Immigrant arrivals expected to rise in New Zealand

Statistics New Zealand reported that as a result of harder times overseas, permanent and long-term arrivals i.e. immigrants with plan to stay an year or more in NZ and returning expatriates who were not here for at least one year, were three hundred more than the total number of departures last month.

Statistics New Zealand reported that as a result of harder times overseas, permanent and long-term arrivals i.e. immigrants with plan to stay an year or more in NZ and returning expatriates who were not here for at least one year, were three hundred more than the total number of departures last month.

When the figures were adjusted for seasonal effects, it was found that the net gain was 1720, which was far more than the monthly increase of just 490 over the last twelve months.

Robin Clements, UBS economists, said that March and February, which reported a net gain of 1600, saw the maximum net inflow for a period of two months since mid-2003.

However, it was noticed that major change was fewer number of people leaving rather than any notable increase in immigration numbers which was only 110 higher than the average.

ASB economist Jane Turner said that the fact that there has been decline in departures mean that job prospects overseas are getting weaker, and added that job market in Australia as well as the UK, which are key countries where New Zealanders go, has deteriorated immensely due to the global recession.

She also said that she expects number of arrivals to increase, mainly from United States and Britain, as she feels that the economy and labor market of New Zealand will fare comparatively well in this recession.

The net migrant inflow has continued to rise for the past four months, but the annual total is still below the average gain of 10,000 over the last ten years.