The number of people coming to settle in or visit New Zealand remains at record levels.
The net gain for the year to October was at an all-time high. Photo: AFP
There was a net gain of 6210 permanent or long-term arrivals in October, the 15th consecutive month at a record level, Statistics New Zealand says.
That pushed the net gain for the year to October to an all-time high of 62,500.
The influx was driven by returning New Zealanders, high numbers of Chinese and Indian students, and Britons on working holidays. Between them, they accounted for more than half of the annual immigrant influx.
For the first time in 20 years, more people arrived from Australia than moved there, reflecting the relative economic performances of the two countries.
The annual number of tourists also hit record levels at 3.06 million, with the number of visitors from China rising again, while the number of New Zealanders who travelled overseas in October rose sharply as people headed to Britain for the Rugby World Cup.
A record 2.39 million New Zealand made overseas trips last year.