Most migrants are satisfied with their new life in New Zealand but are struggling to make friends here, a new immigration survey has found.
While most newcomers are settling in well, with 70 per cent gaining employment in their field of expertise, the majority aren't socialising with Kiwis.
The Immigration Settlement Monitoring Programme Migrants Survey 2011, released today by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), shows the overall picture of recent migrant settlement is positive.
But more than half of the survey respondents stated that none or only a few of their friends were New Zealanders.
More than 80 percent of recent migrants are satisfied or very satisfied with life in New Zealand, with those who were 'very satisfied' increasing by five points last year to 45 percent.
The top reason for migrants moving to New Zealand was to be with family, partner or friends, closely followed by the relaxed pace of life, the environment and landscape, and the ability to get a good job.
