NZ 'giant transit lounge' for migrants to Oz

New Zealand is being used as a giant transit lounge by immigrants who come here, gain citizenship and then go to Australia, says United Future leader Peter Dunne.

Mr Dunne issued figures today showing nearly 30 percent of New Zealand migrants to Australia since 2001 were born overseas.

"It's a serious concern that many migrants to New Zealand are coming here to gain their citizenship, but then choosing to leave for the greener pastures of Australia," he said.

"We rely heavily on overseas migrants to bolster and fill the gaps in our workforce.

"If we are losing large numbers of skilled migrants to Australia, then our economy is in big trouble."

Mr Dunne said immigration policy needed to focus much more on making sure people were going to make a long-term contribution to the country "rather than treating our country as a giant transit lounge".

The National Party has been warning for the last two years that the exodus to Australia has to be recognised as a serious threat to the economy, and today immigration spokesman Lockwood Smith said it had started with a hiss and a roar in 2008.

He said the total number of New Zealand citizens who left for Australia in January was 5017. Nearly 800 came back, leaving a net loss of 4222.

"When you compare that figure with December there was a 79 percent increase in the net loss of New Zealand citizens leaving to live in Australia," he said.

"For too long, Labour has been in denial about the pace of the exodus."

NZPA