NZ Government Executive - Population Conference

Foreword from the Prime Minister
Anybody of my generation can not help but notice that the composition of the New Zealand population has changed dramatically in recent times. When I was growing up, the Pacific Islands were a million miles away and Asia was even further. Some of our parents and grandparents would weave stories about the "old" countries of Europe, but distance, time and expense ruled out an opportunity for a return visit for most New Zealanders.
Over the past two decades, the make up of our population has changed significantly. Auckland is the largest Pacific Island city in the world; we have more people settling in New Zealand than ever before from places other than the traditional countries of the Northern Hemisphere; and the drift of Maori from rural to urban settings has added greatly to the diversity of our towns and cities.
Conversely, young and old New Zealanders alike are travelling more often and further, experiencing the richness of other places and cultures. They bring some of these experiences home with them, and in doing so, alter who we are and how we interact with each other and the world outside.
It is an accident of history that we live in a society rich in cultural diversity. We are not a simple "transplant" of any one society, but a vibrant and colourful mix of Europeans, Maori, Pacific Islanders and Asians. This makes us a strong and unique country. However, it also means we must understand how the ever-changing and dynamic nature of our population will impact on economic, social and international issues now and in the future.
This is what this conference is all about. It is an opportunity to gain some insight and understanding, from a talented group of speakers and attendees, into the relationship between population change, including immigration, and the evolving New Zealand society.
It is my hope that in this new political era of co-operation The Population Conference will deliver to the Government, and the people of New Zealand, a more complete understanding of the pressures that shape our society and how we might respond to these.
I wish the conference well and I look forward to reading the results of your deliberations.

Hon Max Bradford, Minister of Immigration
The Population Conference will take a hard look at who we are as New Zealanders and where we are going as a country.
The Population Conference on November 13 and 14 will be the first time New Zealanders have set out, armed with the latest research and facts about current and future demographics, to discuss the economic, social and international issues relating to population change and immigration.
New Zealand society has undergone profound changes in the past two decades with decreasing fertility rates, increasing one-parent families, and a growth in settlers from non-European countries.
The cultural and ethnic diversity of our country was put in the spotlight during one of the most memorable and moving early moments of the Coalition Government - Pansy Wong's maiden speech.
She painted a picture of New Zealand as One Nation, Many People - a country rich in people, skills and cultures.
New Zealand is a country formed by immigration - from the early 1800s when the first settlers joined the indigenous Maori population, followed by waves of European, Chinese, Asian and Pacific Island migrants.
Today we are a multicultural society with all the richness, benefits and challenges that go with it. There are more than 12 significant-sized ethnic groups within New Zealand. Chinese make up 2.3 per cent of our population - the equivalent of a city the size of Palmerston North. Pacific Islanders make up 5 per cent.

A ministerial steering committee has been established by the Prime Minister to oversee general planning for the Population Conference with Immigration Minister Max Bradford having day-to-day responsibility for the event's organisation.
The two-day Population Conference on November 13 and 14 is expected to attract about 300 participants, including representatives from the academic world, central and local government, the business sector, education, health, Maori and ethnic groups, social service and community sectors.
The Population Conference is a key part of the Coalition Agreement. It will include high quality speakers and is aimed at a diverse range of people and organisations interested in population and immigration issues.

The conference will inform the public and the Government about present and future population dynamics so we are better equipped to prepare for issues facing us in years to come.
To plan for our country's future we must know the facts and understand the relationships between population growth, immigration, economic growth and social needs. The conference will take a comprehensive look at demographic aspects influencing economic growth and society.
The conference is an opportunity to explore the relationship between population change and immigration, and the impact on economic activity and future demand for education, social services and business growth.
Through a series of key addresses from experts, the conference will consider the following:

New Zealand's current and future population dynamics;
an international perspective on demographic and economic impacts of immigration;
population change and the role of immigration;
population change, education, skills and growth;
population change and economic and social participation;
population change and growth and development.
The Conference will also take an extensive look at what contributes to the successful settlement of migrants and factors which may contribute to developing immigration targets.
Key addresses will be followed by a wide variety of smaller forums with specialist expert speakers, panel and audience discussions.
Forum topics:

Population change and the labour market;
population change, education, skill development and growth;
the successful settlement of migrants and factors for setting immigration targets;
population change and urban expansion and infrastructure;
population change and social services;
population change, national identity, ethnic diversity and cultural development;
population change and conservation, environment and recreation;
population change and Maori development;
population change and the business sector;
population change and international linkages.
As well as the wide range of participants and top quality speakers from New Zealand and overseas, the conference venue itself is expected to be a highlight of the programme.
It will be the first ever conference to be held at the new Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, on central Wellington's harbour front. (The museum opens to the public in 1998.)
Judge Mick Brown - former Principal Youth Court Judge of New Zealand is to chair the Conference. He brings to the role a lifetime of experience and service to New Zealand and New Zealanders of all ages and backgrounds.
The Prime Minister Jim Bolger, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Minister of Labour, Immigration, Business Development and Energy, Max Bradford, will also speak at the conference.
The Government considers it important for a diverse range of people to participate in the conference, and recognises that some community groups may require financial assistance in order to attend. Decisions on such assistance will be made once registrations have been received.
Anyone wishing to register their interest in attending the conference should do so by contacting Corporate Arrangements (which has been contracted to make the practical arrangements for the conference) by fax (04) 472-4225, email register@corpevents.co.nz. or by post to Population Conference Secretariat, P.O. Box 12106, Thorndon, Wellington. Formal registration will begin next month, closing in September.

Hon Max Bradford
Minister of Immigration

Hon Max Bradford, Minister of Immigration
The Population Conference will take a hard look at who we are as New Zealanders and where we are going as a country. The Population Conference on November 13 and 14 will be the first time New Zealanders have set out, armed with the latest research and facts about current and future demographics, to discuss the economic, social and international issues relating to population change and immigration. New Zealand society has undergone profound changes in the past two decades with decreasing fertility rates, increasing one-parent families, and a growth in settlers from non-European countries. The cultural and ethnic diversity of our country was put in the spotlight during one of the most memorable and moving early moments of the Coalition Government - Pansy Wong's maiden speech. She painted a picture of New Zealand as One Nation, Many People - a country rich in people, skills and cultures. New Zealand is a country formed by immigration - from the early 1800s when the first settlers joined the indigenous Maori population, followed by waves of European, Chinese, Asian and Pacific Island migrants. Today we are a multicultural society with all the richness, benefits and challenges that go with it. There are more than 12 significant-sized ethnic groups within New Zealand. Chinese make up 2.3 per cent of our population - the equivalent of a city the size of Palmerston North. Pacific Islanders make up 5 per cent. A ministerial steering committee has been established by the Prime Minister to oversee general planning for the Population Conference with Immigration Minister Max Bradford having day-to-day responsibility for the event's organisation. The two-day Population Conference on November 13 and 14 is expected to attract about 300 participants, including representatives from the academic world, central and local government, the business sector, education, health, Maori and ethnic groups, social service and community sectors. The Population Conference is a key part of the Coalition Agreement. It will include high quality speakers and is aimed at a diverse range of people and organisations interested in population and immigration issues. The conference will inform the public and the Government about present and future population dynamics so we are better equipped to prepare for issues facing us in years to come. To plan for our country's future we must know the facts and understand the relationships between population growth, immigration, economic growth and social needs. The conference will take a comprehensive look at demographic aspects influencing economic growth and society. The conference is an opportunity to explore the relationship between population change and immigration, and the impact on economic activity and future demand for education, social services and business growth.	Through a series of key addresses from experts, the conference will consider the following: New Zealand's current and future population dynamics; an international perspective on demographic and economic impacts of immigration; population change and the role of immigration; population change, education, skills and growth; population change and economic and social participation; population change and growth and development. The Conference will also take an extensive look at what contributes to the successful settlement of migrants and factors which may contribute to developing immigration targets. Key addresses will be followed by a wide variety of smaller forums with specialist expert speakers, panel and audience discussions. Forum topics: Population change and the labour market; population change, education, skill development and growth; the successful settlement of migrants and factors for setting immigration targets; population change and urban expansion and infrastructure; population change and social services; population change, national identity, ethnic diversity and cultural development; population change and conservation, environment and recreation; population change and Maori development; population change and the business sector; population change and international linkages. As well as the wide range of participants and top quality speakers from New Zealand and overseas, the conference venue itself is expected to be a highlight of the programme. It will be the first ever conference to be held at the new Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, on central Wellington's harbour front. (The museum opens to the public in 1998.) Judge Mick Brown - former Principal Youth Court Judge of New Zealand is to chair the Conference. He brings to the role a lifetime of experience and service to New Zealand and New Zealanders of all ages and backgrounds. The Prime Minister Jim Bolger, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Minister of Labour, Immigration, Business Development and Energy, Max Bradford, will also speak at the conference. The Government considers it important for a diverse range of people to participate in the conference, and recognises that some community groups may require financial assistance in order to attend. Decisions on such assistance will be made once registrations have been received. Anyone wishing to register their interest in attending the conference should do so by contacting Corporate Arrangements (which has been contracted to make the practical arrangements for the conference) by fax (04) 472-4225, email register@corpevents.co.nz. or by post to Population Conference Secretariat, P.O. Box 12106, Thorndon, Wellington. Formal registration will begin next month, closing in September.
Hon Max Bradford Minister of Immigration