A boom in the purchasing of businesses is largely being driven by migrants

ABC Business Sales says May was a record month for its business sales - jumping to 42, following a record 410 sales in the year ending March.

This coincides with high unemployment and a lack of available job opportunities.

Chief Executive Chris Small says we have a large number of people arriving in New Zealand, predominantly from Asia - while a lot of young Kiwis are heading to Europe on an OE.

He says the people arriving still want to buy businesses and those leaving would likely never buy one in the first place.