Migration Update: New Zealand records net gain of 65,000 people, but a large number of Kiwis leaving

New Zealand’s net migration has seen a huge reversal with a gain of over 65,000 people in the March 2023 year, following the relaxation of COVID-19-related restrictions and changes to immigration settings. However, a net migration loss of 23,500 Kiwi citizens was also recorded, which is the highest since the October 2013 year. The major contribution to the net migration gain came from India, Philippines, China, and South Africa. The stats also reveal that out of 133,500 total migrant arrivals of non-New Zealand citizens, 63 percent arrived on work or visit visas, while 14 percent arrived on residence visas. Additionally, the March 2023 visitor arrivals increased to 2.18 million from 1.95 million in the previous year. Nonetheless, this figure is still not equal to the pre-COVID levels recorded in March 2019. The government has been emphasizing the growth in net migration figures ahead of the budget, and changes to the immigration settings have been made to address the persistent worker shortages in certain areas.

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