Migrant numbers grow as Tasman outflow slows

The number of New Zealanders migrating to Australia fell again last month.

The flow of people crossing the Tasman to live in Australia slowed further in March, as the growth in New Zealand's population due to migrants continued to lift.

Figures published by Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) today show permanent and long term (PLT) arrivals exceeding departures by 300 last month, compared to a net PLT outflow of 1000 in March 2008.

The increase was mainly due to 1000 fewer PLT departures, including 800 fewer to Australia, SNZ said.

The figures also add to indications of a rise in the number of overseas students coming to this country, with 200 more PLT arrivals on student permits in March compared to a year earlier.

Seasonally adjusted, PLT arrivals exceeded departures by 1700 last month, up from 1600 in February and 800 in January.

The 2300 net outflow of PLT migrants to Australia in March was down from 3100 a year earlier and 2800 in March 2007, while there was a net inflow of 500 migrants from India and 300 from China.

For the year to March, the net PLT outflow to Australia was 33,600, above the 29,900 in the March 2008 year, but down from the record net outflows of 35,400 in both the December 2008 and January 2009 years.

Altogether for the March year, New Zealand had a net migration gain of 7500, up from 4700 in the March 2008 year.

In the latest year, there were 88,900 PLT arrivals, up 5400 or 6 per cent from a year earlier, while the 81,400 PLT departures were up 2600 or 3 per cent.

In the March year the net inflow of 8300 migrants from Britain was up from 6900 a year earlier, while the net inflow from India of 5800 was up from 4200.

- NZPA