Migration figures increase

New Zealand’s immigration figures have hit another record high and have well-exceeded official predictions. The country has recorded its highest-ever number of immigrants – more than 105,500 in the 12 months to September. The government says the increase is being driven by international students, particularly from India, and more people returning home from Australia. “It’s a vote of confidence in New Zealand,” says Prime Minister John Key. “It’s people saying they want to work here and don’t want to leave.” The net loss of 6,000 people to Australia during September was the smallest since 1994. Taking into account people departing New Zealand, there has been a record net gain this year of more than 45,000 people. This has blown out the prediction in May’s budget that net migration would be about 38,000 people. Statistics NZ says visitor arrivals in September increased by one per cent compared with the same month last year. This was the second-highest total for a September after 219,900 in 2011 – a figure that was boosted by the Rugby World Cup. “More visitors arrived from the US and Australia in September 2014,” says Vina Cullum, population statistics manager. “However, fewer arrived from China. This may be because numbers in September last year were boosted by the close timing of two Chinese holidays and people wanting to travel before a new tourism law in China took effect. This changed the type and price of overseas tours from October 1, 2013.” In the September 2014 year, visitor arrivals numbered 2.80 million – up by five per cent over the same period in 2013. The biggest increases were from Australia, the US, and Germany. New Zealand residents departed on 219,700 overseas trips in September 2014, up by four per cent from September 2013. There were more trips to Australia, Indonesia and Fiji, but fewer to Thailand. In the September 2014 year, Kiwi residents departed on 2.24m overseas trips – up by three per cent.