A record number of 48,500 New Zealanders emigrated to Australia in the 12 months ending November 30, according to government figures released Friday, dpa reported.
That number was offset by 13,200 people, either returning New Zealanders or emigrating Australians, arriving in the country for permanent or long-term stays, leaving a net loss of 35,300 - or nearly 100 a day, Statistics New Zealand reported.
The difference was the highest net 12-month loss to Australia ever recorded, topping previous peaks of 33,700 in the year to January 1989 and 33,400 in the calendar year 1979.
Statistics New Zealand said the pattern of migration to Australia went in cycles with previous peak outflows in the late 1970s and 1980s.
Overall, New Zealand gained a net 3,600 immigrants in the year to November, down from 6,600 in 2006/07 and the lowest 12-month figure since 2001, Government Statistician Geoff Bascand said.