This document summarizes a research program called "Quota Refugees Ten Years On" that examines refugees who came to New Zealand between 1993 and 1999 through the refugee quota category. The research includes a survey of 512 refugees, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. It finds that most refugees have learned English, become employed, and rate their health as good. However, older refugees and those from some countries of origin had lower levels of English, employment, and health. The research aims to help refugee policy, services, and communities by building understanding of refugee settlement experiences over the long term.

1. 22 August 2011IMSED ResearchKeith McLeod & Wendy Searle

2. IMSED Research“… lead role within the New Zealand Government for research and evaluation regarding International Migration, Settlement, and Employment Dynamics.”Now part of the …Labour and Immigration Research Centre

3. Work programmeReflects Department and Government prioritiesCore work informing policy and servicesStrategic labour market projectsMix of Research, Evaluation and Monitoring

4. Flagship programmesLongitudinal Immigration Survey: New Zealand (LisNZ)Migration trends monitoring programmeSurvey monitoring programmeLEED-Migration data integration projectQuota refugees ten years on

5. Quota Refugees Ten Years OnProgramme of research

6. Quota Refugees Ten Years OnBuilds on ‘Refugee Voices’But objectives are about long-term settlementRefugee Quota CategoryMixed method approach – quantitative & qualitativeCentral tool – survey of 512 peopleAlso in-depth interviews & focus groupsAdvisory GroupSignificant input into objectives & methodologyCompositionRefugee CommunitiesNGOsGovernment

7. Who came to NZ 1993 to 1999 through the Refugee Quota Category?Country of originIraq – 29%Somalia – 16%Vietnam – 19%Ethiopia – 15%Other non-Africa – 15%Other Africa – 7%Gender – Female -44%; Male – 56%Age group (at arrival)0-19 – 36%20-29 – 26%30-44 – 29%45+ - 10%

8. Who came to NZ 1993 to 1999 through the Refugee Quota Category?ReligionIslam – 40%Christianity – 39%Buddhism – 12%Hinduism – 2%Other – 2%No religion/faith – 5%

9. New Land, New Life

10. Language & Education

11. English language – on arrival and current80% had limited ability to speak English on arrival

12. Two-thirds currently speak English well or very well

13. Refugee Voices - 50% of refugees spoke well or very well at 5 yearsHighest qualificationWho was most likely to have done no schooling?Those aged 45+ (24%)Employment & Income

14. Employment73% had worked in a paid job in NZWho was most likely to have worked in a paid job in NZ?Men (82%)Those who were younger18-29 - 89%30-44 - 80%

15. Activities in last 7 days38% had worked for payWho was most likely to have worked for pay?Men (48%)

16. Younger age groups

17. 18-29 (42%)

18. 30-44 (45%)How does this compare?Refugee Voices – 29% of established refugees were workingLISNZ – 76% were employed at 3 yearsNZ General Population (2009)72.9% of 15-64 year olds were employedMaori – 61.7%Pacific peoples – 56.8%

19. Main source of income in last 12 months

20. Housing

21. Home ownership16% owned their own house2006 Census NZ population - 53%Pacific Peoples – 22%LISNZ Survey 52% of migrants owned their own house after 3 years

22. For those who don’t own their home - who owns the house/flat you live in?Housing New Zealand Corporation – 47%Private person, trust or business – 34%Family member – 14%Local City Council – 5%

23. Health & Wellbeing

24. Health & Wellbeing Thinking about your health, in general would you say your health is excellent, very good, good, fair or poor?47% rated their health as excellent/very goodWho was most likely to say that their health was fair/poor?those aged 45+ (30%)How does this compare?Refugee Voices45% rated their health as excellent or very good25% rated their health as fair or poorNZ Health Survey 06/0760% rated their health as excellent or very good10% rated their health as fair or poorLISNZ76% rated their health as excellent or very good

25. Social networks

26. Close friends in NZHow many of your close friends are (many or some)Own ethnic group – 94%

27. NZ European/Maori – 73%

28. Other ethnic group – 72%Social networksHow have you made friends in NZ from outside your ethnic community?

29. Social networksWhich, if any, of the following groups have you participated in in the past 12 months?

30. Identity & Belonging

31. Identity and participationHow strongly do you feel part of NZ and own ethnic group?

32. Identity and participationCitizenship91% had taken up NZ citizenship & 3% were in processVoting91% had voted in any NZ general electionsNZ populationVoter turnout 2006 – 76%

33. Recognition &legitimacyIdentity & Belonging

34. SafetyIn New Zealand – 93% felt very safe/safeAt work – 91%In your neighbourhood – 91%

35. Help needed Have you needed help with any of these things in the past 12 months?

36. YouthYouth

37. Outcomes for youth (18-29)English language94% - were able to speak English well or very well (68% overall)Employment89% had worked in a paid job (73% overall)Health & wellbeing73% said their health was excellent or good (47% overall)Social Networks46% had many close NZ European/Maori friends (24% overall)

38. Next Steps

39. Next StepsMore detailed analysis on the survey dataQualitative research25 in-depth interviewsPathways to employment & economic contribution (paid and unpaid)Focus Groups - 6English language acquisition, service provision, movements to Australia