More than 90 percent of migrants were very happy with life and were settled after 18 months of living in New Zealand, a new survey found.

The Longitudinal Immigration Survey showed overall new migrants adjusted well and began contributing to the economy quickly.

Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman said it was important migrants settled well, because they contributed $1.9 billion a year to the New Zealand economy and there were many countries competing for their skills.

"We're seeing a really positive trend with skilled migrants -- they are productive, they provide employers with the skills (that) may not be available in the workforce and they contribute to economic growth."

The survey, completed by the Department of Labour, questioned people that arrived in New Zealand under the skilled migrant category. Ninety-two percent of those were employed at the time of the survey.

The survey began in 2005 and will be completed later this year. It questioned 6000 new migrants at various stages after taking up permanent residence.

(Source Otago Daily Times)