The pandemic may have had an impact on the increase in off-shoring in the tech sector

Tech companies overseas routinely practice this, to take advantage of lower pay rates.

And some companies here are doing the same as a result of closed borders.

BusinessNZ Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard says people are still physically leaving, despite the prospect of off-shoring.

She says Kiwi companies are reaching out and hiring people from lower wage economies in particular, alongside those choosing to leave New Zealand.