There are things the govt could do to encourage businesses to invest in more than the 3bs. Incentives via tax or rates rebates to invest in plant and equipment. Offer business training for both the owner/manager. Provide incentives to upskill the workforce. Tax breaks to set up business in high unemployment regions.
None of this is rocket science, just neoliberal laziness.
The current lot are all about the "dumb economy". They could make NZ a tax & regulatory haven like Bermuda or the Caymans, and its people would still leave for greener pastures. It's a hangover of the 1987 Syndrome - the (mostly) Boomers took a haircut on the sharemarket bubble, so they've put what they had left into the real estate bubble instead, which is where we are today. The axing of the proposed Science City in Wellington, along with other job cuts at Callaghan Innovation, hasn't helped either.
I sincerely hope that those running to higher wages and sunshine do not demand to return to NZ when (not if) the next pandemic hits. Yes, the one that epidemiologists say that will make Covid 19 look a picnic.
Duncan, is there anyone in the media environment that doesn’t have a left leaning jaundice view on life? Continual negative feedback based on unsubstantiated opinions does nothing to assist getting our country back on its feet. We live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world without threat of war, famine or hunger, we have a social welfare system, clean water and reasonable health care. Our greatest threat is a negative media system and a general lack of gratitude from those who carry a growing sense of entitlement. “Do not say what can this country do for me but rather ask what can I contribute to make it all it can be”…
HI Keith. Thanks for your comments. Are you saying that my views are left-leaning and jaundiced and that my opinions are unsubstantiated? Just to clarify... Grant
No hunger? Mate where do you hang out? There is now a growing number of people who cannot afford both the exorbitant rents and food. Many of them work full time and more.Visit your local food bank today and start to build up your own picture free from The influence of these wicked left wing journalists. No food bank in your area? Ah. So travel out of your area and find one. Once you get it then start donating.
Growing up as kids we had porridge for breakfast. Dripping on bread with pepper and salt was a school lunch staple. Plenty of veges from our garden with rabbit, chicken and sometimes beef or mutton supplemented tea. We grew up with hand-me-down clothes passed on from cousins. I retired at 65 and never actually fully owned my own home until age 63 but employed 20 plus people for the last 20 years of my working life; during which time as a philanthropic activity we created a food security initiative in Africa supporting 2500+ people who live subsistence lives, have limited access to clean water, power etc. They live in traditional mud brick homes they build themselves. Over the 20 years of partnership none of these folk buried any of their children as a result of starvation and almost all of the folk get two meals of a maize based staple each day. Not a great benchmark but their children attend school and a number of orphans from these communities have advanced to university education. This has occurred without their governments support or intervention- no social security, begging or hospital care.
I guess what I was alluding to and perhaps poorly communicated is that our western benchmark for poverty differs significantly from that of poorer nations. I took one of my sons to Africa to view the work while he was at university, he now practices family law working with the broken in our NZ communities. Yes we have social problems in NZ and have a social obligation to assist in addressing these issues. However, making blanket handouts is not the answer. We need to find the balance between providing support and creating accountability and sometimes learn to stand back and give folk the opportunity to find their own solutions to overcoming the challenges that many of them face.
I respect your right to provide your opinion. Words have power to influence I.e. did Prof Hazeldine say “ kiwi business people lack the drive and grunt of Aussies” - is this his opinion or is this the writers opinion?? Where is the research to back up such statements..
There are things the govt could do to encourage businesses to invest in more than the 3bs. Incentives via tax or rates rebates to invest in plant and equipment. Offer business training for both the owner/manager. Provide incentives to upskill the workforce. Tax breaks to set up business in high unemployment regions.
None of this is rocket science, just neoliberal laziness.
Good suggestions, thanks Stephen! For a government that's promised economic growth, their actual policies don't seem to match well.
The current lot are all about the "dumb economy". They could make NZ a tax & regulatory haven like Bermuda or the Caymans, and its people would still leave for greener pastures. It's a hangover of the 1987 Syndrome - the (mostly) Boomers took a haircut on the sharemarket bubble, so they've put what they had left into the real estate bubble instead, which is where we are today. The axing of the proposed Science City in Wellington, along with other job cuts at Callaghan Innovation, hasn't helped either.
And I could add that a lot of academics are searching offshore for jobs!
I sincerely hope that those running to higher wages and sunshine do not demand to return to NZ when (not if) the next pandemic hits. Yes, the one that epidemiologists say that will make Covid 19 look a picnic.
Australia handled the last pandemic relatively well, so it may be safer to remain there than getting on a plane. GD
Duncan, is there anyone in the media environment that doesn’t have a left leaning jaundice view on life? Continual negative feedback based on unsubstantiated opinions does nothing to assist getting our country back on its feet. We live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world without threat of war, famine or hunger, we have a social welfare system, clean water and reasonable health care. Our greatest threat is a negative media system and a general lack of gratitude from those who carry a growing sense of entitlement. “Do not say what can this country do for me but rather ask what can I contribute to make it all it can be”…
HI Keith. Thanks for your comments. Are you saying that my views are left-leaning and jaundiced and that my opinions are unsubstantiated? Just to clarify... Grant
No hunger? Mate where do you hang out? There is now a growing number of people who cannot afford both the exorbitant rents and food. Many of them work full time and more.Visit your local food bank today and start to build up your own picture free from The influence of these wicked left wing journalists. No food bank in your area? Ah. So travel out of your area and find one. Once you get it then start donating.
Hi Carolyn
Growing up as kids we had porridge for breakfast. Dripping on bread with pepper and salt was a school lunch staple. Plenty of veges from our garden with rabbit, chicken and sometimes beef or mutton supplemented tea. We grew up with hand-me-down clothes passed on from cousins. I retired at 65 and never actually fully owned my own home until age 63 but employed 20 plus people for the last 20 years of my working life; during which time as a philanthropic activity we created a food security initiative in Africa supporting 2500+ people who live subsistence lives, have limited access to clean water, power etc. They live in traditional mud brick homes they build themselves. Over the 20 years of partnership none of these folk buried any of their children as a result of starvation and almost all of the folk get two meals of a maize based staple each day. Not a great benchmark but their children attend school and a number of orphans from these communities have advanced to university education. This has occurred without their governments support or intervention- no social security, begging or hospital care.
I guess what I was alluding to and perhaps poorly communicated is that our western benchmark for poverty differs significantly from that of poorer nations. I took one of my sons to Africa to view the work while he was at university, he now practices family law working with the broken in our NZ communities. Yes we have social problems in NZ and have a social obligation to assist in addressing these issues. However, making blanket handouts is not the answer. We need to find the balance between providing support and creating accountability and sometimes learn to stand back and give folk the opportunity to find their own solutions to overcoming the challenges that many of them face.
Hi Grant
I respect your right to provide your opinion. Words have power to influence I.e. did Prof Hazeldine say “ kiwi business people lack the drive and grunt of Aussies” - is this his opinion or is this the writers opinion?? Where is the research to back up such statements..
That was the opinion in the article cited. I qualified it further down by saying it's a stereotype. So I'm not taking it as fact.