There are many New Zealanders returning home to live at the moment. Traditionally, young Kiwis go overseas to live and work for a few years and this is called an OE (overseas experience). Some return home after a year or two and others stay away for longer, sometimes for good. Many go to Australia and the United Kingdom. If they marry an Australian or a British person, they probably decide to live in that country.
Even older New Zealanders have been attracted to Australia over the years because the wages can be higher there and it is not too distant or different from New Zealand. Now it looks like those people are returning home. Reasons for this could be that they have lost their job due to the recession and want to be closer to family during such tough times. Unemployment is still quite low in New Zealand at 5%. In places like United Kingdom, United States and Australia, the unemployment rates are higher so it is harder to get a job. Houses are also more affordable at the moment so it can be a good time to buy a house here.
Contributed by Anita Jones |