New Zealand sees strong migration numbers

New Zealand saw a net migration gain of 72,300 in the year ending in April, with net migration marking six months of continued growth, the statistics department Stats NZ said on Tuesday.

There was a net gain of 98,400 non-New Zealand citizens in the cited period, Stats NZ said.

The continued growth in net migration shows the government's immigration rebalance is working as it tackles labor shortages, Immigration Minister Michael Wood said.

"We know many industries have been calling out for workers as the global labor shortage bites, and we want our immigration settings to be responsive to that, while still helping to deliver a more productive, high wage economy," Wood said.

The government's immigration rebalance has lifted pay requirements for migrant workers to ensure they are treated fairly, and requires advertising for New Zealand workers before a migrant worker is sought, he said.

"Ultimately we want to train as many New Zealanders to fill labor shortages as possible, but in the short term it has been necessary to rely more on migrant workers than we otherwise would to plug workforce gaps," said the minister.

This is a positive sign that New Zealand is getting the workers that its economy needs to thrive and grow, Wood said.