Will economic growth stop NZers moving to Australia? | Now You Know | The Spinoff

New Zealand’s economy is set to outpace Australia’s. Will it convince New Zealanders to come home? The Reserve Bank of Australia projects economic growth of 1.8% in 2025, falling to 1.6% in 2026. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand predicts 0.5% growth this year, jumping to 2.8% the following year. And it’s not just the central bankers. Commercial banks are even more bullish. Westpac predicts growth as high as 3.3% for New Zealand in 2026. New Zealand may not match Australia for average income any time soon, but a stronger local job market could go a long way in reducing the relative competitiveness of pay in new jobs. Made with the support of NZ On Air.