Work visa arrivals were led by those from the UK, France, Germany and Australia. The biggest influx was to Auckland, where migrant arrivals rose 12 per cent to 52,400 in the February year, of which work visas made up 16,500, student visas 13,000, Kiwi and Australian citizen arrivals 11,600 and resident visas 8500.
Strong inbound migration has helped underpin economic growth, which was 0.9 per cent in the fourth quarter, for an annual pace of 2.3 per cent, on increases in everything from business services to retailing, accommodation and home building.
Migration has continued at a stronger pace than the Reserve Bank had expected, keeping wage inflation low even as demand rises.
Westpac Banking Corp chief economist Dominick Stephens said: "Strong population growth is generating strong demand for residential construction activity and is supporting economic growth. Population growth is also boosting the supply side of the economy, limiting wage and inflation pressures."
Short-term visitor arrivals rose 9 per cent to 373,400 last month, a record for a February month, including a leap-year boost of 9200 that arrived on February 29.
Australia led the monthly influx, with a gain of 14,800 to 122,100, while those from China fell 2800 to 53,200 and those from the UK gaining 3600 to 37,100.
Annual visitor arrivals rose 10 percent to a record 3.2 million, of which 1.34 million were from Australia, 268,300 from China and 247,900 from the US. BusinessDesk
Migration figures for 12 months ended Feb 29:
* Migration from Australia is the highest since 1991
* Migrant arrivals to Auckland were up 12 per cent
* Migration has continued at a stronger pace than the Reserve Bank expected, keeping wage inflation low even as demand rises
* Short-term visitor arrivals rose 9 percent to 373,400 last month, a record for a February month
