I've been following the immigration debate both here in NZ and elsewhere recently and I'm torn between whether it's a benefit, a balls up or both.

Like everything in life there are good things and there are not so good things and immigration is no different. Where they step in and fill a skills gap or a need, it's a benefit.

However, when they just turn up wanting a job, any old job, things can get a little heated.

In NZ we're in the midst of a huge wave of Asian immigration, for more than quarter of a century now. So much, in fact, it's changed the very nature of our culture. Especially in some parts of Auckland.

Some argue if it hadn't been for the Asian immigrants, our house prices would have collapsed in 1988-1990. And they're probably right.

Others question the wisdom of the huge numbers involved (almost 500,000 from East Asia and almost 100,000 Indians). But let's remember, there's a reason for this. A million people born in this country currently choose to not live here. Half of those are in Australia, as we know, which has just experienced a ‘once in a lifetime' mining boom.

I know, we should be grateful we as Kiwis are able to share in some of that boom, as many have. But back here at the ranch, the landscape has changed forever. I'm not sure how many future All Blacks are going to emerge from the huge Chinese and Indian communities?

What we do know is they work hard and want to do well. That's more than some I could mention.

However, the fact remains the face of NZ and New Zealanders has changed forever.
The queue to get into this country is still far longer than the queue to get out of it. I suggest we choose wisely why we still have the choice.

G Martin, Bethlehem.