Friends of NZ give glowing endorsement

People from overseas with Kiwi connections have an overwhelmingly positive view of New Zealand, according to a ‘global census’ by Kea and Colmar Brunton.

The 2015 Kea/Colmar Brunton Every Kiwi Counts survey is the first to include ‘friends of New Zealand’, who were born overseas but have strong ties to this country such as having a Kiwi spouse or studying here.

The survey found more than half of all friends of New Zealand (54 per cent) consider themselves Kiwis.

And while Kiwi expats perceive their home country in a positive light, friends of New Zealand rate it even more highly, with 81 per cent agreeing New Zealand is one of the best places in the world to live.

Kea Global CEO Craig Donaldson says friends of New Zealand were more positive than expats and repats (returned New Zealanders) on every aspect of New Zealand life.

“They may have been born elsewhere but friends of New Zealand certainly appreciate how fortunate people are to live in this country. New Zealand rates highly for its clean and green environment, safety and high quality of life,” he says.

“New Zealand already has a great reputation overseas and Every Kiwi Counts shows this reputation is not a mirage. New Zealand is a great place to live, compared to most countries in the world and this quality of life is an asset we need to make good use of.”

Colmar Brunton CEO Jacqueline Farman says friends of New Zealand rated the country very highly on social and environmental measures.

“Compared to many countries New Zealand feels like paradise. Those who were born in other parts of the world appreciate what is on offer here. Friends of New Zealand strongly believe New Zealand is clean and green (84 per cent) and a safe place to live (78 per cent),” Farman says.

“Interestingly, friends of New Zealand were more positive about our economy, with half strongly agreeing it is heading in the right direction compared to one third of expats. However, only one third believe they can afford to buy a home in their preferred location in New Zealand.”

The survey found 61 per cent of friends of New Zealand rate New Zealand as more culturally tolerant than other countries they have lived in, and 58 per cent believe men and women have equal opportunity to succeed in business in New Zealand.

Four out of ten thought they could comfortably raise a family at New Zealand salary levels and a similar number (41 per cent) believed New Zealand is an affordable place to retire to.

Donaldson says the survey is great news for the international education sector, which Kea is working closely with through partnerships with tertiary institutions and Education New Zealand.

“Every international student that comes to New Zealand is a potential ambassador for this country. The international education sector is one of New Zealand’s biggest export industries and it has positive spin-offs for other parts of the economy,” Donaldson says.

“Some of these students will stay in New Zealand after their studies and some will go home, but it is crucial we keep in touch with them and take advantage of the economic benefits offered by that network.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media