The rise of temporary migration in New Zealand and its impact on the labour market

Temporary migrants represent a growing source of employment in some sectors of the New Zealand labour market, particularly in agriculture and hospitality related industries. This research finds that temporary migration had a positive impact on the labour market outcomes of New Zealanders overall and was estimated to have no impact on the number of beneficiaries finding work. Temporary migration was also associated with changes in the industry structure of the New Zealand labour market, as more New Zealanders moved into jobs in the same industries temporary migrants were working in. The research was not able to draw strong conclusions about effects after the global financial crisis, but there was no indication of negative impacts over this period