Australia continues to attract thousands of New Zealanders each year, with new migration figures showing the trans-Tasman flow remains one of the country’s most significant demographic trends.
New data released by Stats NZ shows New Zealand recorded a net migration loss of around 28,200 people to Australia during 2025, as departures continued to outnumber arrivals across the Tasman. While substantial, the loss was slightly smaller than previous years and remains well below the record annual loss of 43,700 people recorded in the year ending March 2012.
According to Stats NZ, the improvement was driven by a modest increase in people arriving in New Zealand from Australia, while the number of New Zealanders leaving for Australia remained relatively stable.
The figures highlight the enduring strength of the trans-Tasman relationship, where freedom of movement under long-standing travel arrangements allows New Zealand and Australian citizens to live and work in either country with relatively few barriers.
Economic opportunity continues to be one of the biggest drivers behind the migration flow.
Australia’s larger labour market, higher average wages and continuing demand for skilled workers have made it an attractive destination for New Zealanders seeking better employment prospects and improved earning potential.
Young adults continue to make up the largest proportion of those leaving, particularly people in their twenties and thirties who are pursuing career opportunities, higher salaries and greater housing affordability.
For New Zealand, the continued outflow presents ongoing economic and social challenges.
Many of those relocating are skilled workers, tradespeople, healthcare professionals and other experienced employees whose departure contributes to workforce shortages already being felt across several sectors.
The migration trend also has implications for regional communities, where employers continue reporting difficulties recruiting and retaining staff.
For Māori, the movement across the Tasman is not new.
Australia is home to one of the largest Māori populations outside Aotearoa, with generations of whānau having established communities in cities including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
Many Māori relocate for employment, education or family reasons while maintaining strong cultural, whakapapa and whānau connections with home.
The continued movement has also strengthened Māori organisations, kapa haka groups, language initiatives and community networks across Australia, creating vibrant diaspora communities while reinforcing cultural identity abroad.
Although Australia remains the dominant destination for New Zealand migrants, the latest figures suggest the pace of departures may be stabilising.
Economists note that migration patterns often reflect broader economic conditions on both sides of the Tasman.
As New Zealand’s economy gradually improves and Australia’s labour market begins to moderate, the migration balance could continue to shift over coming years.
At the same time, Australia continues to experience strong overall population growth through international migration, although its own net overseas migration has eased from the record highs recorded immediately after the COVID-19 border reopening.
For policymakers, the figures reinforce the importance of creating opportunities that encourage New Zealanders to build their futures at home.
Investment in higher wages, affordable housing, education, infrastructure and productivity will all play an important role in determining whether more New Zealanders choose to remain in Aotearoa—or continue seeking opportunities across the Tasman.
While migration between the two countries has always been part of the trans-Tasman relationship, retaining skilled workers will remain a key challenge as New Zealand works to strengthen its economy and address persistent workforce shortages.
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #Migration #Australia #StatsNZ #Economy #Jobs #Workforce #Māori #TransTasman #Population #Aotearoa #NewZealand #Employment
