Strong inwards migration offsets slowdown in tourists

By COLIN JAMES

Immigration continued to climb in February, fuelled by returning New Zealanders and Chinese students, but tourist numbers showed signs of easing.

Net inwards migration in February was 6690 (11,540 arrivals and 4850 departures), pushing the figure for the year to February to 41,560 - nearly double the previous corresponding period.

The trend continued for fewer New Zealanders to emigrate (3500 in February, down 7 per cent on 3800 in February 2002) and larger numbers to return from living overseas (2200, up 19 per cent on 1900 in February 2002).



The continuing strong inwards migration boosts the economy in two ways: house purchases and purchases of consumer durables to set up house with, in the case of permanent migrants; and in strong sales of education to young Asians here for only a year or two.

Statistics New Zealand said 20-to-24-year-olds made up 60 per cent of the increase in net inwards migration between February last year and last month and 15-19-year-olds a further 16 per cent.

"Almost 70 per cent of the net gains in the two age groups were migrants from China, the great majority of whom gave an occupation response which was coded as 'not applicable'," Statistics New Zealand said. "This suggests that students were probably the main contributors to the increase."

Short-stay visitors, at 222,200, were down by 2 per cent in February from January on a seasonally adjusted basis. This followed a 1 per cent rise in January. This suggests the big rises of the past two years may be slowing, perhaps reflecting the rise in the currency and international uncertainty.

The slowdown last month was despite the America's Cup. Some 53 per cent of visitors were holidaymakers in February, compared with 52 per cent in February 2002.

Nevertheless, the visitor total of 2.07 million for the year to February was up 5 per cent on February 2002 - and the number of "stay days" was up 8 per cent, continuing a trend of visitors staying longer.

Asia, particularly Japan, showed the strongest growth, followed by the UK, the United States and Australia.