‘Australia is cancelled’: Aussies rush to NZ visa site after federal election

Australians flooded the website of New Zealand’s immigration department after the election, presumably looking to escape across the ditch.

New Zealand has reported a huge spike in the number of Australians considering a move across the ditch since the federal election was called.

Immigration New Zealand said the number of visits to the New Zealand Now site surged tenfold on Sunday as Aussies woke to the news of a Coalition victory.

The website received more than 8500 visits from Australia on Sunday — about ten times the usual number — and 512 of those visitors registered interest in a Kiwi visa. That’s compared to just 20 people a week earlier, on May 12.

Not everyone is keen to stick around while ScoMo’s in charge. Picture: AAP/Mick Tsikas

Australian citizens don’t need a visa to move to New Zealand, however, and the statistics include anyone currently in Australia — not just citizens.

“It is important to note these are purely registrations of interest in coming to New Zealand and does not necessarily translate to the number of people actually moving to New Zealand,” Immigration New Zealand general manager Greg Forsythe added.

Still, since Labor lost the “unlosable” election that returned Scott Morrison as prime minister, plenty of disillusioned voters have considered their options.

And while escape plans from Australia frequently involve our neighbour across the Tasman, the universally adored Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern — who is Australia’s most trusted politician — seems to have made New Zealand an even more attractive prospect.

Australia is canceled can I move to NZ now pls #australiavotes2019

— maddy brooks (@AdmittedlyMaddy) May 18, 2019

Hi @jacindaardern, how do I successfully move to NZ and become a citizen? I want to move to a country with leadership to be proud of. Alternatively, please annex Australia. Thank you.

— HeckCait - StyleVulture (@Cait27536782) May 18, 2019

I wish I could move to NZ! They have a PM I’d happily support.

— Graeme Cross (@Ironponies) May 19, 2019

I think I might move to NZ for a while #AUSVote19

— Brad Rickerby (@brad_rickerby) May 18, 2019

Can we move to NZ yet? #QandA #nocoal

— Peter Smith (@Smiddi70) May 20, 2019

I seriously started thinking tonight how difficult would it be to move to NZ and get a new job, etc... just a little seed that is out of nowhere now planted in my brain you know...

— Jerry Zoumis (@JerryZoumis) May 18, 2019

All the Aussies wishing they had Jacinda Ardern as PM, you know you don’t need a visa to move to NZ, right?

Just a helpful hint 😉#AusVotes

— Sandy Lanceley (@sandylanceley) May 18, 2019

Anyone keen to move to nz

— Spicy B (@crookarriss) May 18, 2019

Let’s move to New Zealand. Jacinta will you take us? #Election2019Results

— Annabel Boyer (@AnnabelBoyer) May 18, 2019

google, how do I move to New Zealand?

— D'Anna Grace (@dapostrophe27) May 19, 2019

Time to move to NZ

— Michael Barton (@bogmund) May 18, 2019

Can someone fund me to move to New Zealand

— sabita anderson (@bitsnbobs5) May 20, 2019

The apparent rush to migrate to New Zealand is not dissimilar to the massive spike in Google searches of “move to Canada” by Americans following the 2016 election victory of US President Donald Trump.

Whatever the reason for it, New Zealand’s immigration minister Iain Lees-Galloway said he wasn’t surprised by the interest from Aussies.

“New Zealand is a wonderful destination full of possibilities,” he said.

“I’m not at all surprised. If Australians are looking at us, that’s great.”