Total border crossings in May 2022 were 344,800, up from 266,700 in April 2022, but still well below the almost one million border crossings in May 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since March 2020, when COVID-19 related travel and border restrictions were introduced, the number of border crossings fell to a low of 15,900 in May 2020. They reached a high of 189,500 in May 2021 during the trans-Tasman travel bubble, before their latest climb.
Border crossings include all arrivals and departures, either for short-term trips or longer-term migration, by people living overseas or in New Zealand.
“The increase in border crossings in May 2022 follows overseas visitors from 60 visa-waiver countries being permitted to enter New Zealand,” says population indicators manager Tehseen Islam.
“This is also reflected in the increase in the number of flights landing in and departing New Zealand in recent months.”
Provisional data for June 2022 show further increases in both arrivals and departures. Further relaxation of border restrictions, which included the removal of the requirement for COVID-19 pre-departure tests in mid-June 2022 coincided with this increase (Pre-departure tests removed from June 20, COVID-19 Response Minister has more about the change in restrictions).
Border crossings can be further classified into three main passenger types: visitors from overseas making short-term trips (less than 12 months), New Zealand residents making short-term trips, and migrants (people changing their country of residence).
This breakdown is not immediately known at the time of border crossing but becomes available with the processing of arrival cards and migration estimation.
Australia leads short-term trips
Of the 72,800 overseas visitor arrivals in May 2022, 67 per cent were from Australia. This was followed by: six per cent from the United States, five per cent from the United Kingdom, two per cent from Singapore, and two per cent from Canada.
There were 46,900 overseas visitor arrivals from Australia in May 2022. This was up on April 2022 (42,300), but still well down on May 2019 (90,800).
Since April 2020, the first full month under COVID-19-related border and travel restrictions, the number of overseas visitor arrivals from Australia reached a high of 53,600 in May 2021 during the trans-Tasman bubble, and a low of 100 in September 2021 while quarantine-free travel with Australia paused.
Those arriving from Australia since the start of 2022 were here mostly to visit friends and relatives (76 percent) followed by business trips (11 percent). Arrivals for holiday/vacation were low but have started to increase in recent months.
There was a provisional net migration loss of 10,700 in the year ended May 2022, made up of 47,500 migrant arrivals and 58,200 migrant departures.
Migrant arrivals and departures are both well below historical levels. Across May years (2002-2020), migrant arrivals averaged 121,800 a year, and migrant departures averaged 90,900.
There were provisional net migration losses of 8,400 non-New Zealand citizens and 2300 New Zealand citizens in the year ended May 2022.
