New Zealand Immigration Growth Accelerates to 15-Month High
New Zealand’s annual immigration growth accelerated to a 15-month high in February, adding to signs that consumer spending and demand for housing may improve and bolster the economy’s recovery from a recession. The number of permanent migrant arrivals departures by 6,160, Statistics New Zealand said in a report released today in Wellington. That’s up from 4,538 in the year through to January. In February, a net 1,670 migrants arrived, the agency said, citing seasonally adjusted figures. That’s the most since November, 2006. Tourist and short-term visitor arrivals rose for the third time in four months in February, which may buoy spending in an industry that makes up about 10 percent of the economy. Short-term visitor arrivals gained 2.9 percent from January, seasonally adjusted, the agency said.