Fewer Kiwis leave: Net migration gain hits its highest level in almost two years
New Zealand has seen a rise in net migration, reaching its highest level in nearly two years due to fewer residents leaving and an increase in migrant arrivals. Economists suggest this trend is linked to student visa arrivals and anticipate further growth as the economy recovers through 2027.
Why it matters
Migration trends are critical indicators of labor market health and economic recovery for national policy planning.
Fewer leaving: the number of Kiwi long-term departures continues to fall
The number of residents leaving New Zealand fell in July while the number of new migrants rose.
That trend saw annual net migration rise above 20,000 for the first time since December 2024.
Migrant arrivals in the year to July were up 5% at 134,400.
Meanwhile, migrant departures were down 4% at 114,100.
That resulted in a provisional annual net migration gain of 20,300 – up from just 9600 a year earlier.
The long-term averages for July years (2002 to 2025) were 122,800 migrant arrivals, 91,700 migrant departures, and a net migration gain of 31,200.
Annual migrant arrivals peaked at 232,900 in the October 2023 year in the post-Covid rush, but declined steadily until mid-2025.
Citizens of China, India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka drove net migration gains in the July 2026 year, Stats NZ said.
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