Population studies in New Zealand: beyond the crossroads?

Population studies in New Zealand during the 1990s are marked by a major focus on the family and increased analysis of population issues. Three events are identified as contributing to the burst of information available. The welfare system was dismantled. The first national fertility survey was conducted. A new immigration law was enacted in 1991 which established targets favored in-migrants with particular skills and interests and accepted biculturalism. Funding for research increased for both collaboration between institutions and competition between institutions. Population studies are receiving a clear mandate for research from the Foundation for Research Science and Technology the Crown Health Enterprises the Department of Conservation the Ministry of the Environment and regional councils and the Ministry of Maori Development. The focus during the 1990s is considered quite different from the issues since the 1960s. The government clearly identified in the Cairo document that changes in population composition must be anticipated and planned for and that changes must not jeopardize social and economic development. Population trends are not expected to repeat past patterns. Future demographic patterns are expected to reflect surprises and a lack of parallel New Zealand patterns historically and a lack of parallel patterns internationally.