New Zealand Migrants


The Newcomers – How Many and From Where?

  • New Zealand’s population reached an estimated 4,920,000 in June 2019.
  • The population reached four million for the first time in 2003, assisted by growth in immigration.
  • New Zealand has a low population density – there are just 16 people per square kilometre.
    The United States has 30; United Kingdom, 252; India, 380; Netherlands, 490; and Singapore, 6669 people per square kilometre.
  • New Zealand usually gains more people from long-term arrivals than it loses from long-term departures.

New Zealand’s Migration Gains (Losses) to July of each year

Year:Effect of Migration on New Zealand’s Population
2018+64,000
2017+72,000
2016+69,000
2015+59,600
2014+41,000
2013+10,600
2012-3,800
2011+2,900
2010+15,200
2009+14,500
2008+5,200
2007+9,000
2006+12,100
2005+6,900
2004+20,600
2003+42,100
2002+34,600
2001-6,800
2000-10,000
1999-10,000
1998-7,000
1997+10,000
1996+25,000
1995+25,000
1994+19,000
1993+11,000

The top five source countries for immigrant arrivals in New Zealand from 2016 back to 2001 were:

Top Five Source Countries for Migrants 2001 – 2018

CountryLong Term Gain 2018
China7,800
India7,000
United Kingdom5,100
South Africa5,100
Philippines4,400
CountryLong Term Gain 2017
China10,000
India7,400
United Kingdom6,800
South Africa4,900
Philippines4,700
CountryLong Term Gain 2016
India11,300
China10,100
Philippines4,900
United Kingdom4,400
South Africa3,200
CountryLong Term Gain 2015
India12,600
China8,200
Philippines4,500
United Kingdom4,000
Germany2,800
CountryLong Term Gain 2014
India7,700
China6,600
United Kingdom5,500
Philippines3,100
Germany2,300
CountryLong Term Gain 2013
United Kingdom6,400
China5,400
India5,200
Philippines2,100
Germany1,900
CountryLong Term Gain 2012
United Kingdom5,500
China5,100
India5,100
Philippines2,000
Germany1,600
CountryLong Term Gain 2011
India5,800
United Kingdom5,400
China4,500
Philippines1,800
Germany1,400
CountryLong Term Gain 2010
United Kingdom6,800
India5,600
China3,500
Philippines1,500
Germany1,400
CountryLong Term Gain 2009
United Kingdom9,300
India6,000
China3,600
Philippines3,200
Fiji2,900
CountryLong Term Gain 2008
United Kingdom7,600
India4,700
Philippines3,600
Fiji2,700
South Africa2,500
CountryLong Term Gain 2007
United Kingdom7,105
India3,576
Philippines3,226
Fiji2,510
China1,816
CountryLong Term Gain 2006
United Kingdom10,935
Philippines2,399
Fiji2,257
India2,125
China1,828
CountryLong Term Gain 2005
United Kingdom9,583
Fiji2,399
India1,947
Japan1,645
Germany1,427
CountryLong Term Gain 2004
United Kingdom9,019
China2,824
India2,449
Japan1,966
Fiji1,719
CountryLong Term Gain 2003
China11,265
United Kingdom10,114
India4,855
Japan2,189
Fiji1,897
CountryLong Term Gain 2002
China14,745
India6,581
United Kingdom5,913
South Africa2,781
Japan2,269
CountryLong Term Gain 2001
China5,565
India5,474
United Kingdom5,383
South Africa4,057
Fiji3,021

Changes to English language requirements and restrictions on workers from “non-equivalent” labour markets are responsible for the decrease in arrivals from China and India in 2004.

The most recent censuses were in 2001, 2006, 2013 and 2018.

According to the 2013 census the top ten nationalities in New Zealand’s immigrant population were:

Top Nine Migrant Nationalities in 2013

Country of BirthNumber of Migrants
England215,589
China89,121
India67,176
Australia62,712
South Africa54,276
Fiji52,755
Samoa50,661
Philippines37,299
South Korea26,601
Scotland25,953

According to the 2006 census the top ten nationalities in New Zealand’s immigrant population were:

Top Nine Migrant Nationalities in 2006

Country of BirthNumber of Migrants
England202,401
China78,117
Australia62,742
Samoa50,649
India43,344
South Africa41,676
Fiji37,746
Scotland29,016
South Korea28,806
Netherlands22,101

At the time of the 2001 census, the top nine nationalities in New Zealand’s immigrant population were:

Top Nine Migrant Nationalities 2001

Country of BirthNumber of Migrants
England178,000
Australia56,000
Samoa47,000
China39,000
Scotland29,000
South Africa26,000
Fiji26,000
Netherlands22,000
India21,000

Data Source: Statistics New Zealand

3 thoughts on “New Zealand Migrants”

  1. Hi,

    I’m looking for immigration data of top 20 countries over time 2000-12 (a wider data-set but like you have above), and also the population of NZ by country of original birth.

    Can you please help me find the complete data-set?

    Thanks for your help,

    Ian

    Reply

  2. Hi Eve,

    The figures you refer to came from the 2006 census. The next census is due in March 2013 and details will be published the following year.

    Reply

  3. Greetings.

    I am currently writing a book in which I will have interviews with migrants, and also provide strategies regarding adaptation. I am a published freelance writer and a psychologist. I would be grateful if you have more up to date stats than those reflected here from 2006 regarding the numbers of migrants from the top 9 migrants nationalities in NZ.

    Kind regards

    Eve Hemming

    Reply

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