By MONIQUE DEVEREUX
Not only is Auckland losing its bright young things, a study into the city's economy reveals their older colleagues are leaving town too.
A report by Competitive Auckland - a charitable trust formed by a group of business leaders - looked at improving the international competitiveness of the Auckland region as a business location.
The report found that not only was the city's economy sinking, but more and more professional, moneyed business people were jumping ship.
Compared with Statistics New Zealand migration data from 1995, the number of people aged between 30 and 59 who shifted overseas in the past year had almost doubled.
Six years ago 4982 Aucklanders left the city. Last year that had jumped to 9172.
The report also found that Auckland was losing businesses and skills, that potential growth-driving new economy businesses were unable to find sufficient skilled people, and that the economic development which is occurring was fragmented and immature.
Competitive Auckland chairman David Irving said he suspected that people were leaving for mainly business reasons - relocation and better financial prospects overseas.
There was no hard evidence to explain the dramatic increase or where they had gone to.
A further stage of the project, beginning on Monday, would involve interviewing people who had left to try to find out the reasons.
"We don't have any more information as yet, but what we do know is more than ever people in this age group are leaving.
"That is certainly not good news for Auckland anyway," he said.
Sonya Mandeno, aged 32, moved to Melbourne last year through her marketing job with Heinz Watties.
She said that although it had been a tricky decision to leave Auckland, it was a career move she wanted to make.
The move has proved to be worthwhile. Ms Mandeno said there was "a hell of a lot to do" in Melbourne, the cost of living was comparable and average pay rates for her industry were higher.
"There are 3 million people living in Melbourne, practically the population of New Zealand. It's understandable that there are more opportunities."
But moving away from her home country has downfalls. She misses the hills and the beaches.
But there is some good news for Auckland.
This bright more-mature thing plans to eventually return.
Older workers join exodus to better life
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