Immigration New Zealand estimates that 19,153 people have overstayed their visas in New Zealand. The figures are based on the agency’s assessment of people who remain in the country after their visa expiry date.
The estimates show that Chinese and Tongan nationals form the largest groups among those who have overstayed. Stuff.co.nz reports the top two nationalities are Chinese and Tongan, while also noting the overall estimated total. The New Zealand Herald similarly reports the estimated figure and frames it in terms of visa overstays over recent years, including that more than 900 Americans are estimated to have overstayed in that period.
Across the outlets, the shared focus is the Immigration NZ estimate of 19,153 overstayers. Differences mainly lie in the additional national breakdowns and the way timelines and specific countries are highlighted rather than the overall total.
