Migration added 23,217 people to New Zealand's population in the 12 months to the end of January this year, according to estimates by Statistics NZ.
That's up 17.9% compared to the previous 12 months, but was still well below the long-term average.
In the 12 month periods from January 2025 to January 2020 (pre-Covid), annual net population growth from migration ranged from 49,105 to 77,266 people a year.
In the 12 months to January this year, Statistics NZ estimates 137,463 people arrived in NZ long-term, down 1.4% compared to the previous 12 months. Over the same period, 114,246 people left the country long term, down 4.6% compared to the previous 12 months. That gave the net gain of 23,217.
A notable feature of current migration trends is that the substantial outflows of NZ citizens is slowing, while the number of NZ citizens returning after an extended stay overseas is increasing.
In the 12 months to January this year, 63,626 NZ citizens left long-term, the lowest number for that 12 month period in the last three years. And 26,631 NZ citizens arrived back in the country after a long-term absence, which was the highest number for that 12 month period in the last three years.
That gave a net loss of 36,994 NZ citizens for the 12 months to January, also the lowest it has been for that period in the last three years.
What those figures show is that the so-called brain drain of New Zealanders out of the country remains a significant feature of migration patterns but is gradually easing.
Overall population growth from migration appears to be settling at about 2000 people a month, down from more than 6000 a month at the peak, just before pandemic travel restrictions were put in place in 2020.
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Net long term migration
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7 Comments
The grass isn't always greener...I have relatives heading back after 20+yrs in Oz
For every 10 kiwis moving to Australia.
One will crack it.
The others will struggle affording to come back.
My relatives been fully employed all their time there, paid off house price has doubled in the last 3 years (Robina, GC). Coming up to retirement NZ offers a non means tested pension. AUD/NZD now 1.2...win/win really. Considered potential negatives are NZ medical/dental care.
Your experience is the opposite of mine. Almost all of my friends or family members who made the move have never come back.
Many of those coming back are in their later years, setting up residency requirements for un-means tested NZ age pension, which here they wrongly call "superranuation". They have made their pile in Australia and have a substantial Australian compulsory superrannuation balance after years of work. In Australia they means test their age pension so are not eligible for the Aussie age pension. NZ is a lifestyle country and when you are eligible get $1050 for a single person per fortnight for just getting up the morning regardless of how loaded you are. NZ is an OK place to live if you have no money worries and our weak currency sweetens the deal even more, as most of us have income earning investments in Australia. Enjoying it while it lasts. Such a dumb country.
Many of those coming back are in their later years, setting up residency requirements for un-means tested NZ age pension, which here they wrongly call "superranuation". They have made their pile in Australia and have a substantial Australian compulsory superrannuation balance after years of work. In Australia they means test their age pension so are not eligible for the Aussie age pension. NZ is a lifestyle country and when you are eligible get $1050 for a single person per fortnight for just getting up the morning regardless of how loaded you are. NZ is an OK place to live if you have no money worries and our weak currency sweetens the deal even more, as most of us have income earning investments in Australia. Enjoying it while it lasts. Such a dumb country.
Many of those coming back are in their later years, setting up residency requirements for the un-means tested NZ age pension, which here they wrongly call "superranuation"!. They have made their pile in Australia and have a substantial Australian compulsory superrannuation balance after years of work. In Australia they means test their age pension so ex pats are not eligible for the Aussie age pension. NZ is a lifestyle country and when you are eligible, you get $1050 for a single person per fortnight for just getting up the morning. NZ is an OK place to live if you have no money worries and our weak currency sweetens the deal even more, as most have income earning investments in Australia. Such a dumb situation and no political party has the guts to means test this totally unaffordable wasteful extravagence.
The un- means tested NZ age pension is a sweet little topper upper to your Australian compulsory superranuation balance which would be substantial after 20 + years.
The un- means tested NZ age pension is a sweet little topper upper to your Australian compulsory superranuation balance which would be substantial after 20 + years.
Kiwis returning tend to become buyers faster than new migrants, property spruikers warming up rockets 🚀
Who would return to WGTN?
Hardly any, if they are up with the play in Wellingtank property.
- Still loo paper and condom collectors around the Wgtn coastline, looks like a booming local council occupation.
If it's Australia, then the current exchange rate coming to NZ has to look attractive.
Those of my friends who left for more than a year's OE, from the early 1980's on, more than half have stayed away permanently as they had dreams and ambitions that were impossible to fulfill here.
If it's Australia, then the current exchange rate coming to NZ has to look attractive.
Those of my friends who left for more than a year's OE, from the early 1980's on, more than half have stayed away permanently as they had dreams and ambitions that were impossible to fulfill here.
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