The number of people leaving New Zealand last year to live overseas reached its highest on record, according to new figures.
According to Stats NZ, there were 127,800 migrant departures (up 28%) in the year to November 2024 — “provisionally, the highest on record for an annual period”.
A total of 72,900 New Zealand citizens left the country to live overseas during that period, with 56% going to Australia.
At the same time, the number of people moving to New Zealand dropped to 158,400, down 32% on the same period in 2023.
That equated to an annual net migration gain of 30,600 — made up of a net gain of 78,500 non-New Zealand citizens and a net loss of 48,000 New Zealand citizens. During the same period in 2023, there was a net gain of 175,100 and a net loss of 41,800. Stats NZ pointed out the figures may not sum to totals due to rounding.
More heading to Australia
In the year to June 2024, there was a provisional net migration loss of 30,100 people to Australia.
The loss comprised of 17,400 arrivals from Australia and 47,500 heading across the ditch. In the previous year for the same period, there was a net migration loss of 23,200 to Australia.
The net migration loss to Australia comprised 28,900 New Zealand citizens and 1200 non-New Zealand citizens. The previous year’s net loss comprised of 22,800 New Zealand citizens and 400 non-New Zealand citizens.
Where are our new arrivals from?
For migrant arrivals in the year ending November 2024, citizens of India were the largest group, with 28,500 arriving in the country.
This was followed by citizens of New Zealand (25,000), China (16,000), the Philippines (15,800), Sri Lanka (5900), and Fiji and the UK (both 5500). Australian citizens trailed with 4700.
For migrant departures, New Zealand citizens were the largest group at 72,900, followed by citizens of China (8400), India (5300), the UK (4700), Australia (4300), and the US (3100).
Rise in overseas tourists coming in
The number of overseas visitors arriving in New Zealand in the year to November 2024 was 3.26 million — an increase of 360,000.
New Zealand-resident traveller arrivals were 2.98 million during the same period — an increase of 338,000.
