Are you considering a move to Oz? Readers respond

Sydney Harbour Bridge. Photo / Mark Mitchell

With the "brain drain" of skilled workers looking set to worsen as big Australian companies arrive in NZ to offer "fantastic opportunities and lifestyles" across the ditch, we asked readers if they were considering a move to Australia and if so, why?

Of the many who said they were contemplating the move, for most it came down to the frustration with the Government's handling of the economy, and better job opportunities and pay in Australia.

Ewok said: "NZ - where we are forced to pay global prices for our products - but cannot earn global incomes. As a social experiment, NZ is a failure, if not a disaster."

Mike85 said: "New Zealand employers need to realise that they are in a global contest for talent. To attract and retain the best workers they need to benchmark pay and conditions with the rest of the world, especially Australia."

"If I'm going to make more money for my skills, of course I will," said Harps. "New Zealand is nothing more than an agricultural economy with a splash of film production and a few specks of innovation. No major companies really want to touch New Zealand with a ten foot barge pole."

Shona said "The members of my familly who are employed all work in Australia. That's where the opportunities are for skill advancement and where working people are still paid a living wage."

Jason said while he would love to stay in New Zealand "for the lifestyle and accessibility to nature, there is no way I intend to work the rest of my life and end up with nothing to show for it."

Karen had already left. "I moved with my two children because I was offered a great job with excellent benefits and great pay. Our lifestyle here is fabulous, my kids have settled into their new school extremely well."

Drew is also already in Australia. "I moved straight out of university, 8 years ago. The job opportunities are greater with about 35% better pay (not including currency) and the lifestyle is good."

But jobs weren't the only reason.

John--b said while higher wages were a big drawcard, he was also thinking about crossing the ditch because of better education opportunities and because of New Zealand's crime levels and justice system.

"NZ just does not have a fair system, 3 strikes is a joke - you can kill three times before we get angry."

MJC wanted to move because of "all the PC rubbish that goes on in this country. A particular annoyance is the prefrential treatment of Maori and the amount of tax dollars spend on Treaty settlements that would be better used elsewhere."

But not everyone who answered our question was contemplating a move.

"There are downsides to Australia too remember," said Northbloke. "The heat, the flies, the cost of living, the cost of housing, and the sheep jokes from thoroughly unoriginal Australians."

Marcus put it simply: "Floods, hurricanes, bush fires, droughts, apocalyptic disasters - yeah right!"

Peter lives in Sydney but said: "I find housing, transport (include infrastructure) and education all have serious downsides."

Dixie had just returned home after 15 years across the ditch because while Australia was a wonderful country, it came at a cost: "Longer working hours, more travelling time, harder to enter the property market."

Steve, an Aussie, was reversing the trend by moving to New Zealand. "My advice is don't move unless you're gonna be earning over $150,000 a year. 15 years ago Australia was the place to be, but through stupid greedy governments and beurocrats, our once free nation is slowly turning into a capitalist regime."

- NZ Herald staff