Permanent and long-term migration to New Zealand showed a modest uptick in September 2026, with net arrivals rising to 2,290, up from 2,260 in August 2026. The latest figures, updated on 11 November 2026, signal a continuation of gradual growth in inflows after the previous month’s plateau.
The 30-person increase between August and September, while relatively small in absolute terms, suggests that net long-term migration remains in positive territory and is inching higher rather than cooling off. This incremental gain may draw attention from businesses and policymakers tracking labour supply, housing demand and broader economic capacity as New Zealand heads toward the end of 2026.
With the September 2026 reading now confirmed, markets and analysts will be watching upcoming releases for signs of whether this gentle upward trend solidifies into a stronger migration cycle or settles into a stable, moderate inflow.