Kiwis fly on record 2.5 million annual overseas trips
21 September 2016
New Zealand residents took a record 2.51 million overseas trips in the August 2016 year, Statistics New Zealand said
today. This was up 6 percent, or 144,300 more trips than in the August 2015 year.
"The increase in overseas trips between the August years was boosted by more New Zealand residents travelling to
Australia, Fiji, and the UK," population statistics manager Jo-Anne Skinner said.
In August 2016, New Zealand residents made 235,200 trips overseas, a new August record. This was an 8 percent increase
from August 2015. Departures to the warmer climates of Viet Nam, Indonesia, and the Cook Islands contributed to the rise
in overseas trips.
More holidaymakers drive visitor arrivals in August
Visitor arrivals numbered 221,200 in August 2016, setting a new August record. Visitor arrivals were up 9 percent from
August 2015, due mainly to a 13 percent increase in holiday arrivals. Holidaymakers from the US, Malaysia, and Japan
were the main contributors to the rise.
An increase in holidaymakers from the US related to the introduction of new routes and additional airlines flying
between the US and New Zealand. This month, visitors arriving from the US most commonly came from California, Texas, and
New York state.
In the August 2016 year, visitor arrivals hit a record 3.36 million, up 11 percent from the August 2015 year. This was
driven by increases in visitor arrivals from China and Australia.
Record-equalling annual net gain of 69,100 migrants
New Zealand's unadjusted annual net gain (more arrivals than departures) of migrants was 69,100 in the August 2016 year.
This equalled the previous annual record of 69,100 in the June 2016 year.
Migrant arrivals numbered 125,000 in the August 2016 year, setting a new August-year record. Returning New Zealand
citizens accounted for a quarter of all migrant arrivals. Migrant departures were 55,900 in the same period, with New
Zealand citizens contributing 60 percent to all migrant departures.
Seasonally adjusted figures showed a net gain of 5,600 migrants in August 2016. Since reaching a peak of 6,200 in
November 2015, the seasonally adjusted net gain in migrants has averaged 5,700 a month.
See the commentary and tables for more information.
For more information about these statistics:
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