Taranaki Daily News

Migration turnaround regains ground

- Tom Pullar-strecker

The tide appears to have turned back towards a strong population gain from migration, according to the latest monthly figures released by Stats NZ.

It reported that 10,162 migrants arrived in New Zealand in September, while 7986 people left the country. That marked the first time since March 2020 when arrivals hit five figures.

The gain of 2176 migrants in September built on a positive net migration flow of 1343 people in August and 1040 in July.

Prior to that, there had been 20 months when New Zealand experience­d a net outflow from migration, which peaked during the three months between December and February when a net 8323 people left the country.

Despite the recovery, net migration remains weaker than in the three years before Covid, when monthly gains of more than 6000 residents were not uncommon.

Over the year to September, there was a net loss of 8400 migrants, but that was because of the earlier departures already recorded before July.

Stats NZ figures also indicated that the tourism recovery was gaining momentum.

In September, 151,300 overseas visitors arrived in the country, which was up 17% from 129,800 in August. However, the number of visitors remained down about 42% from September 2019, preCovid.

Of the visitors in September, 70% arrived from Australia, 5% from the United States and 4% from the UK.

Westpac acting chief economist Michael Gordon said that other data suggested the tourism recovery had since gained strength in October and November. The bank was forecastin­g New Zealand would see a net population gain of 20,000 people from migration over the year ahead.

‘‘Yes, there are bunch of Kiwis heading overseas, but foreign arrivals are faster growing,’’ Gordon said.

 ?? STUFF ?? NZ gained 2176 residents through migration in September as arrivals top 10,000 for the first time since Covid.
STUFF NZ gained 2176 residents through migration in September as arrivals top 10,000 for the first time since Covid.

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