WELLINGTON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's annual net migration eased slightly to 65,000 in the June 2018 year, as fewer migrants arrived and more left, the country's statistics department Stats NZ said on Friday.

Migrant arrivals were 129,500 and migrant departures were 64,500, statistics show. Annual net migration for the June 2018 year was down 7,400 from a record high of 72,400 in the July 2017 year.

"An increase in migrants leaving, particularly non-New Zealand citizens, continued to be the key factor in lower annual net migration," acting population insights senior manager Michelle Feyen said in a statement.

A decrease in migrant arrivals also contributed, but net migration still remains high by historical standards, Feyen said.

In the June 2018 year, non-New Zealand citizen migrant departures were up 21 percent from a year ago to 30,900, and up 1.2 percent from the May 2018 year, she said.

Migrant arrivals dipped below 130,000 for the first time since the April 2017 year. Both New Zealand and non-New Zealand citizen migrant arrivals decreased for the June 2018 year, statistics show.

More New Zealand citizens are leaving the country long term than returning. In the year ended June 2018, there was a net loss of 1,800 New Zealand citizens, partly offsetting the net gain of 66,800 non-New Zealand citizens, according to Stats NZ.