New Zealand’s exodus of citizens to Australia accelerated in the first three months of the year, reaching the highest in 13 years, latest data show.

There were 12,471 departures in the period, Statistics New Zealand said Wednesday in Wellington. The measure, which often rises in the first quarter as young people finish study and look for opportunities offshore, was the highest since the three months to March 2013.

Today’s data does show that more citizens are also returning to New Zealand. Around 13,460 citizens came back from Australia in the 12 months through March — the most since September 2021. That means the net exodus was 27,890, which was the lowest since the third quarter of 2023.

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The exodus of citizens has contributed to a decline in overall immigration in New Zealand, which has historically relied on new arrivals to boost demand and investment.

Net inflows were 20,503 in the 12 months through August, after falling as low as 9,163 in August last year, today’s data showed.