The number of Americans interested in moving to New Zealand has spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new figures.
Figures released by Immigration New Zealand show a 65 percent increase in US residents seeking information on how to emigrate, a total of 80,000 people, in May alone.
April also saw an increase with American visits to Immigartion NZ's website shooting up by 37 percent compared to the same time last year.
New Zealand's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic may be responsible with 1536 confirmed cases and 22 deaths. Lockdown measures have also been lifted as there are no known active cases in the community.
This is compared to the United States which is still struggling to contain the virus with more than 3 million cases and 133,000 deaths.
People living in the UK are also showing an increased interest in moving here with a 18.5 percent jump in May, representing around 31,000 people. Australians, South Africans and Indians were the next most interested.
US and UK citizens showed a similar surge in interest in moving to New Zealand after Donald Trump was elected and Brexit.
But any foreign nationals pondering a move will have to wait until the borders reopen to non-citizens or residents, and until Visa applications start being processed again.
There have been some exceptions with certain foreign essential workers being allowed into the country, including the Avatar crew earlier in the year.
Air New Zealand has temporarily suspended all bookings for flights to New Zealand in an effort to stop quarantine facilities being overrun with returning citizens.
The Government is currently holding nearly 6000 people in 28 managed isolation facilities across the country, and more space is being made available.
More than 26,400 people have been through managed isolation and quarantine since March 26.
