Latest news with #Brazilians
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Nearly half of Kiwis applying for Australian citizenship born elsewhere
Max Siqueira (second from right), during his New Zealand citizenship ceremony - he has now moved to Australia. Photo: Neil Macbeth / SUPPLIED Nearly half of the New Zealanders applying for Australian citizenship weren't born here, according to data from the Australian government. Between July 2023 and June 2025, more than 92,000 New Zealand citizens applied for Australian citizenship, its Department of Home Affairs said. The figures raised questions about whether New Zealand had become a launch pad for migrants aiming to settle in Australia . When Max Siqueira moved from Brazil to New Zealand in 2016, he had no firm plans. He arrived on a visitor visa, but after landing a job, he stayed long enough to gain permanent residency and eventually became a New Zealand citizen last year. Soon after, his family went on holiday to Australia - they liked it so much they decided to move there and now live on the Gold Coast. Australia's Gold Coast. (File photo) Photo: 123rf "It's really easy once you get the New Zealand passport," Siqueira said. "I just bought a plane ticket. At the airport, I gave them my passport and said I was moving to Australia. They said 'Welcome, good luck' - that's it. The next day, I applied for a tax number and started working. It was that easy." His case was not unique. In 2024 alone, nearly 30,000 New Zealanders moved to Australia - the highest number in more than a decade . Since July 2023, New Zealand citizens on a Special Category Visa (SCV) had been able to apply directly for Australian citizenship after four years of residence, without first needing to become permanent residents. Australia did not cap the number of SCVs issued, and nearly every New Zealand citizen was eligible for one upon arrival. While Siqueira believed most migrants came to New Zealand intending to settle, he agreed some planned to move on. "It happens, but not as much as people might think. I know a few who had that plan from day one, go to New Zealand, then move to Australia once they get the passport. "But most didn't plan that. They were happy in New Zealand and only thought about moving once they visited Australia or realised how easy it would be with the passport. "I can't speak for all nationalities, but among Brazilians I know, the main reason people move to Australia is the weather. It reminds us of home," Siqueira said. Stats NZ said since the early 2000s, migrants born outside of New Zealand have made up a growing share of New Zealand citizens moving across the Tasman. Of New Zealand citizens who migrated to Australia in 2024, 35 percent were foreign-born. Data form the Department of Home Affairs showed, from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2025, more than 92,000 New Zealand nationals who hold a Special Category Visa (SVC) applied for Australian citizenship. Of these, 48 percent were born outside of New Zealand. Emeritus Professor Richard Bedford, a population geographer, said while New Zealand had a net loss of citizens to Australia, it had also a considerable net gain of citizens from other countries during the same period. "There's sometimes an assumption all the people going to Australia are highly skilled, and those coming here are not, but that's incorrect", he said. "We bring in many highly skilled migrants, and it does help balance the overall flow." But retaining that talent was a real challenge, he said. "We need to take very seriously the factors that attract skilled migrants. It's not always about money, but money is a big one. "We must ensure that highly skilled migrants we bring in get good jobs and are well paid. But we're a small country with a smaller economy, and we can't compete on everything. "What we can offer is a good lifestyle, a welcoming environment, and a strong sense of community, things that also matter to many migrants." Immigration rules were an important factor, he said. "Many barriers to skilled employment in New Zealand come from our own professional associations, like medical or engineering boards. "If we're not letting these skilled people work, we shouldn't be inviting them in the first place. "And once someone has residency, they have the same rights as anyone else. If they don't want to stay in the job they came for, or if they want to move to Australia, they have every right to do so. Bedford, who had been working on migration issues since the 1960s, said it's too difficult to tell if more immigrants are using this country as a stepping stone across the Tasman. He said the real challenge was making New Zealand a place people want to stay. "Not just with good pay, but with access to housing, a welcoming culture, and opportunities. If we want migrants to commit to staying, we have to make it worth their while beyond just the job offer." Emeritus Professor Jacques Poot, a population economist at the University of Waikato, said New Zealand and Australia had long functioned as two closely linked labour markets, and New Zealand had typically come out on the losing side. "Australia's economy is about five times bigger, and wages tend to be higher due to slightly greater productivity." Poot said it was unfair to assume migrants who left had always intended to do so. "People migrate for all kinds of reasons. Some move on, some return home, and others stay. There's a lot of churn in modern labour markets. Migration today is often temporary." Still, he said New Zealand should improve its ability to retain people who wanted to settle. "We should revisit our pathways to residency. We need to make sure people who want to settle here have every opportunity to do so." He also pointed to New Zealand's wage gap as a long-standing push factor. "Australia offers higher wages, and that's tied to their larger economy and more populous cities. Cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane generate what we call 'agglomeration advantages', with more productivity, more opportunities, better pay." Even so, he said the narrative of a mass exodus from New Zealand was overstated. "If you look at the numbers in proportion to our total population, the real exodus happened in the late 1970s, when we only had 3 million people. Now we have over 5 million. So while the numbers may look big, they're not records in relative terms. "One of the things that struck me in 1979 was the big headline in two papers in Wellington: 'Last one to turn off the light.' Because they were really amazed about the out migration from New Zealand. "Well, since then, we're still having the lights on in New Zealand, so I wouldn't worry too much about it." 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Fashion Network
6 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tourists tame their shopaholic ways, if they even come to the US
'Tourists would come with empty suitcases and they would go out, fill the suitcases up and then ship those suitcases home,' said Floris van Dijkum, a managing director at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Now, habits are changing. 'The jury is still out on the ultimate impact, but clearly you're going to see some pressure,' he said. Betto Souza, who has been working as a tour operator in South Florida for over a decade, is experiencing the shift first hand. While his clients — predominantly Brazilians like him — are still flocking to Miami for big events like the Miami Open and Formula One Grand Prix, they're being more selective about what to spend their money on. Steep import taxes and trade barriers have long pushed Brazilians to buy brand-name products abroad, with electronics like Apple Inc. watches and MacBooks — as well as Nike Inc. sneakers, Tommy Hilfiger Corp. shirts and Michael Kors bags — among their go-to purchases. Now, 'some will opt not to buy sneakers so they can still purchase an iPhone. Or they'll forgo buying perfume,' said Souza, 53, who owns Miami Tours & Limo Services. 'Some are sacrificing shopping to be able to have experiences.' Annet van der Meer, visiting New York City from the Netherlands, agrees. She's still shopping for US brands, including New Balance sneakers and UGG boots, but much of her budget is going toward day-to-day expenses. 'Compared with Europe, it's unbelievable,' said van der Meer, 64, who'd just visited the Macy's store near the Empire State Building. 'Food is very expensive, alcohol is very expensive — I think in Europe we pay two times less than here.' Hotel prices are up almost 10% since before the pandemic, while the cost of eating out has risen by almost a third, according to government data. For years, tourists from across the world have included stops at US luxury stores and outlet malls on their list of must-dos when visiting the country. Though e-commerce and international expansion mean the days of filling suitcases with half-price US brands are in the past, there are still some bargains to be found — especially for visitors from countries where certain products are priced at a premium. Last year, shopping was the top leisure activity among the more than 48 million foreigners who flew to the US, a survey by the ITA found, topping sightseeing and visits to national parks, monuments and museums. Visitors could be further deterred by the cost of visas, which are set to rise significantly due to new fees detailed in Trump's multitrillion-dollar tax and spending bill. And in recent weeks, the president has been threatening new tariffs on imports from countries including Brazil, Mexico and South Korea. Canada has already seen widespread boycotts on all things American. The unease among tourists is adding to challenges for everyone from mom-and-pop owned retailers to big companies like Macy's Inc., where Chief Executive Officer Tony Spring recently indicated that international tourism took a toll on sales last quarter. The company, which owns luxury brands Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury as well as its namesake stores, said its forward guidance was based on overseas shoppers staying away. Other companies have suggested US consumers could help offset some of the losses. UK fashion brand Burberry Group Plc said last week that a slowdown among tourists globally was the most challenging part of its business worldwide, but that sales in the Americas beat forecasts in the quarter through June, driven by 'new local customer growth.' Luana Krewer, a 24-year-old college student from Brazil's capital, Brasilia, returned in May from a two-week trip to Orlando and Miami with her family. She was on the hunt for a Coach bag, but said that shopping in the US 'is very different from what it used to be.' Compared to costs on her last visit in 2018, when she found deals on Apple products and the Brazilian real was almost twice as strong against the dollar, 'I thought the prices were very expensive,' she said. Ultimately, she spent more than 1,000 dollars on clothes at the discount store Ross Dress for Less and Florida's outlet stores, picking up products from Nike, Gap Inc., Victoria's Secret & Co. and Target Corp. Back in midtown Manhattan, Selma Aydin manages the New York Gift Store near the Rockefeller Center, selling souvenirs including New York Yankees hats and shirts to tourists. She said fewer people are visiting the store this year, and they're spending less. 'Last year, if people were coming, they were spending 1,000 dollars,' said Aydin, 50. 'One customer, for example, right now, is spending 200 dollars.'
Fashion Network
7 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tourists tame their shopaholic ways, if they even come to the US
'Tourists would come with empty suitcases and they would go out, fill the suitcases up and then ship those suitcases home,' said Floris van Dijkum, a managing director at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Now, habits are changing. 'The jury is still out on the ultimate impact, but clearly you're going to see some pressure,' he said. Betto Souza, who has been working as a tour operator in South Florida for over a decade, is experiencing the shift first hand. While his clients — predominantly Brazilians like him — are still flocking to Miami for big events like the Miami Open and Formula One Grand Prix, they're being more selective about what to spend their money on. Steep import taxes and trade barriers have long pushed Brazilians to buy brand-name products abroad, with electronics like Apple Inc. watches and MacBooks — as well as Nike Inc. sneakers, Tommy Hilfiger Corp. shirts and Michael Kors bags — among their go-to purchases. Now, 'some will opt not to buy sneakers so they can still purchase an iPhone. Or they'll forgo buying perfume,' said Souza, 53, who owns Miami Tours & Limo Services. 'Some are sacrificing shopping to be able to have experiences.' Annet van der Meer, visiting New York City from the Netherlands, agrees. She's still shopping for US brands, including New Balance sneakers and UGG boots, but much of her budget is going toward day-to-day expenses. 'Compared with Europe, it's unbelievable,' said van der Meer, 64, who'd just visited the Macy's store near the Empire State Building. 'Food is very expensive, alcohol is very expensive — I think in Europe we pay two times less than here.' Hotel prices are up almost 10% since before the pandemic, while the cost of eating out has risen by almost a third, according to government data. For years, tourists from across the world have included stops at US luxury stores and outlet malls on their list of must-dos when visiting the country. Though e-commerce and international expansion mean the days of filling suitcases with half-price US brands are in the past, there are still some bargains to be found — especially for visitors from countries where certain products are priced at a premium. Last year, shopping was the top leisure activity among the more than 48 million foreigners who flew to the US, a survey by the ITA found, topping sightseeing and visits to national parks, monuments and museums. Visitors could be further deterred by the cost of visas, which are set to rise significantly due to new fees detailed in Trump's multitrillion-dollar tax and spending bill. And in recent weeks, the president has been threatening new tariffs on imports from countries including Brazil, Mexico and South Korea. Canada has already seen widespread boycotts on all things American. The unease among tourists is adding to challenges for everyone from mom-and-pop owned retailers to big companies like Macy's Inc., where Chief Executive Officer Tony Spring recently indicated that international tourism took a toll on sales last quarter. The company, which owns luxury brands Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury as well as its namesake stores, said its forward guidance was based on overseas shoppers staying away. Other companies have suggested US consumers could help offset some of the losses. UK fashion brand Burberry Group Plc said last week that a slowdown among tourists globally was the most challenging part of its business worldwide, but that sales in the Americas beat forecasts in the quarter through June, driven by 'new local customer growth.' Luana Krewer, a 24-year-old college student from Brazil's capital, Brasilia, returned in May from a two-week trip to Orlando and Miami with her family. She was on the hunt for a Coach bag, but said that shopping in the US 'is very different from what it used to be.' Compared to costs on her last visit in 2018, when she found deals on Apple products and the Brazilian real was almost twice as strong against the dollar, 'I thought the prices were very expensive,' she said. Ultimately, she spent more than 1,000 dollars on clothes at the discount store Ross Dress for Less and Florida's outlet stores, picking up products from Nike, Gap Inc., Victoria's Secret & Co. and Target Corp. Back in midtown Manhattan, Selma Aydin manages the New York Gift Store near the Rockefeller Center, selling souvenirs including New York Yankees hats and shirts to tourists. She said fewer people are visiting the store this year, and they're spending less. 'Last year, if people were coming, they were spending 1,000 dollars,' said Aydin, 50. 'One customer, for example, right now, is spending 200 dollars.'
Fashion Network
7 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tourists tame their shopaholic ways, if they even come to the US
More than taking in views from the top of the Empire State Building, more than watching Old Faithful erupt and even more than shaking hands with Mickey Mouse, visitors to the US come to do one thing: shop. But now, President Donald Trump 's global trade war and border policies — combined with broader economic uncertainty — are threatening billions of tourism dollars. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates almost 20 billion dollars in retail spending is at risk this year. Some travellers are avoiding the US altogether, and of those who are coming, many are rethinking their budgets. Although some major currencies have recently gained against the dollar, international visitors are still confronting years of US inflation that has driven up the price of hotel stays and restaurant meals, leaving less money in their pockets for shopping. Travel-related spending, which typically grows each year, has been virtually flat this year through May when compared to the same period in 2024, data from the US International Trade Administration show. Meanwhile, foreign arrivals to the US by air were down 6.6% in June compared to last year, according to the ITA. 'Tourists would come with empty suitcases and they would go out, fill the suitcases up and then ship those suitcases home,' said Floris van Dijkum, a managing director at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Now, habits are changing. 'The jury is still out on the ultimate impact, but clearly you're going to see some pressure,' he said. Betto Souza, who has been working as a tour operator in South Florida for over a decade, is experiencing the shift first hand. While his clients — predominantly Brazilians like him — are still flocking to Miami for big events like the Miami Open and Formula One Grand Prix, they're being more selective about what to spend their money on. Steep import taxes and trade barriers have long pushed Brazilians to buy brand-name products abroad, with electronics like Apple Inc. watches and MacBooks — as well as Nike Inc. sneakers, Tommy Hilfiger Corp. shirts and Michael Kors bags — among their go-to purchases. Now, 'some will opt not to buy sneakers so they can still purchase an iPhone. Or they'll forgo buying perfume,' said Souza, 53, who owns Miami Tours & Limo Services. 'Some are sacrificing shopping to be able to have experiences.' Annet van der Meer, visiting New York City from the Netherlands, agrees. She's still shopping for US brands, including New Balance sneakers and UGG boots, but much of her budget is going toward day-to-day expenses. 'Compared with Europe, it's unbelievable,' said van der Meer, 64, who'd just visited the Macy's store near the Empire State Building. 'Food is very expensive, alcohol is very expensive — I think in Europe we pay two times less than here.' Hotel prices are up almost 10% since before the pandemic, while the cost of eating out has risen by almost a third, according to government data. For years, tourists from across the world have included stops at US luxury stores and outlet malls on their list of must-dos when visiting the country. Though e-commerce and international expansion mean the days of filling suitcases with half-price US brands are in the past, there are still some bargains to be found — especially for visitors from countries where certain products are priced at a premium. Last year, shopping was the top leisure activity among the more than 48 million foreigners who flew to the US, a survey by the ITA found, topping sightseeing and visits to national parks, monuments and museums. Visitors could be further deterred by the cost of visas, which are set to rise significantly due to new fees detailed in Trump's multitrillion-dollar tax and spending bill. And in recent weeks, the president has been threatening new tariffs on imports from countries including Brazil, Mexico and South Korea. Canada has already seen widespread boycotts on all things American. The unease among tourists is adding to challenges for everyone from mom-and-pop owned retailers to big companies like Macy's Inc., where Chief Executive Officer Tony Spring recently indicated that international tourism took a toll on sales last quarter. The company, which owns luxury brands Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury as well as its namesake stores, said its forward guidance was based on overseas shoppers staying away. Other companies have suggested US consumers could help offset some of the losses. UK fashion brand Burberry Group Plc said last week that a slowdown among tourists globally was the most challenging part of its business worldwide, but that sales in the Americas beat forecasts in the quarter through June, driven by 'new local customer growth.' Luana Krewer, a 24-year-old college student from Brazil's capital, Brasilia, returned in May from a two-week trip to Orlando and Miami with her family. She was on the hunt for a Coach bag, but said that shopping in the US 'is very different from what it used to be.' Compared to costs on her last visit in 2018, when she found deals on Apple products and the Brazilian real was almost twice as strong against the dollar, 'I thought the prices were very expensive,' she said. Ultimately, she spent more than 1,000 dollars on clothes at the discount store Ross Dress for Less and Florida's outlet stores, picking up products from Nike, Gap Inc., Victoria's Secret & Co. and Target Corp. Back in midtown Manhattan, Selma Aydin manages the New York Gift Store near the Rockefeller Center, selling souvenirs including New York Yankees hats and shirts to tourists. She said fewer people are visiting the store this year, and they're spending less. 'Last year, if people were coming, they were spending 1,000 dollars,' said Aydin, 50. 'One customer, for example, right now, is spending 200 dollars.'
Fashion Network
7 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tourists tame their shopaholic ways, if they even come to the US
More than taking in views from the top of the Empire State Building, more than watching Old Faithful erupt and even more than shaking hands with Mickey Mouse, visitors to the US come to do one thing: shop. But now, President Donald Trump 's global trade war and border policies — combined with broader economic uncertainty — are threatening billions of tourism dollars. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates almost 20 billion dollars in retail spending is at risk this year. Some travellers are avoiding the US altogether, and of those who are coming, many are rethinking their budgets. Although some major currencies have recently gained against the dollar, international visitors are still confronting years of US inflation that has driven up the price of hotel stays and restaurant meals, leaving less money in their pockets for shopping. Travel-related spending, which typically grows each year, has been virtually flat this year through May when compared to the same period in 2024, data from the US International Trade Administration show. Meanwhile, foreign arrivals to the US by air were down 6.6% in June compared to last year, according to the ITA. 'Tourists would come with empty suitcases and they would go out, fill the suitcases up and then ship those suitcases home,' said Floris van Dijkum, a managing director at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Now, habits are changing. 'The jury is still out on the ultimate impact, but clearly you're going to see some pressure,' he said. Betto Souza, who has been working as a tour operator in South Florida for over a decade, is experiencing the shift first hand. While his clients — predominantly Brazilians like him — are still flocking to Miami for big events like the Miami Open and Formula One Grand Prix, they're being more selective about what to spend their money on. Steep import taxes and trade barriers have long pushed Brazilians to buy brand-name products abroad, with electronics like Apple Inc. watches and MacBooks — as well as Nike Inc. sneakers, Tommy Hilfiger Corp. shirts and Michael Kors bags — among their go-to purchases. Now, 'some will opt not to buy sneakers so they can still purchase an iPhone. Or they'll forgo buying perfume,' said Souza, 53, who owns Miami Tours & Limo Services. 'Some are sacrificing shopping to be able to have experiences.' Annet van der Meer, visiting New York City from the Netherlands, agrees. She's still shopping for US brands, including New Balance sneakers and UGG boots, but much of her budget is going toward day-to-day expenses. 'Compared with Europe, it's unbelievable,' said van der Meer, 64, who'd just visited the Macy's store near the Empire State Building. 'Food is very expensive, alcohol is very expensive — I think in Europe we pay two times less than here.' Hotel prices are up almost 10% since before the pandemic, while the cost of eating out has risen by almost a third, according to government data. For years, tourists from across the world have included stops at US luxury stores and outlet malls on their list of must-dos when visiting the country. Though e-commerce and international expansion mean the days of filling suitcases with half-price US brands are in the past, there are still some bargains to be found — especially for visitors from countries where certain products are priced at a premium. Last year, shopping was the top leisure activity among the more than 48 million foreigners who flew to the US, a survey by the ITA found, topping sightseeing and visits to national parks, monuments and museums. Visitors could be further deterred by the cost of visas, which are set to rise significantly due to new fees detailed in Trump's multitrillion-dollar tax and spending bill. And in recent weeks, the president has been threatening new tariffs on imports from countries including Brazil, Mexico and South Korea. Canada has already seen widespread boycotts on all things American. The unease among tourists is adding to challenges for everyone from mom-and-pop owned retailers to big companies like Macy's Inc., where Chief Executive Officer Tony Spring recently indicated that international tourism took a toll on sales last quarter. The company, which owns luxury brands Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury as well as its namesake stores, said its forward guidance was based on overseas shoppers staying away. Other companies have suggested US consumers could help offset some of the losses. UK fashion brand Burberry Group Plc said last week that a slowdown among tourists globally was the most challenging part of its business worldwide, but that sales in the Americas beat forecasts in the quarter through June, driven by 'new local customer growth.' Luana Krewer, a 24-year-old college student from Brazil's capital, Brasilia, returned in May from a two-week trip to Orlando and Miami with her family. She was on the hunt for a Coach bag, but said that shopping in the US 'is very different from what it used to be.' Compared to costs on her last visit in 2018, when she found deals on Apple products and the Brazilian real was almost twice as strong against the dollar, 'I thought the prices were very expensive,' she said. Ultimately, she spent more than 1,000 dollars on clothes at the discount store Ross Dress for Less and Florida's outlet stores, picking up products from Nike, Gap Inc., Victoria's Secret & Co. and Target Corp. Back in midtown Manhattan, Selma Aydin manages the New York Gift Store near the Rockefeller Center, selling souvenirs including New York Yankees hats and shirts to tourists. She said fewer people are visiting the store this year, and they're spending less. 'Last year, if people were coming, they were spending 1,000 dollars,' said Aydin, 50. 'One customer, for example, right now, is spending 200 dollars.'
