New Zealand has typically had an annual net migration loss of citizens, which averaged 26,600 a year in 2002–2013, and 4000 a year in 2014–2019, Islam said.
Based on the latest estimates, 53 per cent of New Zealand citizen migrant departures were to Australia.
“Young adults are driving migration into and out of New Zealand,” Islam said.
Migrants aged 18–44 years made up 66 per cent (150,100) of the 226,900 migrant arrivals of non-New Zealand citizens in 2023.
Migrants aged 18–30 accounted for 39 per cent (29,300) of the 74,800 migrant departures of New Zealand citizens in 2023.
The annual net migration gain in 2023 comprised a net gain of 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens and a net loss of 47,000 New Zealand citizens in 2023.
“In 2023, a near-record net migration gain of non-New Zealand citizens more than offset a record net migration loss of New Zealand citizens,” Islam said.
“The net migration gain of non-New Zealand citizens averaged 474 a day in 2023, and the net migration loss of New Zealand citizens averaged 129 a day.”
The annual net migration gain of 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens in 2023 is just below the provisional record of 177,700 in the October 2023 year.
Net migration gains of non-New Zealand citizens averaged about 60,000 a year from 2014–2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The net migration gain in 2023 was mainly driven by citizens of India, the Philippines, China, Fiji and South Africa.
This follows a progressive relaxation of Covid-related border restrictions from early 2022 and changes to immigration settings.
“It’s getting more likely that we have passed the peak,” said Westpac senior economist Michael Gordon. “Monthly net inflows took off strongly in late 2022, following the full reopening of the border. So the ‘hurdle’ for a further rise in the annual rate is now much higher.”
On a monthly basis, a net 7,260 migrants arrived in New Zealand in December, up slightly on the November pace, but below the peaks seen earlier last year.
