The brain drain continues as Kiwis are leaving the country at record levels, new data suggests, while the number of tourists still hasn't caught up to pre-pandemic figures.
Stats NZ today released the latest monthly statistics on migration and international travel.
In long-term migration figures, more than 81,200 New Zealand citizens left the country in the year to April 2024, making a net loss of 56,500 citizens. The new figure topped the record set by a net loss of 52,500 citizens in the year to March.
Before the recent surge, the previous record for the net loss of Kiwis was set in February 2012. (Source: 1News)
Before the recent surge, the previous record for the net loss of Kiwis was set in February 2012, when the country had a net loss of 44,400 citizens.
Total net migration remains positive as 154,900 people immigrated to the country in the same time period up until April, making an ultimate net gain of 98,500 people.
But the overall net gain of migrants continued a downward trajectory after peaking last year. Last year, net migration peaked at close to 140,000 people over a 12-month period.
Of the migrant arrivals in the 12 month period to April, citizens of India were the largest group, with 48,000 arrivals. The next largest groups were citizens of the Philippines (30,300), China (25,700), New Zealand (24,800), and Fiji (10,400).
Westpac senior economist Michael Gordon said some New Zealanders were likely catching up on plans delayed by Covid-19 and closed borders.
He said: "Looking at the broader trends, total migrant inflows remain above their pre-Covid levels.
"However, they are running below the peak seen in the early part of 2023, which reflected both the peak in work visa approvals and the return of international students for the first time since Covid.
"Departures of New Zealanders have been on an upward trend since early 2022, which likely reflects a catch-up on delayed plans.
"More recently there has also been a lift in departures of non-New Zealand citizens, which may be a sign that deteriorating job prospects are prompting some migrants to return home.
Erica Stanford talks to Q+A as Stats NZ releases figures showing New Zealand had record net migration in 2023. (Source: 1News)
"Monthly net inflows have now pulled back to around the levels we saw in the years before Covid — noting that those were considered at the time to be quite strong.
"We expect the balance to remain positive, but the softening economy is likely to weigh on New Zealand’s relative appeal as a destination for migrants."
April tourist numbers around 70% of same month in 2019
Tourists, an important part of the economy, continue to visit at noticeably lower rates than they did before the Covid-19 pandemic.
In April, the number of overseas visitor arrivals was 225,000, increasing by only 3800 as compared to the same month last year.
The number of arrivals was 73% of the pre-pandemic number of 307,400 in April 2019.
However, the lower data point partly reflects the timing of Easter in late March 2024 compared to mid-April in 2019, according to Stats NZ.
New Zealand-resident travellers and overseas visitors' weekly arrivals both typically peak around Easter and school holidays, which affects weekly and monthly travel figures.
The overall numbers of tourists in the first six months of 2024, based on overseas visitor figures, remains down on average as compared to the first six months of 2019.
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