Tracey Morgan: Kiwi nurse on being among the 5000 nurses registering to leave for Australia - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Nearly 5000 Kiwi nurses are crossing- or set to cross- the ditch.

Thousands of nurses have registered to work in Australia since August, often to take up lucrative short-term contracts of up to NZ$8500 a week.

Rotorua nurse Tracey Morgan is among the wave of nurses departing for Australia, having finished her last day at her community clinic on Thursday.

"You don't really want to have to do this, but when I look at what I'm on, to what they're offering, better pay conditions and better pay."

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