The Asian Workforce in New Zealand's Economy

Abstract

Significant changes in the composition of New Zealand’s population over the last two decades have resulted in greater ethnic diversity in New Zealand, especially in our workforce. These changes have several labour market implications such as changing attitudes, values and approach to work. The 2006 Census showed that Asians comprised the fourth largest major group of ethnicities in New Zealand, comprising 9.2 percent of our population. This proportion is expected to increase to approximately 15 percent by 2026 – which will almost equal the Maori workforce.

As it is important to understand and improve the performance of New Zealand’s labour market, the Department of Labour has recently released a report, The Asian Workforce: a critical part of New Zealand’s current and future labour market, which examines the characteristics of the Asian workforce in New Zealand.2 This looks at their qualifications and skills; and the distinct areas of the labour market they occupy. This report also makes an attempt to disaggregate the collective term ‘Asian' into four sub­groups: North Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian and Other Asian in order to provide a better understanding of each of these diverse subgroups.

Asians are a growing part of the New Zealand population. Understanding their contribution to the future workforce and the skills they will bring will help support the government’s economic growth agenda, by ensuring New Zealand has the skills it needs.