Net migration gain driven by non-New Zealand citizens

There was a provisional net migration gain of 65,400 in the March 2023 year, according to estimates released by Stats NZ. This reverses a net migration loss of 19,300 in the March 2022 year.

The net migration gain of 65,400 in the March 2023 year was made up of a net gain of 88,900 non-New Zealand citizens, and a net loss of 23,500 New Zealand citizens. Net migration is the difference between the number of migrant arrivals and migrant departures.

“For non-New Zealand citizens, 88,900 was provisionally a record annual net migration gain, exceeding the previous peak in the March 2020 year,” population indicators manager Tehseen Islam said.

“The rebound of non-New Zealand citizen migration follows the progressive relaxation of COVID-19-related border restrictions from early 2022, as well as changes to immigration settings.”

Citizens of India, Philippines, China, and South Africa drove net migration gains in the March 2023 year.

Most migrants arrived on temporary visas

There were 133,500 migrant arrivals of non-New Zealand citizens in the March 2023 year. Of these, 63 percent arrived on work or visitor visas, and 14 percent on residence visas. Some migrants who arrive on temporary visas extend their visa, transition to other visa types, or gain permanent residency.

Net migration loss of New Zealand citizens

There was a provisional net migration loss of 23,500 New Zealand citizens in the March 2023 year. This is the largest annual net migration loss of New Zealand citizens since the October 2013 year.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand usually had an annual net migration loss of New Zealand citizens. Annual net migration losses of New Zealand citizens peaked at 44,400 in the February 2012 year.

Text alternative for diagram International migration estimates (provisional), year ended March 2023.

For information about trans-Tasman migration see Migration with Australia – year ended September 2022.

Migration affects population growth in New Zealand – see National population estimates: At 31 March 2023, to be published on 18 May 2023.

Text alternative for diagram International migration estimates (provisional), year ended March 2023

Diagram shows outcomes-based (provisional) estimates of migration, by citizenship (New Zealand or non-New Zealand) for the year ended March 2023. Overall, net migration is 65,400, made up of a net loss of 23,500 NZ citizens (based on 28,500 migrant arrivals, a 9 percent increase on the year ended March 2022, and 51,900 migrant departures, a 68 percent increase) and a net gain of 88,900 non-NZ citizens (based on 133,500 migrant arrivals, a 376 percent increase on the year ended March 2022, and 44,500 migrant departures, a 5 percent increase). Estimates are provisional as of 12 May 2023. Percentage changes are indicative of the March 2023 year compared with the March 2022 year.