China → New Zealand
Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows
- From
- China
- To
- New Zealand
- Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
- 26,214
- Change since 2018
- +66.8%
- Share of all arrivals in New Zealand, 2023
- 12.63%
Inflow 202326,214OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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Migration from China to New Zealand
Inflows of nationals of China recorded by New Zealand; stock of nationals of China living there; and acquisitions of New Zealand's nationality (OECD).
Inflows by year
Data table
| 2000 | 4,306 |
| 2001 | 16,679 |
| 2002 | 24,867 |
| 2003 | 15,199 |
| 2004 | 6,895 |
| 2005 | 4,936 |
| 2006 | 5,507 |
| 2007 | 5,635 |
| 2008 | 6,732 |
| 2009 | 7,653 |
| 2010 | 7,647 |
| 2011 | 9,572 |
| 2012 | 10,579 |
| 2013 | 11,193 |
| 2014 | 13,665 |
| 2015 | 15,765 |
| 2016 | 17,325 |
| 2017 | 16,284 |
| 2018 | 15,717 |
| 2019 | 16,134 |
| 2020 | 4,572 |
| 2021 | 3,165 |
| 2022 | 11,556 |
| 2023 | 26,214 |
| Year | Inflow | Stock | Acquired nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 26,214 | — | 1,668 |
| 2022 | 11,556 | — | 1,324 |
| 2021 | 3,165 | — | 574 |
| 2020 | 4,572 | — | 738 |
| 2019 | 16,134 | — | 1,105 |
| 2018 | 15,717 | — | 1,174 |
| 2017 | 16,284 | — | 1,314 |
| 2016 | 17,325 | — | 1,220 |
| 2015 | 15,765 | — | 1,004 |
| 2014 | 13,665 | — | 1,322 |
| 2013 | 11,193 | — | 1,255 |
| 2012 | 10,579 | — | 1,227 |
| 2011 | 9,572 | — | 925 |
| 2010 | 7,647 | — | 693 |
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023
Migrant population
People born in China who live in New Zealand: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).
Migrant population by year
Data table
| 1990 | 11,250 |
| 1995 | 18,535 |
| 2000 | 36,325 |
| 2005 | 82,113 |
| 2010 | 89,033 |
| 2015 | 115,315 |
| 2020 | 144,287 |
| 2024 | 145,906 |
- Estimate, 2024
- 145,906
- Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
- 9.9%
- Rank among countries of birth, 2024
- 3
- Counted by
- country of birth, refugees added
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024
Embassy and consulates
Missions of New Zealand in China, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.
| Mission | City | Official website |
|---|---|---|
| Embassy | Beijing | mfat.govt.nz |
| Consulate-general | Chengdu | mfat.govt.nz |
| Consulate-general | Guangzhou | mfat.govt.nz |
| Consulate-general | Shanghai | mfat.govt.nz |
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026
Compared with other corridors
Nationalities with the most arrivals in New Zealand, 2023; China ranks 3.
- India47,163
- Philippines38,838
- China26,214
- Fiji11,157
- South Africa8,667
- Sri Lanka7,044
- Vietnam5,919
- United Kingdom5,847
- Australia5,196
- United States4,191
- Samoa2,994
- Nepal2,811
- South Korea132,855
- Japan106,717
- United States57,240
- Canada39,350
- Australia36,349
- Germany20,866
- Spain20,471
- Italy8,062
- Netherlands7,991
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023
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