An expert believes there's still a number of Kiwis returning to New Zealand, despite a falling net migration rate
An expert believes there's still a number of Kiwis returning to New Zealand, despite a falling net migration rate
13 October 2025
It's fallen to 10,600 for the year to August 2025.
Overall, Stats NZ figures show migrant arrivals dropped 16 percent to more than 138-thousand, while departures increased 13 percent to just under 128 thousand.
Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley says it's still a major net loss, but Kiwis are coming back, even from Australia.
He says there's always been Kiwis leaving and returning on the traditional OE.
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