More arrivals from China boost visitor numbers – Media release
21 October 2013
More arrivals from China contributed to a 7 percent increase in visitors to New Zealand in September 2013, compared with
September 2012, Statistics New Zealand said today.
"The 21,200 visitors from China was well up from 14,000 last September," population statistics manager Andrea Blackburn
said. "This continues the strong growth in visitor numbers which we have seen from the world's most populous country in
recent years."
In the September 2013 year, visitor arrivals rose 3 percent to reach 2.670 million. More visitors came from China (up
49,600), Australia (up 23,300), and the United States (up 11,400).
New Zealand residents departed on 211,400 overseas trips in September 2013, up 2 percent from September 2012. Over the
year, New Zealand residents took 2.187 million trips, up 1 percent from the previous year. Australia (992,500), the
United States (137,700), and Fiji (108,300) were the most common destinations.
Highest net gain of migrants in over 10 years
New Zealand had a seasonally adjusted net gain (more arrivals than departures) of 2,700 migrants in September 2013. This
is the highest figure in over 10 years, since the net gain of 2,800 migrants in July 2003. The net gain has increased in
recent months due to fewer people departing to live in Australia, as well as more arriving migrants.
The seasonally adjusted net loss of 800 migrants to Australia in September 2013 was the smallest since September 2003
(also 800). Net losses to Australia have fallen consistently since December 2012 (3,300).
In the September 2013 year, New Zealand had a net gain of 15,200 migrants, compared with a net loss of 3,300 in the
previous year. The latest figure is above the average annual net gain of 11,300 migrants over the last 20 years
(1993–2012).
In the latest year, New Zealand had a net loss of 25,300 migrants to Australia, compared with 39,500 a year earlier. Net
gains were recorded from most other countries, led by the United Kingdom (6,000), China (5,400), and India (5,100).
ENDS