Tasman tug-of-war

The Paalvast family still feel Kiwi after 16 years in Oz. Photo / Supplied

Kiwi mum Jules Paalvast has been homesick for 16 years.

Living in Australia, the 44-year-old says she'd go home tomorrow if she could.

But she can't.

In the Australian forestry industry, her husband Adrian earns almost triple his Kiwi salary for much the same job. Jules was able to stay home with her four children - something she couldn't have afforded in New Zealand.

"There are so many of us that want to come home, but it's just so hard to get there. And that's the sad thing about New Zealand. You just can't afford things and the pay isn't as good," she says.

The family lives in Tumut, a small rural town west of Canberra. The couple's three sons - Ben, Sam and Luke - were all born in New Zealand and would like to return.

"They are still very much Kiwi boys but brought up Australian because of their schooling," Jules says.

"My son got Aotearoa tattooed on his arm because that is his culture and family."

But their youngest, 12-year-old daughter Bailey, is Australia-born. "We call my daughter a Kaussie because she is Kiwi-Aussie, but she always says, 'I'm not an Aussie'."

Jules says the family moved for the money and opportunities, but she'd jump on a plane home tomorrow if she had a chance.

"I've been homesick for 16 years," she says. "It's never felt like home here. It's sad to see so many Kiwis have to leave to get a better life for their families and most don't want to go."

chloe.johnson@hos.co.nz