dlummis

I have one question for all New Zealanders can you tell me why you are leaving or have left NZ.
I would like to know you opinions and from what i have been reading so does your government.
Thanks in advance

southerner

I'm a kiwi who left NZ in 1993 for my OE. I had the intention of travelling, doing some different work than is available in NZ, and to have the experience of living in a foreign country. I always had the intention of returning to NZ, but one thing led to another and I married a brit, and got kind of settled into UK life.

I ended up staying away for 10 years, and returned to NZ for many of the same reasons that you Brits have for coming: relaxed lifestyle and people, better kids upbringing, and the sheer beauty of the place.

I think many kiwis go overseas for OEs, just many as Brits will go on holidays to Europe or take a gap year. You have to realise, NZ is isolated. Our nearest neigbour is 3 hours flying away and culturally almost identical.

Also, work opportunities and the ability to specialise are perceived to be greater overseas than in NZ, so for many kiwis going abroad is a good career move.

Apart from those going to Australia, the vast majority of kiwis going abroad always have the intention of returning, and very nearly always do. Can't comment much on Australia - just that for some kiwis it offers a better standard of living and lifestyle.

An old NZ politician had a nice phrase for kiwis immigrating to Oz - "it raises the average IQ of both countries"

I've seen comments on here and other forums along the lines of "last one out be sure to turn the lights off". Well its not like that, NZ's population trend is upwards, and whats more, for many kiwis now living in NZ, there is no desire to have more and more immigrants coming in to replace those who leave. OK - we have the odd problem getting a good tradesman, but we can live with that!

Hope this provides a bit of background, at least from my perspective.

ElizabethC

This Kiwi has not and will not be leaving these shores - except for holidays of course (wish I could have more of them). As Southerner has said, most Kiwis who leave intend to return (except perhaps those who move to Oz which is culturally similar and close to home making it easy to return for frequent visits.)

I can't think of any of my personal friends/family that left for months/years on the traditional OE who have not returned.

dlummis

thanks to both of you these are the things i like to read about the home truths.

shepslady

Guess I fall into this gategory then dont I Its a long story really but I will cut it short. After escaping from a bad marriage of 26 years I met & fell in love with a man from America. Divorce from kiwi hubby was bitter & things got really nasty so when I married my new husband (marriage took place in CHCH NZ) we decided that we would make the US our home just for a few years while things back home settled down a little. US Hubby was already well established with own business etc so financially it was the best move for us at the time too. Do I like living away from NZ?? The answer is NO! Sure life here is ok & our lifestyle is good. Everyone here has made me very welcome & I am happy here but its not really home to me & YES I want to make NZ my home again in the very near future. Hubby is now leaning towards making the move in the next couple of years so fingers crossed this Kiwi will one day be making the trip back a permanent one

mumomonty

a) broaden horizons (OE)
b) earn money in UK/Europe/Aussie to buy property here and come back home later to family and lifestyle in NZ