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Aerial view of Queenstown downtown at dusk, South Island, New Zealand. Shutterstock/Narongsak Nagadhana
home away from home

Irish people love New Zealand... almost 20,000 have moved there

A further 5,000 people are expected to leave for New Zealand this year.

WHILE MANY IRISH people have headed down under to set up home in Australia, almost 20,000 have relocated to its nearby neighbour in the last five years.

Whether it is the temperate climate, the lush green landscape or the cost of living, experts at visafirst.com said that New Zealand is continuing to look like an attractive option to Irish people looking to move abroad.

Living abroad 

“Since 2011 approximately 18,000 Irish workers have travelled to New Zealand for work and with 4,000-5,000 expected to leave this year the total number of the last 5 years will surpass 20,000!” said Edwina Shanahan, Manager at visafirst.com

The most attractive thing to Irish people interested in New Zealand is the job prospects, with employers looking to fill all sorts of vacancies from carpenters, plumbers, site managers and mechanics.

Shanahan added:

In terms of where to go, salaries typically tend to be higher in Australia than New Zealand, but the cost of living, and property rental in particular, are lower in New Zealand, so depending on your circumstances you may be financially better off accepting a lower salary if all your living costs are lower.

Have you up and left for a new life in New Zealand? Tell us what you like about living there in the comments section below.

Opinion: Young, debarred and politically exiled – Ireland’s emigrants have no voice>

Photos: Sad scenes at Dublin Airport as Irish emigrants say goodbye>

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