Estimated net migration turned negative in May as more people left the country long term than arrived

Population growth from migration stalled in May, with slightly more people leaving the country long term than arrived here.

Statistics NZ estimates 9013 people arrived in this country long term in May, while 9111 departed long term, giving a net loss of 99 people for the month.

However a net loss of population from migration is not unusual in the month of May, with a net loss of 1395 people in May last year and a net loss of 31 people in May 2024.

There is still a strong outflow of New Zealand citizens leaving the country, with an estimated 5199, departing long term in May, while 1461, returned to this country after an extended stay overseas, giving a net loss of 3738 NZ citizens for the month.

That was almost entirely balanced by an estimated net gain of 3640 non-NZ citizens for the month.

While May's migration numbers were flat overall, there is strong population growth form migration on an annual basis.

Statistics NZ estimates there was a net population gain 18,813 people in the 12 months to May this year, up by 78% compared to the net gain of 10,550 in the 12 months to May 2025.

In the 12 months to May this year there was a net loss of 36,832 NZ citizens and a net gain of 55,645 non-NZ citizens.

India was the biggest source of migrants in the 12 months to May this year, with a net gain of 11,110 Indian citizens, followed by 9477 citizens of China, 7834 citizens of the Philippines, 4270 from Sri Lanka and 1717 from the USA.

There was a net gain of just 869 Australian citizens during the year while more UK citizens left this country long term than arrived with a net loss of 282 citizens of that country.