Border crossings continue to climb

The number of border crossings continued to climb in May 2022 as border restrictions eased further, Stats NZ said today.

Total border crossings in May 2022 were 344,800, up from 266,700 in April 2022, but still well below the almost 1 million border crossings in May 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 2020, when COVID-19 related travel and border restrictions were introduced, the number of border crossings fell to a low of 15,900 in May 2020. They reached a high of 189,500 in May 2021 during the trans-Tasman travel bubble, before their latest climb.

Border crossings include all arrivals and departures, either for short-term trips or longer-term migration, by people living overseas or in New Zealand.

“The increase in border crossings in May 2022 follows overseas visitors from 60 visa-waiver countries being permitted to enter New Zealand,” population indicators manager Tehseen Islam said.

“This is also reflected in the increase in the number of flights landing in and departing New Zealand in recent months.”

Migrant arrivals and departures low

There was a provisional net migration loss of 10,700 in the year ended May 2022, made up of 47,500 migrant arrivals and 58,200 migrant departures.

Migrant arrivals and departures are both well below historical levels. Across May years (2002-2020), migrant arrivals averaged 121,800 a year, and migrant departures averaged 90,900.

There were provisional net migration losses of 8,400 non-New Zealand citizens and 2,300 New Zealand citizens in the year ended May 2022.