Immigration falling dramatically, figures show

The number of new immigrants or New Zealanders returning home in the year ended August fell 66 per cent compared to the previous year, Statistics New Zealand said today.

For the year ended August there were 78,900 permanent and long term arrivals, down 3600 or 4 per cent on the previous August year.

Departures rose 9100 or 14 per cent to 72,300.

This led to a net migration gain of 6600 in the August year, 66 per cent lower than the 19,300 people in the previous August year.

Permanent and long-term arrivals include people who arrive in New Zealand intending to stay for at least 12 months.

Departures include New Zealanders departing for a period of at least 12 months as well as long term departures by permanent residents and foreign visitors who have been in the country for more than a year.

For the August year foreign arrivals were down 2300 and departures by foreigners were up 2200.

There were 1300 fewer New Zealand citizens arriving back permanently compared to the year-earlier and 6900 more New Zealand citizens leaving on a long term basis.

For the month of August there were 600 more PLT arrivals than departures in August, compared with 900 more arrivals than departures the same time last year.

Australia remains the destination of choice for New Zealanders leaving home on a long term basis. There was a net outflow to Australia in August, with 1600 more New Zealanders moving across the Tasman than returning home.

By contrast there was a net inflow from Britain for the month, of 900 more long term arrivals than people leaving.

- NZPA