Lessons from the pandemic and the impacts on migration

Paul Spoonley

Chapter 16 in Handbook of Research on Migration, COVID-19 and Cities, 2025, pp 300-318 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Either side of the public health crises associated with COVID-19, New Zealand experienced record levels of inward immigration and net migration gains. The drop in immigrants, especially migrant workers, during border restrictions exposed employers to labour market shortages and a sense of crisis. This crisis, including a sense that economic vitality and profits were being sacrificed for public health measures, was one of the enduring themes of COVID-19. Other worries came from those who were denied access to New Zealand, either as immigrants or as returning citizens. The government asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a review of the challenges of immigration policy. However, a change of government in 2023 has disregarded most recommendations and findings of this review. By 2023, immigration to New Zealand exceeded any previous peak, and the net migrant gain contributed 80 to 85 per cent of the annual net population gain of 2.8 per cent.

Keywords: New Zealand; Immigration; COVID-19; Labour Demand (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035301225
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