Kiwi exodus mines riches
THE number of New Zealanders crossing the Tasman Sea has hit a record level, lured by high salaries in mining and agriculture.
But many Kiwis face a tough time when they arrive and often underestimate the challenges in their new country.
The latest figures show 50,115 people made the trip to Australia on a permanent or long-term basis in the year to November - breaking the 50,000 barrier for the first time.
Yet only 14,357 went the other way, most of them New Zealand citizens. That meant NZ lost 35,758 people, also a record.
Since the introduction of the Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement in 1973, Australians and New Zealanders have been able to travel to and reside in each country without visa approval.
But since February 2001 NZ immigrants to Australia can no longer access government services such as Centrelink and welfare is not offered.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show about 40 per cent of New Zealanders looking to make Australia home headed to Queensland in 2009.
Logan Youth and Family Services Centre chief executive Cath Bartolow said the number of NZ migrants needing assistance was growing.
''They aren't aware of the difficulties they face when they don't have access to support and assistance,'' she said.
''When they find themselves out of work, it is just so difficult to stay on their feet when the bills keep coming in.
''Homelessness is not a rarity, numbers are continually increasing, people are frequently having to rely on the generosity of family and friends.''
Recruiters say large pay cheques in industries such as mining and farming are attracting an increasing number of migrants.
Russo Recruitment general manager Denise Love said the mining industry was constantly looking for new employees and NZ migrants were filling many of those positions.
''A recent trend we have seen is migrants sending their resumes before leaving New Zealand in attempts to secure work in the mines on their arrival,'' she said.
''It is not only young people who are making the move but whole families are coming over for the chance to work in the booming industry,'' Mrs Love said.
