Trends and patterns of post-communist migration from Russia to New Zealand since the 1990s

This article examines the Russian diaspora in New Zealand over the last 30 years. Using migration statistics and census data, post-communist migration trends and socio-economic outcomes of immigration from Russia to New Zealand are analyzed, to establish an empirical base for further qualitative and comparative investigation of the settlement experiences of Russian immigrants in New Zealand. Results reveal that the Russian diaspora has been growing, demonstrating spatial clustering in urban centers with the highest concentration in Auckland. While Russian immigrants have a high level of educational qualifications, their labor market outcomes have been weak and their income is lagging behind that of the New Zealand-born population and of migrants born in other countries. An over-representation of working-age female migrants is a distinctive feature of the Russian diaspora. Further research on the changing migration pathways and settlement strategies of the Russian immigrants in New Zealand is suggested.

Information sources and knowledge transfer to future migrants: A study of university students in India

There is widespread recognition of the employment problems facing skilled immigrants in Canada. As a result, research reports high levels of frustration and anger over immigrants’ failed attempts to secure employment in Canada that is commensurate with their foreign-earned credentials and experience. Furthermore, research suggests that these employment problems are largely unanticipated by immigrants. As these employment difficulties have been observed for at least a decade, our study asks why immigrants are surprised by the difficulties they face in Canada. Our research questions focus on the sources of information being used by future migrants living in India. We wondered whether the information sources being used by future migrants are informing them of these employment struggles. To investigate, we surveyed 500 university students in India who plan to emigrate. Our findings confirm the pervasiveness of a reliance on informal migrant networks among future migrants in India, but also reveal how there is a discrepancy between the expected use of formal information sources, and the actual use of these sources. We conclude that the knowledge transfer of migration information is problematic, and we challenge the mainstream account of migrant social capital as a resource that minimizes the costs and risks of migration. Some policy suggestions are provided.