Brits are shocked I’ve chosen Norwich over New Zealand – but there are reasons so many Kiwis are leaving | Elle Hunt

WHenever A Brit is learning that I am from New Zealand – I grew up there, got a passport, and only moved to the United Kingdom in 2017 – often – there? “

It does not seem to matter if they had gone to New Zealand themselves or not. The implicit meaning is that I knew the Aden Park, until a key was granted, and she responded by saying: “In fact, you know what? I will take Norwich instead of.”

Whether it better reflects the crowded familiarity with the UK, or an ideal vision for New Zealand, you are not sure. But it seems that a few people believe me that, in many ways in meaning, the quality of life is much better in Britain.

So I was not surprised by attention In a recent report New Zealand transformed the “cavity”, with records leaving until 2023 until 2024. Over the past two years, many people have left the country – often to Australia, Canada or the United Kingdom – there will be fears that some small cities and rural societies will collapse.

There is a long tradition of kiwi heading out. What makes this last height in the departure different is its apparent sweep. Not only young people on “Big OE” (external experience). Those who are more in life who have believed that grass may be more green in another place.

And not only the small cities that fail to give them reasons for survival. Auckland – the largest “international” city, with a population of about 1.7 million people (a total of 5.2 million) – has most jobs and the highest salaries, but even one of these will not necessarily give you a bullet in property. As of this FebruaryThe medium house in the city costs about $ 1.25 million in New Zealand – that is, about 555,000 pounds, about the same thing As in London Although average wage is low. It is a similar situation in the capital of New Zealand, Wellington, and Modern public sector discounts The economic image also did not help.

I felt the effect of this when I went back to Witness in February, visited friends and family. When she moved to the 17 -year -old to study, she felt that she deserved her reputation as the city of “Artsy”. Even with allowing the presence of a 15 -year -old more profitable offer, I was shocked to what exact extent was as in the days of my students (up to the elements of the cafe menu, the monthly britpop Club), while the new additions in general or without magic were. It was like time to stand silent.

I do not mean to be the seagulls, and fly in “everything on everything” (to borrow a phrase from the writer and his anti -ingredient colleague abroad Sarah Wilsonin Its latest report On her trip to Australia). There are a lot of unique and unique things around New Zealand, starting with the culture and language of the original Maorites-correctly and increasingly in the national identity, despite the government-led government attacks.

There are advantages on Britain. Food and drink is actually Flavoursome, while the typical approach to hospitality makes you feel in the full sense of the word. It is expected that work will come before life, beaches and landscapes really beautiful as you imagine.

However, I noticed the reported shift in the patterns of migrants in Kiwis that plays in my network. For example, it was supposed to return home to start a family – but the amazing number of friends chose to stay in their external homes to have their first child, even at the expense of the loss of family support. the Public transport is incompleteEven in the cities, the culture centered around cars was also martyred as barriers by the people who spoke to them.

Access to culture and entertainment is also limited. Auckland It was recently called The oldest Diners in the world; I heard about the people who are expelled from restaurants at 9:30 pm. “It is a kind of like, what do you mean to do after dark?” My sister, who is now based in Amsterdam.

All this is exacerbated by isolation, it cannot be imagined for people in Europe. “I do not think that the British understand what looks like living at the bottom of the world,” Kiwi’s friend who lived in London told me for a few years on the last day. Likewise, she indicated that our contradiction to return reflects our privilege, and knowing that we will be able to cancel the subscription to Britain if you start to feel severe.

Of course, there is no best place to live in, not at least because “the quality of life” is a personal and changing equation. I feel very lucky to call New Zealand one of my home, and every time I visit it, I wonder whether this is the journey that makes me want to return. However, until now after a decade, I am surprised more defects than many delights. The British may think that the grass is more green in New Zealand, but it is the kiosi who take this step.