4 Discussion
In 2001, the New Zealand diaspora—defined as people born in New Zealand but resident overseas—numbered something over 460,000. This was about 14% of the international total of New Zealand-born. Relative to total population, New Zealand’s diaspora is almost a third smaller than that of Ireland, but is bigger than that of Australia, Canada, Korea, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Three quarters of the New Zealand diaspora is, however, located in Australia, and almost all of the remainder is concentrated in a few English-speaking countries.
In 2001, New Zealand’s “reverse diaspora”—people born overseas but resident in New Zealand—numbered about 727,000. This was about 19% of New Zealand’s total resident population. Like the diaspora, New Zealand’s reverse diaspora is relatively large. It is a somewhat smaller proportion of resident population than that of Australia, but larger, for instance, than that of the United Kingdom or United States. New Zealand’s reverse diaspora does not show the same degree of geographical concentration as does its diaspora.
These basic population numbers are only one part, though an essential part, of the information required to satisfactorily understand how migration links New Zealand to the rest of the world. Information is also needed, for instance, on lengths of stay, and on age, occupation, income, and education. Such information is certainly available for the reverse diaspora. It can also, in principle, be obtained for all members of the diaspora residing in countries that include questions on birthplace or nationality in their censuses or registration systems.
Pending more detailed information, the basic population data do suggest that the potential contribution of the diaspora may occasionally have been overestimated. While expatriate networks can draw on overseas New Zealanders’ contacts and skills, and hence link New Zealand to international markets and international science, it is nevertheless important to bear in mind that the diaspora is smaller and closer to home than is often realised. In particular, the number of New Zealanders living outside the English-speaking world is probably under 20,000.[7] This is perhaps not surprising given that only 10% of New Zealand-born adults can speak more than one language.[8]
In contrast, potential benefits from the reverse diaspora may have been underestimated. Not only is the reverse diaspora large by international standards, but it can link New Zealand to a strikingly wide range of countries, both English-speaking and non-English-speaking.
