NZ battling for best migrants

[MotherBear]

Could be good news for the future.

NZ forced to join global race for immigrants
Page 1 of 2 ...........11:39AM Monday November 26, 2007

Attracting skilled workers has become a global popularity contest with nations slugging it out for the best migrants. Grant Fleming of NZPA looks at how New Zealand is faring.

The kind of aggressive approach to immigration being taken by Singapore may have to be adopted in New Zealand.

Singapore's leaders have set a target - to boost the population from 4.4 to 6.5 million by the middle of the century, meaning a need to loosen immigration and make its education system internationally attractive.

Business New Zealand chief executive Phil O'Reilly said: "The bar is being raised very, very rapidly indeed, because most of the developed economies in the world are facing the same kind of labour market crunch that we are."

He is referring to the phenomenon of an ageing population, low unemployment and a persistently strong world economy.

More here .