The survey showed that of those planning an OE 60 percent were intending to return home within three months with only 10 percent planning to stay longer than a year. Photo: 123RF
New Zealanders are not staying abroad for as long when they go on their overseas experience (OE) due to financial concerns, a survey shows.
An OE, long considered a rite of passage for young New Zealanders, involves staying in another country for months or years at a time.
A Kantar survey commissioned by Auckland Airport highlights changes to how Kiwis approach the super-sized holiday by comparing data from those who had finished their OE to those who hadn't.
Of New Zealanders who had already been on an OE, 58 percent had spent more than three months overseas including 28 percent spending more than a year abroad.
The situation was radically different for those still planning an OE, 60 percent intending to return home within three months and just 10 percent planning to stay longer than a year.
42 percent of 18-34 year olds said they did not plan to go on an OE, many pointing to cost of living as the main reason.
Of those who had been on an OE, 71 percent were motivated by a desire to 'see the world.' A handful, 3 percent, hoped to 'fall in love' overseas.
The most popular destinations had also shifted, the UK losing ground compared to mainland Europe. While 39 percent of people who had been on a previous OE visited the UK, just 30 percent were planning to do so in the future.
Meanwhile, Europe had risen from 38 percent to 43 percent.
Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker said New Zealanders were showing more interest in a greater variety of destinations.
"In the past, places like the UK and Europe were really popular and they still are... But intentions of travel in the future show people want to go to places like India, New York, Tokyo and Vancouver," he said.
"So the places we're going are different as well."
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