New Zealand is fast emerging as a top destination of skilled overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as the country expressed its willingness to opens its doors to more Asian workers.

The chairman of the Asia-New Zealand Foundation, Philip Burdon said, "there is a rapidly expanding Asian population in New Zealand and the country is definitely opening up to more Asians."

According to Burdon, the percentage of Asians in New Zealand at present has reached 11% and is expected to reach 25% by year 2026

Data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in 2007 said that there are 23,000 Filipinos in New Zealand. This figure is said to have increased by 100% in 2008. While majority of Filipino workers and migrants are concentrated in Australia, around 360,000 Filipinos are working and living in Oceania.

The POEA said that they are trying to open up more labor markets for OFWs, thus creating more opportunities and more options for OFWs, However, a lot of OFWs still prefer common destinations for OFWs such as the Middle East and United Kingdom.

Mr. Burdon informed that for OFWs whose expertise and specialization lies in the field of health care, hospitality, information technology, accountancy, law and agricultural industry, New Zealand is a good destination.

He said, "We have high standards and demanding criteria, but that is to ensure that the standards in the country are met."

The executive director of the Asia-New Zealand Foundation, Richard Grant said, "We are a nation that is in transition, where so many of our young people are moving across New Zealand or outside of the country. So, immigrants and migrant workers can integrate well."

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