Jacinda Ardern's Australian Relocation Highlights New Zealand's Challenges
Johanna Cosgrove expresses heartfelt support for former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her family as they embark on a new life in Australia, asserting they "deserve every bit of happiness." This sentiment comes amidst a personal and national reflection on the reasons driving Kiwis abroad.
A Festival Encounter with Breaking News
Cosgrove recounts learning about Ardern's move in a uniquely New Zealand manner: at the Splore festival, where Clarke Gayford, Ardern's husband, shared the news on a dancefloor while dressed as a giant toadstool. The casual revelation at 2am, amidst the festival's vibrant atmosphere, underscored the intimate nature of New Zealand's social circles.
This encounter left Cosgrove feeling thrilled for the former first couple, yet it also sparked a comparison to New Zealand's current state, described as having "the hungover malaise of a party being cancelled." The author herself has informally left the country, citing disillusionment with recent government policies.
Policy Criticisms and Social Discontent
Cosgrove criticises the New Zealand government's approach to social issues, particularly a new policy granting police powers to move on rough sleepers or those displaying disorderly behaviour, with penalties including fines up to NZ$2,000 or three-month jail terms. Instead of investing in infrastructure to support vulnerable communities, authorities are accused of sweeping problems under the rug, a move deemed humiliating for a nation that prides itself on progressivism.
This policy, among other factors, is driving many Kiwis to seek better opportunities in Australia, a country with its own capacity for embarrassment but perceived as offering more stability and affordability. Cosgrove notes the irony in this migration trend, highlighting Australia's recent diplomatic controversies as equally cringe-worthy.
Personal Reflections on the Move
Drawing from her own experience relocating to Melbourne, Cosgrove describes the initial emotional pull to stay in New Zealand, tempered by the excitement of a new life. She marvels at the functional public transport, affordable vegetables, and lower living costs in Australia, contrasting this with New Zealand's high rents and stagnant wages. For instance, New Zealand's minimum wage is roughly A$19 per hour, while Auckland's average rent exceeds $2,000 monthly, creating financial strain for many.
Cosgrove shares anecdotes from friends who have also moved, citing a sense that New Zealand is tailored for an older generation, leaving younger people feeling trapped in mundane routines. In Australia, she observes healthier social lives and greater community investment, attributing this to higher disposable incomes.
A Broader Exodus and Future Hopes
The article points out that around 200 people leave New Zealand daily, a statistic Cosgrove relates to by noting the tangible signs of affordability in Australia, such as apartment prices and grocery costs. As a creative professional without children, she questions how families survive in New Zealand, where one in seven children live in hardship.
Despite her love for New Zealand and plans to return, Cosgrove emphasises that "life is for living," celebrating Ardern's decision and her own access to affordable luxuries like cucumber slices. She concludes by reaffirming her solidarity with those seeking happiness abroad, even if it means crossing the Tasman Sea.
