Published: 22 June 2009

Migration data for May 2009 were released by Statistics NZ on 22 June 2009. Unless otherwise specified, all data refers to permanent & long-term (PLT, i.e. 12 months or more) migration, are not seasonally adjusted, and are rounded to the nearest 100.

Key points

• In the year to May 2009, there were 11,200 more PLT arrivals than departures, a significant increase compared with a year ago (4,900). Net annual inflows have reached their highest level in two years driven by strong growth in the past six months. Annual net migration inflows are now above the average of the past ten years of around 10,200.
• Net migration inflows rose over the year as arrivals continued to increase (up 5%) while departures declined (down 3%). The increase in arrivals over the year was driven by both more New Zealanders returning home (up 7%) and more non-New Zealand citizens arriving (up 4%). In the year to May 2009, 24,600 New Zealanders returned home, the highest number since the year to September 2005. Of the rise in arrivals of non-New Zealand citizens, there were more arrivals on student permits and work permits, with fewer arrivals on residence permits.
• Departures declined over the past year, falling to their lowest level since January 2008. The decline in departures has mainly been driven by fewer New Zealanders leaving for Australia in recent months. In the year to May 2009, 39,100 New Zealanders departed to Australia, down from a record high of 43,600 in the year to January 2009.
• Seasonally adjusted net migration inflows reached a five-year high of 2,700 in the month of May 2009. On a seasonally adjusted basis, net migration has increased for six consecutive months, and is up strongly from a net outflow of 200 in late 2008.
• Net inward migration is trending upwards and is likely to rise further over the next year. Many of our trading partners’ economies have deteriorated since late 2008, including the United Kingdom and Australia, which appears to be discouraging people from leaving New Zealand and leading to more New Zealanders returning home. Higher net migration inflows are likely to provide positive support for housing and construction activity, and the domestic economy in general.