The annual flow of New Zealand residents to live in Australia is the biggest since the middle of 2001.
Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) said a net 29,600 people migrated to Australia in the year to February, up from 22,200 in the February 2007 year.
It was the highestannual net flow of migrants from New Zealand to Australia since 30,000 people moved in the July 2001 year.
The net outflow to Australia peaked at 31,800 in May 2001, with earlier peaks in the January 1989 year and December 1989 year.
The issue of migration to Australia has been political charged.
Act Party founder Roger Douglas said concern over the growing economic and social gap between New Zealand and Australia inspired his political comeback, announced last weekend.
SNZ said 4700 people left New Zealand to live permanently in Australia in February, of whom 4300 were New Zealand citizens.
The flow in the other direction from Australia to New Zealand was 1200, of whom 742 were New Zealanders returning. The net was a flow of 3500 migrants from New Zealand.
Across all countries and on a seasonally adjusted basis, the number of permanent and long-term arrivals exceeded departures by 200 in February 2008.
The net migration inflow overall was 4600 in the February year, down from a net inflow of 13,200 in the February 2007 year.
Net inflows were recorded for Britain (6900), India (4200), the Philippines (3200) and China (1900).
