Immigration New Zealand have seen a sharp increase in registrations from Britons in the wake of the European Referendum, prompting the media to warn of a ‘British invasion’.

NZ Immigration received 998 registrations of interest from British nationals on the day Britain voted to leave, compared to just 109 the day before. Since the vote 10,647 UK citizens have registered their interest in moving to New Zealand, nearly double that of the same period last year.

The NZ Immigration site allows those interested in life in New Zealand to explore visa options, check their skills and see if they are able to apply to emigrate there.

Massey University sociologist Professor Paul Spoonley told the NZ Herald that “Brexit is the push factor” for middle-class professionals wanting a different life.

“We’d be getting people from the UK who are tired of a narrow-minded Britain and who want to experience something quite different.

“New Zealand is very different, it is multicultural, very tolerant and it’s got a good lifestyle and a more temperate climate.”

New Zealand are traditionally tough on immigration, with most visas available for just one or two years. In the year to June, 4,924 Britons were granted permanent residency, with 1,176 student visas given to British students.

22/08/2016