Abstract:
This thesis is a case study of the transnational economic life of middle-class Chinese living in New Zealand. It shows how migrants participate in the economies of various countries, enabling them to maintain different dimensions of their class positions and to maximize the utility of their cultural, social and financial capital. The research studied two groups of Chinese migrants, from Hong Kong and from mainland China, in order to explore how international migration and economic practices are embedded in complex social networks and
structural contexts. This study adopts a transnational framework to analyze reasons for migration, income-generating activities and the impact of social networks. It is based on a historical and literature review, observations within the Chinese community, and a series of in-depth qualitative interviews with 53 Chinese migrants in Auckland. This study strengthens the broad consensus in current studies that migration is no longer just a unidirectional movement to search for better economic interests. It shows that migration also involves seeking a more liberal and stable society, improving lifestyle and enhancing class situations. Moreover, it supports recent transnational studies that contemporary migrants often organize their activities across national boundaries in some aspects while participating in the host country’s economy in other aspects. However, my study shows that these transnational activities are more complex than those described in previous research. In particular, it shows how they are structured and shaped by individuals’ and families’ different social positions. This thesis develops a discussion of transnationalism in relation to social class differences, the context of migrants’ place of origin, age, gender, family responsibility and especially the application and convertibility of various forms of capital. Many participants were unable to convert most of their capital into valuable resources to facilitate their integration into New Zealand’s mainstream economy. The lack of adequate language skills, unrecognized credentials and employment experiences, inappropriate professional and commercial practices and a narrow scope of social networks connecting them only to the Chinese community severely hindered their employment and business activities here. Yet different forms of the “new” capital cannot be acquired immediately after migration. Thus, migration to New Zealand enables some but not all participants to achieve a better class position. Facing such difficulties in accessing the mainstream economy, some seek better opportunities at home and in other countries by using their previously accumulated experiences, personal relationships, assets and credentials. Young migrants and husbands who have a greater amount of transferable cultural and economic capital and possess wider business networks are more likely than older people and wives to participate transnationally. They are also more able to move between various countries by using their internationally recognized capital gained before and after their migration. This thesis shows the diversity of migrants’ transnational
experiences in contrast with the conventional understanding that people move between various countries mainly for economic advancement and permanent resettlement.