Short-term visitor arrivals rise

The number of short-term visitors arriving in New Zealand in November was up 4 per cent at 220,600 from the same month last year, latest figures show.

Statistics New Zealand said the number of short-term visitors in November 2003 was 211,700. Most of the increase was in more arrivals from Australia, China and Japan.

However, visitors were spending less time in-country, with visitors in November staying 20 days, two less than in the same month in 2003, Statistics NZ said in a statement today.

In the November year, there were 2.33 million visitor arrivals, up 12 per cent, or 257,300, on the previous same period.

Again, there were more visitors from Australia, China and Japan, while the number of arrivals from the United Kingdom was also on the up.

On the flipside, 148,500 New Zealand residents departed on short-term overseas trips in November, up 15,800 on the same month last year.

More New Zealanders were travelling to Australia, Fiji and China.

In the 12 months ended November, 1.70 million New Zealand residents departed on short-term overseas trips, up 26 per cent from the previous same year's 1.35 million.

Permanent long-term (PLT) arrivals were also up, with arrivals exceeding departures in November by 1600, against 2200 in November 2003.

"Non-New Zealand citizen arrivals decreased by 300, while New Zealand citizen departures increased by 200," Statistics NZ said.

In the November year, there was a PLT migration gain of 16,300, down 56 per cent on the net inflow of 36,800 people at the same time last year.

"This resulted from 80,900 PLT arrivals (down 12,500), and 64,500 PLT departures (up 7900) in the November 2004 year."

Non-New Zealand citizen arrivals were down 10,300, while non-New Zealand citizen departures were up 3600 on the previous November year.

"There were 2300 fewer New Zealand citizen arrivals and 4300 more New Zealand citizen departures."

- NZPA