WELLINGTON - Indians and Chinese led a record annual net gain of 45,500 migrants in New Zealand in the year to the end of September, the government statistics agency announced Tuesday.

Migrant arrivals of 105,500 reached a new high in the September year, while migrant departures fell due to fewer New Zealanders leaving for Australia, according to Statistics New Zealand.

The net loss of 6,000 people to Australia in the September year was the smallest since 5,900 were recorded in the December 1994 year, said a commentary from the agency.

New Zealand recorded net gains of 9,100 migrants from India in the September year, 7,000 from China, 5,300 from the United Kingdom and 3,400 from the Philippines.

In the month of September, New Zealand had a net gain of 4,700 migrants, equal to the highest-ever net gains recorded in August 2014 and February 2003.