Quarterly Migration Report - March 2008 Quarter

Historical Overview of New Zealand Migration

Net permanent and long-term (PLT) migration for school-age and pre-school-age children has varied considerably over the past decade, with high levels of migration seen in 1996 and 2003. For the year ending March 2008, we saw the highest level of PLT departures of 0 to 17 year-olds since 1993¹  (17,338). Coupled with lower arrivals, net PLT migration has fallen from 4,262 in 2007 to 1,505 in 2008.

Figure 1 - Arrivals, Departures and Net PLT Migration of 0 to 17 Year-Olds Years Ended March 1993 - 2008

Secondary school-age (13 to 17 year-olds) migration shows distinctive patterns compares to other age groups. This group experienced consistent levels of net PLT migration inflows even in years where other age groups experienced net migration outflows. This is illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 2 - Net PLT Migration by Age Group, Years Ended March 1993 - 2008

Footnote

1. January 1992 is the first month in which the ministry has received PLT data from Statistics New Zealand. Year ending March 1993 is the first year of complete data.