British migrants take top spot in new citizen numbers
British migrants have become the largest group of new New Zealand citizens, surpassing India and South Africa for the first time in five years. Overall citizenship numbers reached a record high of 51,632, with further growth expected due to a large cohort of residents becoming eligible for citizenship.
Why it matters
This shift highlights changing migration patterns and the impact of post-pandemic residency pathways on national demographics.
British migrants have taken the top spot in new citizen numbers for the first time in five years.
India had been the top source country for residents becoming New Zealanders since 2022, when they accounted for one in five new citizens.
It is now in third place behind South Africa.
Overall citizen numbers climbed to 51,632 last year, a 12,000 jump on the previous 12 months and a record for recent figures.
UK residence-visa holders accounted for 12 percent of those numbers, with 5955 new citizens, followed closely by South Africa on 5939 and India with 5896.
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