Aussie mining boom continues to attract Kiwis

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Aussie mining boom continues to attract Kiwis

3News NZ

Mines like these are attracting New Zealand workers

Mines like these are attracting New Zealand workers

One-thousand Kiwis a week are now leaving New Zealand to go and live in Australia.

The latest statistics say 483,000 people born here now live there. That's more than the population of Wellington.

Of course not all of them go into mining, but mining is big and getting bigger.

Here's a statistic: The Australian Reserve Bank says one in every two new jobs could soon be mining-related.

Reporter Kate King is just back from there with the first in her series on the new gold rush.

Watch the video for her report.

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Comments

27/12/2012 3:16:19 p.m.

stacey wrote:

Hi was just looking at a page ur comment was on n u said u work in a bar in newman.... Any chance i could get a job there

6/09/2012 11:19:32 p.m.

Brent wrote:

I came to WA three years ago,tried to get in the mines very hard, I tried everything to get in, I even did a 6mth cse in surface extraction in NZ. There are a lot of cons in Aus, especially in WA, before you know it you have spent a small fortune in getting tickets, industry cards just to get your CV through. I had to change my direction, and now I work on the railway, earning 110k a year, most of my money is sent home to spt my mom. If you ever thinking about living in WA, make sure you have a good friend or family to stay with. WA is very expensive.

6/08/2012 2:51:24 p.m.

Leigha whytcross wrote:

Why do so many kiwis leave New Zealand to work?

31/07/2012 3:11:48 p.m.

jackie wrote:

hi there was a episode of a man that was helping kiwis to get in the mines in aussie was he laget and if so would anyone knows his contact details

12/07/2012 8:25:06 p.m.

mike wrote:

hi im a single male from new zealand and i am trying to get a job in the mines but dont have a clue where to start i have no expereince in the mines so am looking for an entry level job but when in looking i have no idea what a entry level job is tittled as or what companys to apply to if anyone could help with a bit of a puch in the rite deriction i would be most grateful

11/07/2012 11:46:10 p.m.

sw4eva wrote:

Ive been in wa for 3 yrs lived in perth for 2 yrs earning about 100k a year driving a 2 trailer roadtrain. I then got a job as a fifo worker in port hedland went to 116k and do 5wks on and 1 off and fly home to nz. Its hard being away from the family but i can pay the house off in 7yrs instead of 30. Some of the boses are the biggest a holes you could ever work but you just think of the money have left that job because of the total head F##K everyday and now work for a great company that starten in nz and will be earning 150k and a 4week on and 1 off so the family will see me more.
If you want to come over there is a great site to start, see if there is a job you think you can do there is another for finding a place to rent and buy a car. Dont bother to try and live in the pilbra rents too high unless you have a place to stay and cheap rent the local wage is good food prices the same in perth.
Plenty of truck driving jobs searHR , HC or MC drivers cost about $800.00 to get your mc our class 5 will get you a HC. Also the western australian news paer on wednesdays and saturdays has heaps of jobs.

Hope thats some help

11/07/2012 8:52:48 p.m.

Farrah wrote:

I'm a kiwi living in Perth, the lifestyle is good but the more you make the more you spend so like below said we are no better off than when my man was mining in NZ. I'm isolated due to no family or familiarities . I miss NZ and home bets $$.

11/07/2012 7:30:05 p.m.

Nic wrote:

My partner is working in the Pilbara and yes the money may be good but all the downsides are very hard, I miss him so much and the kids are growing up without their dad. We are paying off the mortgage nicely, but as he isnt a FIFO fly in fly out, it costs a bit each year to catch up either here or there. Thank heavens for skype but only if the reception is good. Spare a thought for these courageous men and women who go to the remote corners of the earth to make money and the families they leave behind. Lastly thanks to my partner for all you do for our family.

11/07/2012 2:50:54 p.m.

Chris wrote:

I am a FIFO worker in Newman. People only seem to hear about the large sum of money we get paid. What the dont hear about is the high divorce rate well over 70% the mental health issues which are increasing at an alarming pace and the high rate of suicide. It's a very hard job and the only reason the money is high is you work 70+ hours a week for several weeks in a row. I would advise people to think twice before opting for this line of work.

11/07/2012 2:00:12 p.m.

Sha wrote:

I think last nights portrayal of the Pilbara was filmed through rose coloured safety glasses! I worked behind a bar in Karratha for a year before coming home to an earthquake ravaged ChCh. While I loved my time in the Pilbara, there is certainly a dodgier, down side to living in a boom town that was not shown. Unless you are a FIFO worker or employed by Woodside etc. expect to pay around $1500-$2500 a week for a rental property, and high living costs on top of that. $50 for a steak and pint at the pub is standard, $60 for a carton of beer. Drug abuse is common, mental health problems are rife in camps, philandering FIFO workers, and the town boasts a high suicide rate. Long hours, 40 degree heat and a dusty, dirty work environment. Don't get me wrong, I love the Pilbara, friendly and laid back, lots of outdoor fun to be had...4WDing, csmping, game fishing ( us Kiwis hate that stuff eh ) but it's hard yakka and it's not for everyone. I've met blokes that get paid those big bucks...blowing it at the bar, on the TAB and sticking their wages in the skimpies knickers! My advice would be, have a goal; get in and get out, don't get sucked into the hedonistic lifestyle. I may be an un-skilled worker but i'm not stupid, i'm heading back for the $$$. Where else can a barmaid save enough for a house deposit in a year? Good place for young singles to get ahead but wouldn't recommend it for families or the faint of heart...there's a slogan in the Pilbara: F.I.F.O-Fit In Or Fuck Off! think that sums up the local point of view.