Wellington: The Windy City is experiencing a significant brain drain as young Kiwis leave New Zealand in unprecedented numbers. In the past year alone, over 34,500 New Zealanders in their 20s have left the country, far surpassing previous records as per data compiled by Infometrics.

This exodus, driven primarily by those under 30, is leaving Wellington with a particularly empty feeling. Job losses in the capital have disproportionately affected young people, leading many to seek opportunities overseas. Resident Haven Wagner described the city as becoming a "ghost town," with peers departing weekly.

Tristan Dryburgh, a 28-year-old Wellington resident, recently left for Melbourne, citing a constrained job market and a lack of peers as reasons for his departure. "I decided to leave Wellington because I decided to leave New Zealand," he said, noting a post-pandemic exodus that hasn't slowed.

Statistics from Infometrics reveal that net migration began to decline at the onset of the pandemic, with a significant surge in departures starting in early 2023. Since then, each month of 2024 has set new records for the number of young people leaving the country, with May alone seeing over 3,300 departures.

While incoming migrants offset these numbers on paper, they are not settling in the cities vacated by young Kiwis. Instead, regions like Auckland, Queenstown, and Christchurch are seeing population growth, while the rest of the country, including Wellington, continues to lose residents.

Economic factors also play a role in this trend, with Australia's lower unemployment rate attracting many young Kiwis. The job market in Wellington has been particularly tough, with public sector cuts exacerbating the situation. Employment for 25- to 34-year-olds in Wellington has dropped significantly, making this age group the most likely to leave.

Wellington Chamber of Commerce chief executive Simon Arcus expressed concern over the migration figures, warning that the loss of young talent is a major issue for New Zealand's future workforce. While some may return, Arcus cautioned that the overall impact could be long-lasting.

As New Zealand grapples with this mass departure, the challenge remains to create opportunities that will entice young Kiwis to stay and build their futures at home.