A recent survey carried out by ShapeNZ for the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development has revealed, amongst other things, that the vast majority of New Zealanders are very happy with the contribution to the country’s economy and society being made my migrant workers. However, there is also a clear concern regarding the problem of the country’s labour shortage.

The following statistics were revealed by the survey:

• 91% of New Zealanders believe that migrant workers make an important contribution to their country.

• 80% believe that skilled migrants add to social diversity and improve new Zealand’s way of life.

• 90% are concerned about the labour shortage that New Zealand is currently experiencing.

• 75% believe that low wages are the primary reason for the shortage of skills and labour.

• 66% support at-work internships that allow new migrants to settle into their jobs and integrate themselves into the workforce.

• 40% believe that migration from overseas has benefited their communities.

The survey also reflected a general belief that New-Zealand born and trained professionals working abroad should be lured back home in order to ease the workforce crisis. 59% of people believed that tax incentives should be offered in order for this to be achieved, and 52% agreed that relocation costs should be subsidised and New Zealanders returning home should be assisted in buying homes.