Marie Hasler National Immigration Spokesperson

7 February 2001

Brain Drain sets new record for immigration statistics

While the Government continues to deny the existence of a brain drain the latest immigration figures show otherwise. A record has been set for the number of skilled New Zealanders departing our country, National's Immigration spokesperson Marie Hasler said today.

"The statistics on skilled workers (the brain drain) are the worst ever. In 2000 16,849 skilled workers left New Zealand and only 11,900 entered. This is a record in skilled departures since records began in 1991," Ms Hasler said.

The net loss of 4,949 skilled workers is 81% higher than in 1999 (2,731) with skilled departures up 9.5% (from 15,390 to 16,849) and skilled arrivals down 6.0% (from 12,659 to 11,900).

"Just over a year ago Jim Anderton issued an election night call for New Zealanders to return home. We now have the first full year's migration data under the Labour-Alliance Government and it seems that no one was listening to the Deputy Prime Minister," Ms Hasler said.

In 1999 22,551 Kiwis returned home compared with only 20,763 in 2000 - a decrease of 8.5%.

Last year 74,306 people left New Zealand either long-term or permanently. This is a twenty one-year high, exceeded only by the record 82,554 people who fled the country in 1979. This is a massive 8.0% increase over 1999 (68,772) alone.

"The Labour-Alliance Government's first year in government has delivered the second highest calendar year total for long-term or permanent departures since records started in 1960," Ms Hasler said.

The net migration loss (departures less arrivals) has also risen from 9,029 to 11,312 - a 25.3% increase - the highest it has been since Labour were last in office in 1989 when it was 12,275.

"Jim Anderton's call has been a failure in every possible sense - more Kiwis are leaving, fewer are returning home. More skilled workers are leaving and fewer skilled workers are moving here" Ms Hasler said. Ends

Inquiries::::::Marie Hasler:::::::::::::::025 570 890

Specific increases in departures from 1999 to 2000 in some occupation
groups
are:

::::::::::::::::::::Increase:::::1999::::::::::2000

Engineers/Architects:::::9.6%::::::::::513::::::::::562
Doctors:::::::::::::::19.4%::::::::::695::::::::::830::::::::::
Lecturers:::::::::::::::7.0%::::::::::213::::::::::228
Business Professionals:::::10.0%::::::::::1,206::::::::::1,326
Librarians/Archivists:::::44.8%::::::::::67::::::::::97

© Scoop Media