United Future leader Peter Dunne has claimed that New Zealand is a “giant transit lounge”, used by migrants who gain citizenship in order to move on to Australia.

Mr. Dunne then proceeded to issue figures which showed that 30 per cent of New Zealanders who undertook Australian migration since 2001 were born overseas.

According to Statistics New Zealand, 28,600 more people left the country for Australia on a long-term or permanent basis than did so the other way in the year to January 2008. In January alone, 5000 New Zealanders made the move across the Tasman, with only 800 heading in the opposite direction.

It is predicted that the country’s annual population gain from New Zealand immigration could disappear by mid-year if the current trend continues. Last year, a strong net migration of 14,000 migrants significantly boosted the economy and drove up house prices. However, the annual gain is currently below 5,000 for the first time in six years.

Economists have suggested that a slower growth in population will impact the economy as consumer spending will decrease as will the demand for housing.