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Are we STILL foreigners in New Zealand? A Migrant's Perspective

Are we STILL foreigners in New Zealand? A Migrant's Perspective

For nearly a decade, my family and I have called New Zealand home. I am a New Zealand citizen, I have worked here, paid taxes here, and contributed my professional skills to a country that—until now—I believed valued people for their contributions rather than their birthplace. But recent comments from Winston Peters and Shane Jones regarding "sending Mexicans home" and follow-up comments, have made me question whether some political leaders truly understand the impact of their words. 

New Zealand has long prided itself on being a peaceful, welcoming nation where people from all backgrounds can thrive. But statements like these do more than just offend—they create division and feed an "us versus them" mentality that has no place in a modern, diverse society. 

More Than Just Migrants—We Are New Zealanders Too. 

Migrants do not simply exist in New Zealand, we help build it. We are doctors, engineers, teachers, business owners, and essential workers. We contribute to the economy, fill skills shortages, and bring cultural diversity that enriches the very fabric of this nation. Yet, when political leaders make comments that frame migrants as disposable or unwelcome, it undermines these contributions and signals that no matter how long we’ve lived here, we will always be seen as foreigners, having an attitude of servitude and gratitude at all times, as if we don't belong.

I remember my family and I arriving in New Zealand with hope and excitement, feeling welcomed by a society that valued fairness and opportunity, but also filling massive and critical skills gaps that sustain this economy. Over the years, I have met countless other migrants who share this experience. But rhetoric like this makes us wonder—has that welcome been conditional all along? 

The Responsibility of Leadership

Words have power, especially when they come from political leaders. Their statements are not just personal opinions but reflections of the nation on the global stage. When leaders use divisive rhetoric, it does not just affect migrants—it affects how New Zealand is perceived worldwide and, more importantly, how its own people treat each other. At a time when unity is more important than ever, we need leaders who will bring people together. New Zealand can be a nation built on principles of fairness and inclusion. That identity should not be jeopardised by careless words spoken on a political platform. 

A Nation at a Crossroads 

New Zealand must ask itself: Do we want to be a country that builds walls or bridges? Do we want to define people by where they were born, or by the value they bring to this land? I still believe in the New Zealand that welcomed me almost ten years ago. I hope that, despite the voices trying to pull us apart, the spirit of inclusivity remains stronger.

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