New Zealand's annual net migration has officially fallen into the negatives.
StatsNZ on Monday released figures showing a net migration loss of 1700 people in the year to October 2021, compared to a 1400 gain in the year to March.
A loss of 7400 Kiwis was by far offset by a net loss of 9100 non-New Zealand citizens - creating the first annual net migration loss since 2013.
There were 21,600 non-New Zealand citizen migrant arrivals, a drop of 72 percent, and 30,700 migrant departures.
According to the figures, the number of overall border crossings in October was up slightly to 20,800 from 16,100 in September. October's crossings were made up of 11,000 arrivals and 9800 departures.
New Zealand's previous 40-year migration pattern had been reversed in the past two years due to COVID, Stats NZ population indicators manager Tehseen Islam said.
Travel to New Zealand remains largely restricted but the Government has said it plans to ease some border measures next year.
"As a result of COVID-19, the number of New Zealand citizens leaving this country to live overseas has slowed considerably and far fewer non-New Zealand citizens have migrated to New Zealand," Islam said.
There has been an uptick in border crossings, however, since the Government allowed recognised seasonal employees to travel to New Zealand quarantine-free last month.
