The population of New Zealand is growing, but at a slower pace than expected. According to Statistics NZ, the net migration gain in November was a mere 938 people, which is a significant drop from the previous year's figure of 28,975. But here's where it gets controversial: while the number of New Zealand citizens leaving the country has remained relatively stable, the number of non-citizens arriving has increased. In fact, over the 12 months to November, there was a net gain of 51,441 non-New Zealanders, which contributed to the overall net gain of 10,681 for the year. This raises the question: is the country's population growth being driven by an influx of non-citizens, rather than a decline in citizen departures? And this is the part most people miss: the biggest source countries for migrant arrivals were India, China, and the Philippines, which suggests that the country's population growth may be more diverse than previously thought. So, while the net migration gain may be low, the story behind the numbers is more complex and nuanced than it first appears.
