A growing number of New Zealanders are swapping the North Island for the South, with new Census data revealing about 86,000 people made the move between 2018 and 2023.

That’s roughly 30,000 more than those who headed north in the same period.

The trend is backed up by fresh insights from Trade Me Property, showing more interest in South Island listings and a shrinking price gap between the two islands.

“In December 2021, the average asking price difference was over $350,000. Now it’s around $182,000,” says Gavin Lloyd, Trade Me Property Customer Director. “That’s a big shift in just a few years.”

The migration could be driven by the rising cost of living and housing affordability pressures in the North.

More Kiwis are looking for a lifestyle reset, and the South Island’s combination of natural beauty, growing cities, and more accessible prices is striking a chord.

Trade Me Property’s May data shows Canterbury listings saw a 7% year-on-year rise in views, and local agents are fielding more calls from potential buyers up north.

While this isn’t a mass exodus, it does signal a change in the way people think about where they want to live, work, and raise families.

For Coasties, it’s a timely reminder to keep an eye on shifting property dynamics, especially for those considering a move or watching the market for future investment.

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