KEY POINTS:
Better pay, better weather, better prospects - and our Robbie in charge of their rugby team.
The big barren is luring Kiwis as rarely before and many of those left behind are clearly tempted to join the departure queue.
A Nielsen online survey of 500 Herald readers found 41.6 per cent have seriously considered moving to Australia, with most citing higher pay and lower taxes, better work prospects and the weather as motives.
Whether they move is another matter - just seven of the sample of 500 are committed to leaving in the near future.
And nearly a fifth of respondents (93 people) have lived in Australia for more than six months and returned, many saying they missed the lifestyle.
Nearly 47 per cent of respondents have never seriously considered living in the lucky country.
The survey follows a year in which 45,000 people - 800 a day - left long-term for Australia as a migration wave, which began four years ago, continued to surge.
The departures were offset by 13,600 long-term arrivals from Australia, including 8200 returning Kiwis and 5700 dinkum Aussies.
The Nielsen sample of Herald readers living from Taupo north unsurprisingly found younger workers aged 18 to 29 were most tempted to go (50.3 per cent). Of that group, 84.4 per cent cited higher pay/less tax and 80.6 per cent better employment prospects.
But 43 per cent of respondents aged 30 to 44 were also considering Australia's attractions.
Those thinking of going believe Australia provides better shopping, healthcare and treatment of older people while housing, food and petrol are considered cheaper.
"Australian people are friendlier and more grown-up," said one.
But there are push factors as well, with political correctness and narrow-mindedness causing some to ponder a move.
"I'm sick of being told what to do by this Government," was one response. Another threatened to leave if National wins the election.
Men (44.9 per cent) are more likely to be tempted than women (38.2 per cent), with men driven by perceived pay rates and women concerned to keep contact with family and friends.
Of respondents who have lived in Australia, most (35 per cent) went for work-related reasons.
For a hard core of 18, Australia isn't on the radar because New Zealand has a better rugby team.
As for which country has the better coach, Graham Henry beat Robbie Deans 8-6.
