15 Jun 2020

Covid-19: Lowest number of arrivals to NZ since 1960s

12:34 pm on 15 June 2020

The number of people travelling in and out of the country in April fell to its lowest level in more than 50 years.

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Photo: 123rf.com

Official data shows the number of arrivals fell by more than 99 percent on a year ago to just over 1700 because of Covid-19 border closures.

Stats NZ says that is the lowest number since the late 1960s.

The number of tourists for the year ended April was down more than 550,000 to 3.3 million.

The restrictions also brought migration to a near halt, with a seasonally adjusted gain of 220 people for the month.

The department estimates the country gained more than 76,000 migrants in the year ended April, but cautions there will likely be revisions.

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