Marie Hasler

National Immigration Spokesperson

21 December 2000

It's official - Brain Drain creates worst migration figures in 20 years

The Government's pretence that there is no Brain Drain has been blown to shreds by the latest official migration statistics released today.

Permanent or long-term departures for the year to Nov 2000 were 72,700 - 6.4% higher than for the year to November 1999.

"That's the highest level since the year ended April 1980 - more than 20 years ago!" Ms Hasler said.

"While net migration has remained reasonably steady, the figures for the migration of skilled workers, such as managers, professionals and technicians are cause for serious concern.

16,343 New Zealanders in the 'skilled categories' left permanently in the year to November, a 6.1% increase on the same time in 1999.

But the number of skilled workers entering New Zealand permanently was just 11,914 - down 4.8% from the year before.

"Put simply, New Zealand had a net loss of 4,429 skilled workers. In the previous year, to November 1999 the net loss was 2,890.

"The net loss of skilled workers has grown by 53% in just one year under this Government. That is a Brain Drain and no amount of Government spin can deny the facts," Ms Hasler said.

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