Published: 21 May 2009

Migration data for April 2009 were released by Statistics New Zealand on 21 May 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 April 2009, there were 9,200 more PLT arrivals than departures, up from a net inflow of 4,700 in the April 2008 year and 7,500 in the March 2009 year.  Net annual inflows have grown strongly in the past five months and have reached their highest level since the year to June 2007.
• Net migration inflows rose over the year as arrivals grew much faster than departures.  The increase in arrivals over the year was driven by more New Zealanders returning home (up 7%) and more non-New Zealand citizens arriving (up 6%).  The 24,500 arrivals of New Zealanders in the April 2009 year was the highest number since October 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 rose slightly over the year to April 2009 due largely to more New Zealanders leaving for Australia.  However, annual departures have passed a peak as monthly figures show a sharp easing of departures in recent months.  Annual departures of 40,500 New Zealanders to Australia in the year to April 2009 was 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 2,200 in April 2009.  This was the fifth consecutive month of rising net migration and a large turnaround from a net outflow of 300 in late 2008.  The rebound in net inward migration in recent months has been mainly driven by a large fall in departures.
• 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.