4 NEW ZEALAND <strong>Indian</strong> migrants fly down south in search of better work-life balance MAHESH KUMAR Friday, <strong>April</strong> <strong>15</strong>, <strong>2022</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> If you are in Auckland looking to buy a house but put off by the exorbitant prices, you are not alone. <strong>The</strong>re is an exodus of Kiwis fleeing Auckland and moving to the South Island, specifically to Christchurch. Of course, the prime reason cited for the drift is the spiralling house prices in Auckland. According to Stats NZ, Auckland is experiencing its first recorded decline in its net population. And while there are various reasons for this ‘big flee’, the prime suspect is Auckland’s unaffordable house prices. In December 2021, the median house price in the Auckland region was $1,290,000 while in the Canterbury region, it was $680,000. University of Canterbury Professor Girish Prayag notes that the trend of migration to South Island has accelerated in the last two years. “As housing prices soar in Auckland, families are faced with either extended travel times to their workplace or very over-inflated prices in the inner city and suburbs close to the CBD. <strong>The</strong>y are looking to get better value for money out of their housing investment and lead a better Professor Girish Prayag lifestyle following two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than spending hours in traffic, they are looking for opportunities to have a better work-life balance. South island offers relatively cheaper housing and access to amazing outdoor recreation, good schools, and access to a vibrant hospitality sector as the one in Christchurch. Following the rebuild in Christchurch, modern retail and leisure facilities are attractive to both the elderly and young families.” New Zealand Qualifications Authority Approved Category 1 Education Provider Kanishka and Harry Shandilya After living in Auckland for seven years, Kanishka Shandilya and her husband Harry decided to move to Christchurch. “While our primary reason for moving was the housing affordability, we also fell in love with Christchurch when we came here for a short visit. It is quieter and more peaceful than Auckland.” Shandilya works in retail and found a job in Christchurch with a better package. “We moved to New Zealand from India looking for a better work-life balance and laid-back life. After spending seven years in Auckland, we felt we were always running and not enjoying life as much as expected. Christchurch offers you a slower pace of life, allowing an overall better quality of life.” Shandilya shares that many of their friends were planning to move to Australia since they found Auckland becoming unaffordable. She has recommended that they experience Christchurch before jumping ‘the ditch’. Roshan Chauhan Roshan Chauhan who works in hospitality, made the move to Christchurch for work but since then, has felt that people are nicer and easy going. Auckland might offer more opportunities, but the cost of living is also higher there.” Prabhjot Singh Chhabra moved from Auckland to Christchurch in November 2021 and does not regret the decision. Chhabra moved to New Zealand in 2016 and is a trucker. Before migrating to Christchurch, he has not been to South Island. “I found the house prices in Auckland ridiculous and had no intention to buy a cramped million-dollar house. I also feel Auckland is crowded and you can no longer enjoy a peaceful life there. <strong>The</strong> traffic situation Prabhjot Singh Chhabra during peak hours adds to stress and results in poor work-life balance.” Within 5 months of moving to Christchurch, he has bought a house and land package. He confirms that you get more bang for your buck in the property market down south. “<strong>The</strong> price I paid for a 4-bedroom house would not have even got me a two-bedroom house in Auckland.” He now spends less time stuck in traffic and has more time to spend with his young family. Gaurav Sinha is another example. A young IT professional who made the switch last year. He moved to Christchurch from Wellington. He is still working for the same company he worked for while in Wellington. He also cites the rising prices of houses in Wellington as the reason for moving to Christchurch. ‘We considered moving to Queenstown or Wanaka, but the prices there are also out of hand. I found that Christchurch was a better package as a city to live and work in. <strong>The</strong> increasing global acceptance of remote working made the move almost a no-brainer. Both my wife and I now work from home and are still employed by our respective Wellington organisations.” “I have to admit that both of us working from the same house has its own challenges, but we have got used to it by now,” laughs Sinha. Looking at the downside, it is not easy to leave your friend circle and move children to a new school, but the pros outweigh the cons of moving. Kanwar told us, “yes, the first couple of months were difficult. But soon we got into the rhythm of the new life with kids settling in and making new friends.” Despite the recent rise in house prices in Canterbury, its income to house price ratio is still better than Auckland, Tauranga, and Wellington. Many houses are comparatively new builds, as developments are still taking place in the city. New Stats NZ figures show 7500 consents for new homes were issued in Canterbury until October 2021. <strong>The</strong> second-largest city in New Zealand, Christchurch also offers increasingly more employment opportunities with a booming tech sector. With the city steadily but surely recovering from some past tragic events, including a devastating earthquake, Christchurch has more to offer to its new migrants.
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Weekender</strong> Friday, <strong>April</strong> <strong>15</strong>, <strong>2022</strong> NEW ZEALAND 5 Happy Navratri and Vaisakhi <strong>The</strong> ACT Party celebrates alongside you. Authorised by David Seymour MP, ACT Party Leader, Parliament Buildings, Wellington. act.office@parliament.govt.nz act.org.nz
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