The number of people leaving New Zealand to live in Australia is at a 12-month high.
An analysis of figures issued by Statistics New Zealand shows that 3000 people left New Zealand to live and work in Australia in March.
The numbers have been rising since October last year.
Statistics New Zealand says more than 30,000 New Zealanders crossed the Tasman over the past 12 months.
Unemployment in Australia hit a high of 5.3% last year and is now falling. This compares with the New Zealand unemployment rate of 7.3% which is yet to officially peak.
Goldman Sachs economist Philip Borkin expects more people to leave for Australia over the coming year.
Overall 21,000 more people came to live in New Zealand than left in the year to the end of March. This is down from a recent peak of 22,600 in the 12 months to January.
