Like many young New Zealanders, I wanted to explore the world—but remote work meant I didn’t have to give up my career or ties to home. In today’s landscape, remote work allows Kiwi professionals to gain international experience without pausing their careers, a particularly valuable asset in fields such as planning.

In August 2024, I moved to Slovenia with my partner, first staying with her family, then setting up our own flat in Ljubljana. My goal was to experience a new culture and travel throughout Europe, but instead of resigning from my role as a resource consent planner, I was able to work remotely. Contrary to some expectations, this arrangement has proven not only practical but highly effective.

A surge of young professionals have been leaving New Zealand for opportunities abroad or for their “overseas experience.” Reports indicate approximately 100,000 professionals aged 18–30 have left between mid-2023 and mid-2025—one of the largest outflows for this demographic. Yet, remote work enables skilled professionals to maintain their roles and ties back home. From Slovenia, I continue collaborating with Hawke’s Bay councils and clients seamlessly. Digital tools like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and WhatsApp make location nearly irrelevant. The time zone difference even means my workday overlaps with New Zealand mornings, so projects progress around the clock.

Living in Slovenia has given me insight into urban design and infrastructure approaches. Ljubljana, for example, has transformed its city centre into a car-free zone, with over three-quarters of the city dedicated to parks, forests, and open spaces. This vision, outlined in the Ljubljana Vision 2025 strategy, helped it earn the title of European Green Capital in 2016. Pedestrian and cycling routes are prioritized, air quality is high, and local businesses benefit from increased foot traffic.

Ljubljana’s transformation includes redeveloping former industrial sites into thriving commercial and cultural spaces. Its pedestrian-friendly centre and green mobility network set a benchmark for sustainable living. The city’s unique character is influenced by architect Jože Plečnik, whose people-first philosophy still shapes urban planning. Beyond its charm, Ljubljana is Slovenia’s business hub—home to most corporate headquarters, generating over a third of the national GDP, and ranked among Eastern Europe’s most business-friendly cities. Its strategic location offers easy access to EU and Balkan markets. With more than 10,000 cultural events each year, a vibrant university, and strong quality of life, the city attracts talent and fosters innovation and investment.

Design and heritage controls maintain architectural character, while rural towns focus more on environmental preservation and practicality in housing. In Hawke’s Bay, we see similar priorities: preserving productive land through the National Policy Statement on Highly Productive Land (NPS:HPL), promoting walkable cities with the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS:UD) and Plan Change 5 to the Hastings District Plan, and valuing aesthetics and heritage through urban design and controls.

If Hawke’s Bay professionals embrace remote work instead of resigning, the region stands to benefit:
· Bringing global perspectives—injecting fresh ideas into the region
· Ensuring continuous productivity regardless of location
· Retaining professional talent in Hawke’s Bay
· Encouraging collaboration through effective digital communication

Of course, remote work isn’t without challenges:
· Limitations for on-site visits
· Mixed client reactions to remote staff
· Dependence on strong digital infrastructure and support

However, these challenges can be managed with good communication, teamwork, and technology. Company culture can adapt by embracing remote work, supporting staff, and investing in the right systems. For me, joining team social events via video call keeps me connected to colleagues and the company.

Remote work also allows for personal growth. Living in Europe has let me pursue my passion for endurance sports and experience events on a different scale than in New Zealand. Exploring European cities and towns has broadened my thinking about planning and design back home, reinforcing that good urban design blends function and aesthetics.

My year in Slovenia has shown that work isn’t tied to place. With the right support and systems, I can serve Hawke’s Bay clients just as effectively from Europe as from Hastings. Remote work keeps talent connected, brings new ideas home, and strengthens our region’s future. If Hawke’s Bay embraces this model, we won’t just retain our people—we’ll welcome a world of experience with them.