Net migration falls in June, remains historically high

Net migration falls in June, remains historically high, Stats NZ says

By Sophie Boot

July 20 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand's annual net migration dropped in June as fewer foreigners arrived and more Kiwis left, but remains high.

Annual net migration was at 65,000 in the year to June, from 72,300 in the year to June 2017, Statistics New Zealand said. A net 66,800 foreigners immigrated to New Zealand in the June year, while a net 1,800 Kiwis left the country.

The number of non-New Zealanders migrating here dipped 1.4 percent from the year earlier, at 129,500 from 131,400 in the year to June 2017, which is the first time that annual figure has been below 130,000 since April 2017, Stats NZ said. The number of non-New Zealanders leaving rose 9.2 percent to 64,500 in the year.

New Zealand has been experiencing record levels of net migration in recent years, which made rising immigration a key election issue as it strains the country's infrastructure and is blamed for inflating property markets. Net migration peaked at 72,400 in the July 2017 year, and Stats NZ said today that migrants leaving continues to be the key factor in lowering annual net migration and

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