Returning NZ citizens accounted for 92% of migrants in May

Net migration gain of just 5743 in year to May, down from 87,473 in the previous 12 months

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Net migration gain of just 5743 in year to May, down from 87,473 in the previous 12 months

14th Jul 21, 11:37am by Greg Ninness

Population growth from migration continues to tick along at very low levels, with a net gain of 1182 people in May, according to Statistics New Zealand.

Returning NZ citizens accounted for 92% of the net gain in May, with non-NZ citizens making up just 8%.

A total of 1997 NZ citizens returned long-term in May, while 913 left the country long-term, giving a net gain of 1083 NZ citizens.

Although 1248 non-NZ citizens also arrived long-term in May, nearly as many (1150) left these shores long-term, giving a net gain of just 98 non-NZ citizens for the month.

In the 12 months to the end of May there was a total net gain of 5743 people due to migration, compared to a net gain of 87,473 in the year to May 2020.

In the year to May there was a net gain of 16,054 NZ citizens and a net loss of 10,310 non-NZ citizens.

The net gain of 5743 in the year to May was the lowest for that period since 2013, when there was a net loss 1360 for the year.

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10 Comments

by Nzdan | 14th Jul 21, 1:10pm 1626225051

Well done Labour/NZ First.

by CWBW | 14th Jul 21, 1:46pm 1626227208

I wonder how many of the returnees are cashed up and ready.

by Brock Landers | 14th Jul 21, 3:29pm 1626233366

I wonder how many get here, look around, and realise what a terrible mistake returning was.

by Carlos67 | 14th Jul 21, 3:33pm 1626233625

Only if they look around and talk to you. There is a que to get back in according to all the reports on the TV, the spots at the MIQ facilities are booked out till November, people cannot wait to get back here.

by Brock Landers | 14th Jul 21, 3:45pm 1626234309

Yeah seems like a good idea... until you take a trip to the supermarket, or try to find somewhere decent to live, or engage with the island mentality of the locals.

by Chris-M | 14th Jul 21, 1:48pm 1626227326

Still 98 too many. With the multitude of un housed people that we have, that means 98 more people tossed out of their beds onto the street.

by Black and White | 14th Jul 21, 3:50pm 1626234614

Well done the red team keep the good work up.
We really don't need more people this country is doing very well.Thank You
Let's take this opportunity to get all kiwis into homes the way it always was.

by Advisor | 14th Jul 21, 4:09pm 1626235770

We surely don't need people but we do need specialised skills. Currently, having a median-paying job qualifies most under 40s with some sort of bachelor's degree for residence.

Also, INZ needs to introduce quotas on visa categories (more than half go to family members and less than 10% to workers on the long-term skill shortage list).

by nigelh | 14th Jul 21, 9:59pm 1626256764

Surely you mean the Minister in charge of immigration should reset the visa quota category and INZ implements this?

by Lapun | 14th Jul 21, 6:40pm 1626244843

""Net migration gain of just 5743 in year to May, down from 87,473 "" that has reduced the need for about 40,000 homes and done so in a year. Compares well with KiwiBuild.