New Zealand's Mass Exodus

“I live in a tent.” Passerby.

Must Travel

Mass exodus to Australia; empty shops, pedestrian traffic down, disillusioned workers, locals struggling to find employment, others tired of capitalism, one struggling worker eating out of a can reveals his situation. A reporter asked the worker eating out of the can, how life was going for him, laughing the worker pointed at his can. The reporter questioned a passerby about the cost-of-living crisis, he walked by without pausing, declaring, “I live in a tent.” An older couple said there just aren’t the jobs available for young people.

Covid and the economy.

The current government pursues a policy of cost cutting by reducing staff in the public service. Blaming the difficulties within the economy on the aftereffects of covid. Tourism and migration being two principal factors that were stymied by the years of covid. To get back to pre-pandemic levels of the economy is no easy task.

PM Christopher Luxon, stated clearly, “This is a government that is focused on economic growth,” wanting New Zealanders to have more money in their back pocket.

It’s the economy.

Commentator and Sociologist, Paul Spoonley says the exodus has reached unprecedented levels. He says it’s a trend that has been going on for the last thirty years, but it has really spiked recently. Latest statistics reveal 70,000 citizens have departed the country, resulting in a net loss running between 45,000 and 50,000. He says it’s mostly economic conditions that are driving New Zealanders overseas, the majority to Australia.

Higher Incomes.

Spoonley says wages and salaries must improve, and the labour market needs to be more buoyant if we are to retain workers in New Zealand. Nurses have flocked to the higher wages a stronger Australian economy offers. Australia is not the only country Kiwis go to. The UK, European Union countries, the USA, Saudi Arabia, Asia, Panama, and Uruguay are other countries attracting Kiwis for higher incomes.

Maori and graduates move.

One of the factors that stands out in the latest migration is the enormous number of Maori who are leaving for cities like Brisbane and Sydney. Another factor is the movement of our graduates due to the lucrative salaries overseas businesses provide. In part because our country loads them up with high training costs that only student loans can pay for. One-way students are able to pay those loans off is by finding a higher paying job in another country. It’s a faster option to help clear their significant student debt.

Billions outstanding.

Student loans in the billions are owed to the government. Most make a real effort to repay their student loan. If their employment is in this country, an automatic deduction from their income is made in each pay cycle. People with a student loan travelling overseas stay away to avoid paying their debt. Others feel the need to see their families, they return to the country, then they must pay their outstanding debt.

A backdoor.

Anecdotally immigrants apply for New Zealand citizenship due to the easier path compared to Australia. Once a New Zealand passport is obtained and other requirements of obtaining the passport are satisfied, entry into Australia is eased. It is a pathway immigrants consider, forming a part of the mass exodus.

Mass Exodus.

The attraction of better economic opportunities in other countries, is a major factor in people moving for a better life. There are other reasons for the mass exodus, but increased living costs contribute significantly during this time of stagflation.