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New Zealand’s annual net migration gain strengthened in the year to April 2026, as migrant departures eased and arrivals continued to rise.
Provisional Stats NZ estimates show annual net migration reached a gain of 22,800 people in the April 2026 year, up from a gain of 12,200 in the previous 12 months.
The increase reflected an estimated 134,500 migrant arrivals, up 2 per cent year-on-year, alongside 111,700 migrant departures, down 7 per cent. While the annual net gain remains well below the October 2023 peak of 133,700, it marks a reversal from the slowdown seen through 2024 and early 2025.
Non-New Zealand citizens accounted for the bulk of the gain, contributing a net increase of 60,100 people during the year. This was partially offset by a net migration loss of 37,300 New Zealand citizens.
China, India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka were the largest contributors to annual net migration gains. The biggest migrant arrival groups in the year ended April 2026 were citizens of New Zealand (26,100), China (19,300) and India (16,600).
New Zealand citizens remained the largest group departing the country, with 63,400 migrant departures recorded during the year.
Monthly migration also improved. In April 2026, migrant arrivals increased 15 per cent year-on-year to 9,200, while departures fell 11 per cent to 8,100. This resulted in a provisional monthly net migration gain of 1,100 people, compared with a net loss of 1,100 in April 2025.
Separate figures relating to Australia showed New Zealand recorded a provisional net migration loss of 29,600 people to Australia in the year ended September 2025. The loss was largely driven by New Zealand citizens, who accounted for a net outflow of 28,900 people.
Despite the improvement in overall annual migration, New Zealand’s net migration gain of 22,800 remains below the long-term pre-pandemic April average of 31,300.
