IAM members in New Zealand have provided feedback as official estimates forecast that the equivalent of 1% of the population of moved from the country in the 12 months ending October 2025, the highest number since the 2008 global financial crisis.
The New York Times reported that more than 71,000 citizens left the country in the twelve-month period, with more than 50% moving to Australia where New Zealanders can live and work indefinitely under a reciprocal visa arrangement. After reaching out to IAM members in the country, all have confirmed that economic pressures are the key drivers for the exodus. Fiona Conroy of IAMTrusted Conroy Removals said that cost-of-living pressures, wage differentials with Australia, and housing affordability are driving the exit. “Young professionals and families are the largest cohort, often seeking higher wages and lower living costs in Australia, with skilled tradespeople remaining a strong outbound group due to aggressive Australian recruitment,” she said.
IAMTrusted members, Mark Pitcher of New Zealand Van Lines and Graham Bell of Transworld International both confirmed that the trend has been ongoing for at least two year’s. “This upward trend began in 2023 and has been consistent over the last three years,” said Bell, with imports to the country significantly down since the pandemic. “The decline has been driven largely by New Zealand’s weaker economic conditions and stricter migration requirements, which reduced the number of people qualifying to move to New Zealand,” Bell confirmed.
Looking forward to 2026, Fiona Conroy expected the buoyant export market to continue. “Unless there is a major economic shift in New Zealand particularly around wages, employment opportunities and housing costs we anticipate that outbound migration to Australia will remain strong this year,” she said.