Young Kiwis are heading overseas in record numbers, but are finding that the traditional London OE looks different than it did for earlier generations
Ruth Jackson in Dubrovnik, Croatia, in 1989. Photo: Ruth Jackson/supplied
When Ruth Jackson went to London in 1989, she found work as a PA to a professor of psychiatry at a teaching hospital. It wasn't in her field, but it still gave her skills she could take home - including how to use a computer.
Hugo Stewart - who spoke to The Detail from his friend's couch in London where he'd landed just a few days earlier - has a pretty good grasp of computers already. But it's the 2024 equivalent of those big opportunities that he hopes to find on his OE.
"The thing that's exciting about London is the opportunity to engage in work that wouldn't be possible in New Zealand, and build careers and experience that goes beyond what the smaller scale of New Zealand has," he says.
But the reality looks a bit different than it might have five or 10 years earlier. He says friends in corporate jobs tend to be doing well, but those in other industries are struggling.
The Top Deck Travel bus that Ruth Jackson rode on across Europe in 1989. Photo: Ruth Jackson/supplied
He recently had lunch with his friends who worked in film in New Zealand. They told him the number of productions in London has decreased drastically.
"The dream of London hasn't been fulfilled and they're having to look back and go 'hey actually the Auckland film industry, there's a lot going on there and maybe we need to go back home,' which is a bit sad."
Stewart says many of his friends are also choosing different locations.
"I think the idea of London being the only destination is something I've noticed evolving. It's still, I think, going to be the primary destination but I have so many friends that are like 'why would I go to London when Amsterdam is right there, or Berlin is there, or Vancouver is there."
David Lacire is Director of Finance, Tech and Transformation at recruitment agency Robert Walters, based in Auckland. While the UK is still a big destination for New Zealanders seeking work outside the country, he's noticed a rising number headed to other destinations. Number one on that list is Australia.
"I feel like the newer generation is going on long holidays in Europe, traveling, discovering, seeing how it works over there but because of the market condition and the way it is right now in New Zealand they're like 'actually Australia is good, it's nicer weather, better pay, more jobs, and still close to home'."
Part of the change is the difficulties they're facing in the UK. Though he says it's slightly easier for people on the ground as opposed to job hunting while still in New Zealand, finding work is harder than it used to be.
"The average (time) of finding a job in London at the moment is four to six months," he says.
"Before covid, it was, if you get to London your time off (work) depended on how long it takes you to meet a recruiter. So if you didn't want to get a job, don't meet a recruiter, you'll be fine. As soon as you met one you'll get called and get interviewed and get a job. So now it takes a little bit longer."
Another challenge in London is the rising cost of the NHS, or National Health Service, levy.
"In 2015, you didn't have to pay anything for the NHS levy," Stewart says.
"By the beginning of this year it was up to a few hundred pounds, and then in February this year it jumped to over £1000 (NZD 2100) for all but youth mobility visas. And that's £1000 per year of your visa.
"I was originally going to get an ancestry visa because I have grandparents in the UK but it was going to cost me a little under £6000 (NZD 12,700) to get my visa sorted."
It's not just cost of living and career opportunities that have changed over the decades. Ruth Jackson recalls her communication with her parents including a weekly or biweekly phone call, and a weekly letter from each of them. But there were also telegrams - which she describes as the "old school version of a text or SMS".
"You would go to the post office and they would charge you for every word that you sent.
"They would electronically send it across the world by what we thought at that time was absolute juju magic."
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