by Ann Beaglehole
In the early 19th century, New Zealand’s doors were open to all. But in 1881 the first barriers were set up, to hold back Chinese immigrants. By the 1920s, it became harder for anyone who was not British to get in. Russians, Italians, Japanese, Africans – people from all over the globe faced restrictions. There was a ‘White New Zealand’ policy in practice, if not in name. By the end of the 20th century, however, other conditions were applied to immigrants, such as whether they had job skills or financial assets, or were in need of refuge.
Main image: English language class, Wellington, 2004
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