New Zealand is an extremely popular destination as far as migrants are concerned. This is clearly evident from the latest permanent and long-term arrival statistics which show the country had a record net migration inflow of 50,922 in 2014. This compares with an average net migration inflow of 13,300 per annum over the past 20 years. The 2014 figure comprised 109,317 permanent arrivals minus 58,395 departures.

There has been a significant increase in the number of foreign students with 22,863 arriving last year compared with 15,765 in 2011. The largest net migration contributors last year were India, China, Britain and the Philippines in that order.

And 75.1 per cent of migrants from India were on a student visa, 8.6 per cent on a residence visa, only 8.2 per cent on a work permit, and almost 74 per cent were male.