Rugby World Cup boosts visitor numbers

An influx of visitors for the Rugby World Cup led to a 26 percent increase in visitor arrivals in September 2011, compared with September 2010, Statistics New Zealand said today.

"Rugby World Cup arrivals numbered 74,400 in September, accounting for over one-third of all visitor arrivals during the month," Population Statistics acting manager Deb Potter said. 

"This adds to 4,400 Rugby World Cup arrivals in August and 1,200 in July, giving a total of 80,000 – with October results still to come."

A small proportion of arrival cards did not include the Rugby World Cup question used to identify arrivals for the tournament. As a result, some people may have been missed from the Rugby World Cup count.

The main countries of residence of Rugby World Cup arrivals during the July–September period were:

 Australia (28,700)

 the United Kingdom (12,800)

 France (8,300)

 the United States (3,700)

 South Africa (3,600)

 Ireland (3,400).

Only 62 percent (17,800) of the Rugby World Cup visitors from Australia were Australian citizens. New Zealand citizens accounted for 5,500 of the rugby visitors from Australia, with another 2,000 being British citizens and 1,700 being Irish citizens.

Over two-thirds (69 percent) of Rugby World Cup arrivals were male. The most common age groups were 25–29 years (11,900) and 30–34 years (10,200).

Monthly net migration turns negative again

On a seasonally adjusted basis, there was a net loss of 700 permanent and long-term migrants in September 2011. Monthly net migration had been negative between March and July 2011, following the Christchurch earthquake on 22 February, but was positive in August.

Unadjusted figures showed a net outflow of just over 2,900 migrants to Australia in September 2011, the highest recorded for a September month.

In the year ended September 2011, New Zealand had a net migration gain of just 800 people, down from 13,900 the previous year. The latest figure is the lowest in 10 years, since the net outflow of 1,700 migrants in the September 2001 year.