Summary

Research Report: Investigates New Zealand's experience with migration from neighbouring South Pacific countries.

Description

Author: R.T. Appleyard and Charles W. Stahl, Centre for Migration and
Development Studies And The Graduate School of Management, The University of
Western Australia.

This 1995 study investigates New Zealand's experience with migration
from neighbouring South Pacific countries. New Zealand governments have
accorded nearby Pacific Islanders special concessions concerning entry to New
Zealand, including those from the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau (who are New
Zealand citizens); Western Samoa (operating under a quota scheme); and Kiribati
and Tuvalu (under a work permit scheme). The concessionary policies,
together with entry of Pacific Islanders under normal policy have led to an
estimated 175 000 persons of Polynesian descent residing in New Zealand in
1994.

New Zealand has argued that concessionary policies alleviate demographic
pressures therefore improving opportunities in the Pacific Islands for economic
development. The report analyses and compares data on the economic costs and
benefits of labour emigration and remittances. It finds, among other
conclusions, that emigration from Polynesia has contributed directly to lower
rates of population growth in constituent sending countries compared with
countries comprising Melanesia and Micronesia. Remittance transfers, in
particular, have maintained and perhaps improved living standards and
development prospects through higher consumption and investment.

The researchers also discuss the resource to population density nexus.
It argues that island states can be divided into three groups on the basis of
their resource bases relative to population: 'unfurnished': Tuvalu,
Kiribati, Tokelau, Niue and the Cook Islands, 'partly furnished': Tonga
and Western Samoa and 'fully furnished': Papua New Guinea, Fiji,
Solomon Islands and Vanuatu'. For unfurnished and 'partly
furnished islands' labour services are the principal export (their
comparative advantage) and the authors suggest that Australia should adopt
immigration policies commensurate with this.

South Pacific Migration: New Zealand experience and implications for Australia [PDF 366KB]

Available: Electronic version only

This report was commissioned by AusAID. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of AusAID or the Australian Government.

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