Living abroad in 2026

Australia overwhelmingly remains New Zealand's top destination as of 2024, though that growth has slowed sharply in the past few years compared to the 2010s. The UK is a clear second, but in sustained decline over the past 14 years, even as the OE (Overseas Experience) tradition and the UK Youth Mobility Scheme for ages 18–35 keep it culturally significant. The number of New Zealand expats in Canada has remained flat. The New Zealand expat community in the UAE is smaller that the other top destinations per absolute numbers, but has a consistent, established community rather than a newly emerging one.

Emerging New Zealand expat communities exist in Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Cook Islands, that latter of which represents a distinctive corridor given Cook Islanders' constitutional status as New Zealand citizens. Cook Islanders are automatically New Zealand citizens by birth, giving them unrestricted rights to live and work in New Zealand, but New Zealanders do not have the equivalent access to the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands runs its own separate immigration system and New Zealand citizenship carries no right of entry, residence, or work. However, New Zealanders can extend a long-term visitor stay to 12 months — versus 8 for most other nationalities — and qualify for Cook Islands permanent residency after just 5 years of continuous residence, versus 10 years for everyone else. Foreigners, including New Zealanders, also can't own freehold land: 95% of the islands are held under inalienable native title, so long-term residents typically lease rather than buy.

The open border with Australia

Trans-Tasman Mobility & Citizenship

The Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement (TTTA), in place since 1973, is a standing bilateral understanding, not a treaty, that lets citizens of Australia and New Zealand enter, live, work, and study in the other country without applying for a visa in advance; only citizens qualify. On arrival in Australia with a valid New Zealand passport, New Zealand citizens are automatically granted a Special Category Visa (SCV) at the border — no application, fee, or advance approval is required, though standard health and character requirements still apply.

The arrangement under the TTTA covers the right to work for any employer, in any industry, or to be self-employed, without needing a separate work permit. Professional licensing recognition between the two countries is handled separately, through the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement. SCV holders can also study in Australia as domestic students, though they aren't eligible for Commonwealth-supported places or HELP loans. Access to government payments and voting rights depends on whether you hold a "protected" or "non-protected" SCV.

SCV holders are deemed permanent residents for citizenship purposes, backdated to 1 July 2022 for those granted an SCV before that date, or from the grant date itself for anyone granted one after. "Protected" SCV holders, those in Australia before 26 February 2001, retain their long-standing, separate direct eligibility for citizenship.

Since July 2023, New Zealand citizens holding a SCV have been able to apply directly for Australian citizenship without first obtaining permanent residency. To qualify, they need at least 4 years of Australian residence on a valid visa, no more than 12 months' total absence across that period — with no more than 90 days in the final year before applying — and must pass the standard citizenship test: English, "adequate knowledge" of Australia, and character checks. There's no income threshold or health check requirement. Consult with an immigration authority for more details on these processes.

Plan ahead

Relocation Interest, KiwiSaver & Superannuation