A Maori studies researcher says despite New Zealand migrants in Australia being denied access to federal government benefits, the lucrative opportunities for them there far outweigh the risks.
Paul Hamer is currently doing two surveys: one of Maori living in Australia and another of Maori who used to live there but have now returned to Aotearoa.
In 2001 the Australian government changed its laws to restrict New Zealanders getting access to social welfare benefits but Mr Hamer says the booming Australian economy and better lifestyle options are still major drawcards.
For many Maori, he says, the option of staying in New Zealand and earning a relatively low wage - possibly only the minimum wage - with the fallback of a social security net does not amount to much of a life.
He says because Australia is such a land of opportunities people go there and back themselves to fall on their feet, and they probably have whanau there who will facilitate their move and welcome them in.
So he's not surprised, he says, that so many Maori leave New Zealand in droves despite the 2001 Australian law changes.
Te Manu Korihi spoke to some Maori migrants in Brisbane in February who said that even though they have suffered two major floods in less than five years and are being denied federal government aid, they're still determined to stay there.
