A study has revealed that NZ’s best and brightest give up almost $2000 (£700) per week in order to live and work in New Zealand.

The study, conducted by Professor John Gibson of the University of Waikato management school and Dr David McKenzie of the World Bank, focussed on people who were amongst the most successful high school students between the years 1976 and 2004.

The researchers surveyed the group in the areas of education, career paths, migration experiences and continued connection with New Zealand if they were overseas, recording that:

“Twenty-four per cent of New Zealanders with tertiary education live abroad, the highest rate in the OECD.”

Dr McKenzie added: “We find even higher levels of migration among the academic high-achievers, with half of them abroad at age 30, and 70 per cent having worked or studied abroad by age 45.”

However, the research also indicated a high level of return migration amongst successful careers people, with 35 per cent of top scholars having returned to New Zealand by the age of 45, despite the much higher income they could be earning overseas.