I left NZ a few years ago and one of my main reasons were the lower incomes and high cost of housing. It all came down to the fact that I couldn’t even afford to rent a flat by my self, whereas right across the Tasman I could earn twice the salary and have a comparable if not lower cost of living.

Eventually I’ve ended up in Europe and I’m earning almost 4 times of what I was earning back home. I’ve considered coming back, bit the prospect of maybe never being able to own a home keeps me away.

My sister used to live in a rural area with a very bad dirt road. She had 2 SUVs and insisted it was the only way to drive there.

I visited her often with my estate and countless tradies would reach the area with vans