Statistics NZ estimates that there was a net population gain of 55,834 people from migration in the 12 months to the end of April this year.

That is heading back up towards the April year peak of 62,508 in 2016, after dropping back to 60,094 in the year to April 2017 and 50,163 in the year to April 2018.

The strong net gain was the result of a surge in people arriving in this country long term while the numbers leaving long term grew less quickly.

In the 12 months to April there were 150,974 long term arrivals, which was up 6.8% compared to the previous 12 months, while 95,141 people departed long term, up 4.3% on the previous 12 months.

Of the 150,974 long term arrivals, the biggest group (44,547) were Australian and NZ citizens, up 3.2% compared to the previous 12 months.

That was followed by 32,438 people on work visas, up 7.0% on the previous year, 31,641 on on visitor visas (+18.9%), 27,001 on student visas +7.6% and 13,929 on residency visas, down 7.1% on the previous 12 months.

The biggest source country for new long term arrivals in the year to April was Australia with 25,507, up 2.4% on the previous 12 months, followed by China 15,650 (+10.9%), India 11,539 (-11.3%), the UK 9267 (-23.4%), South Africa 7702 (+27.9%),The Philippines 5907 (-21.4%) and the US 5244 (13.3%).

There was net loss of 10,168 New Zealand citizens in the 12 months to April, with 35,923 arriving back in this country after an extended stay overseas, while 46,091 departed long term.

That was more than made up for by the 115,051 non-New Zealand citizens that arrived long term, while 49,050 departed long term, giving a net gain 66,001 non-New Zealand citizens.

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Net long term migration Select chart tabs » Net long term migration - annual 12-16 Net long term migration monthly gain or loss 12-16 The ' Net long term migration - annual 12-16' chart will be drawn here.

Loading... Source: Statistics NZ The 'Net long term migration monthly gain or loss 12-16' chart will be drawn here.

Loading... Source: Statistics NZ