Migrants are less satisfied with their lives and more likely to feel unsafe after several years in New Zealand, a long-term survey has found.

But they are also more likely to be employed, earn more and have greater job satisfaction, the longitudinal immigration survey by the Department of Labour and Statistics New Zealand shows.

More than 5000 migrants were interviewed at six months, 18 months and three years since moving to New Zealand.

The results, released today, found 24.2 percent of migrants were less satisfied with their lives at three years, compared with 14.1 percent who were more satisfied.

While 92.3 percent of migrants said they were satisfied or very satisfied at three years, the number who were very satisfied decreased over time, from 44.7 percent at six months to 35.5 percent at three years.

Migrants were also less likely to feel safe from crime, with 36.1 percent saying they felt less safe at six months compared with 13.8 percent who felt more safe at three years.

The number who felt unsafe or very unsafe increased from 3.2 percent at six months to 7.5 percent at three years, while the number who felt safe or very safe decreased from 85.5 percent to 76 percent.

Migrants were generally more satisfied at work, with many earning more and reporting greater job satisfaction.

The proportion of migrants in employment rose from 72.1 percent at six months to 75.7 percent at three years, while the proportion looking for work decreased from 3.1 percent to 1.8 percent.

Job satisfaction increased over the same period, from 80.8 percent to 84.9 percent.

Wages also increased, from an average hourly rate of $20.35 at six months to $23.49 at three years -- a real wage increase of 15.4 percent.

The average wage ranged from $14.95 for Pacific migrants to $28.09 for those who entered New Zealand as skilled migrants.

Despite earning more, the proportion of migrants who said their income was adequate remained level, with 70.6 percent saying they earned enough or more than enough to meet their everyday needs.

Nearly three out of 10 said their income was inadequate to meet their needs.

The survey found more migrants now owned homes in New Zealand, with 30.6 percent owning property at six months and 51.9 percent at three years.

Britons were most likely to own property, with 76.7 percent owning their homes, while Pacific migrants were most likely to be renting, at 69.7 percent.

Almost half of all migrants lived in Auckland, at 49.3 percent, with 31.5 percent in the rest of the North Island and 19.3 percent in the South Island.

Only a quarter remained in the house they originally lived in.

Most migrants intended to stay in New Zealand for three years or more, at 90.4 percent, while 78.4 percent had gained or intended to apply for citizenship.

The survey of 5144 migrants excluded those who were granted residency under special criteria, including refugees, Australians, Niueans, Cook Islanders and Tokelauans.

They were each interviewed three times, between November 2004 and October last year.

(Source Otago Daily Times)