More Kiwis have formal qualifications, according to new census figures released today.

Statistics New Zealand figures out today show national guest nights have risen every month for the past year.

Core retail spending (excluding fuel and vehicle-related spending) fell 0.8 per cent in April, the first time since last June.

Data released by Statistics New Zealand today showed the life expectancy for children has increased by one year for females and 1.5 years for males in the past eight years.

The New Zealand dollar has dropped by US1c after labour data out this morning showed wage growth was less than expected.

If your own international rugby dreams have been thwarted but you want your son to one day pull on the All Black jersey, plan ahead and try for a January baby.

The country had a net gain of 56,275 migrants in the year through March, 75 per cent higher than the 31,914 gain in the year earlier period.

Inflation is down again, with falling petrol prices pushing the consumers price index down 0.3 per cent in the March quarter.

Latest stats show New Zealand consumers are starting to spend up in the shops, with electronic card spending up 3.7 per cent last month.

New Zealanders increased spending on debit and credit cards in February, led by gains in hospitality and apparel as low inflation

A big fall in the amount of beer available has lead to a 2 per cent fall in the size of New Zealand's alcohol supply last year.

All regions of New Zealand are expected to see an increase in population over the next 13 years, Statistics New Zealand says.

New Zealand, with a population increase of 500,000 in the past decade, is growing faster than Australia and China a new "snapshot" into Kiwi life shows.

It could be the end of a dream for many as migration figures show that more New Zealanders are not only staying put but others across the Tasman are coming home.

Retail sales rose 1.5pc in the September quarter, led by food-related industries - with rises in supermarket stores and food and beverage services.

Aviation Security staff are on heightened alert following the raised terror threat level and on the lookout for a range of new risks.

Millions of departing travellers could be spared the chore filling in departure cards following work done by Customs and Statistics New Zealand.

NZ's unemployment rate has fallen to a five-and-a-half year low as employers took on a growing number of migrants.

Childless couples are making up an increasingly large proportion of families - a trend that has been on the rise for more than 20 years, Statistics New Zealand says.

New residential dwelling consent data continues to be patchy, but overall, the sector is showing a strong recovery.

Applications to build new houses and apartments have hit a new seven-year high but the rate of growth is slowing.