NZ migration highest on record: Pete Wargent
Pete WargentDecember 17, 2020
Annual migration to New Zealand hit its highest annual level on record in November 2016 at 70,400.
Australia saw a net loss of permanent and long term 1,830 departures to NZ over the year - mainly Kiwis returning home - although over the last six years the cumulative gain to Australia has been more than 116,000.
Although it's tempting to think that Australia is losing population to New Zealand, in reality the opposite is true.
In fact, an extra 16,000 Kiwis came to Australia on 444 visas on a net basis over the year, taking the total storming past 677,000.
The big drivers of migration to NZ are now China and South Africa.
NZ still has a lower unemployment rate than Australia, which is very much helping its cause.
Pete Wargent
Pete Wargent is the co-founder of BuyersBuyers.com.au, offering affordable homebuying assistance to all Australians, and a best-selling author and blogger.