Young Kiwis are fleeing New Zealand

Statistics New Zealand has released data showing that net overseas migration (NOM) decreased to 26,400 for the year ending March 2025, a decline from 100,400 in the year ending March 2024.

“The fall in net migration in the March 2025 year was mainly due to fewer migrant arrivals, although departures also rose to a provisional annual record”, international migration statistics spokesperson Sarah Drake said.

There was a provisional net migration gain of 71,200 non-New Zealand citizens in the year to March 2025, partly offset by 44,900 net departures of New Zealand citizens.

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About the author

Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.