Migrants continue to favour Auckland in record numbers

The prime minister says he’s comfortable with the latest figures on population growth, but not everyone’s so sure. Source: ONE News Figures obtained from Statistics New Zealand suggest the government will have its work cut out for it in encouraging migrants to choose a region other than Auckland when they come to New Zealand. In the year to August, 117,900 migrants arrived in New Zealand, which included 26,800 overseas students - the majority from India and China - as well as 35,900 people on work visas. The total net gain to New Zealand's population in the year was 60,300 people.

In the list of regions chosen by migrants to settle in, Auckland still leads the way by a considerable margin - about 27,000 chose to stay there, while second-placed Canterbury racked up just 6700. The Waikato was third on 2300. Massey University Research Director Professor Paul Spoonley says New Zealand is now among the most attractive places in the world for migrants.

"They're adding to the pressure on our major city Auckland around housing and infrastructure like roading," he said. Finance Minister Bill English says that businesses often struggle to find skilled workers in New Zealand. "You don't have to go very far to find businesses that will say that it's hard to get the skills locally," he said. However, Auckland Council says it will spend about $18billion over the next decade to cope with increasing demands, and from November 1 the government is introducing incentives to encourage migrants and new businesses to the regions.