For a chance to drive a Toyota?: the Lao exodus and the effects of resettlement policies

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to discover the main causes of the Lao refugee exodus and to evaluate the effects of resettlement policies, both in Laos and in third countries. To establish an objective background for this migration the development of Lao society is analyzed and it is argued that Laos was something of an 'artificial' nation largely held together by outside powers for most of the twentieth century. The effect of Pathet Lao policies to reform 'traditional' Laos in pushing refugees out of the country are weighed against the pull of resettlement opportunities. Wherever available primary sources are used to establish the objective context but this view relies heavily on secondary sources. The views of the refugees themselves, expressed in interviews conducted by UNHCR officials, New Zealand interview teams and Labour Department inspectors which are contained in the personal files of the Lao who came to New Zealand, provide a subjective context. These interviews covered their lives in Laos and New Zealand. It is concluded that most of the Lao 'refugees' were 'pulled' out of Laos more by the chance of economic gain than they were 'pushed' out by political persecution. Resettlement was more of a cause of the exodus than a cure for a problem that existed independent of movement to a third country. Despite some rhetoric to the contrary, the New Zealand government was reluctant to admit Asian refugees in significant numbers and that it in fact appeared to have a pronounced preference for 'economic migrants' over political refugees. That under the New Zealand policy refugees were expected assimilate into New Zealand society rather than retain their own cultural identity which seems to have led to some of them leaving this country in what appears to have been an attempt to protect that identity.