27 Sep 2010

Most immigrants want citizenship, survey finds

8:31 pm on 27 September 2010

A survey has found that four out of five immigrants to this country want to become New Zealand citizens.

The Statistics New Zealand survey found that 78.4% of immigrants had gained or intended to apply for citizenship three years after being granted permanent residency.

The survey found that immigrants from South Africa, the Pacific and South Asia were more likely to apply for citizenship than immigrants from other regions.

It also found that nine out of ten of the survey respondents, interviewed three years after being granted permanent residency, were either satisfied or very satisfied with life in this country.

Nearly 70% worked in skilled employment and most were satisfied with their jobs.