Published: 20 March 2009

Migration data for February 2009 were released by Statistics NZ on 20 March 2009.  Unless otherwise specified, all data refer 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 February 2009, there were 6,200 more PLT arrivals than departures, up from a net inflow of 4,600 in the February 2008 year and 4,500 in the January 2009 year.  The net inflow of 6,200 in the year to February 2009 was the highest annual figure since the year to November 2007.
• Net migration inflows rose over the year as arrivals grew faster than departures.  The increase in arrivals over the year was driven by more non-New Zealand citizens arriving (up 7%) and more New Zealanders returning home (up 5%).  The 24,000 arrivals of New Zealanders in the February 2009 year was the highest number since 2006.  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 over the year to February 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 42,600 New Zealanders to Australia in the year to February 2009 was down from a record high of 43,600 in the year to January 2009.
• After adjusting to remove seasonal patterns, the net migration inflow rose to a 27-month high of 1,700 in February 2009, up from 700 and 300 in the previous two months respectively and a large turnaround from a net outflow of 300 in November 2008.  The rebound in net inward migration in recent months has been driven by a large fall in departures from the peaks of 2008 and a continued high level of arrivals.
• Net inward migration has begun to increase and is likely to rise further over the next year.  Net migration inflows fell for much of 2008 as New Zealand entered recession before most countries overseas.  However, the global financial crisis that began in late 2008 has led to economic downturns in many of our trading partners, including the United Kingdom and Australia, which appear to be discouraging people from leaving New Zealand and leading to more New Zealanders returning home.