British, US migrants flock to NZ
The number of British migrants entering New Zealand has risen for the first time in 10 years, Immigration New Zealand figures reveal.
There was an 8 per cent increase in the number of British citizens making the move to become New Zealand residents from the year ending 2015.
This marked the first rise in a decade.
Work visas offered to British citizens increased by 1500 in the three months to November.
Britain’s decision to leave the EU occurred in June; in May, June and July, 5385 British citizens moved to New Zealand, while in August, September and October the figure reached 6882.
Robin Smith, who lives in the UK city of Leeds said ‘‘there’s a lot of fear and uncertainty’’ in Britain.
‘‘Everything feels chaotic and unsalvageable and sad and it doesn’t feel like we’ll move forward any time soon because the country is so split,’’ he said.
‘‘There’s no opposition to speak of that isn’t self-destructing or being critiqued heavily by the media.’’
While he doesn’t know anyone who has left the country yet, he said the sentiment of people expressing a desire to leave is common among his social circles.
He predicted some would wait for a decision on a mooted EU individual citizenship programme for UK citizens before they decided whether to abandon the UK for overseas.
The fact their pounds are worth less than they were pre-brexit may also hamper Kiwis who would prefer to come home.
Work visas for Americans looking to move to New Zealand rose 15 per cent between October and November after Donald Trump won the United States presidency.
The Trump win ended eight years of Democratic rule sending the US on a new path.
Zach Savage, a US citizen in New York, ‘‘doesn’t doubt’’ the increased figures are because of a climate of fear created by the president-elect.
‘‘The mood is definitely one of confusion and desperation,’’ he said.
Alisa Rodriguez, a musician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has no plans to move because she said it was her duty to stay.
‘‘I definitely want to stay here and just support anyone who feels oppressed.’’
Britain and the US accounted for more visits to the New Zealand immigration website following the US presidential vote than the next 13 countries combined - including China and India.