Key Takeaways
- Local leaders acknowledge that day‑to‑day community life in the Bay of Plenty is generally welcoming and inclusive toward migrants.
- Migrants are seen as vital workers who fill critical gaps in construction, tourism, horticulture, kiwifruit production and other skilled trades.
- While many residents appreciate migrants’ economic and cultural contributions, housing affordability, cost‑of‑living pressures and system‑navigation challenges fuel scepticism.
- Survey data show the Bay of Plenty is 5‑11 percentage points more immigration‑sceptical than the national average, and this scepticism correlates closely with heightened financial dissatisfaction.
- Officials stress that blaming migrants for broader economic stresses misdiagnoses the root causes, which include domestic growth pressures and long‑term neoliberal policy impacts.
- A continued emphasis on openness, inclusivity and workforce development is viewed as essential for attracting talent, sustaining growth and maintaining social cohesion.
Overview of Local Leadership Perspectives
Officials across Tauranga, Rotorua and the Western Bay of Plenty consistently frame migration as a double‑edged reality: migrants enrich the region economically and culturally, yet they also become convenient scapegoats when residents feel economic strain. Leaders repeatedly point out that everyday interactions remain positive, but structural pressures—particularly housing shortages, job market competition and navigating public services—create an environment where mistrust can surface.
Premila D’Mello on Daily Life, Pressures and Volunteerism
Premila D’Mello, president of Multicultural Tauranga, noted that while migrants often feel welcomed in routine community encounters, they simultaneously face pressure from housing costs, employment uncertainty and the difficulty of understanding local systems. She highlighted that many newcomers volunteer while seeking paid work, thereby contributing time and skills to local organisations. D’Mello countered the misconception that migrants “take more than they give,” arguing instead that they fill essential workforce gaps and underpin key industries, population growth and the region’s cultural diversity.
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale on Migration as a Growth Engine
Mayor Mahé Drysdale affirmed that immigration, alongside internal migration, is central to Tauranga’s future prosperity. He described the city’s strength as lying in its people and stressed that sectors such as construction, tourism and seasonal horticulture depend heavily on migrant labour. According to Drysdale, migrant workers are indispensable to the day‑to‑day functioning of the city and the wider Bay of Plenty, supporting both economic output and community vitality.
Rotorua Multicultural Council on Skilled Migrants and Community Celebration
Margriet Theron, president of the Rotorua Multicultural Council, characterised the city’s migrant population as highly skilled professionals and tradespeople whose contributions are “huge” to the local economy. She cited numerous events that showcase positive reception: the Latin American Fiesta, Sing Out Rotorua, the Parade of Nations during Waitangi Day celebrations and the Sri Lankan New Year festivities. These gatherings, Theron said, illustrate both the cultural richness migrants bring and the genuine appreciation many residents hold for them.
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell on Scepticism and Perceived Safety
Mayor Tania Tapsell expressed sorrow over the high level of scepticism toward immigration in her city, noting that such attitudes often stem from discrimination that overlooks the tangible benefits migrants provide. She emphasized that New Zealand’s reputation as a safe and stable nation should be a point of pride, while also acknowledging genuine local anxieties about rising living costs and housing unaffordability. Tapsell warned that blaming migrants for these pressures does not address the underlying issues and risks eroding community cohesion.
Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer on Economic Benefits and Internal Growth
James Denyer, mayor of the Western Bay of Plenty, reported that most residents view immigrants positively, especially recognising their role in bolstering the booming kiwifruit industry. He acknowledged that rapid regional growth has generated housing and infrastructure pressures that frustrate some locals, but he contended that much of this expansion is driven by internal New Zealand migration rather than incoming immigrants. Consequently, Denyer argued it is inaccurate to attribute housing shortages or strained services solely to immigration.
Priority One CEO Dave Courtney on Inclusivity and Workforce Strategy
Dave Courtney, chief executive of economic development agency Priority One, stressed that an open, inclusive stance is crucial for attracting talent and investment to the Bay of Plenty. He described migrant workers as an important component of the workforce mix that complements—rather than replaces—local labour. Courtney highlighted employer‑led initiatives aimed at developing local capability and creating clear career pathways, while maintaining that migration remains an essential lever for addressing both immediate and long‑term skill gaps.
Economist Shamubeel Eaqub on Survey Data Linking Scepticism and Financial Stress
Economist Shamubeel Eaqub presented findings from a national survey of 2,882 respondents, with 172 weighted to represent the Bay of Plenty. The region consistently scored 5‑11 percentage points higher on immigration scepticism than the national average. Specifically, 45 % of Bay of Plenty residents believed immigration was too high, 44 % felt diversity strengthened New Zealand, and 46 % agreed immigrants benefited the economy. Eaqub noted that the area also exhibits above‑average financial dissatisfaction, and the data suggest a strong connection between economic pressure and heightened skepticism toward migrants. When people perceive that public systems are failing to keep up with their needs, immigration often becomes the most visible target for frustration.
Whakatāne Mayor Nándor Tánczos on Financial Stress, Neoliberal Policies and Trust
Whakatāne Mayor Nándor Tánczos echoed the economist’s view, asserting that financial stress and insecurity are the strongest drivers of declining trust and negative attitudes toward perceived outsiders. He explained that under economic strain, fear, resentment and misinformation can easily take hold. Tánczos traced part of this dynamic to four decades of neoliberal policies that have left many citizens feeling impoverished and excluded from the social contract. Consequently, frustration is frequently redirected away from governmental decisions toward less powerful groups, such as migrants. He warned that this pattern can fracture communities, weaken confidence in institutions and undermine democratic stability.
Closing Note on Journalist Kaitlyn Morrell
The article was reported by Kaitlyn Morrell, a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has lived in the region for several years and holds a journalism degree from Massey University. Her on‑the‑ground coverage helped capture the varied voices of local leaders, community organisations and residents that shape the ongoing conversation about migration in the Bay of Plenty.