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New Zealand: Heading across the ditch

What will New Zealand's rapidly changing demographics mean for the country's future?

New Zealand citizens, particularly young professionals and graduates, are leaving the country in record numbers. Most are heading across the Tasman Sea – known colloquially as "the ditch" - to Australia, lured by better job opportunities and higher wages. However, immigration is also at an all-time high, with migrant arrivals from India the largest group, followed by the Philippines and China.

Ruth Evans reports on what lies behind this Kiwi 'brain drain', and asks what the rapidly changing demographics mean for the country's future.

A Ruth Evans Production for the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service.

Image: The coastline of Wellington, New Zealand (Credit: Ruth Evans)

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27 minutes

Last on

Sun 10 Aug 2025 22:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 7 Aug 2025 01:32GMT
  • Thu 7 Aug 2025 08:32GMT
  • Thu 7 Aug 2025 19:06GMT
  • Sat 9 Aug 2025 16:32GMT
  • Sat 9 Aug 2025 23:32GMT
  • Sun 10 Aug 2025 04:32GMT
  • Sun 10 Aug 2025 13:06GMT
  • Sun 10 Aug 2025 22:32GMT