Beyond the metropoles: the Asian presence in small city New Zealand examines the impacts and trends of Asian migration in six areas: Invercargill and Southland; Queenstown; Nelson; Napier-Hastings; Rotorua; Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty.

The report provides an overview of demographic change in each of the six cities and provides case studies of specific Asian communities, such as the Japanese community in Queenstown; the Filipino population of Southland; the Burmese and Bhutanese communities in Nelson; and the Indian population of Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty. 

The report discusses Asian “ethnoscapes” (ethnic landscapes), including Asian shops and restaurants and a growing number of ethnic associations and cultural festivals. The report also examines international links such as economic ties to Asia and sister-city relationships.

The report was commissioned by the Asia New Zealand Foundation as part of a series of reports drawing on 2013 Census data.