The number of New Zealand citizens leaving the country long-term hit a four year low for the month of April, according to the latest migration data.
Statistics NZ estimates 4797 NZ citizens left NZ permanently or long-term in April this year, which was 9.8% lower than April last year, and 17.4% down on April 2024.
It was also the lowest number of long term departures of NZ citizens in the month of April since 2022.
Partially offsetting that loss, an estimated 1423 NZ citizens returned in April this year after an extended stay overseas. That meant a net loss of 3374 NZ citizens for the month, down 8.4% compared to April last year and down 26.7% compared to April 2024.
The net loss of NZ citizens in April this year was also the lowest for that month since April 2022, continuing the recent trend of a decline in the loss of NZ citizens to other countries. However, there was still a net loss of 37,269 NZ citizens in the 12 months to April this year, meaning that loss is still having a moderating effect on the total population gain from migration.
Offsetting the net loss of 3374 NZ citizens in April was net gain of 4507 citizens of other countries, giving an overall migration gain of 1132 in April. That's up 6.3% compared to April last year.
In the 12 months to April this year, there was estimated net migration gain of 22,811 people of all citizenships, which was up 87.7% compared to the 12 months to April last year.
On an annual basis, the net population gain from migration has been increasing steadily and rapidly since September last year.
By country, the biggest net gains in migration in the 12 months to April this year were from China 11,975, India 11,169, Philippines 7985, Sri Lanka 4391, Nepal 2028 and USA 2026.
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11 Comments
"On an annual basis, the net population gain from migration has been increasing steadily and rapidly since September last year."
No surprises there....one trick ponies.
Three thing happening:
the dinosaurs desperately seeking growth
Other folk seeing NZ as safe(r).
NZers ditto.
In the 12 months to April this year, there was estimated net migration gain of 22,811 people of all citizenships, which was up 87.7% compared to the 12 months to April last year.
The next property boom is brewing...
Let them eat townhouses
Hopefully this was not a swap of young tax payers for 501s and/or inbound beneficiaries....
Uber drivers and vape store clerks
The heading could also have read:
'Net Migration as low as it was during Covid'
Or 'Net Migration only 1/3 of what it was before Covid'
Currently holidaying in Australia and if I had no idea where I was I would think I am still in New Zealand as the headlines are all about the cost of living, high interest rates, people can't afford to buy houses. Instead of Luxon, everyone blames Albanase. Only difference I can see is Australia has Labor in office. Many will say basics are cheaper in OZ. Fuel is but bananas are A$4.50 kg. Car registration is dearer in WA A$493 QldA$402, NSW about A$400. I am sure there are things in NZ that are more expensive and wages are higher in AU but not sure things are as different as many think
If you want to buy a house within commutable distance of Sydney it might make NZ look downright cheap
As I have mentioned many times before, they are a couple of years behind us in their property and inflation. While they have the ability to taper inflation faster due to the majority of mortgages being floated, leading to immediate loss of disposable income from mortgage rate changes, this doesn't change the overall impact on an economy that overprices housing has across the broader spectrum. Watch their unemployment and see what happens.
People being deterred from shifting their assets and themselves overseas by our fallen exchange rate?
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