Over 70,000 Kiwis left the country last year - and there's a changing trend in the types of people departing.

The OE is a classic experience for many young New Zealanders, but new data shows there's a higher cohort of skilled professionals aged 25 to 45 leaving in droves.

NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says these people have been educated here - and have been pushed to find employment and economic opportunities overseas.

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