New Zealand is facing a mass exodus, with a whopping 131,200 people hightailing it out of the country by June 2024, according to the latest stats from Statistics New Zealand.
Almost a third of those leaving are heading straight to Australia, possibly to see if the grass (and the cost of living) is greener on the other side.
Out of those leaving, 80,174 are New Zealand citizens, a number that’s nearly double what we saw before the pandemic. After a surge of Kiwis coming home during COVID, it seems the honeymoon phase is over.
Rising costs, sky-high interest rates, and a job market as dry as a Wellington summer have many Kiwis deciding it’s time to look for greener pastures elsewhere.
Experts say the combination of financial pressure and slim job prospects is fueling this migration frenzy. So, while New Zealanders are packing their bags for Australia, the UK, and other far-off lands, it seems the high cost of living and a lack of job opportunities are making leaving look like a pretty good idea for many.
