Highest June migration loss to Australia

New Zealand had its highest June migration loss to Australia in 30 years last month.

The net outflow of 3100 migrants to Australia was up from 1800 in June last year and the highest June total since 1981, Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) said.

For the year to June, the net migrant flow of 29,900 to Australia was the largest June-year loss of people across the Tasman since 2008.

SNZ said net migration had been negative since March, when there was a jump in departures from Christchurch after the February 22 earthquake.

Unadjusted, there were more than 1500 permanent and long-term departures in June, compared with 700 more departures than arrivals a year earlier, SNZ said.

The 600 permanent and long-term departures from Christchurch in June were up from 500 a year ago and arrivals fell from 500 to 300.

- NZPA