Flocking Kiwis is a series about young New Zealanders living abroad and how they transition into life away from home.
We’re a population known for our love of leaving the nest and while Kiwis have long been flocking to the UK, Asia is not as common a destination for OEs.
In this instalment, we visit young New Zealanders who’ve made the move to Singapore – a country roughly the size of Lake Taupo with a population of 5.4 million.
Jordan Telfer, 24, grew up on a sheep farm in the North Island. About a year ago, he relocated from the Auckland Fonterra office to Singapore where he now works as a sales operations executive.
“I never expected to be here at all. I kind of just ended up here and it's quite a cool place.”
There were a lot of big changes - the tongue-numbing spicy food, the relentless heat, and the lack of backyard space - but Jordan says he eventually got used to it. But one thing still surprises him: the cost.
“Living here is so expensive. I used complain when I moved to Auckland but here is another level.”
For Jordan, Singapore offers an opportunity to see the rest of Asia with countries like Vietnam and Thailand just a stone’s throw away. But at his core, he's still a Kiwi boy and Jordan doesn't see that changing any time soon.
“Home is home. You're always a kiwi, no matter what and you don't really change.”
This content is brought to you with funding support from Asia New Zealand Foundation and NZ On Air
