Society
New Zealand life fails Chinese migrants' expectations: study
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-24 10:50
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Recent migrants working in Auckland's food and retail sector as either employers or employees found life harder than what they left behind in China, the researchers from Massey and Auckland Universities found.
The study found a distinct gap between expectation and reality, according to two of its authors, Professor Paul Spoonley and Dr. Carina Meares.
The research participants chose to live in New Zealand for reasons including the lifestyle, the cleaner, less-crowded environment "and the possibility of a better future for their children".
But many were finding life tougher than what they left in China.
"Pre-migration, participants describe daily lives characterized by regular work hours and full social lives," the report said.
"Post-migration, hard work, long hours and quiet social lives are the common themes of interviewees' daily lives," it added.
Some participants referred to their lack of social life and entertainment as having a "simple" or "peaceful" life, while others identified it as a source of loneliness and isolation.
However, some participants said they appreciated Auckland's less crowded, less polluted environment. Some felt their children had greater job prospects in China once they had completed their education in New Zealand.
Researchers surveyed 40 employees and employers who had been in New Zealand for an average of six years since they were granted permanent residence.
"The overwhelming story here is about the way in which migrants have to rely on their own personal networks for help with settlement and -- at times -- the indifference of some New Zealanders and New Zealand organisations," the report said.
