Net Migration Gain Of 17,600

New Zealand had a net migration gain of 17,600 in the June 2026 year, up from a net gain of 10,300 in the June 2025 year, according to provisional estimates released by Stats NZ today.

"The increase in net migration in the June 2026 year was due to a 5 percent fall in migrant departures and a 1 percent rise in migrant arrivals, compared with the June 2025 year," international migration statistics spokesperson Dave O'Donovan said.

The net migration gain of 17,600 in the June 2026 year was made up of 130,700 migrant arrivals and 113,100 migrant departures. This compares with 129,100 migrant arrivals and 118,800 migrant departures in the June 2025 year.

The long-term averages for June years (2002 to 2025) were 122,700 migrant arrivals, 91,500 migrant departures, and a net migration gain of 31,200. Outcomes-based migration estimates start from the January 2001 month so 2002 is the first June year available.

Changes in migration are typically due to a combination of factors. These include relative economic and labour market conditions between New Zealand and the rest of the world, and immigration policy in New Zealand and other countries.

Net migration gain of non-New Zealand citizens

There was a net migration gain of 55,300 non-New Zealand citizens in the June 2026 year. This compared with a net migration gain of 51,300 non-New Zealand citizens in the June 2025 year, and a record net migration gain of 174,500 in the October 2023 year.

Text alternative for diagram International migration estimates (provisional), year ended June 2026

Annual net migration gains of non-New Zealand citizens averaged 50,400 for June years from 2002 to 2025.

"The larger net migration gain of non-New Zealand citizens in the June 2026 year was due to fewer departures than in the June 2025 year," O'Donovan said.

Net migration loss of New Zealand citizens

There was a net migration loss of 37,700 New Zealand citizens in the June 2026 year. This compared with a net migration loss of 41,000 New Zealand citizens in the June 2025 year, and a record net migration loss of 45,900 in the April 2024 year.

Annual net migration losses of New Zealand citizens averaged 19,200 for June years from 2002 to 2025.

The provisional net migration loss of New Zealand citizens in the June 2026 year was made up of 26,200 migrant arrivals less 63,900 migrant departures.

Based on the latest estimates available, 64 percent of these migrant departures of New Zealand citizens were to Australia.

Of those migrating to Australia, 35 percent were born outside New Zealand.

International migration: June 2026 has more information on migration between New Zealand and Australia.

Migrant departures of New Zealand citizens peaked at 72,400 in the February 2012 year.

Migrants are people changing their country of residence, regardless of their country of citizenship or visa status. A 12-month threshold is used to classify migrants from non-migrants, aligned with international guidelines on measuring migration.

Migration is a key contributor to population change in New Zealand. For provisional estimates see:

• National population estimates: At 31 March 2026 (published 18 May 2026)
• Subnational population estimates: At 30 June 2025 (published 29 October 2025).

National population estimates: At 30 June 2026 will be published on 18 August 2026.

Subnational population estimates: At 30 June 2026 will be published on 29 October 2026.

Text alternative for diagram International migration estimates (provisional), year ended June 2026

Diagram shows outcomes-based (provisional) estimates of migration, by citizenship (New Zealand or non-New Zealand) for the year ended June 2026. Overall, net migration is 17,600, made up of a net loss of 37,700 New Zealand citizens (based on 26,200 migrant arrivals, a 6 percent increase on the year ended June 2025, and 63,900 migrant departures, a 3 percent decrease) and a net gain of 55,300 non-New Zealand citizens (based on 104,500 migrant arrivals, a 0 percent change on the year ended June 2025, and 49,200 migrant departures, a 7 percent decrease). Estimates are provisional as of 14 August 2026. Source: Stats NZ.