Immigration: Exodus of Kiwis has peaked but departures remain high

Kiwis continue to depart in high numbers but the trend is easing. Photo / 123rf

• New Zealand’s annual net migration gain fell to 30,600 for the year to November 2024.
• The net gain included 78,500 non-citizens, with a net loss of 48,000 citizens.
• Short-term visitor (tourist) arrivals in November 2024 were 321,200, up 17,800 from November 2023.

New Zealand’s annual net migration gain continues to fall but the number of departing Kiwis looks to have peaked.

The net gain for the year to November 2024 was 30,600, Stats NZ said today.

That number was made up of a net gain of 78,500 non-New Zealand citizens and a net loss of 48,000 New Zealand citizens.

That compares to a net gain of 133,000 in the year to November 2023 and a net gain of 38,800 in the year to October 2024.

Meanwhile, the 127,800 migrant departures in the November 2024 year were, provisionally, the highest on record for an annual period, Stats NZ said.

Annual net migration provisionally peaked in the year ended October 2023, with a gain of 135,700.

Since then it has fallen steadily as the number of migrant arrivals has fallen and the number of Kiwis departing has risen.

But the latest figures do show the number of Kiwi departures is easing.

The October year saw the departure of more than 77,000 Kiwis for a net loss of 53,000.

The total number of departing Kiwis was 72,900 in the year to November.

Citizens of India, the Philippines, and China, drove net migration gains in the November 2024 year, Stats NZ said.

The data highlighted continued weakening in net migration inflows which would be a headwind for the economy, said ASB senior economist Mark Smith.

“Despite signs of stabilisation in recent months, there is still some risk that net inflows fall faster and that net permanent and long-term outflows become more of the norm for 2025,” he said.

“This will erode a key leg of support for the NZ housing market, domestic demand and labour market capacity.”

Travel stats

Stats NZ also released data on tourist arrivals today.

They showed overseas visitor arrivals were 321,200 in November 2024, an increase of 17,800 from November 2023.

However, the total number of overseas visitor arrivals was still just 86% of the 372,100 in November 2019 (before the Covid-19 pandemic).

Easing economic support from net immigration and tourism inflows would weigh on economic growth and translate into greater spare capacity, Smith said.

“Frontloaded monetary policy easing remains appropriate for now,” he said.

“We expect another 50bp cut in February and a 3.25% OCR endpoint in 2025, but monetary policy moves over 2025 remain highly conditional on the outlook with both upside and downside risks. ”

Liam Dann is business editor-at-large for the New Zealand Herald. He is a senior writer and columnist, and also presents and produces videos and podcasts. He joined the Herald in 2003.