New Zealand popular choice for all immigrants

Media release
April 3, 2008

New Zealand popular choice for all immigrants

New Zealand has always been a popular choice of country for all immigrants to settle in, and that is only increasing as more people look for a change in lifestyle.

In particular British and South Africans are keener than ever to come here. For British migrants, New Zealand is second only to Canada as the most desirable place to live.

That is what New Zealand-based company Working In Ltd has found. It has increased the number of Opportunities New Zealand Expos it will run this year to five – four in the UK and one for the first time in South Africa.

This year Working In is expecting more than 30,000 potential British and South African migrants to attend its Expos, with between 5000 and 6000 of those securing employment and landing on New Zealand shores in the next 12 months.

At its Opportunities New Zealand Expo in London this weekend record numbers of up to 10,000 highly skilled potential migrants are expected to visit.

Working In co-founder and director Scott Mathieson says the company works very closely with Immigration New Zealand to identify key areas of skills shortages and attract suitably qualified recruits.

``Of the visitors at the two Expos in the UK late last year, 55 per cent were aged 24-39 and at least 20 per cent were qualified to Masters, PhD or Postgraduate level,’’ he says.

At the four Expos in the UK this year more than 100 New Zealand businesses including engineering, education, energy, mining, health and local government sector organisations are represented.

Companies include Hamilton Jet, Fletcher Building and Pike River Coal. Also on hand at the Expos are migration, banking and leading real estate organisations like Bayleys to help make the move easier.

Working In has specialised in recruiting returning New Zealanders and new migrants to New Zealand since 1998 and works directly with Immigration New Zealand to identify skill shortages and seek recruits to fill those gaps.

``We work with some of New Zealand’s largest companies and our relationship with Immigration New Zealand means we can quickly bring in skilled migrants to plug critical skill and knowledge gaps here,’’ says Mr Mathieson.

``All potential recruits at our events have paid to come to the Expo, provided their CVs and are committed to moving to New Zealand. They are highly qualified candidates who want to come here and have the experience that New Zealand needs.’’

``It’s a complete package, supported by internet and print channels, that appeals to both employers and potential employees,’’ says Mr Mathieson.

``We have appreciable and growing gaps in our knowledge and skills in New Zealand but our experience at Working In is that there is no shortage of skilled people wanting to come here and fill those gaps.’’

ENDS

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