External migration factsheet - May 2011
Published: 21 June 2011
Migration data is sourced from Statistics New Zealand. Unless otherwise specified, all data refers to permanent and long-term (PLT, i.e. 12 months or more) migration and is rounded to the nearest 100.
- Annual net PLT migration fell to 4,600 over the year to May 2011.
- Seasonally adjusted monthly departures outnumbered arrivals by 400 in May 2011.
- Annual net PLT migration is expected to continue falling over coming months.
Figure 1: Annual net PLT migration
Source: Statistics New Zealand
Figure 2: Monthly net PLT migration
Source: Statistics New Zealand
Annual net migration eased further…
Annual net PLT migration has eased to 4,600 for the year to May 2011, down from 5,500 for the year to April 2011. Compared to a year ago, net PLT migration has decreased significantly, down from 18,000 for the year to May 2010 (Figure 1).
…driven by rising departures
Permanent and long-term departures rose by 22.0% over the year, from 64,900 to 79,200. More New Zealanders (up by 33.1%, or 13,100 people) and non-New Zealanders (up by 4.6%, or 1,200 people) left the country when compared to a year ago. Australia remains the most common destination for departing New Zealanders. A total of 38,900 New Zealanders departed for Australia, up by 45.3% from 2010. Annual total PLT arrivals increased by 1.1% over the year to May 2011.
Monthly net migration still weak following the February earthquake…
On a seasonally adjusted basis, nationwide PLT departures outnumbered PLT arrivals by 400 in May 2011 (Figure 2). Monthly net PLT migration has been negative since March 2011, when departures from Christchurch increased following the 22 February earthquake. In unadjusted terms, there were 800 PLT departures of Christchurch residents in May 2011, up from 500 in May 2010. PLT arrivals fell from 400 to 300 over the same period. Between the 22 February earthquake and the end of May 2011, there were 1,300 more departures from Christchurch and 400 fewer arrivals into the city compared with the same period in 2010.
…and net migration is expected to ease further in the short-term
Net PLT migration has been easing since early 2010, mainly due to more people leaving New Zealand. Departures fell strongly during the recession and the large increase over the past year represents a rebound from these low levels. The number of people departing to Australia continues to increase due to Australia’s strong economic and labour market conditions. Net migration is expected to ease further over the next few months.
