Stats NZ data showed a net gain of 3343 migrants for the month of October. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The risks of a brain drain may be receding as the number of long-term migrants has exceeded those leaving for the fourth month in a row.
Stats NZ data showed a net gain of 3343 migrants for the month of October, narrowing the annual outflow to 4117.
The migration was made up of a net loss of 15,100 New Zealand citizens, partly offset by a net gain of 11,000 non-New Zealand citizens.
"This is consistent with migration patterns before the Covid-19 pandemic, where New Zealand has usually had an annual net migration gain of non-New Zealand citizens and an annual net migration loss of New Zealand citizens," Stats NZ said in a release.
About half the New Zealand departures were destined for Australia.
"Traditionally, there has been a net migration loss from New Zealand to Australia. This averaged nearly 30,000 a year during 2004-2013, and about 3000 a year during 2014-2019."
The government has been relaxing visa entry in piecemeal fashion, but its selection of qualifying work classes and delays in processing have drawn criticism.
Recently Kiwibank economists suggested a migration gain, offering potentially more workers to help ease labour shortages but increased demand which would put pressure on resources and inflation.
Meanwhile, overseas tourist numbers are also picking up pace, with 161,600 in October, a 10,400 gain from September, and 3700 higher than a year ago.
Visitors from Australia accounted for 55 percent of October's arrivals, followed by much smaller flows from the United States, Britain and Germany.
All New Zealand Covid-border restrictions were lifted in August, but previous large visitor groups from China and Japan have not returned.