The number of people moving to New Zealand or staying long-term has hit an all-time high.
Official figures show a net gain of 43,500 people in the year to August, beating the previous high of 11 years ago. The net influx of migrants in August of 4710, in seasonally adjusted terms, was just shy of the previous record of 4730, set in February 2003.
New Zealand's fast-growing economy appears to be attracting more foreigners looking for work and keeping more New Zealanders at home. The monthly gain was driven by a combination of 1400 more non-New Zealanders arriving, and 800 fewer New Zealanders leaving for Australia.
The numbers of people arriving from India, China and Britain remained strong. However, more than half the annual increase is due to New Zealanders staying put, and another quarter is New Zealanders returning, many from Australia.