Net Migration Gain Of 24,200

New Zealand had a net migration gain of 24,200 in the March 2026 year, up from a net gain of 14,000 in the March 2025 year, according to provisional estimates released by Stats NZ today.

"Net migration was up in the March 2026 year compared with the previous year, mainly due to fewer people departing long term, although arrivals rose slightly," international migration statistics spokesperson Bryan Downes said.

The net migration gain of 24,200 in the March 2026 year was made up of 135,500 migrant arrivals and 111,300 migrant departures. This compares with 134,300 migrant arrivals and a provisional record 120,300 migrant departures in the March 2025 year.

New Zealand had an average net migration gain of 31,400 in the March years 2002 to 2025. Outcomes-based migration estimates start from the January 2001 month.

Net migration is the difference between the number of migrant arrivals and migrant departures.

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 60,800 non-New Zealand citizens in the March 2026 year, up from a net gain of 56,900 in the March 2025 year.

Annual net migration gains of non-New Zealand citizens averaged 50,500 for March years from 2002 to 2025.

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.

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

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.

Of these, only citizens of China had a larger net gain compared with the March 2025 year.

Net migration loss of New Zealand citizens reduces

There was an annual net migration loss of 36,500 New Zealand citizens in the March 2026 year. This compares with a net loss of 42,900 New Zealand citizens in the March 2025 year.

New Zealand has usually had an annual net migration loss of New Zealand citizens, which averaged 19,100 for March years from 2002 to 2025.

The provisional net loss of New Zealand citizens in the March 2026 year was made up of 26,300 migrant arrivals less 62,800 migrant departures.

Based on the latest estimates available, 63 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: March 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 aged 18 to 30 years made up 24,900 (40 percent) 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.

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 population estimates, see:

• National population estimates: At 31 December 2025 (published 16 February 2026)
• Subnational population estimates: At 30 June 2025 (published 29 October 2025).

National population estimates: At 31 March 2026 will be published on 18 May 2026.

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

Diagram shows outcomes-based (provisional) estimates of migration, by citizenship (New Zealand or non-New Zealand) for the year ended March 2026. Overall, net migration is 24,200, made up of a net loss of 36,500 NZ citizens (based on 26,300 migrant arrivals, a 9 percent increase on the year ended March 2025, and 62,800 migrant departures, a 6 percent decrease) and a net gain of 60,800 non-NZ citizens (based on 109,200 migrant arrivals, a 1 percent decrease on the year ended March 2025, and 48,400 migrant departures, a 9 percent decrease). Estimates are provisional as of 14 May 2026. Source: Stats NZ.