AdvertisementExclusive NationalImmigration Kiwi minister raises concerns over ‘back-door’ migration to Australia Grant McArthur and Kieran Rooney January 30, 2026 — 5:46am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Almost half of our citizens already applying for Australian citizenship last year were not born here,” Peters said in a statement. Advertisement“As a general rule, New Zealand citizens, whether they’re born in New Zealand or elsewhere, do very well in the Australian labour market. At the same time, the Albanese government is trying to slow migration, with Treasury data released this month forecasting a drop to 260,000 in net migration this year, and a further drop to 225,000 in 2026-27. “The government’s implementation of various migration measures has ensured migration delivers for the nation and helps return net overseas migration to near pre-pandemic levels,” the spokesperson said.