Gain in net migration

There was a provisional net migration gain of 65,400 in the March 2023 year, according to estimates released by Stats NZ. This reverses a net migration loss of 19,300 in the March 2022 year.

It was made up of a net gain of 88,900 non-New Zealand citizens and a net loss of 23,500 New Zealand citizens. 

“For non-New Zealand citizens, 88,900 was provisionally a record annual net migration gain, exceeding the previous peak in the March 2020 year,” says Tehseen Islam, population indicators manager.

“The rebound of non-New Zealand citizen migration follows the progressive relaxation of Covid-related border restrictions from early 2022 and changes to immigration settings.”

Citizens of India, Philippines, China, and South Africa drove net migration gains in the March 2023 year, according to Stats NZ data published this month.

There were 133,500 migrant arrivals of non-New Zealand citizens in that period. Of these, 63 per cent arrived on work or visitor visas and 14 per cent on residence visas. Some migrants who arrive on temporary visas extend their visas, transition to other types or gain permanent residency.