September figures show New Zealand has net migrant gain

A recently released report revealed that net migrant numbers for September showed a slight increase of 100 over arrivals versus departures.

The figures were seasonally adjusted and were the fourth in a row of seven months in which more people entered the country than left. The most popular destination for migrants was Australia, although net outflows to the country have remained stable since March 2011, at an average of 3,300 per month.

This September’s outflow fell to 3,200, continuing the trend begun in October 2011. In the year from September 2011 to September 2012, those migrating to OZ totalled 53,700 and were offset by the arrival of 14,200 migrants from Australia.

Migrants from the United Kingdom, India and China are on the increase, with the UK seeing 5,500 departures, India with 5,000 and China with 5,200. The Chinese also make up the third largest visitor group to the country, according to Statistics New Zealand.

However, Population Statistics manager Andrea Blackburn said Australians still comprised the largest source of visitors to the country, with over a million arriving during 2011. It seems that New Zealanders are taking more trips abroad than in previous years, with most heading either to Australia or the US. However, factors such as the timing of the Rugby World Cup as well as the school holidays may have accounted for this year’s increase.