Published: 21 April 2009

Migration data for March 2009 were released by Statistics New Zealand on 21 April 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 March 2009, there were 7,500 more PLT arrivals than departures, up from a net inflow of 4,700 in the March 2008 year and 6,200 in the February 2009 year. The net annual inflow has risen sharply in the last four months and has reached its highest level since the year to October 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 6%). The 24,200 arrivals of New Zealanders in the March 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 March 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 41,800 New Zealanders to Australia in the year to March 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 28-month high of 1,700 in March 2009, up from 800 and 1,600 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 similar level of arrivals.
• Net inward migration is trending upwards and is likely to rise further in the next year. 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. Higher net migration inflows will boost population growth and have a positive influence on housing and construction activity.