Why did they return to Taumarunui?: factors influencing the migration decision-making process of return migrants to Taumarunui, a rural area in central North Island, New Zealand

Abstract

This study examines the decision-making process and socio-economic characteristics of return migrants to the rural community of Taumarunui Borough and County in Central North Island New Zealand. From an initial known group of six return migrants, a snowball sampling technique was used to collect data from fifty return migrants. These people were interviewed using an interview guide and their migration histories collated. Retrospective details were recorded of reasons for leaving Taumarunui, going to an urban area, leaving the urban area and returning to Taumarunui. Future migration intentions were also surveyed with potential reasons documented for leaving Taumarunui again or staying. Socio-economic characteristics of the migrants were recorded including sex, race and educational achievement. The data was collated and using grounded theory methods, categories of reasons were refined for each stage of the migration history. Implications for social services planning and social work practice in rural areas are considered.