An expert believes there's still a number of Kiwis returning to New Zealand, despite a falling net migration rate

It's fallen to 10,600 for the year to August 2025.

Overall, Stats NZ figures show migrant arrivals dropped 16 percent to more than 138-thousand, while departures increased 13 percent to just under 128 thousand.

Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley says it's still a major net loss, but Kiwis are coming back, even from Australia.

He says there's always been Kiwis leaving and returning on the traditional OE.