Edges Of Empire: The Politics Of Immigration In Aptearoa New Zealand, 1980 2020

Description

How and why immigration has evolved in Aotearoa New Zealand over the last forty years.
Since 1980, the peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand have fundamentally changed through new policies and new patterns of
migration – from a largely Pākehā population with 10 per cent Māori in 1980 to today’s megadiversity, with new residents
from Asia, the Pacifc and the rest of the world. Immigration has had a profound impact on New Zealand’s society,
economy, and place in the world.
Edges of Empire is an in-depth account of the social, political and economic context within which these transformations in
policy and population took place. Drawing on interviews with ffteen former Ministers of Immigration, this book reveals the
intricacies of politics and policy-making that have led to New Zealand’s relatively open and economically driven approach
towards migration.
Written by three leading social scientists, Edges of Empire provides an insightful account of who is included in Aotearoa
New Zealand and under what conditions.
ENDORSEMENTS
‘Aotearoa New Zealand is a curiously neglected case in migration studies, despite the signifcance of immigration in the
country’s social, economic and political development. This book will make a signifcant contribution towards flling this gap.’
— Antje Ellermann, Founder and Co-Director, Centre for Migration Studies, University of British Columbia
‘This is an impressive review of international migration policy in Aotearoa New Zealand with particular reference to the
forty years between 1981 and 2020. It makes a distinctive contribution by situating much of the discussion in the context
of the perspectives and policy interventions of successive Ministers of Immigration since the mid-1970s. As someone with
more than ffty years of research experience in the feld, I found the narrative that the authors have developed is novel, very
comprehensive, well argued and interesting to read.’
— Richard Bedford, QSO, Emeritus Professor, University of Waikato and AUT