Seems the northern hemisphere summer is when global talent makes relocation plans. We’ve tracked a flood of research about the best countries for expats to move to. We analysed the implications for New Zealand of the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey release a few weeks ago (read here). And now the Global Expat Index* has ranked New Zealand the 4th best place to live out of 34 OECD countries.
Global Expat reinforced what we know already about jobs, COL and living in New Zealand. People don’t come here to build their career prospects, and we featured well below many OECD countries. Living is expensive, with our housing cost ranking alongside the likes of Switzerland. Lifestyle is a major attractor and we hit the top 10 for all indicators.
But new data shows just how internationalised the New Zealand workforce has become
New Zealand has a lot of expats compared to other countries
New Zealand ranks 4th in the OECD with expats comprising 23% of our population. That’s ahead of countries long regarded as expat magnets like Canada and the US. Anecdotally, we often hear this from Mobile’s clients - like the Managing Director of a multinational relocating from Singapore who discovered his (smaller) team in New Zealand was had more nationalities in it than the team he left behind.
New Zealanders are world-leading at accepting expats
We are 2nd in the OECD for our positive attitude to migrants. And the widespread international coverage of the empathetic reactions of our politicians and communities to the Christchurch mosque attack will have reinforced international perceptions of New Zealand as inclusive nation.
How can we leverage this?
From an talent perspective, this data this offers interesting strategic implications and possibilities for New Zealand HR Leaders:
International recruitment. In an increasingly nationalistic geopolitical landscape, New Zealand’s new attractor will be our cultural diversity and warm welcome to migrants. How can employers build this into their EVP, and ensure the promise is delivered on when people arrive here? As a small low-wage, high-cost economy at the bottom of the world, this will be how we win the war for global talent.
Talent and business success. The well-researched benefits of multicultural diversity are lying latent within our businesses. How can employers develop world-leading global mobility and inclusion practice to unlock this talent potential? This will be how we maintain New Zealand’s market leading innovation in a globalized economy.
We’ll be exploring these questions, and more, at the New Zealand International Talent Forum in Auckland on 19 September. Learn from experts in:
· the globally mobile employee experience
· repatriation
· expat employee wellbeing
· multicultural team performance
Bookings will open on 5 August - contact us here for advance information and to reserve your spot - places will be limited.
*https://www.globehunters.com.au/global-expat-index/
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This article is written by Bridget Romanes, Principal at Mobile Ltd.
For efficient, New Zealand-specific global mobility management and resettlement service delivery contact us at bridget@mobile-relocation.com.