Families Departing New Zealand for a New Life in Australia

Harriet Baker, a 33-year-old who identifies as a resolute South Islander, has chosen not to raise her children in the city where she grew up. “When we bought the house, I told my husband Cameron, ‘You’ll take me here with a cat,’” she reflects. Just last month, they sold their home.

“The cost of living keeps rising. You’re working so hard, but it feels like you can’t save any money—it’s like we were just treading water,” she observes.

Now, their family has relocated to Western Australia. Last week, Harriet and Cameron—both 33—moved with their two-year-old son, Teddy, and their dog. Cameron works as a heavy diesel mechanic in the mining sector, while Harriet, a former civil servant, takes on the role of primary caregiver.

Harriet hopes to raise Teddy around her grandparents in New Zealand, but she’s aware that may not come to pass. “We love leaving them, but the job opportunities in Australia really tipped the balance for us,” she admits.

The Bakers represent a growing trend of New Zealanders leaving their country, often in search of better economic conditions. Many are concerned about New Zealand’s uncertain future, leading people of all ages to pack their bags.

“It’s puzzling that we’re not discussing this more. Fertility rates are dropping, the population is aging quickly, and these trends have only worsened since COVID hit,” she adds.

A Shrinking Workforce

In the last two years, tens of thousands of New Zealanders have departed, with numbers exceeding those seen during a spike in 2012. A record outflow of migrants is expected from 2023 to 2024, with about 69,100 predicted to leave by February 2025, marking a roughly 3% increase from last year.

While there are still more immigrants arriving in New Zealand than those leaving, last year marked a record net loss of New Zealand citizens. Approximately 56% of those looking to live abroad for over a year are heading to Australia, drawn by wages that are about 26% higher.

Young people aged 20-29 are often seen leaving for the classic backpacker experience in Australia, but now there’s an influx of slightly older families, including those in their 30s and 40s.

“We talk about where the family’s center of gravity is. If parents, children, or grandchildren are elsewhere, that certainly influences your decision to move,” Spoonley notes.

Decline in Small Towns

The rising cost of living, job security concerns, and wages play a significant role in why people feel compelled to leave. Many expressed reluctance to go but felt they had no viable option after struggling to find stable work.

This scenario is common in small towns across New Zealand. For instance, the local Maori community in Ngāti Rangi, a ski town on the North Island, is trying to find ways to keep residents from leaving. The area has seen a significant population decline, with many businesses shuttered since 1996, and national trends suggest that most new immigrants gravitate towards Auckland.

“This isn’t a positive trend for rural communities or small towns. This is happening slowly, but it’s becoming a widespread issue,” comments Tahu Kukutai, a demographic expert.

Recently, two factory closures have cost about 220 jobs in the area. Jude Sinai, who supports those affected by redundancy, mentioned that around 10% of workers have emigrated, while others continue to struggle with seasonal or low-wage jobs.

“We had new folks who bought homes during a peak market. They never expected this. Now they’re trying to manage mortgages while doing odd jobs,” Sinai explains.

The local iwi is now offering a business course aimed at fostering local entrepreneurship, particularly in tourism.

“It’s a battle to secure public services here. When population numbers decline, so does attention from authorities. We’re seeing school rolls drop, teacher layoffs, and a lack of healthcare services. We’re doing everything we can to lessen the impact,” Sinai states.

To support the economy, the central-right government plans to cut new spending by a billion dollars to manage borrowing and debt. Some economists argue this might slow recovery, while Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins criticizes the resulting financial strain as a push for young New Zealanders to consider moving away.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis refutes these claims, stating the government aims to save by trimming unnecessary expenses. She expresses a desire to inspire more residents to stay, stating, “I want to create an environment where people have faith in New Zealand’s future.”

People who relocate often struggle to see what awaits them back home. Waikauri Hillini, a 27-year-old social worker, moved from Te Kuiti to Perth for a better job with her extended family. “I started at $48,000 and never saw a salary increase,” she recalls, “I wanted to make a difference in my hometown, but I felt burned out.”

“Right now, we’re feeling pretty settled. It’s sad to think if we don’t bring our kids back, they’ll miss out on learning Maori and participating in Kapa Haka,” she shares.

For many who have left for Australia, life is undeniably better. “They’re willing to pay for skilled workers here,” says Daniel Reed, who moved with his family from a small town in New Zealand to Townsville. “We’re earning $1,000 every two weeks and enjoying life now without stressing over grocery costs. Leaving was tough, but our kids are thriving in their new environment.” He adds, “They’ll always be kiwis, but now they know the Australian national anthem—I doubt they’ll remember the one from New Zealand.”