South Africa → New Zealand
Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows
- From
- South Africa
- To
- New Zealand
- Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
- 8,667
- Change since 2018
- +24.5%
- Share of all arrivals in New Zealand, 2023
- 4.17%
Inflow 20238,667OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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Migration from South Africa to New Zealand
Inflows of nationals of South Africa recorded by New Zealand; stock of nationals of South Africa living there; and acquisitions of New Zealand's nationality (OECD).
Inflows by year
Data table
| 2000 | 3,450 |
| 2001 | 4,914 |
| 2002 | 5,100 |
| 2003 | 3,996 |
| 2004 | 3,395 |
| 2005 | 3,967 |
| 2006 | 4,524 |
| 2007 | 5,635 |
| 2008 | 7,831 |
| 2009 | 3,312 |
| 2010 | 2,227 |
| 2011 | 2,136 |
| 2012 | 1,947 |
| 2013 | 2,238 |
| 2014 | 2,529 |
| 2015 | 3,378 |
| 2016 | 5,802 |
| 2017 | 5,781 |
| 2018 | 6,960 |
| 2019 | 12,234 |
| 2020 | 3,909 |
| 2021 | 1,026 |
| 2022 | 5,793 |
| 2023 | 8,667 |
| Year | Inflow | Stock | Acquired nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 8,667 | — | 3,387 |
| 2022 | 5,793 | — | 4,064 |
| 2021 | 1,026 | — | 1,245 |
| 2020 | 3,909 | — | 1,741 |
| 2019 | 12,234 | — | 2,462 |
| 2018 | 6,960 | — | 2,691 |
| 2017 | 5,781 | — | 2,894 |
| 2016 | 5,802 | — | 3,637 |
| 2015 | 3,378 | — | 3,532 |
| 2014 | 2,529 | — | 3,691 |
| 2013 | 2,238 | — | 3,264 |
| 2012 | 1,947 | — | 2,780 |
| 2011 | 2,136 | — | 2,098 |
| 2010 | 2,227 | — | 1,375 |
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023
Migrant population
People born in South Africa who live in New Zealand: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).
Migrant population by year
Data table
| 1990 | 7,375 |
| 1995 | 10,863 |
| 2000 | 24,072 |
| 2005 | 39,560 |
| 2010 | 49,660 |
| 2015 | 62,541 |
| 2020 | 82,625 |
| 2024 | 101,970 |
- Estimate, 2024
- 101,970
- Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
- 6.9%
- Rank among countries of birth, 2024
- 5
- 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
Compared with other corridors
Nationalities with the most arrivals in New Zealand, 2023; South Africa ranks 5.
- 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
- Australia5,217
- Netherlands4,201
- United States3,180
- Germany1,478
- South Korea1,468
- Portugal773
- Japan629
- France303
- Belgium302
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023
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