New Zealand annual immigration rose to a 17-month high in June as fewer people departed, according to Statistics New Zealand. Net immigration increased by 17,624 in the 12 months through June, up from 17,263 in May. The improvement follows a three-year low of 9,504 in August 2025, but remains well below the peak of over 133,700 recorded in late 2023.

The data suggests a tentative recovery in migration flows after a significant slowdown in recent months. The improvement reflects a decrease in outflows rather than a surge in arrivals, indicating underlying economic and social factors continue to influence migration decisions.