New Zealand immigration numbers hit new high

The number of people wanting to immigrate to New Zealand has continued to reach new highs, a media report said on Monday.

Official figures showed a net gain of over 60,290 people in the year to August, the 13th successive month of record highs, Radio New Zealand reported.

Immigration hit a record high of 117,866 people for the year, driven by New Zealanders returning from Australia and Indians arriving on student visas.

Fewer people are leaving the country too - a net of just 529 people left for Australia during the year, the smallest annual loss since 1991.

On a monthly basis, Statistics New Zealand said the country had a seasonally adjusted net gain of 5,500 migrants in August.