E2NZ.org

The ignorance of the people who posted these responses is mindblowing. Maybe it’s just down to a refusal to listen to/consider any explanation of these factors that are the “worst things about New Zealand.” Normally I wouldn’t bother responding to such a post, accepting that people with such negative mindsets are not going to accept anything I say, but seeing as I’m procrastinating the report I should be writing, I might as well…

“1. Housing prices”
Given that buying a 3 bedroom, 100sqm apartment in any city in Spain would set you back at the very least $500,000 NZD, we should count ourselves lucky that owning our own home by the time we’re 50 is a realistic possibility.

“2. Cannabis Laws.”
You have to be joking… For the record, I am strongly pro-legalisation of cannabis, but how is the fact that it remains illegal one of the worst things about this country? Are you under the impression that we’re one of the only countries in the world where it isn’t legal?

“5. The quality of television these days.”
If only having 4 dedicated free-to-air channels plus 100 odd channels on Sky is one of the things you hate most about this country, then there really can’t be a lot else to hate…

“2 crime
3 benefit dependency”
If you eliminate either one of these, the other will increase. Think about it. Who is most likely to sit on the unemployment benefit for a long period of time? Someone who wants something for nothing. What will happen if you no longer offer them the benefit? Will they think, “right, better get a job then” or will they get something for free by stealing it?

“3.) military don’t seem to be prepared for anything. in all honesty, what would happen if we were attacked? would we be able to fight back?”
The military don’t NEED to be prepared for an attack, because the chance of New Zealand being invaded is about the same as it being struck by a meteor. Firstly, who would attack us? Australia? Nope… USA? Nope… Iran? North Korea? Well, they might want to, but how do you suppose they would get from their respective country to New Zealand without being noticed? The international repercussions for any country invading ANY other country, let alone New Zealand, are/would be immense. In short, it will never happen. Guaranteed.

“4.) … police not responding to 111 calls …”
The police don’t not respond to calls because they can’t be bothered, it is because they have LIMITED resources, so must prioritise what calls they do receive in order of urgency. If you want a police force with enough resources to cover all calls that come in, it needs more funding. More funding requires higher taxation. Higher taxation is, presumably, something you are strongly against. Get your own priorities right – would you prefer a lower tax rate with less services, or a higher tax rate with more services? One thing that pisses ME off about this country is the disturbing amount of people who don’t seem to understand this concept…

“4 Constantly comparing ourselves to Australia…. What about Denmark?? Voted Worlds Most Happiest People!!!”
Nothing really to say to this, just want to point out that Denmark also has the highest personal tax rates in the world. Very few New Zealanders could possibly conceive being happy while paying tax rates of 50%

“5. Bad driving habits: indicating at the last minute, pulling out in front of you and crawling along, speeding up in overtaking lanes, lack of awareness of and consideration for other road users.”
You have clearly done very little travelling in your life… Ever been to South America? No? What about Italy, Spain or France? No? Then don’t make claims like that unless you have something to compare it to.

“1. Our healthcare system going backwards towards user pays. sure it needs a shake up but privatising things isn’t going to help the most vulnerable.”
I agree entirely, but also accept that socialised healthcare systems require a lot of funding, so I hope you’re not one of the majority of Kiwis who are on the ‘lower taxes’ bandwagon

“5. The price of meat and dairy products considering we are a farming nation.”
The prices we pay in shops have to reflect prices the producers can get by exporting these products overseas. Sure, they could strictly limit the amount exported and thereby make it MUCH cheaper for us to buy, but given that our economy is highly dependent on agriculture, doing so would make us a much poorer nation.

I would go on, but I can’t be bothered wasting any more of my time.

Don’t like the country? Then get out. No one’s keeping you here. Hope the grass you find really is greener.

via Motella. If New Zealand were a motel (photo is funny)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_frPILdvPYyI/TEuV4ohE_AI/AAAAAAAADcU/SCDpxcBLGOM/s1600/634069017940116965-welcometoourmotel.jpg
the article -
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10660540

1) parliment act like a bunch of 6year olds ive seen prliment tv
2)the schools arnt big i would know coz i go to primary we have over 500 students with not enough land
3)john key is the worst ever primeminister to select we should have chose helen clark ya she was ugly but she was awsome at her job
4)1 news fair go close up they just really p*** me off

No matter how hard kiwis try to pretend that they live in the ‘perfect country’, it is obvious New Zealand is steadily heading downhill. Its time kiwis stop ignoring the facts and face up to the reality of the real New Zealand.

In my opinion, New Zealand is a slow, lifeless and mindless country that leaves no room for inspiration.

Some of the main issues within New Zealand in my opinion are as follows:

1. Racism: Yes, New Zealand is a racist country. People do still get judged by their race and skin colour. We are living in 2012 for goodness sake!

2. No sense of identity: New Zealand is loosing its sense of unique culture and identity. Lets face it, there i so much multi-culturalism existing that no one knows where they fit in. The only sense of nationalistic pride is the All Blacks. Yes they are awesome, but its sad think that the only thing we can be proud of is having a good rugby team. Then again we also have more sheep than anywhere else in the world.

3: Government: No idea what a democracy is. They just do what they want when they want. The people opinions of coarse have no significant importance.

4. Unemployment: If you want a job – you’ll probably have to go to Australia.

5. Expensive to live: Even those odd people that do manage to score themselves secure employment struggle to pay their bills as food, clothing and accommodation prices are increasing. It costs most people in Auckland an average of $400-$600 a week just to rent an average family sized home. Wages are incredibly low and most people have to work full time to support their families because of this very reason. Its a sad fact that over 270,000 kids live in poverty in New Zealand and have to be given breakfast at school because their parents can not provide this for them. One could ask, where are these parents spending most of their money as little as it may be?

6. Social system: High crime rates. High teenage suicide rates. High family violence rates. High alcohol and drug abuse rates. Young people have no sense of direction. Those that do have aspitratiosnend up migrating to other countries where there is so much more opportunity.

7. Weather: NZ is a cold damp country, houses are poorly insulated and its rains just about every day. Summer lasts about a week and then back to the cold, damp weather we’re all used to.

8. Lifeless: Yes, New Zealand has breathtaking scenery and beautiful beaches, yet you do get sick of looking at paddocks full of sheep day in and day out. New Zealand is lacking in enthusiasm and excitement. Lets face it, NZ is an extremely boring place. Its a one dimensional, uncharacteristically dull country where there is simply nothing to do. If you want to try any of the extreme activities such a s bungee jumping, skiing or white water rafting, you’ll probably have to be a rich tourist.

Having been in NZ for 9 months now, from UK, I would add this to what others have contributed:

1. Abysmal TV and interminable poor grade advertising rant approach
2. Weather over estimated. Rains more than in UK (EXCEPT THIS EXCEPTIONAL YEAR)
3. Politicians are inept and can barely communicate in parliament.
4. Reporters are inane and toothless.
5. Incredible 10 mins of bull on rugby every 60 minute “news” broadcast.
6. Poverty and inequality in worst 5 countries in OECD and this has been newly aggravated deliberately by both major parties of government, since 1984.
7. Political correctness hypocrisy from all parties and public sector employees re Maori.
8. ACC and inability to sue – uniquely stupid and ineffective, non-accountable, expensive and iniquitous system beggaring belief.
9. Rude, incompetent and oblivious public sector administration, esp in INZ.
10. Cost of living, esp food and rents.
11. Caritable emphasis instead of decent public service ethic and provison: “good sorts”
12. Useless non intervention by government re earthquake damage.
13. Draconian tax system with no personal allowance and regressive taxes: poor pay more.
14 Two lane “motorways” (?) with stupid speed limits
15. Lack of taste of housing and no planning evidenced on beach fronts so development spoils them.

Good things:

beautiful South of South Island. Stunning Milford Sound. Caromandel. Hot water beach; most all of coastlines; light when sun is out; generally friendly people; eccentricity. Old style housing in Auckland and elsewhere. Spectacular Ship Creek beach on West coast of South Island. Open minded attitude to alternative therapies and willingness to contribute as citizens.