External Migration: January 2008

• China overtook Japan to become the fourth largest source of annual visitor arrivals.
• Total visitor arrivals (253,500) were up 3 percent from January 2007 (246,700).
• New Zealand resident departures (111,200) were up 2 percent from January 2007 (109,100).
• There were more trips by New Zealand residents to New Caledonia and China (both up 1,000), but fewer to Australia (down 5,100).

On a seasonally adjusted basis:

• Visitor arrivals were unchanged from December 2007.
• Overseas trips by New Zealand residents were down 2 percent.
• Permanent and long-term arrivals matched departures.