New Zealand recorded a net migration gain of 17,625 people in the year to June 2026, up 71 percent on the previous year. But behind that increase is a striking divide: the country lost a net 37,718 New Zealand citizens while gaining 55,341 foreign citizens.
eLocal Report: Based on reporting by Greg Ninness for Interest.co.nz HERE
Migration Turns Up Again
New Zealand's net migration numbers are beginning to rise again after falling sharply from the extraordinary post-Covid surge of 2023 and 2024.
Statistics NZ's latest provisional estimates show the country had a net migration gain of just 1,475 people during the June quarter. There were 28,616 long-term arrivals during the three months and 27,140 long-term departures.
A relatively low June quarter is not unusual. In the same quarter last year New Zealand actually recorded a net migration loss of 1,475 people as departures exceeded arrivals.
The annual figures, however, tell a different story. In the 12 months to June 2026, net migration reached 17,625, up 71 percent compared with the previous June year.
The accompanying long-term migration data show how dramatically migration has moved over the past several years. Annual net migration peaked above 135,000 in late 2023, fell to around 10,000 during 2025, and has since begun climbing again, reaching 17,625 in June 2026.
63,901 New Zealanders Left
Perhaps the more significant story is what is happening to New Zealand citizens.
In the year to June, 63,901 New Zealand citizens left the country long-term. That was partly offset by 26,183 New Zealand citizens returning after extended periods overseas.
The result was a net loss of 37,718 New Zealand citizens in a single year.
There has been some improvement. The number of New Zealand citizens leaving has declined 5.5 percent from the June-year peak of 67,539 recorded in 2024, while the number returning has increased 18.6 percent over the same period.
Nevertheless, New Zealand continues to lose substantially more of its own citizens than it gains back.
Foreign Migration More Than Replaces the Loss
The departure of New Zealand citizens has been more than offset by migration from overseas.
A total of 104,497 foreign citizens arrived long-term during the year to June, while 49,156 departed. That produced a net gain of 55,341 non-New Zealand citizens.
Put together, the figures show an important change occurring beneath the headline population number. New Zealand lost 37,718 of its own citizens through net migration but gained 55,341 foreign citizens, leaving the country with the overall migration gain of 17,625.
That distinction matters when considering migration simply as a measure of population growth.
India and China Lead Arrivals
India was the largest source of net foreign migration during the year, adding 11,046 Indian citizens to New Zealand's population.
China was close behind with a net gain of 10,207 citizens, followed by the Philippines with 7,982 and Sri Lanka with 4,070.
Other significant net gains included Nepal at 1,970, the United States at 1,666, Samoa at 1,143 and Australia at 1,074.
The United Kingdom moved in the opposite direction. New Zealand recorded a net loss of 564 UK citizens, with more British citizens leaving long-term than arriving.
The Bigger Question for New Zealand
The headline number suggests New Zealand's migration position is strengthening again. But looking only at the overall population gain risks obscuring a potentially more important economic and demographic question.
New Zealand is not simply gaining 17,625 people through migration. It is simultaneously experiencing two quite different movements: a substantial loss of New Zealand citizens and a larger inflow of foreign citizens.
Migration can bring workers, skills, investment and new businesses into the country. But a persistent net loss of New Zealand citizens raises a different set of questions about wages, housing affordability, career opportunities, taxation and whether New Zealand remains sufficiently attractive for its own people to build their futures here.
It also raises questions about the economic model underpinning population growth. If population continues to expand primarily because foreign migration replaces departing New Zealanders, governments need to consider not only how many people the country is gaining, but who is leaving, who is arriving and why.
The latest figures therefore provide two migration stories.
New Zealand's population gained 17,625 people through migration in the year to June.
But beneath that figure, New Zealand experienced a net loss of 37,718 of its own citizens.
That may ultimately be the more important number.
Source
Greg Ninness, Interest.co.nz — “Migration added 17,625 people to New Zealand's population in the year to June” — 14 August 2026.
Independent reporting. Original context. Credited sources.