New Zealand for years are losing their jobs because of the economic downturn, and apparently losing their right to remain in the nation as the country tries to get rid of non-domiciled residents to make room for returning New Zealanders. Could the New Zealand expat dream be coming to an end?
The Daily Mail has been covering the plight of Britons who were living in New Zealand on work visas, who were working towards gaining residency status and who have been kicked out of the country at the eleventh hour before New Zealand has to take them on as permanent residents. They have featured one family who were in gainful employment, right on the cusp of receiving their permanent residency and who are now in a very bleak situation. The husband lost his job, and despite being offered another one, his would-be employer was told that there was no way the authorities would grant another visa to the man, and instead he and his family have had to borrow their airfares ‘home’ from their family in the UK.
This family moved to New Zealand to start a whole new life. Both partners were working and contributing to the nation through the work they did and the taxes they paid – their children were in love with the nation and highly likely to remain once they had graduated school, and become employees also contributing to the wealth and state of the country. But all of a sudden their life has been dramatically altered. But why?
Well, the general consensus of opinion in New Zealand amongst expatriate Brits is that the nation is struggling with a rising unemployment problem that’s being fuelled by returning Kiwis. These Kiwis have been made redundant abroad and are coming home either seeking jobs, or seeking state financial assistance. Of the reported 26,000 New Zealanders who fled back to their native shores last year, a staggering 3,000 have ended up on state benefits – and New Zealand just can’t afford this to go on. So, is it a case of New Zealand jobs for New Zealand citizens? The Daily Mail suggests perhaps it is.
If you have been similarly affected, or indeed, if you personally feel that your situation as an expatriate living in New Zealand is very different, we’d love to hear from you and learn about what life is really like for you as expats at the moment.
