Migration data: Fewer Kiwis leave, net gains expected to boost economy

Detailed summary

New Zealand had a net migration gain of 22,600 people in the September 2026 year, up 12,700 from the previous year, according to fresh estimates from Stats NZ today. “The net…

Low net migration numbers are starting to improve as fewer Kiwis leave. Photo / Alex Burton

New Zealand had a net migration gain of 22,600 people in the September 2026 year, up 12,700 from the previous year, according to fresh estimates from Stats NZ today.

“The net migration gain for the September 2026 year was higher than the previous year due to more migrant arrivals and fewer migrant departures,” international migration statistics spokeswoman Sarah Drake said.

There were 136,100 migrant arrivals (up 7%) and 113,500 migrant departures (down 3%) in the September 2026 year.

“Overall, net migration inflows remain relatively muted by historical context,” ASB economist Jane Turner said.

“The uptick is encouraging from a domestic demand perspective, as it will add to demand for retail spending and housing. But on the other side of the coin, it may add to the already-elevated unemployment rate with additional people looking for work in a market where job creation has underperformed population growth.”

There was a net migration loss of 37,800 New Zealand citizens in the September 2026 year.

This was made up of 26,700 migrant arrivals (up 5%) and 64,500 departures (down 1%).

Migrant departures of New Zealand citizens aged 15 to 24 reached 15,800 in the September 2026 year, up 6% from the previous year.

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