New Zealanders are continuing to move in record numbers to Australia, where there has been a concerted recruitment drive to address that country's skills shortage.
Statistics New Zealand figures show 47,800 New Zealand citizens left for Australia in the year to October 2008, and 13,200 returned to New Zealand.
The net outflow of migrants to Australia was around the peak levels recorded in the January 1989 and December 1979 years.
Statistics New Zealand principal demographer Mansoor Khawaja says Australia has increased its immigration quota to 180,000 in the past three years.
Mr Khawaja says major recruitment campaigns by South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia seem to be paying off.
He says lower taxes, higher wages and opportunities to work in larger companies seem to be the main drawcards.
But he says more New Zealanders may return if the recession hits Australia harder than New Zealand.
