New Zealand sees highest ever annual influx of migrants

New Zealand reached its highest ever net gain of migrants in the August 2014 year, according to the latest data from New Zealand Statistics.

The numbers reached reached 43,500, topping the previous high of 42,500 migrants in the May 2003 year. The new net migration record was driven by more arrivals and fewer departures of permanent and long term migrants.

Overall migrant arrivals reached a new high of 103,900 in the August 2014 year. The increase in arrivals compared with the August 2013 year was led by more students, particularly from India, and more New Zealand citizens arriving from Australia.

The fall in migrant departures was primarily due to fewer departures of New Zealand citizens to Australia, down 15,100 compared with the August 2013 year.

The net loss of 6,500 people to Australia in the August 2014 year was the smallest since the January 1995 year, when it was 6,200.

In August, there was a seasonally adjusted net gain (more arrivals than departures) of 4,700 migrants month-on-month. This equalled the record net gain of 4,700 migrants in February 2003.

The data also shows that New Zealand residents departed on 2.24 million overseas trips in the August 2014 year, up 2% from 2013.

‘Around half of all trips by New Zealand residents were to Australia. The next most visited destinations were the United States, Fiji, the United Kingdom, China, and the Cook Islands,’ said population statistics project manager Susan Hollows.

Overseas trips by New Zealand residents reached a new August month high of 208,400, up 2% from August 2013.

In the August 2014 year, visitor arrivals numbered 2.8 million, up 5% from the August 2013 year. The biggest increases were from Australia, the United States, China, Germany, and SinNew Alberta Premier Wants Temporary Foreign Worker Changesgapore.

The number of visitor arrivals to New Zealand in August 2014 was down less than 1% from August 2013.

RAY CLANCY

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