Two hundred New Zealanders, enough to fill a Boeing 767, are now leaving the country every day, an all time record, said ACT Leader Hon Richard Prebble.

The latest October migration figures released by Statistics New Zealand today established a number of records.

“A record number, 72,583 New Zealanders have left since the coalition government has taken office, consisting of a record 19,403 skilled New Zealanders.

“New Zealand has also become a less attractive destination. Only 13,906 skilled immigrants were attracted to New Zealand.

“After the e-commerce summit Helen Clark stated that the government recognised skilled immigrants were vital to New Zealand’s economic future. ACT agreed with the Prime Minister, and made the sensible suggestion of a migrant survey to discover what policies would make New Zealand a more attractive destination.

“The Government refused to survey potential migrants because it already knew the answer: Lower taxes, increased freedom, competitive markets and a meritocracy. Policies that ACT promotes and the government shuns.

“We now have the equivalent of a Boeing 767 full of New Zealanders leaving every day,” said Hon Richard Prebble.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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