Monthly migration gain at six year-high

More people are moving to New Zealand than are shifting away, latest statistics reveal.

New Zealand's population gain through migration reached a seasonally adjusted six-year high in May.

Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) today said that on the adjusted basis, permanent and long term (PLT) arrivals exceeded departures by 2700 last month.

That was up from 2200 in April and 1700 in March, and the highest since July 2003, SNZ said.

Goldman Sachs JBWere New Zealand strategist Bernard Doyle said net migration was a key driver of the 2003-2007 economic upswing, and was particularly important to the construction sector.

"Accordingly the longer net migration persists around these levels, the more optimistic we become on prospects for the domestic economy."

SNZ said PLT departures fell by 2100 in May, including 1500 fewer departures to Australia and 500 fewer to Britain. PLT arrivals decreased by 100 from a year earlier.

New Zealand had an annual net PLT migration gain of 11,200 in the May year, up from 4900 a year earlier.

The net PLT outflow to Australia in the May year of 30,500 was down from record net outflows of 35,400 in both the December and January years.

Overall, PLT arrivals rose 4000 or 5 per cent in the May year to 88,900, while PLT departures fell 2300 or 3 per cent to 77,700.

The net 11,200 gain was similar to the annual average of 11,400 for the December years from 1990 to 2008.

- NZPA