Bad break-ups, overbearing parents, meeting Australian spouses, short stays turning into long-term moves, the weather, even the better surfing were some of the "rich, contradictory, messy and evolving'' reasons she encountered for skipping across the Tasman.
But one common trait she found was that many left without giving due reflection on the long term ramifications of being a Kiwi in Australia.
"Kiwis often initially experience a sense of cultural dislocation,'' Dr Baird says.
"Moving to Australia is often portrayed as easy, lucrative and painless. However, there can be hidden long-term emotional and relational costs.''
The early challenges can range from teasing of the New Zealand accent, fitting into networks or finding a place in Australian society, to shock at western neighbours' sexism and racism.
The more serious costs of the move come more in the future, Dr Baird said.
While many move when they are young, without children or families, and carefree, it can come back to haunt them later in life.
"When they have kids, they might miss their support networks, or 20 years down the line and their parents are sick, suddenly there's a raft of issues. They might even miss a parent's death, and there's the guilt associated with that,'' Dr Baird said.
She was also surprised at how many people move to Australia, before moving back home after not making it a success financially, or otherwise.
Some then move back again, she said.
Cheap and affordable air travel has made emigration easier but that brings its own dangers.
"Some of the earliest people I spoke to actually went by ship, a three day voyage,'' Dr Baird said.
"Most people with a job can afford a ticket to Australia. And I think that's half the problem, they head away on a whim and don't plan long term.''
Migration to Australia will only drop if it finds itself in a far weaker economic position than New Zealand, she said.
