Expat Kiwis keen to return to NZ

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Expat Kiwis keen to return to NZ

Home is looking sweeter for Kiwi expats, with a growing number planning to return to New Zealand according to a ‘global census’ by Kea and Colmar Brunton.

The 2015 Kea/Colmar Brunton Every Kiwi Counts survey found more than half of Kiwis living overseas (54 per cent) are likely to return to live in New Zealand, up from 46 per cent in the previous survey in 2013.

The 2015 Every Kiwi Counts survey - the largest survey ever conducted by Colmar Brunton and believed to be the largest survey of New Zealanders outside the census – attracted 16,651 respondents including 13,729 expat New Zealanders.

For the first time it also included repats (returned New Zealanders) and friends of New Zealand, the other two groups that make up Kea’s membership.

Kea Global CEO Craig Donaldson says the latest Every Kiwi Counts survey shows New Zealand expats are becoming more positive about their home country, which is increasing their desire to return.

“Not only are Kiwis overseas more likely to want to return to New Zealand, but their perception of life in New Zealand has improved overall and in several aspects in particular,” he says.

“The survey found seven out of ten expat Kiwis believe New Zealand is one of the best places in the world to live, an increase from 2013. This shows New Zealand Inc is heading in the right direction, making us more attractive to talented Kiwis living overseas.”

Two out of three expats considered New Zealand to be a safe place to live, up from 2013, while more than half (54 per cent) rated it more culturally tolerant than other places they had lived.

More than two-thirds of expats believe New Zealand is clean and green and that it offers a world-leading quality of life.

Colmar Brunton CEO Jacqueline Farman says the Every Kiwi Counts survey shows lifestyle and family are still the main reasons for Kiwis returning to New Zealand, but the economic barriers to coming home have reduced.

“Kiwis love to travel and experience the world, but while they can earn more money overseas, the lure of home still pulls at the heart strings. The main reason expats want to return to New Zealand is that it is ‘home’. Other big factors include lifestyle and family connections, and wanting to retire here.

“Meanwhile, the lack of career opportunities in New Zealand is becoming less of a concern. Only one-third of expats cited it as a reason to stay overseas, compared to nearly half in 2013. More than half said family or marital connections kept them overseas.”

The Every Kiwi Counts survey shows low salaries and high housing costs remain concerns for many Kiwis overseas, despite solid confidence in New Zealand’s economic direction.

Only one in five expats believed they could comfortably afford to raise a family in New Zealand at local salary levels (up from one out of eight in 2013), while one in four said they could afford to buy a home in their preferred location in New Zealand.

Confidence in the economy is robust, with roughly one-third of expats (31 per cent) strongly agreeing that New Zealand is heading in the right direction economically compared to 9 per cent who strongly disagreed.

Donaldson says the survey suggests the recent increase in the number of New Zealanders returning from overseas to live is not just a one-off occurrence.

“New Zealand’s economy has been described as a ‘rock star’ and it is performing well compared to many of the countries Kiwis traditionally move to. Combine this with our safety, quality of environment and world-class lifestyle and it is no surprise Kiwis are keen to come home,” he says.

“With roughly one million Kiwis living overseas, this represents a massive opportunity for New Zealand. It also shows the importance of reaching out and staying in touch with Kiwis around the globe, which has been Kea’s mission from day one.”

The full 2015 Kea/Colmar Brunton Every Kiwi Counts survey will be released on 25 November. NZME is the media partner for this report.

Every Kiwi Counts findings:

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