New Zealanders moving to Australia

The story so far

Provisional Stats NZ estimates show New Zealand had a net migration loss of 30,000 people to Australia in the year ending December 2024.^{10 Jul 2025} This was the largest annual net loss to Australia since 2012 and was similar to the 29,400 net loss recorded in 2023.^{10 Jul 2025} Reporting on the figures said just under 30,000 New Zealanders moved to Australia in 2024, the highest emigration to that country since 2012.^{11 Jul 2025} The trend was linked to economic concerns and a lack of job opportunities for young New Zealanders, and a Massey University professor said the loss of workers and graduates was concerning.^{11 Jul 2025} Later, industry leaders from Australia's Northern Territory recruited New Zealand workers at a job expo in Auckland, offering significant financial incentives, though the companies denied trying to poach the workforce.^{28 Jul 2025}

Latest

Northern Territory companies attended an Auckland job expo over the weekend to recruit New Zealand workers, offering significant financial incentives.^{28 Jul 2025} The companies deny trying to poach New Zealand's workforce.^{28 Jul 2025}

Key moments

1. 10 Jul 2025Stats NZ reports net loss of 30,000 people to Australia in 2024.
2. 10 Jul 2025Loss is the largest annual net loss to Australia since 2012.
3. 11 Jul 2025Net loss attributed to economic concerns and lack of jobs for young people.
4. 11 Jul 2025Emigration to Australia reaches highest level since 2012; professor voices concern.
5. 28 Jul 2025Northern Territory companies recruit New Zealand workers at Auckland job expo.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.