People leaving New Zealand to live elsewhere in the world continues to rise with the current statistics from February 2024 showing that around 12,400 people departed New Zealand within the month. This is up by 59 per cent compared to February 2023.
While a large number of New Zealanders choose to cross the Tasman and migrate to Australia because it’s relatively easy, some are looking for a more affordable option by moving to Asia.
In many Asian countries, such as Thailand and Indonesia, the cost of living is relatively low, and this has enticed New Zealanders who are looking for a more affordable and relaxed lifestyle.
More Young People Are Looking For A Lifestyle Change
According to reports in 2023, it seems that there are more people in the age range of 20 to 40 who are choosing to leave New Zealand in search of greater opportunities overseas.
Japan is a popular choice for some New Zealanders because of its thriving economy and high standard of living. Some Japanese companies even recruit in New Zealand, and this makes it easier to gain permanent residency.
Anyone in a highly skilled profession with a solid working background will be welcomed in Japan.
Migrants Returning Home
Another common trend is that of migrants to New Zealand who decide that they want to return to their home country after gaining valuable education and skills while living in New Zealand.
This is particularly true for countries such as India and China, as a large percentage of people migrating to New Zealand are from specific Asian countries. In fact, in the twelve months to February 2024, migrant arrivals from India were 50,800 while those from China were 29,000.
For the same period, 7,600 people of Chinese origin and 5,100 people from India departed New Zealand, presumably back to their country of birth.
Well-Developed Economies Attract New Zealanders
Well-developed economies such as Singapore and Hong Kong often attract New Zealanders who are looking for better employment opportunities. It’s also relatively easy to relocate to countries like Singapore because there are no visa requirements depending on how long the stay is intended to be.
It’s also interesting to note that there are around 3,000 New Zealand citizens residing in Hong Kong and even more who have dual nationality with a New Zealand passport. This means that there’s a thriving expat community for people to become a part of.
There’s even a New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong that was originally founded in 1992. New Zealanders also hold a range of prominent positions in professional fields such as law, finance, construction, teaching and accountancy.
Students Returning Home
Another common reason for New Zealanders migrating to Asia is students, such as those from South Korea, heading home after they’ve completed their studies and gained some experience.
New Zealand and South Korea have both an Education Cooperation Agreement and strong trade ties. This means that there’s a strong relationship between the two countries which might be what entices New Zealanders to migrate to South Korea.
Crown Worldwide has office locations across Asia, along with strong local partnerships and can facilitate a stress-free relocation to many Asian nations. We are committed to making your international relocation as easy as possible.
To arrange a quotation, call our office for an obligation FREE quote on: (NZ) 0508 227 696 or you can use our online quote form.
