New Zealand has faced an accelerated outflow of population abroad: in the year ending June 2025, 71,800 citizens left the country, the highest figure in 13 years, according to media reports citing official data from Statistics New Zealand (Stats NZ). The main destinations for relocation are Australia and the UK. The outflow is accompanied by a weakening economy and rising unemployment to 5.2% in the second quarter, Reuters notes.
At the same time, the total net migration gain (arrivals minus departures, including foreigners) in June 2025 was only +13,700 people, compared to +70,400 a year earlier, according to the latest release from Stats NZ. In other words, the migration “shoulder” supporting demographics has shrunk fivefold.
According to industry analysts, in the 12 months to June 2025, ~138,900 people arrived in the country for the long term, while ~125,200 left, resulting in a modest net gain of +13,700. For comparison, a year earlier, the inflow exceeded +70,000, and the monthly contribution of migration to the population fell from ~6,000 to ~1,000 people.
Experts attribute the increased “outflow” of citizens to a combination of factors: weak GDP growth, a cooling labor market, and improved employment opportunities abroad (primarily in Australia).
The age structure of those leaving is dominated by young professionals under 30, which increases the risk of a “brain drain.” According to media reports, the authorities hope to stabilize the situation by easing monetary conditions and making targeted adjustments to migration policies.
However, the coming quarters are expected to be influenced by high outflows of residents, accompanied by a decline in foreign arrivals compared to the record levels of 2023-2024.
According to Stats NZ, New Zealand’s population was estimated at 5.33 million as of March 31, 2025; further dynamics will largely depend on migration flows.
Residents of New Zealand have signed a petition in favor of renaming the country to the Maori Aotearoa, and the Maori Indigenous Affairs Committee is ready to discuss the official change of the name of the republic, New Zealand Gerald reports.
“In the summer, a petition with 70,000 signatures of the country’s residents, who want to rename New Zealand to Aotearoa, came to Parliament. The Special Committee on Maori Affairs said it would discuss the official change of the country’s name at a meeting in parliament. Meanwhile, politicians are divided over the name change, but most of the public is ready to accept it.
According to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the issue of an official name change is not yet being considered, but she hopes for the active use of the Majorian synonym in everyday life.
“Regardless of whether we change it in the law, I don’t think it will change the fact that New Zealanders are talking more and more about Aotearoa. And this transition is welcome,” she said.
In turn, the co-leader of the Maori Party, Debbie Ngareva-Packer, rejected the idea of holding a referendum on renaming New Zealand, arguing that the country’s indigenous population is only 17%.
Aotearoa translates from the Maori language as “Land of the Long White Cloud”.
The New Zealand government has expanded sanctions against key Russians amid Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, the Australian Associated Press reports.
On Tuesday, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced that 19 new “members of Putin’s inner circle” would be subject to financial and travel sanctions as part of coordinated global action.
“Ukraine has been clear that the most important action we can take to help them are our ongoing sanctions and supporting them through the conflict, as we continue to do,” she said.
At the moment, the sanctions apply to about 1,000 people.
In turn, New Zealand Defense Minister Peeni Henare noted that there is no opportunity to provide military assistance yet, since Ukraine’s requests do not coincide with the resources that are available. At the same time, Henare stressed that New Zealand is ready to provide additional assistance if Ukraine’s needs match its reserves.
New Zealand will send a C-130 Hercules transport plane with 50 servicemen to Europe to participate in the distribution of military aid to Ukraine, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced.
Over the next two months, our C-130 will join a chain of military aircraft from partner countries that will travel across Europe delivering much-needed equipment and supplies to key distribution centers, Ardern was quoted as saying by local media.
New Zealand will also allocate an additional NZ$ 13 million to help Ukraine, including 7.5 million for the purchase of weapons and ammunition through the UK. At the moment, the total contribution of New Zealand is $30 million.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree establishing a visa-free regime for citizens of Australia, New Zealand and the countries of the Arabian Peninsula. Corresponding decree No. 289/2020, dated July 21, was published on the website of the head of the Ukrainian state. It comes into force on the day of its publication.
“To establish, from August 1, 2020, a visa-free regime of entry into Ukraine and transit through the territory of Ukraine for citizens of Australia, New Zealand, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, if their stay in Ukraine does not exceed 90 days during 180 days. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is to take the measures expiring from this decree,” the text of the document reads.
