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Evidence · Immigration

Immigration: questions, answers and evidence

Read all 797 original answers and the tables behind the findings. The 27 missing answers are from the China comparison on three platforms.

questions
143
captured answers
797
missing responses
27
answers collected
15–20 October 2026

01

Every question, with its answers

Each question was written as a voter would ask it and went to all four assistants. Some were also asked from a town. Open a question to read every answer to it in full.

Showing 20 of 143 questions

Show all 143

02

The tables behind the study

Every figure on the study page comes from these tables. They are CSV files, which open in any spreadsheet.

  • Complete AI answers

    answers.csv

    One complete original answer, with the question, platform, country setting and migrant profile.

    question_id, surface_code, location_ref, result_id, prompt_id, platform, scan_id, collection_panel, question_text, response_text

    797rows

    Download complete ai answers (CSV)

  • The questions we asked

    question-catalogue.csv

    One question with the migrant profile, wording and purpose.

    question_id, question_version, group_id, case_id, asked_for, output_id, module_ids, category, wording_style, prompt_set, collection_panel, comparison_id, exact_text, distinguishing_facts, stated_facts, tags, status

    143rows

    Download the questions we asked (CSV)

  • Planned questions, platforms and countries

    execution-assignments.csv

    One question, platform and country we planned to collect an answer from.

    question_id, collection_panel, location_name, location_ref, surface, surface_code

    824rows

    Download planned questions, platforms and countries (CSV)

  • The 27 missing answers

    missing-cells.csv

    One expected answer that was not collected.

    question_id, collection_panel, location_name, location_ref, surface, surface_code

    27rows

    Download the 27 missing answers (CSV)

  • Locations named for each migrant profile

    location-by-persona.csv

    How often a place was named in the twelve New Zealand answers for each migrant profile.

    persona, place, answers, denominator, wording_styles, wording_count, surface_count

    342rows

    Download locations named for each migrant profile (CSV)

  • Locations named across question wordings

    location-by-wording.csv

    One profile, platform and place, showing which versions of the question led to an answer naming the place.

    persona, surface, place, answers, denominator, wording_styles

    1,368rows

    Download locations named across question wordings (CSV)

  • Locations named by collection country

    location-by-region.csv

    One place and country setting; the China comparison has nine answers on Google AI Mode only.

    region, place, answers, denominator, surfaces

    304rows

    Download locations named by collection country (CSV)

  • Eight countries on Google AI Mode

    location-ai-mode-eight-regions.csv

    One place and country across the same nine questions on Google AI Mode.

    region, place, answers, denominator

    304rows

    Download eight countries on google ai mode (CSV)

  • Matched local and overseas answers

    matched-region-answer-pairs.csv

    A New Zealand answer alongside the same question and platform using another country setting.

    region, surface, persona, question_id, result_id, nz_result_id, same_place_set, jaccard, added_names, omitted_names

    261rows

    Download matched local and overseas answers (CSV)

  • Topics explicitly raised in the answers

    signals-by-output-platform.csv

    How often selected words and phrases appeared, by topic and platform.

    output, surface, signal, answers, denominator

    1,120rows

    Download topics explicitly raised in the answers (CSV)

  • Topics raised for each migrant profile

    signals-by-persona-output.csv

    How often selected words and phrases appeared, by migrant profile and topic.

    output, persona, signal, answers, denominator

    1,876rows

    Download topics raised for each migrant profile (CSV)

  • Website addresses in captured answers

    captured-answer-links.csv

    Web addresses saved in the original answers, with image and file links identified.

    question_id, result_id, prompt_id, surface, surface_code, region, output, persona, wording, panel, words, raw_page, transcript, url, domain, host_class, image_or_asset

    2,003rows

    Download website addresses in captured answers (CSV)

  • Extra table: links excluding images and files

    captured-links-by-platform.csv

    One platform across the same 143 New Zealand questions. The table excludes image and file links; the main Sources section counts those links.

    surface, denominator, answers_with_links, answers_with_govt_links

    4rows

    Download extra table: links excluding images and files (CSV)

  • Captured answer lengths

    platform-answer-length.csv

    One platform across the same 143 local questions.

    surface, answers, median_words, mean_words

    4rows

    Download captured answer lengths (CSV)

  • Recorded websites by answer

    sources-by-answer.csv

    Each website recorded as a source for an answer, with the page addresses and number of statements linked to the website.

    question_id, result_id, prompt_id, surface, surface_code, region, output, persona, wording, panel, words, raw_page, transcript, domain, publisher, claim_count, source_urls

    1,462rows

    Download recorded websites by answer (CSV)

  • Recorded sources and their original claims

    source-claim-ledger.csv

    Sources attached to individual statements, with the original answer, quotation and source passage.

    narrative_id, claim_id, question_id, result_id, prompt_id, surface, surface_code, region, output, persona, wording, panel, words, raw_page, transcript, domain, url, source_passage, claim_quote, quote_exact

    3,105rows

    Download recorded sources and their original claims (CSV)

  • Answers with sources and answers with links

    source-answer-coverage.csv

    Each New Zealand answer, showing whether sources were recorded and whether the answer text contains a web link.

    question_id, result_id, prompt_id, surface, surface_code, region, output, persona, wording, panel, words, raw_page, transcript, associated_websites, had_sources, literal_url_answer

    572rows

    Download answers with sources and answers with links (CSV)

  • Website publisher classifications

    source-publisher-classification.csv

    Each website, the type of organisation behind the website and the reason for the category. Unconfirmed types remain Other.

    domain, publisher, basis, source

    332rows

    Download website publisher classifications (CSV)

  • Tone toward each place

    place-sentiment-ledger.csv

    One named place in one answer, with the positive, neutral, negative or mixed label, supporting passages and reason. All 108 New Zealand answers about where to live were reviewed.

    result_id, question_id, prompt_id, persona, assistant, region, place, stance, paragraph_numbers, supporting_passages, display_passage, reason, answer_sha256, reviewed_on

    630rows

    Download tone toward each place (CSV)

  • Facts supplied in each question

    prompt-reporting-eligibility.csv

    Every question, with corrected descriptions of the facts stated and limits on interpreting its answers.

    question_id, reviewed_on, prompt_sha256, original_stated_facts, corrected_stated_facts, metadata_changed, destination_explicit, descriptive_counts_included, interpretation_rule

    143rows

    Download facts supplied in each question (CSV)

  • Sources across question styles

    source-wording-incidence.csv

    One website, profile, topic and platform, with answer totals, question styles and the original answer references.

    persona, output, surface, domain, answers_with_source, eligible_answers, wording_styles_with_source, eligible_wording_styles, observed_styles, eligible_styles, answer_ids, by_style

    2,144rows

    Download sources across question styles (CSV)

  • Questions with corrected fact descriptions

    question-catalogue-reviewed.csv

    The unchanged original question text with fact descriptions reviewed on 28 October 2026.

    question_id, question_version, group_id, case_id, asked_for, output_id, module_ids, category, wording_style, prompt_set, collection_panel, comparison_id, exact_text, distinguishing_facts, stated_facts, tags, status

    143rows

    Download questions with corrected fact descriptions (CSV)

  • Statements checked against official sources

    statement-checks.csv

    One checked statement, with its exact passage, verdict, official source, review date and original answer reference.

    check_id, measure_id, question_checked, result_id, prompt_id, question_id, persona, assistant, wording, exact_statement, verdict, what_the_source_says, source_name, source_url, checked_on, answer_sha256

    47rows

    Download statements checked against official sources (CSV)

  • Policy questions covered by the checks

    statement-measures.csv

    One policy question, showing checked statements, original answers and the question wordings represented.

    measure_id, question_checked, checked_statements, distinct_answers, wording_styles_with_checked_assertions, wording_styles, answer_ids, question_ids, scope

    27rows

    Download policy questions covered by the checks (CSV)

Use the question and answer numbers to follow the evidence between tables. Locations named in warnings and comparisons count. Sources attached to an answer and web links in the answer text are counted separately.

03

The reviewed evidence

We read all 108 New Zealand answers about where to live to assess the tone toward each named place. A separate selection of 41 answers explores practical advice and contrasts across topics. The original policy checks were made on 22 October and expanded on 28 October 2026; verdicts cover selected statements, not every answer.

ChatGPT · New Zealand country setting

can postgraduate study in New Zealand realistically lead to a career afterwards?

Yes — postgraduate study in New Zealand can realistically lead to a career, but the qualification alone is rarely enough to guarantee a job. The outcome depends heavily on what you study, your previous qualifications and experience, the demand for your skills, and whether you need an employer to support a work visa.

The important distinction is between doing a postgraduate degree because you want to develop your career and doing one primarily because you hope it will help you get a job in New Zealand. Those can be very different decisions.

What determines whether postgraduate study pays off?

  1. The subject you choose

Courses linked to specific occupations, technical skills or professional registration can offer a clearer route into employment. A postgraduate qualification in a field with limited vacancies may be much less useful, even if the university is well regarded.

  1. Your experience before and during study

Someone with relevant work experience who adds a postgraduate qualification can be more competitive than someone who graduates with no industry experience. Internships, applied projects, networking and part-time relevant work can make a substantial difference.

  1. Your right to work in New Zealand

If you are an international student, post-study work rights can provide time to look for employment. However, being eligible to work after graduation does not guarantee a job, permanent residency or employer sponsorship.

  1. The actual graduate job market

New Zealand is a relatively small employment market. There may be genuine demand in particular occupations while employers in other fields have few entry-level vacancies. National skill shortages do not necessarily mean employers are actively recruiting inexperienced graduates.

Which postgraduate pathways are worth investigating?

These are examples of pathways to investigate, not a guarantee that jobs will be available when you graduate.

Study area Potential career routes What to check
IT and data Software development, data analysis, cybersecurity Whether employers recruit junior staff and whether you have practical projects
Engineering Civil, electrical, mechanical engineering Recognition of your previous degree and any professional registration requirements
Health Clinical and allied health professions, health research Registration, accreditation and whether the course qualifies you for the role
Teaching Primary, secondary or early childhood teaching Whether the programme leads to teacher registration
Accounting and finance Accounting, financial analysis, business roles Professional accreditation, relevant experience and graduate vacancies
Business and management Operations, supply chain, project coordination, management Whether you already have work experience; a general business master's alone may not differentiate you much
Research and academia Research assistant, analyst, PhD pathway Funding, research experience and the limited number of academic positions

For a more evidence-based comparison, New Zealand's Careers Service study-options tool lets you compare graduate employment and earnings by qualification level and subject. Its published data covers the 2021–2024 tax years, so treat it as historical evidence rather than a forecast of the job market in 2026. Compare Study OptionsPost-study outcomes data – technical information

What if you're an international student?

Immigration rules can make a significant difference to the decision.

You can verify your circumstances using Immigration New Zealand's post-study work visa guidance.

My practical recommendation

Before paying for a postgraduate course, I would want to establish three things:

  1. Job evidence: Are employers actually advertising entry-level jobs for graduates of this programme?
  2. Graduate outcomes: What proportion of graduates find relevant work, and how long does it take?
  3. A fallback plan: If you cannot find a relevant job in six to twelve months, will the qualification still be valuable in your home country or elsewhere?

The strongest case for postgraduate study is usually when it builds on your existing qualifications or experience and gives you a clear route into a specific occupation. The weakest case is spending a substantial amount on a course simply because you hope having a New Zealand qualification will make employers hire you.

I can help you assess whether it is realistic for your situation. What subject are you considering studying at postgraduate level, and would you be applying as an international student or are you already eligible to work in New Zealand? Those two details would help me give you a much more grounded assessment of the career prospects.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 15–20 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand country setting

can postgraduate study in New Zealand realistically lead to a career afterwards?

Yes, postgraduate study in New Zealand can realistically lead to a career, but success depends heavily on your field of study, active networking, and understanding the local job market.

For both domestic and international graduates, New Zealand's employment landscape offers clear pathways, though it comes with specific structural realities.

1. Visa and Immigration Pathways (Crucial for International Students)

For international students, New Zealand provides a major structural bridge into the workforce through the Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV):

  • Duration: Completing a master's degree or PhD full-time in New Zealand typically qualifies you for a 3-year open work visa. Postgraduate diplomas (Level 8) generally grant a work visa matching the length of your study.
  • Flexibility: The visa allows you to work for almost any employer and in any job, meaning you aren't immediately locked into corporate sponsorship.
  • Residency Link: Gaining skilled employment on a post-study visa serves as a direct pipeline toward residency pathways, such as the Skilled Migrant Category or Green List roles.

2. High-Demand Sectors vs. Competitive Fields

Employment outcomes vary significantly depending on what industry your postgraduate qualification is in:

  • High Demand (Strong Realism): Information technology (software engineering, cybersecurity, data analytics), engineering (civil, structural, environmental), healthcare/allied health, and specialized agricultural/environmental sciences. Graduates in these sectors frequently transition smoothly into professional roles.
  • Competitive Fields: General business, management, finance, and humanities/arts face a crowded domestic market. While a postgraduate degree (like an MBA or specialized master's) adds weight, landing a role requires proactive networking and localized experience, as employers heavily value "cultural fit" and local context.

3. Key Realities of the New Zealand Job Market

  • The "Local Experience" Bias: New Zealand employers place a massive premium on local work experience and soft skills (communication, teamwork, and "kiwi workplace culture"). Having a postgraduate qualification from a New Zealand university helps bypass the initial resume screen, but internships, part-time work during studies, or volunteering are often the true catalysts for a job offer.
  • Scale of the Economy: New Zealand has a compact economy dominated by small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). There are fewer massive multinational corporate graduate schemes compared to larger markets like Australia, the UK, or the US, meaning networking and direct outreach play a massive role in job hunting.
  • Initial Stepping Stones: While the vast majority of degree-qualified graduates do secure professional work, it is common for international or domestic graduates to take entry-level or junior roles (or work in regional areas) initially to build a local track record before climbing into senior specialized positions.
Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 15–20 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand country setting

can postgraduate study in New Zealand realistically lead to a career afterwards?

Yes, postgraduate study in New Zealand can realistically lead to a solid career, but the reality depends heavily on your field of study , qualification type , and whether you leverage local industry connections.

What Works Well

  • High-demand sectors: Postgraduate qualifications (like a Master's or Postgraduate Diploma) in areas like engineering, IT, health sciences, data science, and specialized education/psychology have direct pipelines into the local job market.

  • Professional accreditation: Programs that offer recognized professional registration (such as in clinical psychology, engineering, or architecture) virtually guarantee employment pathways because the qualification is a prerequisite to practice.

  • Research and industry links: Many universities (such as the University of Auckland, Otago, or Canterbury) have strong applied research partnerships, allowing master's and PhD students to network directly with corporate, agricultural, or government employers.

Key Challenges to Keep in Mind

  • Scale of the job market: New Zealand has a relatively small economy. Highly niche or hyper-academic postgraduate degrees may have limited domestic openings compared to larger global markets, meaning you might need to look beyond Aotearoa or create your own opportunities.

  • Work experience expectations: Employers in New Zealand heavily value practical work experience ("kiwi experience") alongside academic credentials. A postgraduate degree combined with zero prior work history can still face an uphill battle compared to someone with mid-level experience.

  • Visa and immigration pathways: For international graduates, New Zealand offers a Post-Study Work Visa allowing eligible degree-level (Level 7 or higher) graduates to stay and work for up to 3 years, which provides a realistic runway to transition into skilled employment and residency pathways.

If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:

  • What specific field or subject are you considering studying?
  • Are you a domestic or international student?

I can share more targeted insights on employment demand and career outcomes for that specific path.

Ask anything

Captured 15–20 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand country setting

can postgraduate study in New Zealand realistically lead to a career afterwards?

AI Overview

Yes, postgraduate study in New Zealand can realistically lead to a career afterwards, but success depends heavily on strategic choices. The country offers generous post-study work paths, and data reveals that for international graduates who choose to stay and enter the full-time workforce, 60% successfully secure high-skilled, degree-level jobs (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). However, New Zealand's job market is tightly regulated, making the type of qualification you pursue the deciding factor.

🕒 The Post-Study Work Runway

New Zealand provides open post-study work rights that allow you to work for any employer without needing initial corporate sponsorship. The duration depends directly on your postgraduate level:

  • Master’s Degree (Level 9) & PhD (Level 10): Eligible for a 3-year open Post-Study Work Visa (provided you study full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks).
  • Postgraduate Diploma (Level 8): Eligible for a visa matching the duration of your studies. However, to qualify, your course must be an approved qualification or align with a role on New Zealand's official shortage list.

🎯 The Critical Factor: The Green List

The immigration system is designed to retain talent in specific deficit areas rather than general degrees. The most definitive bridge from a postgraduate qualification to a local career is ensuring your field of study lines up with the Immigration New Zealand Green List.

If your postgraduate specialty falls under Tier 1 of the Green List, you can fast-track straight to permanent residency once you gain a relevant job offer. Highly employable fields experiencing ongoing skill shortages include:

  • Healthcare & Medicine (Doctors, Nurses, Specialists)
  • Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Environmental)
  • Information Technology (Software Engineers, Cyber Security Specialists)
  • Construction & Project Management What happens to international students who remain in New Zealand after getting a degree? | Universities New Zealand - Te Pōkai TaraFAQs – Studying in New Zealand

⚠️ Realities and Challenges of the Local Market

While the statistical ratio of skilled employment to underemployment among graduates who stay is a healthy 10-to-1, international postgraduates still face distinct localized challenges:

  • The "Kiwi Experience" Catch: Many local employers prioritize applicants with local workplace familiarity or localized communication styles. It is vital to use your student work rights (which allow up to 20–25 hours of part-time work per week) to gain local employment experience before graduating.
  • Competitive Job Shifts: General business, management, or humanities degrees face a much steeper climb because local competition is fierce. Without a technical, specialized, or shortage-mapped degree, finding an employer to ultimately back a long-term residency visa is significantly harder.

Summary Comparison of Postgraduate Career Paths

Postgraduate Level Visa Duration Job Market Advantage Residency Viability
Master's / PhD 3 Years High flexibility; maximizes time to network and secure a career track. Strongest; Master's/PhDs yield higher points for the Skilled Migrant Category.
Postgraduate Diploma Varies (Matches study length) Specialized; cost-effective but gives you a shorter job hunt runway. Conditional; highly dependent on alignment with the Green List.

If you want to tailor your strategy, tell me:

  • What specific field or industry are you looking to study?
  • Are you considering a taught course or a research-focused program?

I can help check if your intended path aligns with New Zealand's current long-term skill shortages.

Ask anything

Captured 15–20 October 2026