24 May 2013

Peters again raises concerns about Chinese immigration

3:35 pm on 24 May 2013

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has again raised his concerns about Chinese immigration, blaming it for pushing up house prices and pension costs.

This is despite the fact that more immigrants came to New Zealand from Britain than China in the past year.

Winston Peters.

Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ

In speech notes for a North Shore Grey Power gathering at Takapuna on Friday, Mr Peters says a senseless immigration policy has created a crisis in Auckland.

He says aside from pushing up house prices, immigration is also putting pressure on New Zealand Superannuation.

He says New Zealand has become the offshore retirement home for many Chinese, who are able to claim the pension after living here for 10 years.

However the most recent statistics reveal that in the year to the end of April, there was a net gain of 5400 Chinese compared with a net gain of 6200 British immigrants.