Figures released by government statisticians today show a drop in immigration to New Zealand. In the year to March 2005, New Zealand’s net migration gain was 10,000 - down 64 percent on the previous year.
Much of the drop resulted from new regulations introduced to coincide with the Skilled Migrant Category.
Net inflows of people to New Zealand
| Source Country | Net Annual Change |
Net Inflow of People |
| UK | 8,901 | down 14 % |
| India | 2,179 | down 47 % |
| Fiji | 1,962 | up 18 % |
| Japan | 1,903 | down 8 % |
| China | 1,460 | down 80 % |
| Germany | 1,137 | up 55 % |
| USA | 1,025 | down 8 % |
| South Africa | 970 | down 26 % |
There were also 8,556 more New Zealand citizen departures from the country in the 12 months to March.