New Zealand has first net annual population gain since March 2021, Stats NZ reports

The pace of immigration continues to pick up, with a net gain of 5700 people in the 12 months ended November.

It is the first annual gain since March 2021, according to Stats NZ figures.

The relaxation of border and visa controls has resulted in non-New Zealand arrivals outpacing the loss of New Zealanders overseas.

For the month of November, there was a net gain of 6100 migrants.

Tourism numbers have also continued to recover, with close to 1.1 million foreigners visiting in the year ended November, just under two-thirds of pre-Covid levels. (Credit RNZ)