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NZ, European stances on immigration not comparable, economist says

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 14 May 2026, 11:32am
Photo / File
Photo / File

NZ, European stances on immigration not comparable, economist says

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 14 May 2026, 11:32am

An economist says New Zealand is different from Europe and our views on immigration aren't the same. 

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has used a pre-Budget speech in Auckland to promise a "careful" immigration policy that prioritises social cohesion over profit. 

He says failed immigration policies in Europe and North America have stoked a politics of division.  

Eric Crampton —the Chief Economist at the New Zealand Initiative business think tank— told Ryan Bridge 2023 MBIE data suggests most New Zealanders view immigration more positively than Europeans. 

He says Europe is in a very different situation with really "messed up" labour markets. 

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