External Migration December 2002 year
Commentary ...
- Total movements by class
Visitor arrivals increased by 135,000 or 7 percent in the December 2002 year, to reach 2.04 million. Short-term departures by New Zealand residents numbered 1.29 million in 2002, an increase of 7,000 or 1 percent over 2001.
In 2002, permanent and long-term (PLT) arrivals increased by 14,900, compared with 2001, to reach an all-time high of 96,000. PLT departures, on the other hand, dropped by 13,600 to 57,800 in 2002.
- Overseas visitor arrivals
Visitors by source
In the December 2002 year Oceania continued to be the most important source region for overseas visitor arrivals, followed by Asia, Europe and the Americas. Almost two-fifths of all visitors were from Oceania (730,600), down 1,900 on the December 2001 year. Europe contributed a further one-fifth (415,100) of all visitor arrivals in 2002, and the Americas contributed 261,300 or 13 percent. Visitors from each of these two regions were up by 9 percent, compared with 2001.
For more than a decade Asia has been the second largest source region. Between 1996 and 1998 visitors from the region fell by 161,300 or 33 percent, a result of the Asian financial crisis in late 1997. However, by 2002, this fall had been reversed, with visitors from Asia totalling 544,500, an increase of 17 percent over the 2001 figure.
In 2002, the top 10 source countries for visitor arrivals, and their rankings, were unchanged from 2001. Australia was the largest contributor with 632,500 or nearly one-third of all visitors. The United Kingdom (237,000) was the second largest source country, ahead of the United States (205,300), Japan (173,600) and Korea (109,900). Visitors from China increased by 44 percent from 53,200 in 2001 to 76,500 in 2002 – the largest percentage increase among the top 10 source countries. Germany (49,000), the only top 10 source country to record a decrease in visitor arrivals, was still ahead of Canada (39,700), Taiwan (38,400) and Singapore (34,000). These 10 countries contributed almost four-fifths (1.60 million) of all visitors in 2002.
Visitor Arrivals for Top 10 Source Countries
December year 1998–2002
December year 1998–2002
A number of smaller source countries recorded large percentage increases in visitors to New Zealand between the December 2001 and 2002 years. Visitors increased from India (up 36 percent), Italy (up 26 percent), France (up 21 percent), Ireland (up 20 percent), Thailand (up 19 percent) and Sweden (up 16 percent). Over the same period, visitors from Indonesia dropped by 15 percent.
Visitors by reason for travel
More than half of all visitors to New Zealand came for a holiday (1,073,900) in the December 2002 year. This was up 84,500 or 9 percent on the previous year. A further 522,400 visitors came to visit friends and relatives (VFR) (up 5 percent), 213,900 came on business (up 3 percent), 52,800 came for education/medical reasons (up 23 percent) and 37,700 came for a conference (down 5 percent).
Visitors coming for a holiday made up a steadily growing share of all visitor arrivals over the last five years; up from 50 percent in 1998 to 53 percent in 2002. In contrast, the proportion of VFR visitors remained almost unchanged at about 26 percent during the period. The proportion of visitors coming for business decreased slightly over the last five years from 12 percent in 1998 to 10 percent in 2002, while conference goers remained steady at 2 percent. In 2002, a further 3 percent of visitors came for education/medical reasons.
Visitor Arrivals by Reason for Travel December year 1998–2002 | Visitor Arrivals by Reason for Travel Year ended December 2002 |
Visitors by length of stay
The average intended length of time spent in New Zealand by visitors in 2002 was 22 days, one day longer than in 2001. About 51 percent of all visitors stayed for 10 days or less, with the majority of these staying for less than a week. A further 22 percent stayed between 11 and 20 days, 12 percent stayed between 21 and 30 days and the remaining 15 percent stayed for more than 30 days. On a monthly basis, the average length of stay varied by as much as 6 days, with visitors arriving in January (26 days) staying for the longest time and visitors arriving in March, May and August (all 20 days) staying the shortest time.
In 2002, visitors coming mainly for education/medical reasons had the longest average intended length of stay at 105 days, 10 days longer than in 2001. Many of these visitors were in the younger age groups, with 72 percent younger than 25 years. Conference visitors (8 days) and business visitors (13 days) stayed for the shortest time. The length of stay for both holiday and VFR visitors dropped during the early 1990s. However, since the mid-1990s the average length of stay for holiday visitors increased steadily, reaching an average of 18 days in 2002. The average length of stay for those visiting friends and relatives fell by one day between 1997 and 1998 to 25 days. It remained at that level until 2001, and then increased back to 26 days in 2002.
Average Length of Stay for Visitors December year 1998–2002 | Average Length of Stay for Visitors December year 2002 |
- New Zealand resident departures
Resident departures by main destination
In the December 2002 year, Oceania was the most important region of main destination for New Zealand travellers, followed by Asia, Europe and the Americas. Sixty-one percent of New Zealand resident departures went to countries in Oceania (789,000), with 82 percent giving Australia as their main destination. A further 13 percent stated Asia (169,900), 8 percent Europe (107,400) and 7 percent the Americas (85,400). All major regions except Oceania recorded an increase in 2002 compared with 2001. Over the past five years, there were increases in departures to Oceania, Asia and Europe, but a drop of 11 percent in departures to the Americas.
Australia remained the most popular country of main destination for New Zealand residents departing short-term, accounting for 650,800 or 50 percent of all departures in 2002. While departures to Australia fell 25,200 or 4 percent between 2001 and 2002, the 2002 level was up 34,100 or 6 percent on 1998. The next three most popular destinations in 2002 were the United States (67,200), Fiji (66,900) and the United Kingdom (65,200), each accounting for 5 percent of New Zealand travellers. Fiji maintained its position as a more popular destination than the United Kingdom – a position it gained for the first time in more than 20 years – in 2001.
In 2002, departures to China increased by over 50 percent to 30,100. This was three times the 1998 level (9,800), and represents an average annual rate of increase of 32 percent. Significantly, more than two-thirds of those visiting China in 2002 were born there. Less than 30,000 people departed to each of the next five largest destinations – the Cook Islands (24,000), Hong Kong (18,800), Japan (17,100), Thailand (17,000) and Indonesia (15,200). In 2001, Thailand was the eighth most popular destination, but a drop in departures in 2002 resulted in it swapping positions with Japan.
NZ Resident Departures by Country of Main Destination (excl Australia) December year 1998–2002 |
Resident departures by reason for travel
Two-fifths of the New Zealand residents departing for a short trip overseas in the December 2002 year went on a holiday (546,700); an increase of 2 percent compared with 2001. A further 378,900 left to visit friends and relatives (VFR), 213,300 went on business, 43,700 left for a conference, and 19,500 left for education/medical reasons.
Over the past five years, the proportion of New Zealand residents departing for a holiday gradually fell, from 47 percent of departures in 1998 (547,000) to 42 percent in 2002 (546,700). In contrast, the proportion of VFR departures increased marginally from 28 percent (or 326,500) in 1998 to 29 percent (or 378,900) in 2002. The increase in VFR departures (52,300) may be attributed partly to the increasing numbers of New Zealand residents living overseas, and also the increasing number of overseas-born people living in New Zealand. Between 1998 and 2000, business departures accounted for 20 to 21 percent of all departures, but this fell to 16 percent in the December 2002 year. The number of business travellers dropped by 17,300 or 7 percent over the five-year period (from 230,500 in 1998).
NZ Resident Departures by Reason for Travel December year 1998–2002 | NZ Resident Departures by Reason for Travel December 2002 year |
In 2002, a holiday was the most popular reason given by New Zealanders travelling to all regions, except Europe, with 48 percent of departures to Oceania and 35 percent of departures to Asia stating this reason. Of the departures to Europe, 44 percent went to visit friends and relatives, 32 percent went for a holiday and 14 percent went on business. Departures to the Americas were more evenly distributed between these three reasons, with 32 percent going for a holiday, 28 percent VFR and 25 percent travelling on business. Over the past five years, departures of holidaymakers and business travellers to the four major regions dropped. Departures to the Americas experienced the most significant falls, 35 percent for holidaymakers and 17 percent for business travellers.
Resident departures by length of absence
On average, New Zealand residents leaving the country for a short trip in 2002 were away for 21 days, one day less than in 1998. In 2002, nearly one-half of them stayed away for 10 days or less, with 48 percent of those staying away for less than one week. A further 24 percent were absent for 11 to 20 days, 11 percent for 21 to 30 days, and the remaining 16 percent for more than 30 days. Length of absence varied monthly by as much as 11 days, with those departing in November and December (27 days each) staying away for the longest time, and those departing in October (16 days) staying away for the shortest time.
Of the main reasons for travelling, residents departing for education/medical purposes had the longest average length of absence in 2002 (45 days), followed by residents departing to visit friends and relatives (28 days). In contrast, those going for a holiday (18 days) and on business (15 days) were away for less than the average for all departures (21 days). The average length of absence for holiday and VFR departures has fallen by one and two days respectively since 1998, but remained unchanged for business departures.
Average Length of Absence of NZ Resident Departures December 2002 year | Average Length of Absence of NZ Resident Departures December year 1998–2002 |
Longer lengths of absence in 2002 were associated with visits to China (51 days) and its special administrative region of Hong Kong (32 days), and our two major long-haul destinations, the United Kingdom (46 days) and the United States (32 days). The shortest average lengths of stay were for trips to our nearest neighbours – Fiji (12 days), and Australia and the Cook Islands (both 13 days). Over the past five years, the average length of stay has dropped for departures to the United Kingdom (down five days) and the Cook Islands (down four days), but increased for trips to the United States (up five days), Indonesia (up four days) and China (up three days).
- Permanent and long-term migration
Permanent and long-term migration by citizenship
Over the past 10 years, annual net PLT migration increased between 1993 and 1995, dropped each year until 2000, and then increased over the last two years. There were net gains between 1993 and 1997 (total net gain of 94,700), net losses between 1998 and 2000 (total net loss of 26,600), and a net gain of 47,900 between 2001 and 2002, resulting in a net gain of 116,100 migrants in the past decade. Analysis of the permanent and long-term arrivals and departures by citizenship shows that, of the four flows involved, two had the major impact on the net migration totals. These were departures of New Zealand citizens and arrivals of non-New Zealand citizens. Arrivals of New Zealand citizens and departures of non-New Zealand citizens have not varied significantly over the past 10 years.
New Zealand citizen departures (which include overseas-born New Zealanders) almost doubled between 1993 (30,400) and 2000 (58,700), before dropping in 2001 and 2002. Departures in 2002 (42,100) were almost 30 percent lower than in 2000. Combined with the smaller, and more stable, arrivals of New Zealand citizens, these changes resulted in a steady and continual increase in the net outflow of New Zealand citizens between 1993 and 2000 (from 7,900 to 37,900). Increases in New Zealand citizen arrivals contributed to the smaller net outflows in 2001 and 2002. The net outflow in 2002 (16,700), was 56 percent lower than in the December 2000 year.
In the case of non-New Zealand citizen arrivals, which are directly influenced by changes in government immigration policies, numbers increased from 32,500 in 1993 to 56,200 in 1996. They dropped in 1997 and 1998, and then increased again over the next four years to 70,500 in 2002. This was more than double their level in 1993, and 22 percent more than in 2001. Some of this rise was the result of increasing numbers of overseas-born students coming to study in New Zealand. Between 1993 and 1997, non-New Zealand citizen departures increased from 10,700 to 15,700, and then remained at a similar level for the next five years. As a result, the net inflow of non-New Zealand citizens increased between 1993 and 1996 (from 21,800 to 42,700), dipped to 20,700 in 1998, and then more than doubled between 2000 (26,600) and 2002 (54,900).
In the December 2002 year, there were 14,900 more PLT arrivals than in the previous year. Of this increase, 2,000 were New Zealand citizens and 12,900 were non-New Zealand citizens.
Permanent & Long-term Migration December year 1993–2002 | Net Permanent & Long-term Migration December year 1993–2002 |
Permanent and long-term migration by occupation
During 1998–2002, 50 percent of immigrants and 39 percent of emigrants were not in the workforce (eg family members and students). In addition, 9 percent of immigrants and 5 percent of emigrants did not specify a valid occupation. A further 10 percent of each group stated an occupation (eg designer) which was not detailed enough to be coded to a specific occupation classification. This tends to limit the potential value of occupation-based analysis.
In the December 2002 year, there was a net inflow of 7,600 migrants who stated an occupation, compared with a net outflow of 5,000 in 2001. Professionals recorded the largest net inflow of 1,500 in 2002, compared with a net outflow of 600 in 2001. There were also net inflows of clerks (1,000), managers (700), technicians (300) and trades workers (200). The remaining major occupational groups experienced net losses ranging between 100 and 200.
Net Permanent and Long-term Migration by Occupation December 2002 year |
During the five years ended December 2002, there was a net outflow from all occupations of 24,700 people. There were net losses from all major occupation categories, including service and sales workers (6,500), technicians (4,900), trades workers (4,500) and managers (3,300). However, within the professionals category (net loss of 1,000) there were net inflows of health professionals (800), tertiary teachers (600) and architects and engineers (100). Over the same period, there was a net inflow of 37,700 migrants who were not in the workforce, and a net inflow of 8,300 migrants who did not specify an occupation.
- Tourism and Migration 2001
Tourism and Migration 2001 is a recently released annual update of a number of the tables contained in the Tourism and Migration 2000 reference report. The update contains statistics on a December year basis up to 2001 on a range of topics, but does not include commentary or analysis. Tables include overseas visitors, overseas trips by New Zealanders, tourist expenditure, permanent and long-term migration, immigration permits, New Zealand's migrant population and internal migration. The Tourism and Migration 2001 report can be found at:http://www.stats.govt.nz/domino/external/web/prod_serv.nsf/htmldocs/Tourism+and+Migration+2001.
- External migration feature articles
A list of the articles published in the December 2002 year is given below.
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| 2002 January February March April May June July August September October November December | New Zealand resident departures to Australia No article Permanent and long-term migration by age No article New Zealand citizen permanent and long-term arrivals Increase in average length of stay of visitor arrivals Coding of occupation (part 1) Coding of occupation (part 2) Cruise ship passengers Tourism and Migration 2001 Two Million Visitor Arrivals No article |
For technical information contact:
Ian Richards or Mansoor Khawaja
Christchurch 03 374 8700
Email: Ian.Richards@stats.govt.nz
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