New Zealand migration to Australia at highest level since 1988

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New figures from Statistics New Zealand show that thousands of New Zealand citizens migrated to Australia during the year ending in November 2007. This figure was the highest net outflow to Australia since 1988.

The number of people coming to New Zealand for a stay at of at least 12 months was 82,600 in the year ending in November 2007. This was 300 less than the previous year ending in November 2006. During the year ending November 2007, 76,000 people left New Zealand, an increase of 7,800 from the year ending November 2006.

As a result, net long-term immigration to New Zealand was 6,600 in the year ending November 2007. This is down 14,800 from the year ending November 2006 and below the annual average recorded for the December years from 1990-2006.

Migration by Citizenship

There was a net inflow of 38,200 foreign citizens to New Zealand in the year ending November 2007, and a net outflow of 31,600 New Zealand citizens.

The majority of New Zealand citizens (27,800) went to Australia, the highest number since 1988, when 32,700 left permanently for Australia. The next most popular country was the United Kingdom (1,400), the United Arab Emirates (400), and Canada (also 400).

The majority of foreigners immigrating to New Zealand came from the United Kingdom, at 7,400. This number is down from the 11,300 that arrived in the year ending in November 2006. This number was followed by India (3,500), the Philippines (3,200), Fiji (2,400), South Africa (1,800), and China (1,700).

China led the number of migrants arriving in New Zealand during the years ending November 1996-2003, but the UK has been leading since that time.