17 February 2005
International Arrivals and Departures Exceed 8.3 Million
Annual total passenger arrivals and departures (consisting of overseas visitors, New Zealand residents and migrants)
reached 8.33 million in the year ending December 2004, Statistics New Zealand said today. There were 4.17 million
arrivals and 4.16 million departures, up 16 and 18 percent, respectively, compared with the December 2003 year.
Overseas visitor arrivals totalled 2.35 million in 2004, up 241,000 (11 percent) from 2003. The top 10 countries
contributed 1.88 million or four-fifths of all visitor arrivals in 2004. Australia (855,900 visitors) accounted for 37
percent of all visitors, followed by the United Kingdom (283,700), the United States (218,300), Japan (165,000), Korea
(113,900), China (84,400) and Germany (55,700).
More than half of all short-term visitors to New Zealand in 2004 came for a holiday (1,190,400). A further 660,000
visited friends and relatives, 248,800 came on business, 53,700 attended a conference and 49,200 came for
education/medical reasons. Overseas visitors intended spending an average of 20 days in New Zealand in 2004, compared
with 22 days in 2003.
On a monthly basis, the average length of stay in 2004 varied by eight days, with visitors arriving in January staying
for the longest time (24 days), and those arriving in August staying the shortest time (16 days).
Short-term departures by New Zealand residents exceeded 1.73 million in 2004, an increase of 26 percent, compared with
2003. Australia remained the most popular main destination country, accounting for 880,300 (51 percent) of all
departures. Fiji (98,800) was next, followed by the United States (80,400) and the United Kingdom (78,100). Close to 6
percent of New Zealand travellers in 2004 visited Fiji, compared with 5 percent for both the United States and the
United Kingdom.
Two-fifths (756,200) of New Zealand residents departing for a short trip in 2004 went on holiday. A further 509,700 left
to visit friends and relatives, 252,400 were on business, 57,200 attended a conference, and 25,600 left for
education/medical reasons.
On average, New Zealand residents leaving the country for a short trip in 2004 were away for 20 days, one day less than
in 2003. In 2004, 52 percent stayed away for 10 days or less, with 50 percent of this group being away for less than one
week. In 2004, there was a net inflow of 15,100 permanent and long-term migrants, compared with a net inflow of 34,900
in 2003. There was a net outflow of 18,100 New Zealand citizens, but a net gain of 33,200 non-New Zealand citizens, in
2004.
In 2004, there was a net inflow of 4,000 migrants who stated an occupation, compared with 10,000 in 2003. Professionals
recorded the largest net inflow, 1,800 in 2004, compared with 2,400 in 2003. There were also net inflows of clerks
(400), trades workers (400), managers (300) and technicians (100).
The remaining major occupational groups experienced net losses, including service and sales workers (300), plant and
machinery operators (300), elementary occupations (200) and agriculture workers (100). Ian Ewing Acting Government
Statistician
ENDS