International News
Singaporeans Sign Up for NZ Lifestyle
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
An Immigration New Zealand pilot project aimed at attracting Singaporeans to New Zealand has resulted in over 1000 registrations each week since it was launched last month, with 3565 potential students and immigrants having registered their interest in just three weeks.
(via NZ Herald) Would-be migrants are told of comparatively cheaper housing, car ownership and a relaxed lifestyle - and those who registered their interest on newzealandnow.govt.nz received an email from Immigration telling them how to apply for relevant visas.
Immigration expert Paul Spoonley said the level of interest was "unexpected and fascinating".
"I think the draw for many Singaporeans is not so much the cheaper cars or housing, but the lower-stress environment and because New Zealand offers quality education in English," said Professor Spoonley, of Massey University.
"Singapore has a very competitive education system driven by Confucian values, and what they think they will get here is a different education value system that offers a more well-rounded education for children."
Immigration New Zealand said the pilot was aimed at working holiday visitors and students, and not skilled migrants.
Immigration told Singapore media that Singaporeans were targeted because Singapore and New Zealand had long-standing and friendly relations, and that Singapore was a "good demographic match for this campaign, in terms of English language proficiency and education levels, and there's already a strong tradition of studying overseas".
An Immigration spokesman said the agency did not yet have any information on Singaporeans who had come to New Zealand as a direct result of this pilot project, but it would be evaluated over the next few months.
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