But more New Zealanders are leaving as well
The result was driven by a significant increase in the estimated number of non-NZ citizens arriving long term, which spiked to 10,625 in the June quarter, up 47% compared to the same period last year. And with 9,535 foreign migrants estimated to have left the country long term in the June quarter, the net gain for the quarter came down to 1,090 – still tiny compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Despite the surge in the number of non-NZ citizens migrating into the country, an overall population decline from migration in the June quarter has been posted due to an estimated net loss of 2,755 NZ citizens, with 8,345 leaving long term and 5,599 arriving long term, interest.co.nz reported.
That brought the total change in population from migration in the June quarter to an estimated net loss of 1,665.
Read next: Exodus worsens labour crunch as NZ reopens its borders
Migration figures from Statistics NZ that are less than 16 months old need to be treated with caution, however, due to how the information is collected. The monthly, quarterly, and annual figures are subject to revision for up to 16 months from the time they are published and for the first three months, so the revisions can be substantial.
But while the figures could undergo some significant revisions over the next few months, what they suggest so far is that more foreign migrants are coming into New Zealand again following the reopening of the borders and resetting of immigration rules, while the number of New Zealanders heading overseas to reside is returning to the pre-pandemic norm as travel becomes a viable option once again, interest.co.nz reported.
