A new report from Stats NZ reveals that more people left New Zealand in the past year than ever before. The data shows a record 127,800 people moved overseas in the year ending November 2024, marking a 28% increase compared to previous years.

Kiwis Headed Overseas

Among those leaving, 72,900 were New Zealand citizens, and over half (56%) of them chose Australia as their new home. This trend contributed to a net migration loss of 48,000 New Zealand citizens.

Who’s Coming In?

On the flip side, 158,400 people moved to New Zealand during the same period—a 32% drop compared to 2023. This brought the net migration gain to 30,600, with a significant contribution from non-New Zealand citizens (78,500).

Citizens from India led the arrivals, with 28,500 moving to New Zealand, followed by citizens from China (16,000), the Philippines (15,800), Sri Lanka (5900), and the UK and Fiji (5500 each).

Australia Still a Hotspot for Migration

Australia continues to attract a large number of Kiwis. Between June 2023 and June 2024, there was a provisional net migration loss of 30,100 to Australia. This included 28,900 New Zealanders and 1200 non-New Zealand citizens heading across the Tasman.

Rise in Tourism

On a brighter note, New Zealand saw an increase in international visitors. Around 3.26 million overseas tourists visited the country in the year ending November 2024, up by 360,000. Additionally, nearly 3 million New Zealand residents returned from their travels during the same period, marking a rise of 338,000.

What’s Driving These Numbers?

The data highlights shifting migration patterns and the ongoing appeal of Australia for New Zealanders. Meanwhile, New Zealand continues to attract migrants from countries like India, China, and the Philippines, even as fewer people are choosing to move here overall.

While the numbers paint a challenging picture for net migration, the rise in international tourism offers a silver lining for the economy. TinBureau