Why have deportations dropped off?

Radio NZ reports:

The number of people deported from New Zealand has fallen by 40 percent.

There were about 1700 in the last financial year compared to almost 3000 the year before.

The decrease includes voluntary departures managed by Immigration New Zealand, which fell by a 1000 last year, to their lowest level in at least four years.

Deportations undertaken by immigration officials were also down from 642 to 453.

The numbers include overstayers and criminals who had been deported after their sentences.

Immigration New Zealand said the number of deportations could vary according to the complexity of cases.

It did not reply to a question about whether there had been a change to compliance action or fewer resources to deport people.

The lack of a response suggests there has been a change.