A Statistics New Zealand geographer says there is no clear evidence people who left the country as part of the so-called brain drain are returning home more quickly.
Research from Canterbury University says skilled or qualified New Zealanders who have sought work in Britain are not staying for as long, because of difficulties finding a job and getting residency.
In the year to February, 1000 fewer people left for Britain compared to the previous year, an 11% drop.
During that time, 360 fewer people made the trip back.
A geographer, Richard Didham, says people leave and return at different times and it would be very difficult to work out whether people are coming back more quickly than in previous years.
He says the numbers could be a result of natural fluctuation.
