The recent visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) to New Zealand brings good news to Filipinos who want to work overseas. The two-day state visit results to a greater chance of skilled Filipinos to migrate to New Zealand.

New Zealand Prime Minister (PM), Helen Clark expressed their country’s willingness to increase diplomatic and trade ties with the Philippines in a joint press conference with PGMA held at Wellington. According to Clark, negotiations are currently underway for the proposed free trade agreement between New Zealand, Philippines, and Australia. This would allow Filipino workers to be employed and even migrate to New Zealand.

The PM of New Zealand said, "The Philippines is important to us economically. It is New Zealand's 12th biggest market in the world." Clark also emphasized that the greatest asset of the Philippines is its human resources or the people.

Clark added, “We are short of skilled workers here, so we appreciate an increased flow of people to our country.” Last year, 2,435 Filipinos obtained migrant status in New Zealand. This is a huge increase from the 898 Filipinos who obtained migrant status from 2004 to 2005.

"In other words, the numbers have virtually tripled, and they are almost entirely skilled people" who could easily seek employment because of "their extensive command of English, " Clark informed.

Clark praised overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in New Zealand with the following words: "But perhaps the greatest contributor to closer ties has been the growth of the Filipino community in New Zealand -- now over 20,000 people. In my experience, they are hardworking and friendly, and they are proud ambassadors for their country."

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