Migration in New Zealand rose to a record high in April as more students have arrived from India and China, media reported on Thursday. According to a report by Statistics New Zealand, the numbers rose from 34,400 last year to the current 56,800 with 12,200 arrivals from India followed by 7,800 from China, 4,600 from Britain and 4,000 from the Philippines. Migrant arrivals increased by 16 percent while departures declined 11 percent, The New Zealand Herald reported.
About three-quarters of migrants from India and half of migrants from China arrived on student visas, the report added. "We expect that net immigration will remain strong over the coming year, approaching a net inflow of 60,000," a senior New Zealand economist Satish Ranchhod said.