Key Takeaways
- Net migration in New Zealand remains low, with a net gain of 938 people in November.
- The annual net migration gain has decreased by 63% compared to the same period in 2024.
- New Zealand citizens leaving the country long-term is a major driver of low migration-driven population growth.
- The biggest source countries for migrant arrivals are India, China, and the Philippines.
- Work and student visas are the most common types of visas issued, with 31,834 and 26,048 people arriving on these visas respectively.
Introduction to Population Growth
Population growth from migration in New Zealand remains weak, with a net gain of just 938 people in November, according to Statistics NZ. This trend is not new, with net migration appearing to settle at just under 1000 people a month. In the 12 months to November last year, the net gain was 10,681, which is a significant decrease from the 28,975 net gain in the 12 months to November 2024. This decrease represents a 63% drop in net migration, indicating a substantial shift in migration patterns.
Historical Context of Migration
To put this into perspective, between 2015 and 2019, before the pandemic-affected figures, the annual net migration gain ranged from 49,237 to 67,725 a year. This suggests that the current net migration gain is significantly lower than the pre-pandemic levels. The pandemic has had a profound impact on migration patterns, and it is likely that the effects are still being felt. The low net migration gain is a concern for the New Zealand economy, as it can lead to labor shortages and a decrease in economic growth.
New Zealand Citizens Leaving the Country
The number of New Zealand citizens leaving the country long-term continues to be a major driver of the low levels of migration-driven population growth. In November 2025, 4878 NZ citizens left long-term, almost unchanged from the 4889 who left in November 2024. This was partially balanced by the 1981 NZ citizens who arrived back last November after an extended stay overseas, giving a net loss of 2898 NZ citizens for the month. Over the 12 months to November last year, there was a net loss of 40,760 NZ citizens, which is a significant outflow of people.
Non-New Zealand Citizens Arriving
However, this net loss of NZ citizens was offset by a net gain of 51,441 non-NZ citizens in the 12 months to November, which gave the overall net gain of 10,681 for the year. The biggest source countries for migrant arrivals (by citizenship) were returning NZ citizens, followed by India, China, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Australia, UK, and USA. This suggests that while NZ citizens are leaving the country, non-NZ citizens are arriving to take their place, albeit at a lower rate than in previous years.
Visa Types and Source Countries
Over the year to November last year, 31,834 people arrived in NZ on work visas, and 26,048 on student visas. This suggests that the majority of migrants are coming to New Zealand for work or study, rather than for other reasons such as family or retirement. The source countries for migrant arrivals also provide insight into the types of migrants who are coming to New Zealand. India, China, and the Philippines are the top source countries, indicating that many migrants are coming from Asia. This is likely due to the strong economic and cultural ties between these countries and New Zealand.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
In conclusion, population growth from migration in New Zealand remains weak, with a net gain of just 938 people in November. The low net migration gain is driven by a significant outflow of NZ citizens, which is only partially offset by an inflow of non-NZ citizens. The biggest source countries for migrant arrivals are India, China, and the Philippines, and the majority of migrants are coming to New Zealand on work or student visas. As the New Zealand economy continues to grow and develop, it is likely that migration patterns will continue to evolve, and it will be important to monitor these trends to ensure that the country is able to attract and retain the skills and talent it needs to thrive.
