Why New Zealanders Are Leaving Home in Record Numbers

New Zealand is often seen as an ideal place to live, yet record numbers of citizens are moving abroad, mostly to Australia. This documentary examines the economic forces behind the exodus, from housing and wages to immigration and demographics, and considers what could encourage people to stay or return.

■ The Migration Wave
- Record departures to Australia and who is leaving, including skilled workers and families
- The shared trans-Tasman labor market and wage differences between the two countries

■ The Economy Behind the Exodus
- Reliance on a narrow export base and the dominance of the housing market as household wealth
- The housing market downturn and inflation outpacing wage growth

■ Population Pressures and Diverging Regions
- Immigration's role in labor supply and healthcare staffing, plus an aging population
- Different conditions across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and the investor gold visa

■ Pathways Forward
- Productivity, higher wages and reducing dependence on housing as an asset

Recommended for viewers interested in migration trends, housing economics or Australasian affairs; it provides context for understanding why people leave and what might change these flows.