CROSSING THE DITCH AND BACK AGAIN !

Reverse Migration: Some migrants see New Zealand only as a stepping stone to Australia. They first migrate here and when they are eligible, cross the ditch to start a new life in their country of choice. Strangely in recent years, some of them are moving back to New Zealand. Mavis Bacaltos investigates.

There was an article in the paper recently which said that because of the lack of personal tax cuts in the new budget released by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cullen, more Kiwis will be leaving the country for Australia.

However, this trend of moving to Australia is not new. Since the 1800’s New Zealanders have been crossing the Tasman to live and work in Australia.

To New Zealanders, the lure of Australia is strong. It offers a similar culture, better work opportunities, higher income, and a warmer climate.

It is also near enough to home to be able to come back for frequent visits. According to statistics from Te Ara The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, in 1996-2000 New Zealanders were the largest group of immigrants to Australia.

New Zealand has also been viewed as a backdoor entry to Australia by people who were not born in NZ but decide to migrate here and move on to Australia when they become eligible.

It is interesting to note however that in 2003, only 23,283 people left for Australia, down from 41,962 in 2001.***

This might be a new trend, more New Zealanders are staying at home and some of them are even coming back.

An example of this is Damian Tito, a banker for 22 years who has now retired from the industry. He migrated to New Zealand from the Philippines and stayed for four years.

When asked what attracted him to first come to New Zealand? He said, “I have been travelling for the most part of my life especially when I was a bachelor. The only places that I have not visited are Africa and South America. I love travelling and part of my job then was to travel as a bank representative.”

“NZ is one the few places in the world that is really “paradise” - a good balance of urban amenities and the clean and green.” He then decided to move to Australia as most of his relatives were already there. And they also told him that there were plenty of jobs awaiting him.

He found this to be true but for him, in the end, it is not all about the money. He said most Kiwis who have settled in OZ, still long and dream of coming back here. For his family, living in Australia met their expectations but not for the long term.

Although things are cheaper to buy in Australia and more jobs are available, he found that the crimes there are more violent in nature. Although he thinks that there are very limited job prospects here in New Zealand, he decided to bring his family back here. Why did he decide to come back? He said “I love the natural beauty of NZ and the friendly people.”

“The breeze alone here is different that when I arrived back, I can’t help but take deep breaths. The air alone spelt purity. And that is just one factor.”

“There are more reasons, but rearing children is the best reason to come back to NZ because it is one of the safest places in the world to bring up a child.”

He also added: “I missed the parks its beauty and simplicity, the fruit picking outings we had (strawberry, persimmon), the relatively safe streets, the small clean CBD, the fresh food, even my OZ relatives who visited NZ could even taste the difference that NZ produce are better than OZ.”

“Most Kiwis don’t know that we are a lucky lot to have one of the best places in the world to live in. You will only know it, once you are out of NZ.”

*** Source: Te Ara The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Pix - courtesy of http://www.goldcoastinfo.net