New Zealand had a seasonally adjusted net gain (more arrivals than departures) of 2100 migrants in August 2013, Statistics New Zealand said.
The last time net migration was this high was in October 2009 (2,100).
The latest monthly figures suggest net migration is currently running at an annual inflow of about 25,000 people.
The seasonally adjusted net loss of 1100 migrants to Australia in August 2013 was the smallest net loss since November 2009 (also 1,100). Net losses to Australia have fallen consistently since December 2012 (3,300), mainly due to fewer New Zealand citizens moving to Australia.
In the August 2013 year, New Zealand had a net gain of 12,800 migrants, compared with a net loss of 4,100 in the previous year. The net loss of 27,300 migrants to Australia was well down from the record loss of 40,000 in the August 2012 year.
Canterbury gained 3,600 international migrants in the latest year, reversing net losses in the earthquake-affected August 2011 and 2012 years (2,300 and 1,300, respectively).
The continued strengthening inflow of migrants is likely to add further pressure to the already heated housing market.
Short-term overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand numbered 189,300 in August 2013, the highest ever for an August month. The latest figure was up 6% from August 2012
(178,300).
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