Int'l Arrivals and Departures Exceed 8.6 Million

External Migration: December 2005 year

— 21 February 2006

International Arrivals and Departures Exceed 8.6 Million

Annual total passenger arrivals and departures (consisting of overseas visitors, New Zealand residents and migrants) reached 8.69 million in the year ending December 2005, Statistics New Zealand said today. There were 4.34 million arrivals and 4.35 million departures, up 4 and 5 percent, respectively, compared with the December 2004 year.

The top 10 source countries contributed 1.91 million or four-fifths of all overseas visitor arrivals in 2005. Australia accounted for 37 percent of all visitors, followed by the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, Korea, China and Germany.

Overseas visitors intended spending an average of 20 days in New Zealand in both 2005 and 2004. On a monthly basis, the average length of stay in 2005 varied by seven days, with visitors arriving in January staying for the longest time (24 days), and those arriving in March, April, May and August staying the shortest time (17 days).

The top 10 main destinations accounted for 1.41 million or three-quarters of all New Zealand resident departures in 2005. Australia remained the most popular main destination, accounting for 50 percent of all departures. Fiji was next, followed by the United States and the United Kingdom.

On average, New Zealand residents leaving the country for a short trip in 2005 were away for 20 days, the same as in 2004. In 2005, there was a net inflow of 7,000 permanent and long-term migrants, compared with a net inflow of 15,100 in 2004. There was a net inflow of 1,200 migrants who stated an occupation, compared with 4,000 in 2004. Professionals recorded the largest net inflow – 1,500 in 2005, compared with 1,800 in 2004.

Brian Pink

Government Statistician

ENDS

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