This graph demonstrates changes in the origins of New Zealanders of overseas birth since 1961. Though migration from Britain and Ireland remained fairly consistent, it was proportionally less significant over time. Pacific Islanders were the first major group to arrive, and numbers of Pacific-born New Zealanders increased steadily into the 21st century. In the 2000s the growth in the Asian-born population was considerable, and migration from Africa, the Middle East and the Americas was increasingly significant.