Lift in net migration continues for second month

A net 500 migrants came from both Britain and India last month. Photo / Greg Bowker

A lift in seasonally adjusted net migration gain noted in July continued into last month, as the number of migrants arriving recovered in the latest two months, while departures were little changed.

Figures from Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) yesterday show a seasonally adjusted net permanent and long term migration gain of 840 in August, just below the revised figure of 890 in July.

The series had fallen from 1800 in January to 200 in June, before the rebound in July and August, with arrivals reaching 6950 last month, while departures had been constant since May at about 6100.

ANZ Bank said the economy was continuing to receive support from net immigration, but the risk, with the Australian economy running hot, was that would quickly wane.

The impact of a moderation in net immigration may already have been felt given the soggy state of the housing market and cautious retail spending.

Lower net immigration could also exacerbate skill shortages and lead to higher pressure on wages, ANZ said.

SNZ said the rise in departures last month compared to a year earlier included 700 more people going to Australia, while more long-term students from India and Saudi Arabia contributed to the increase in permanent and long-term arrivals.

A net 500 migrants came from both Britain and India last month, with 400 from China and 200 from the Philippines, SNZ said.

The net outflow of 1600 permanent and long-term migrants to Australia was up from 700 in August 2009, but still well down from 2900 in August 2008.

Net migration in the August year was 14,500, with net gains of 6500 from Britain, 5800 from India, and 3600 from China.

Altogether there were 82,100 permanent and long term arrivals in the August year, down 6 per cent from a year earlier, with the 67,600 permanent and long-term departures also down 6 per cent.

The net permanent and long-term outflow of 17,300 to Australia in the August year was well down from 24,800 in the August 2009 year and 33,300 in the August 2008 year.

- NZPA