ABSTRACT
This chapter illustrates who 'new Chinese migrants' are and introduces their socio-demographic characteristics. It also considers the socio-cultural context of their migration, which provides an understanding of how structural and historical conditions influence and shape the wider living situation of these migrants. The chapter provides an overview of the major migration policy changes of both New Zealand and China. It draws a profile of the research cohort, including information about these migrants' settlement outcomes and socio-economic integration within the wider society of New Zealand and how they have been perceived by the media and the public. The chapter highlights the fact that many new Chinese migrants moved to New Zealand driven by their imagination towards a 'cosmopolitan West'. It chapter presents the historical background in which new Chinese migrants were facilitated, motivated and able to leave their homeland to embark on their migration to New Zealand, amongst other Western settler societies.
