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Below is the video that’s stirring debate:
Introduction: The Great Kiwi Exodus
In recent years, stories of New Zealanders seeking life abroad have moved from niche anecdote to headline trend. A newly released video titled “Why Everyone Is Leaving New Zealand” has struck a nerve, capturing frustrations, hopes, and the practical realities pushing so many to leave. This article dives into the reasons behind the exodus — as laid out in the video — and what it says about the current state of Aotearoa.
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Key Drivers of the Migration Wave
The video (linked above) highlights several recurring themes that resonate across interviews and comments. Below is a breakdown:
1. Cost of Living & Housing Pressure
One of the loudest refrains: housing is too expensive, rents too steep, especially in Auckland. Many interviewees cite years of renting or borderline mortgage stress as unsustainable.
2. Wage Stagnation vs Inflation
While prices of essentials keep climbing, wages haven’t kept pace. Respondents say that even dual-income households find it difficult to cover basic costs, much less save for the future.
3. Career & Opportunity Frustration
Some say limited professional growth, lack of specialised roles in small centres, and slow wage progression make staying unattractive — especially for young graduates and skilled workers.
4. Lifestyle & Mental Fatigue
New Zealand’s famed natural beauty and laid-back ethos still hold appeal, but many feel the burden of day-to-day stress— commuting, economic pressure, regional disparities— erodes the quality of life they once imagined.
5. Government & Policy Discontent
Various speakers express disillusionment with housing policy, taxation, immigration rules, business regulations, and general governance. A sense of declining institutional trust emerges as a recurring undercurrent.
Voices From the Video
“I love NZ, but paying rent for 20 years and never owning anything — that breaks your spirit.”
“I have to decide: stay for home or go where I can actually afford a future.”
These emotional, personal reflections underscore the broader systemic pressures at play.
Is This a Mass Migration or Selective Shift?
The video suggests the trend is not universal mass migration, but rather selective drain — with young adults, professionals, and families feeling the pinch hardest and most likely to make the move. Those already stretched financially or limited geographically may not have the means to leave, but many who can see the option opening.
Impacts & Risks for Aotearoa
This kind of brain and talent drain brings tangible risks:
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Labour shortages in key sectors (health, tech, engineering)
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Slower innovation as ambitious talent exits
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Regional decline, especially outside major cities
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Weaker tax base, straining public services
Yet, it also may offer some benefits: reduced housing pressure, less urban congestion, and potential for attracting new migration — if policies align.
What Needs to Change
To slow or reverse the trend, the video’s contributors (and echoed public commentary) emphasize:
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Housing reform — more supply, affordable paths to ownership
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Real wage growth — aligning pay with cost of living
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Opportunity distribution — better jobs outside main centres
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Policy clarity & trust-building — more predictable, transparent governance
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Supporting retention — incentives for those who stay, return, or invest
Conclusion: A Crossroads for New Zealand
The question the video poses isn’t just “Why are people leaving?” but “What will make them stay?” New Zealand stands at a crossroads — whether it becomes a place where dreams are squashed under financial strain or one that offers sustainable, hopeful futures at home.