‘The Great Kiwi Exodus’: Why Thousands of New Zealanders Are Fleeing to Australia in Search of a Better Life
- New Zealand is losing its people at near-record levels, with over 43,000 citizens emigrating in the past four years, a more than doubling of numbers.
- The exodus is being driven by rising living costs, a weakening job market, and a stagnant economy, with mid-lifers and retirees increasingly joining the young adults who traditionally make the move.
- Australia is the top destination, with almost 60% of leavers heading across the Tasman Sea, attracted by better job opportunities, higher pay, and a lower cost of living.
The Thorn family’s decision to leave New Zealand was not taken lightly. With their Shih Tzu Bubbles in tow, Jacinda, 43, her husband Blair, 44, and their children Eva and Chase packed up their lives in Wellington and swapped it for a new home in Melbourne. The move was driven by the promise of a better life, with Blair’s data engineer salary set to increase by 50% in Australia. The family is now thriving, with the children excelling at school and the family saving big on everyday expenses.
But the Thorns are not alone. New Zealand is shedding its people at near-record levels, with over 43,000 citizens emigrating in the past four years, a more than doubling of numbers. The exodus is being driven by rising living costs, a weakening job market, and a stagnant economy, with mid-lifers and retirees increasingly joining the young adults who traditionally make the move. Australia is the top destination, with almost 60% of leavers heading across the Tasman Sea, attracted by better job opportunities, higher pay, and a lower cost of living.
The trend is unusual, according to economist Brad Olsen, chief executive and principal economist at Infometrics Ltd. “It’s only when you have those much tougher economic times that you generally see a net outflow of groups over 40,” he said. The mid-lifers, like former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who recently relocated to Sydney, are leaving behind established careers, networks, and family ties, making the decision to migrate a very strong economic imperative.
The Thorn family’s experience is not unique. Many Kiwis are making the move to Australia, driven by the promise of a better life. Eva, 16, and Chase, 10, are excelling at school, and the family is saving big on everyday expenses. Their weekly grocery bill has dropped from the equivalent of about $400 to $267, fuel and public transport are 40% cheaper, and GP visits cost 25% less, with same-day appointments replacing week-long waits.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The influx of Kiwis is not without its challenges for Australia. While the country stands to benefit from the skills and experience of the migrants, it also raises concerns about the impact on the job market and the provision of services. The Australian government estimates that 670,000 Kiwi citizens now live in Australia, equivalent to one-eighth of New Zealand’s current population. The unemployment rate is lower in Australia, at 4.2% compared to New Zealand’s 5.4%, while the median weekly income for full-time workers is 37% higher.
However, the trend also raises questions about the long-term implications for New Zealand’s economy and society. The country is facing a stagnant economy, with negative growth in the year to September 2025 and unemployment hitting a decade high in recent months. The housing market has also crashed, with major centers Auckland and Wellington suffering among their worst slumps in history. The departures are eroding “the quantum of talent New Zealand that is very good at producing,” and raised the question “are they ever going to be enticed back?”
As New Zealand’s population ages, it will be increasingly difficult to replace retiring workers unless the country can retain or lure back the 30-to-50s. The trend is changing the demographics of New Zealand quite considerably and quite quickly, with migrants from India, the Philippines, and China entering industries across the board. The experience of those who make the move for good highlights both challenges and opportunities, but for many, identity remains at the core, balancing the benefits of life abroad with a lasting connection to home.