Immigration levels remain high, with 72,100 people coming to live in New Zealand in the year ending August.
The latest official figures from Statistics NZ show that immigration numbers are slightly lower than the previous data for the year to July, which was at a record high.
On a monthly basis, there was a seasonally-adjusted net gain of 5500 people.
Statistics NZ population statistics senior manager Peter Dolan said there were gains and falls.
"The biggest increase in migrant arrivals were from South Africa and United Kingdom. The biggest decrease was from India due to a decrease in student migrant arrivals," he said.
The strong economy and demand for skilled workers were influences in bringing new people into the country, as well as New Zealanders returning home.
The latest figures also revealed a record 3.7 million tourists came to New Zealand for a break in the year to August, while Kiwis departed on 252,100 trips overseas in August, up 7 percent from August 2016.