KEY POINTS:
The net inflow of migrants remained weak last month, with a seasonally adjusted gain of just 440.
It continues the trend since the new year of a steady stream of arriving immigrants passing a growing number of departing New Zealanders at the airport.
Since January, the net monthly gain of permanent and long-term migrants has averaged 450. It had generally been above 1000 through 2006, Statistics New Zealand said.
For the year ended July, there was a net outflow of 29,500 New Zealand citizens - the largest since 2001 when it hit 40,800. It was offset by a net inflow of 38,400 non-New Zealand citizens, the highest since the 53,100 four years ago.
The net gain of just under 9000 compares with an average of 12,200 for the previous 16 years. New Zealand lost a net 25,500 people to Australia but gained 13,000 from Asia and 12,500 from Europe.
