Slightly more Kiwi graduates are staying in the country, despite falling pay rates. Latest Ministry of Education statistics show that 9% of domestic graduates left the country within a year of earning bachelor's degrees in 2014-15, down marginally from 10% in 2011-12. Yet median earnings for many graduates with diplomas, degrees and higher qualifications dropped in real terms, despite an increase in overall national median earnings. However graduates still earn more than the national median of $38,663. Even in the first year after graduating, median incomes are $39,614 for those with bachelor's degrees, $45,191 for those with master's and $63,567 for doctorates.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 21, 2017 04:07 UTC