New statistics are painting a wider picture of who's immigrating to New Zealand, and how.
Skilled migrant arrivals have risen by around 24,000 people in the last 13 years.
A New Zealand Herald analysis shows work visas are mainly issued to migrants from the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia.
LISTEN HERE: Michael Reddell: Most NZ immigrants come from Asian countries
But Massey University professor of Sociology Paul Spoonley told Larry Williams the student visa category is topped by migrants from India, China, and the Philippines.
"We give them the opportunity to transition to permanent residence once they've completed their qualifications. So that's a more typical route for migrants arriving from Asia."
Spoonley said it will be a while before we see immigration slow as a result of the changes to the skilled migrant visa, and New Zealand's record levels of immigration are likely to keep growing for some time.
He said a similar rule-tightening by the Government last year hasn't had much effect on our growth.
"So the announcements last week by the Government will probably I think reduce, but not for the short-term. The numbers that are going to be announced today will see increases all round."
LISTEN ABOVE AS MASSEY UNIVERSITY'S PAUL SPOONLEY SPEAKS WITH LARRY WILLIAMS
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