This research report has been an opportunity to learn more about demographic characteristics and labour market outcomes of Convention refugees granted New Zealand residence and those granted New Zealand residence through the Refugee Family Support Category (RFSC). This has been achieved through analysis of administrative data at the time of residence approval. Key findings include that on average, 200 people were approved each year as Convention refugee residents and 225 people were approved each year through the RFSC. For those approved through the RFSC, a high percentage are eventually approved with almost all arriving and staying in New Zealand, on average three people were sponsored per application, and three quarters were sponsored by quota refugees. Benefit receipt decreased over time for both groups. Research findings will be useful in informing service provision.
Methodology
The present study includes analysis of data from two sources. Descriptive analysis was completed of official residence approvals data from MBIE’s Application Management System (AMS). The AMS records immigration data including that on visa application and applicant demographics. Five financial years’ data was analysed – years ending June 2010 through to June 2014. Data on visa application decisions is combined with movement (arrivals and departures) data. As a result, there are occasions when data is missing for some variables of interest. This missing data is noted in the relevant sections of the report.
Labour market outcomes data was obtained from Statistics New Zealand’s Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI). The IDI records data on income through wages or salary and benefit. Three financial years’ data was analysed – years ending June 2010 through to June 2012. This data on labour market outcomes is for ‘working age’ people. Consistent with other reporting, ‘working age’ means those aged 15 to 64 (inclusive). Numbers were too small to analyse labour market outcomes data by different age groups.
Key Results
Regarding Convention refugee residents, the present study found:
- The top source countries were Iran, Iraq, and China.
o By year, top source countries changed, as expected with changing global humanitarian needs.
- Three in five were male, and half were aged under 30
- Many may be yet to reunite with their families; Seven in ten had a family size of one, and half were married.
- Of the secondary applicants, half were offshore at the time of residence approval.
- The vast majority of residence applications were approved.
o Of those approved, all arrived within two years.
o A small number of Convention refugees had not applied for residence.
- Almost all remained in New Zealand at the time of the present study.
- The proportions receiving wages or salary changed over time.
o Of those approved residence in the three years from 2008/09 to 2010/11, a bigger proportion were receiving wages or salary at two years after approval than at one year. For the 2010/11 cohort, the proportion increased from 32 per cent at year one to 39 per cent at year two.
- The proportion receiving a benefit decreased over time.
o For the most recent cohort with data available up to five years after residence approval – those approved in 2008/09 – the proportion receiving a benefit decreased from 41 per cent at year one to 30 per cent at year five.
o A smaller proportion was receiving a benefit two years after residence approval than at one year for the 2009/10 and 2010/11 cohorts.
Regarding New Zealand residents approved through the RFSC, the present study found:
- The top source countries were Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Iran.
- Three-quarters were sponsored by quota refugees.
- On average, three people were sponsored per application.
- Half were male, and three in five were aged under 30.
- Seven in 10 had a family size of two or more, and half were married.
- The majority of applications were approved.
o Of those approved, all arrived within four years.
- Almost all remained in New Zealand at the time of the present study.
o Those approved more recently were more likely to be in New Zealand.
- The proportion receiving wages or salary increased over time.
o For the most recent cohort where data is available (those approved in 2011/12) the proportion receiving wages or salary increased from 13 per cent at one year to 30 per cent at two years.
- The proportion receiving a benefit decreased over time.
o For the most recent cohort where data is available (those approved in 2011/12) the decrease in the proportion receiving a benefit is slight. At one year after approval 66 per cent of the 2011/12 cohort were receiving a benefit compared to 65 per cent at two years.