New Zealand has a negative record for immigrants
Actually, New Zealand is one of the dream destinations for many expats worldwide, but tens of thousands are leaving the country in the first half of the year as they find better conditions elsewhere. As beautiful as the two islands are, the economy isn't thriving.
New Zealand, often seen as a dream destination for expats, is reporting a negative record: Never before have so many people left the country in the first half of a year as this time. From January to June, 131,200 people departed, according to the country's statistics agency. About a third of them moved to Australia. 80,174 of the expats are New Zealand citizens. The reasons for leaving include rising unemployment, high interest rates, and sluggish economic growth.
While the net migration balance - the number of immigrants minus emigrants - remains high, economists expect the number of incoming foreigners to decrease due to the weaker economy. High cost of living, interest rates, and decreasing job opportunities dampen.
The New Zealand government has reduced the public service of its 5.3 million population, leaving many qualified workers seeking jobs. Australia, on the other hand, is seeking many skilled workers - such as nurses, police officers, and teachers. They even offer relocation packages. This attracts many New Zealanders, who also don't need a visa to work there.
Better Job Opportunities Down Under
Merrily Allen is currently planning to move with her partner and 14-year-old daughter to Hobart, Australia in spring 2025. "There are a lot of opportunities there. They're always looking for people in my field," says Allen, who works in dental administration. "I have many friends who have gone to Australia... just for the better jobs and lifestyle. Australia seems to have it figured out."
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a historically high number of New Zealanders living abroad returned home. This was partly due to the government's COVID policy, which successfully contained the spread of the disease.
Now, the New Zealand economy is struggling. The central bank has raised its policy rate by 5.21 percentage points in its fight against inflation - the most aggressive tightening since the rate was introduced in 1999. This is slowing down the economy. In the first quarter, it grew by only 0.2 percent. The unemployment rate rose to 4.7 percent in the spring, while inflation remains high at 3.3 percent.
Despite New Zealand's reputation as a dream destination, many expats are choosing to leave due to economic challenges, with 131,200 departing in the first half of 2022 alone. Consequently, Merrily Allen, a dental administrator, is planning to relocate her family to Hobart, Australia in 2025, drawn by the abundance of job opportunities and a better lifestyle.
