Record number of Kiwis flee New Zealand

Tuesday 14 October 2025

Stats NZ released migration data, revealing that only 10,600 net overseas migrants arrived in New Zealand in the year to August. This net migration gain was far below the decade average of 49,000 and around 125,000 fewer than the late 2023 peak.

The fall in net overseas migration has been fueled by the exodus of New Zealand citizens.

Annual net outflows of New Zealand citizens reached a new high of (47,900), driven by increased migration departures to a record high of 73,900.

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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.