Jump in Kiwis flying permanently to Australia

The news that 3908 Kiwis headed across the ditch in February looking for higher paying jobs is an indictment on the National Government and its utter failure to grow our economy, says Labour Leader Phil Goff.

“These figures show just how much hard-working Kiwis are hurting because of stagnating wages and the rising cost of living. They are further evidence that our country is going backwards under the leadership of John Key and Bill English.”

Statistics New Zealand figures show that in the month of February, 3908 New Zealanders left for Australia on a long-term or permanent basis. That’s 139 Kiwis leaving every day. Even when you take into account arrivals from Australia, we lost a net 3136 New Zealanders across the Tasman that month, said Phil Goff.

“Bill English has made the bizarre claim that it’s an advantage for our country that Kiwis take home a third less pay than their Australian counterparts. Well, New Zealanders are showing him exactly what they think of that – by leaving in droves.

“Economists say that this trend will continue, given the strength of Australia’s economy and labour market relative to New Zealand.

“When I put the latest figures from Statistics New Zealand to John Key in Parliament this afternoon, he couldn’t come up with an answer except to say he “disputed” the figures. He clearly doesn’t have a clue.

“The Prime Minister has no plan to help struggling families, to create jobs or to grow our economy. His solution has been to give tax cuts that benefit top earners, while ignoring the plight of middle and low income earners.

“Labour will take this country forward with a plan to build a highly-skilled workforce and a high-tech, clean and clever economy which benefits all Kiwis,” said Phil Goff.