The Home advantage

Everyone knows Kiwis love to travel, and for many, time overseas is part of the plan. At Haines, we stay closely connected to both the New Zealand market and Kiwis abroad, so we get a real feel for what’s happening on both sides. 

But equally, New Zealand is home. Having a foot in both worlds, we’re starting to see a shift happening right now across the market, not just within our own network. 

Off the back of our “Still in Sight” survey and webinar with NZStory, at Haines we’re putting more focus on how we can support Kiwis thinking about coming home. 

What’s interesting is the change in conversation. 

Across the board, we’re hearing a different tone from Kiwis overseas. People who were pretty set on staying are now starting to ask:  What would it actually look like to come back to New Zealand? How are things on the ground? Maybe… one day? 

And it’s not just Auckland in the mix anymore either. 

There’s a bit more uncertainty globally at the moment. Even when it’s not said outright, you can feel it. A little less confidence. A bit more hesitation. People quietly questioning whether they’re in the right place long term. 

At the same time, New Zealand is starting to look… slightly more appealing. 

It’s not perfect. Salaries don’t always compete, and the market is smaller. That’s real, and we touched on this in our recent webinar, especially around career pathways and visibility. 

But it is stable. Familiar. A place where life feels a bit more grounded. And where building something for yourself still feels achievable. 

That distance we’ve always joked about is starting to feel like a bit of a strength. 

People are also being more honest about the trade-offs. 

Yes, there are fewer opportunities on paper in some areas, and sometimes less money. The market is tighter. 

But that’s only one side of it. 

A smaller market doesn’t always mean fewer opportunities. Sometimes it just means less noise and more chance to actually connect. It’s a village, after all. 

More people are stepping back and weighing up the full picture. Lifestyle. Family. Long-term stability. What “enough” actually looks like. 

And it does make you think. 

If more experienced Kiwis do start coming back, what does that mean for New Zealand? 

Does it increase competition in a smaller market…  Or does it create momentum? 

More capability. More ideas. More people willing to back themselves and create opportunities that weren’t there before. 

We’ve seen glimpses of that before. Returning talent lifting the level across the board.

What feels different this time is that the conversation isn’t just about jobs.

It’s about lifestyle. Being closer to family.  Raising kids here.  Long-term security, not just the next role. 

If you’re overseas and this has crossed your mind, even slightly, we’re always happy to be a sounding board. No pressure. Just a real view of what’s happening on the ground here. Olivia Davis from our Haines Team will be in London in June from the 22nd – 26th if you want to have a chat in person. 

And if you’re in New Zealand, it’s probably a good time to think about how we make coming home an easy yes for the right people. 

It feels like the start of a shift.