This compared with 134,300 migrant arrivals and a provisional record 120,300 migrant departures in the March 2025 year, Stats NZ said.<\/p>\n
In the year to February 2026, migrant arrivals were 133,606 and migrant departures were 112,377.<\/p>\n
The net migration rate \u2013 effectively New Zealand\u2019s annual population gain \u2013 remains below the long-run average.<\/p>\n
There was an average gain of 31,400 in the March years 2002 to 2025.<\/p>\n
ASB economist Wesley Tanuvasa noted the firming trend in migration remained over March but was tempered by downward revisions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Middle East conflict has muddied the outlook,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor now, the data continues to support our view that net immigration is converging towards long-term averages faster than the RBNZ [Reserve Bank] anticipated before Middle East ructions occurred.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pace at which it continued to do so over 2026 would have important implications for the Official Cash Rate (OCR) and medium-term inflation, Tanuvasa said.<\/p>\n
There was an annual net migration loss of 36,500 New Zealand citizens in the March 2026 year. <\/p>\n
This compares with a net loss of 42,900 New Zealand citizens in the March 2025 year.<\/p>\n
New Zealand has usually had an annual net migration loss of New Zealand citizens, which averaged 19,100 for the March years from 2002 to 2025.<\/p>\n
The net loss of New Zealand citizens in the March 2026 year was made up of 26,300 migrant arrivals and 62,800 migrant departures.<\/p>\n
Based on the latest estimates, 63% of these migrant departures of New Zealand citizens were to Australia, Stats NZ said.<\/p>\n
Of those migrating to Australia, 35% were born outside New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Migrant departures of New Zealand citizens peaked at 72,400 in the February 2012 year.<\/p>\n
Migrants aged 18 to 30 years made up 24,900 (40%) of the 62,800 migrant departures of New Zealand citizens in the March 2026 year. This compares with 25,800 departures in this age group in the March 2025 year.<\/p>\n
There was a net migration gain of 60,800 non-New Zealand citizens in the March 2026 year, up from a net gain of 56,900 in the March 2025 year.<\/p>\n
Annual net migration gains of non-New Zealand citizens averaged 50,500 for March years from 2002 to 2025.<\/p>\n
The increase in net migration of non-New Zealand citizens in the March 2026 year was mainly due to fewer migrant departures, compared with the March 2025 year.<\/p>\n
Citizens of India, China, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka contributed the most to the net migration gain of non-New Zealand citizens in the March 2026 year.<\/p>\n
Of these, only citizens of China had a larger net gain compared with the March 2025 year.<\/p>\n
On a monthly basis (March 2026 compared to February 2026), immigrant arrivals fell from 14,000 to 12,000. After seasonal adjustments, they were flat.<\/p>\n
The raw number of departures also rose (from 7736 to 8386).<\/p>\n
After seasonal adjustments, February was counted as a slight fall in departures (down by about 100).<\/p>\n
Liam Dann is business editor-at-large for the New Zealand Herald. He is a senior writer and columnist, and also presents and produces videos and podcasts. He joined the Herald in 2003.<\/p>\n