‘It’s more forward than New Zealand ever could be’: Kiwi bar manager in Melbourne sparks debate after listing reasons why Australia is ‘BETTER’ than his home country
- A New Zealand man reveals reasons why he thinks living in Australia is ‘better’
- Ethan Wolland moved from Wellington to Melbourne, Victoria in 2018
- They included higher wages, cheaper petrol and a better party culture
A New Zealand man has revealed the reasons he thinks living in Australia is ‘better’ than his own country – including higher wages and a better party culture.
Ethan Wolland has been living in Melbourne, Victoria, for the past two years after moving from Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, in 2018.
‘I’m still seeing a debate that New Zealand is better than Australia. Coming from New Zealand, I moved here with no idea what this country was like,’ Ethan said in a TikTok video.
‘Let me tell you some reasons why living in Australia is a lot better than New Zealand from an actual Kiwi. Of course it has its flaws but honestly it’s a lot more forward than what NZ ever could be.’
The young man credited the Australian government for providing free healthcare.
‘First of all, Australia has government-subsidised, free healthcare,’ he said.
‘You can go the doctors as many times as you like in a week, it’s completely bulk-billed, it’s paid by taxpayer dollars. You don’t have to pay a single cent like you do in New Zealand.’
Ethan – who works as a bar manager – said the minimum wage and cost of living in Australia are better than home.
‘Secondly, the minimum wage is a lot higher and the cost of living is exactly the same as oppose to what it is in New Zealand,’ he said.
‘At my job [in Australia], the minimum you get is $22 an hour. I could be doing the same job in New Zealand and only getting paid $18.50. Any sort of weekend job you do, you get double and any sort of public holiday is triple.’
He pointed out the cost of living in Sydney is ‘similar’ to Auckland prices.
Ethan Wolland, from New Zealand, has revealed the surprising reasons he thinks living in Australia is ‘better’ than his own country – including the cost of living and drinking culture
Ethan said he noticed Australia’s petrol costs less than half of New Zealand’s prices.
‘Petrol prices are a lot cheaper in Australia. In New Zealand, the average is $2.50 per litre but over in Australia, it’s 95 cents to $1.10 at the most,’ he said.
The young man also admitted the ‘drinking and party culture’ in Australia ‘is so much better’ than his homeland.
Ethan said he decided to make the video, which has since been viewed more than 64,000 times, to weigh in on the controversial debate.
Ethan Wolland has been living in Melbourne, Victoria, for the past two years after moving from Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, in 2018
His post has since divided the internet, with most agreeing with his statements.
‘Fact! I’m from New Zealand too living in Melbourne and can 100 per cent agree,’ one Kiwi woman said, while another added: ‘Kiwi who has been in Australia since 2013 and 100 per cent agree! Love NZ but Australia wins for the general lifestyle perks.’
Another Kiwi woman also agreed, saying: ‘I live in Queensland. Moved here three years ago and could never afford to live back at home. Make $28.50 an hour here but back home, would make $18.’
However, some Australians said they couldn’t get enough of New Zealand, with one woman saying: ‘I’m blessed to live in Australia but New Zealand is a very beautiful country as well with an amazing Prime Minister.’