Majority sees value in migrants

This article was first published in The Post and is by Gail Pacheco and Melissa Derby...

Professor Gail Pacheco is the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner and a leading economist. Dr Melissa Derby (Ngāti Ranginui) is the Race Relations Commissioner. She is a Fulbright graduate with a background in early literacy and child development.

OPINION: In Aotearoa New Zealand, we like to think of ourselves as a fair and welcoming people – a place where we value respect, dignity and believe that everyone deserves a fair go.

That spirit extends beyond those born here, and it shapes how we treat those who choose to make this country their home. A nationally representative survey conducted by Horizon Research for the New Zealand Human Rights Commission shows this sense of openness is more than just words. It’s reflected in how New Zealanders view migrants and the value they bring to our shared future.

The data is clear. Most people recognise that migrants strengthen our society and economy: 77% believe migrant workers make an important contribution (only 5% disagree), and 75% agree they help businesses thrive by filling skill and labour shortages (only 7% disagree).

Support for these views spans the political spectrum, regardless of how people voted at the last election. These are not marginal outcomes - they represent a strong voice across the country that migrants are an important part of our country’s strength.

Evidence backs this public sentiment. A 2025 study published in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Science offers a hopeful view of migrant experiences, showing that after arriving in New Zealand, migrants are able to build meaningful connections over time - both within their own communities and across diverse groups.

The Productivity Commission’s Immigration: Fit for the Future report also highlighted the critical role migrants play in filling skill gaps and driving innovation, while finding no strong evidence that migration displaces local workers or lowers wages. This research confirms that migrants are not taking opportunities away – rather they are helping create them.

Globally, fear and misinformation about migrants are on the rise. The latest NZSIS report indicates that support for various extremist ideologies within New Zealand is on the rise, with young and vulnerable people particularly at risk of radicalisation while online. In this context, anti-migration sentiment is one of a number of narratives that can create division.

Recent public opinion data provides important context. The latest Ipsos Issues Monitor (February 2026) shows immigration is not currently among the top 10 issues facing the country – well behind cost-of-living pressures, healthcare and the economy. However, it has risen several places compared with previous waves and is described as “an issue to watch”.

As immigration receives increasing public attention, we have the opportunity to shape the conversation in ways that reflect our best values. By grounding discussion in shared values and accurate information, as well as encouraging constructive dialogue and strengthening cross-community engagement, we can continue building a country where diversity is seen as a source of strength. The evidence shows New Zealanders already recognise the positive contribution migrants make.

We also need to better tell community stories of migration to New Zealand, highlighting that migration is not a new phenomenon in this country. Rather, New Zealand is already superdiverse, with over 200 ethnicities alongside our tangata whenua and 170 languages.

Some migrant communities have a long history in New Zealand, dating back to the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Others are more recently arrived, but all contribute in meaningful ways across public life, adding vibrancy and richness to our shared national story.

Yet too often, migrants are unfairly blamed for broader societal challenges. In New Zealand, we have the ability to take a different path. When migration is well managed and grounded in fairness, it strengthens both our communities and our economy. It creates opportunities rather than competition, and supports the sense of shared purpose that so many New Zealanders value.

In our roles as commissioners, we have each met hundreds of people the length and breadth of the country. Different ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural groups, some new to this country, some generations old, who want to live in a united New Zealand. They want to know their neighbours. They want to be part of their local communities. They want to mix and mingle with people who are different to them. They want to do their bit to ensure we all get along.

But social cohesion cannot be left to chance. It requires deliberate action from all of us - from government through to grassroots communities and individuals. Many migrant communities are already leading the way, with open invitations to their respective cultural or religious festivals and celebrations. These moments of connection build the trust that sits at the heart of a cohesive society.

Whether people are helping grow our food, cooking in our restaurants, building the homes we live in, or working as nurses, engineers or tech specialists, migrants are contributing every day to the strength, wellbeing and future of New Zealand.