NZ is now a mediocre country

[@lesterwyoung]

I have to agree. NZ is a shadow of the country I came to in 1971. Then, it was a country that got things done. The government in those days was made up of business people and farmers. Now, it's made up of people who leave school, go to university and then enter politics. They then govern from theory, not practical experience.

[@Maximustard]

And lots of woke foreigners telling us how racist the country is, ship them out

[@vumba1331]

I arrived in 1973 and the 'public service' was huge and bent on controlling everything. However, there was the feeling that overall it was for the country's good and so it operated reasonably well, with people generally ignoring government and just getting on with life and business. These days we now have big government back, after getting rid of it in 1984, and everybody thinks that government can fix everything, not realising that it is local and central government that got us into the current mess, therefore asking for more of the same to fix the problem/s is the height of stupidity. Add to this the insane carbon ideology and you have a recipe for disaster that is eagerly being pursued by wef ideologues who have never done an honest days work in their lives, just suck NGO and government tit. Meanwhile back at the ranch, they are pushing towards a separate development government to play the blame game to get paid for doing nothing on the basis that the world owes them a living. Nothing could be further from the truth and the reality is going to be brutal.

[@valeriehughes1008]

So correct! None of the current Labour have actually run a business or have worked in the real world and it shows in the stupid ideas they try to push.

[@FRED-gx2qk]

Fully agree I came at the time !😉

[@dave24-73]

70s and 80s NZ was a great place to be, totally agree.

[@chrismckellar9350]

Yep, NZ is a mediocre middle income OECD country that has a low paid, predominantly service and consumer based, high imports of most everyday items, small domestic manufacturing base, low financial return service (tourism) and raw product export economy. Damien Grant is right, NZ doesn't have a cost of living crisis we are just poor.

[@donreeves4039]

"Mediocre", that's a joke its lucky if it's keeping its head above broke,angry and uninviting.

[@mikewalters5815]

If the labour party gets back in with its running partner the M....party you might call us new Zimbabwe 🇿🇼

[@rod-contracts1616]

Add the G party and it'd be such a glorious mess it'd almost be worthwhile as an "I told you."

[@NotSoAlarmed]

Can you imagine? Like Zimbabwe we'll see that exodus to Aussie ramp up. I was one who escaped over there in 2005. Came back for elderly parents. I haven't ruled out heading back over there.

[@toycollector10]

New Aociania.

[@neillewis785]

yes we were that close to being a banana republic ,

[@poncholarpez6233]

After working in the development industry, I can tell you the majority of the problem is the green environmental regulation in this country

[@lindamckenzie6500]

Hear hear..

[@John-br6us]

We all know it but never hold the politicians accountable, or more to the fact they never take responsibility

[@badchefi]

I bet you don’t take responsibility for most of your choices.

[@kenhorlor5674]

Only mediocre? Clown world more like.

[@chriscollins6978]

Glad some are more realistic

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

🤡🌏honk!

[@badchefi]

Yep - you are a clown alright.

[@valeriehughes1008]

I would agree with this... this Government has rendered us totally uninteresting to the world...the cost of living out of control, the people are depressed with the extreme woke and racist policies that won't work and the majority don't want them anyway, farmers are depressed as farming is made so very difficult and the margins are so low, there is no incentive to grow your business as you will be hit by further taxes or the like, every which way you turn there is some extreme nonsense being dished out...only the bureaucrats (which is an enormously growing industry) do well living off the taxpayer purse contributing little of value and demanding much.

[@badchefi]

No, you did that to yourself by going online and reading misinformation spread by foreign enemies - now you bite the heads off the ones that care for you - get help buddy.

[@silverslaya]

Don't blame the government. It starts with the individual then the family then the community and flows from there

[@lindamckenzie6500]

I am of an age where l can look back and see enormous change that has taken place especially the last 10 years, Totally unrecognisable .Gone is that comfortable feeling of living somewhere where you feel safe and you could trust your Drs, Scientists, the legal system your health system , politicians and legal authorities Now there is serious feeling of mistrust and one no longer feels like you can rely on anyone.We seem to be going backwards with less freedoms , sad state of affairs.

[@lynnebarnes3840]

After Chippy Hipkins, made it clear he would smear any woman trying to speak and deny her police protection to do so, I feel.posotivly threatened in this country The saying has changed, She'll be right ? Not in New Zealand she won't.

[@urbanegorilla6005]

Forced diversity means that mediocrity is just a stepping stone on the path to failure.

[@FRED-gx2qk]

Kudos for that

[@benjy288]

There's not enough red heads in parliament, how are red heads voices supposed to be heard when there's no red heads to represent them!

[@badchefi]

At least you are honest in calling yourself a monkey - I bet even a Gorilla has more smarts than you.

[@wood_rat]

Get a grip loon ffs LOL

[@matthewrawnsley8131]

He's not wrong

[@sidnzrael2433]

Socialism...breeds mediocrity.

[@stewatparkpark2933]

Yeah , equality of outcome rather than equality of opportunity . Downward spiral .

[@chrismckellar9350]

So do capitalist nationalism where the wealthy expect the low paid workers to look after them.

[@ChrisBNisbet]

Oh, I thought it bred poverty, but you could be correct as well.

[@trevorstewart8]

Only if you let it. Democratic Socialism on the other hand allows for small inputs of controlled intervention to right the ship and keep it on course for "the greater good". We have too many sucking on the govt teat and not producing.

[@geoffmorgan2794]

@@ChrisBNisbet Socialism needs poor people!!

[@waynemckenzie2757]

Adern sabotaged us !!

[@basilwatson1]

Adern was just the dumbest of the lot, the kike D'key sold us down the road , and before that it was Bolger ( climate change Rio 1991 ) ,,,, and on and on ....the 63% of never had it so goods that did "fk all" to stop the rot have to bear a lot of the blame imho.

[@MikhailKrilov]

Yes, that smiling donkey (ja) made off with millions and made the whole nation so much worse off. A legacy of destruction and mass poverty. Bringing NZ closer to her 'utopia' and of course opting not to live there. Wonder why...

[@kevinansley7353]

The last government with any thought for the future was National under Muldoon, the current lot can't even see the sense of having oil refining capability or local shipping companies.

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

...far quits!

[@badchefi]

We can refine oil in your backyard with basic equipment - wise up and do your homework on the ins and outs.

[@ChrisBNisbet]

Meh, we're just getting started. Wait until electricity prices double, as predicted by outgoing electricity exec. Wait until we really start getting into trying to implement net zero nonsense. James Shaw told us it meant significant change and he was not kidding. Tough times are coming. Buy a generator, and a jumper.

[@lynneades4632]

Are you referring to the communist parasite one?

[@chriscollins6978]

Hear hear

[@AlanFarquharson-bi8mt]

Nothing wrong with realism or speaking the truth to our current economic and political situation. Patriotism doesn't enter into it.

[@spychodog]

I would say that "mediocre" (ie adequate but not that great) would actually be an aspirational goal for nz right now.

[@JH-kd6hs]

Shame we don't do aspirational goals any more. We'll never get to 'mediocre'

[@badchefi]

Maybe it’s time for you to go and life somewhere else to get some form of reality check.

[@badchefi]

@@JH-kd6hs you speak for yourself - how does it feel to be a demoralised looser?

[@jaspervanp2346]

Rhodesia springs to mind..

[@spadgm]

Welcome to New Zimbabwe, enjoy your stay.

[@MrADTNZ]

love this guy.

[@NotSoAlarmed]

I remember when NZ was referred to as "the miracle economy of the South Pacific." That was around 2012 - 2015. I even came back from Aussie at a time when it was still booming. High employment, loads of opportunities. Not like that now. If it wasn't for family commitments I'd be heading back over the ditch. Still might have to. The sad thing is it seems Kiwis will vote for more of the same in October. So the prediction is it will have to hit absolute rock bottom before Kiwis wake up and smell the coffee. Also sad to observe that the opposition think that the way to beat Labour is to join them, just be more efficient in the destruction.

[@lancecleary8160]

I fully agree, I came back & I was pretty shocked how good key had nz running, then labour got in & o boy what a complete pack of idiots to run a country, I packed up my family of 7 & headed back to Australia, so glad I did

[@optimumperformance]

Welcome to the great reset

[@davidboyd8113]

I was told about 30 years ago that New Zealand will end up a slightly richer cousin than Fiji so have a look at Fiji and that’s what New Zealand will become

[@vumba1331]

Coconut Republic.

[@austinbrown275]

Fiji roads way better, prices fixed on staple food necessities, pay less tax, people are happier, so who has it right??? and Fiji 1 news 90% in English go figure.

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

"Bull'aaaarh"☝🥴

[@davidboyd8113]

@@vumba1331 Banana

[@urbanegorilla6005]

@@davidboyd8113 Kumara

[@lightforce3642]

We've been divided by this crap woke government ,give Kiwis their freedoms back, less nanny state a woke politics

[@370suzuki]

Its the crap Labour Govt wake up NZ

[@staffheart1]

It's not rocket science 🚀 Drill baby Drill

[@sue.F]

While the mainstream media report on politics as if it’s an episode of Celebrity Island, and a lot of MPs play it this way: is it any wonder the electorate remain ignorant.

[@badchefi]

You got your shows mixed up - too much propaganda demoralised you.

[@crazyfokker937]

It feels like a third world country with internet banking

[@mervyncave5263]

NZ became mediocre when everybody thought they should go to university and get a highly paid job in the bureaucracy or as a lawyer

[@Mr_Spliffy]

New Zimbabwe

[@donreeves4039]

yeah, without the good weather.

[@vumba1331]

​@@donreeves4039 So very true!

[@skaxman99]

The bureaucracy in NZ is far too big. Too many inquiries, govt departments, administrators, working groups, consultants and advisors means nothing gets done and problems in NZ get worse. We have roads literally falling apart and infrastructure a mess, education becoming too 'academic', woke and failing. Look at Te Pukenga...Also too many ministries of _____(you name it) We screwed up big time thinking this was all okay. The whole thing is a big mess! Tbh, Luxon may be not the most interesting but at least hes been consistent on this^

[@chrismckellar9350]

Luxon and his little buddy David haven't got any solutions on how to sort out 37 year addiction to 'for profit at least cost' neoliberal economic and governance used by successive governments that has created the current economic, social, infrastructural and housing mess where the country is spending more on import than what is earned from low financial return service and raw product exports.

[@skaxman99]

@@chrismckellar9350 out of interest who would you vote for in the upcoming election?

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

Even if you got rid of all the current parties and voted for say Brian Tamaki, the controllers would just send in the 'Junited Nations'!🤷🏻‍♂️

[@chrismckellar9350]

@@Peter_Pepper_Love - You love your conspiracy theories;)

[@chrismckellar9350]

@@skaxman99 - Haven't decide yet. Who are you voting for?

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

It doesn’t take the brain of Britain to work this out. The whole of the democratic western world is hell bent on self destruction. It’s just worse in New Zealand where the inhabitants have had a death wish for about forty years! I moved from New Zealand in 1988 when I realised this was happening. Now Australia is trying hard to catch up with New Zealand and coming up with climate change policies, etc. which will harm the Australian economy and help countries such as Russia, China and India

[@NotSoAlarmed]

I'd escape back to Aussie if I didn't have familiar commitments here, but what they're doing over there in attempting to follow NZ to nutsville with climate and The Voice makes me pause.

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

@@NotSoAlarmed yes, sit back and watch! I definitely would pause at the moment. I just don’t understand the left’s logic. Hopefully this Labor government will only last one term.

[@MrDCrosswell]

Once upon a time, the belief was `New Zealand punches above its weight', and it was true ... then. And I can tell you exactly when the slide began: when Labour banished national conscription. The army would finish off the job incompetent parenting had barely begun, and that put some spine into the country. Once, 19 year olds ran up beaches with a rifle in their hands, and hopefully, that's not going to be happening in the future. But these days, those same 19 year olds need a safe space to go to to get their feelings back together. There are other aspects which have and still do contribute, and these factors have to be looked at also.

[@peterrhodes5663]

The British army was a training organization for IRA members. Training people here to use weapons, and how the armed forces operate isn't a good idea when 16% of the population think that they qualify as owners of NZ and everything that goes with it, and want the remainder relegated to second class citizens.

[@basilwatson1]

yes and no, totally agree on incompetent parenting, ( by design) giving people incentives not to have a stable family ( especially boys ) Fathers? have been demonized. When I was back in NZ the teenagers I met were good kids , a bit naughty but good, Feminism, later on "the new age bollox" , introduced by Robert Muller back in the 80s Rogernomics, all introduced by design and all the while the "niceness, kindness " of people has been weaponized and used against them, Its getting to the point where "good people will have to do bad things " At this point in time , calling a spade a spade UNITEDLY is still a viable option. 1: the parasites in Wellington need to be removed and jailed. 2; A bad person is a bad person regardless of race. 3; People, who do not stand for integrity are cowards and need to be reminded of that ( only 11 people complained about that awful poem by that Samoan lady ). finally : "just doing my job " is no longer an excuse all imho !

[@dave24-73]

And still heading backwards I’m afraid to say.

[@rod-contracts1616]

Governments have typically been lacking in areas, but the current lot set a new low for competence, in virtually everything. Only 1 or 2 members of the government would make it in the private sector. Add their woke stupidity like co-governance and growing mediocrity is being deeply embedded for a long time ahead.

[@FRED-gx2qk]

Sean you are doing some good spadework much appreciated !!!🧐Building is woeful

[@gregwells8764]

now ? now ? sorry left 25 years ago because of the BS. an effin lot did.

[@stewatparkpark2933]

And many more will leave . Leaving the dregs behind .

[@basilwatson1]

yup 23 years ago ...and yes the grass IS greener .... have a paid for; house, car, don't work like a slave, and could afford to send my oldest boy to private education ( waste of money ) NEVER could do that in NZ

[@DW_Kiwi]

Quality of the immigrants that we allow in.

[@fordprefect80]

I agree spot welding won't fix it but perhaps a decapitation will. All the best from Australia.

[@galvestonbragg9718]

lol well said mate, though Aussie isn't looking much better.

[@fordprefect80]

@@galvestonbragg9718 Yes I totally agree. We're on a downward slope.

[@JH-kd6hs]

Did you acknowledge the traditional owners of Australia before posting that comment?

[@optimumperformance]

Over regulation aka communism

[@maidaursuladawn44glasgow3]

I am in that Head Space I am so upset with they way we are going violence seems to be the answer to most things we don’t seems to be able to deliver a decent education for our children and our Health services are under funded. We have to now cope with this Woke Gender War on our women and our Free Speech seem to have gone out the window. When it comes to our last 4 Governments they have all contributed to this mess instead of fixing our problems we are making new ones which we won’t be able to fix either.

[@Harkness197]

My wife and I were born here in NZ and tbh, we are looking at starting a family in the near future and are seriously considering moving to Aus.

[@Graham-fo8zv]

You will have far more opportunities in Aus. Good for you.

[@dontcomply3976]

Yup self-sabotage That explains everything

[@billhanna8838]

Look as Ardern said If we just keep taking the boosters & Dont forget the 6 month old babies & pregnant mothers Itll be fine ... They are free Yaaa ??????????????

[@MikhailKrilov]

Take a look at the public record of land ownership in NZ. You will see who owns the majority of the land and what they do with it.

[@barefootonasandybeach638]

Sadly Oliver is correct.

[@sonpollo8995]

Sad but true. The real estate market has destroyed the quality of life for everyone.

[@gregsmith2164]

that is the sad truth. the john key legacy. made the aussie banks so much money the gave him an award.

[@sonpollo8995]

@@gregsmith2164 Thank goodness for Jim Anderton and kiwibank...otherwise NZs sole purpose would be to enrich Australian banks. NZers are literally enslaved to Australian banks.

[@Leonthefirst.]

It's the country where everyone does not quite enough, but still hold onto their positions , and still what a slap on the back and to be congratulated.

[@skaxman99]

Yep agree, the bureaucracy in NZ is far too big. Too many inquiries, govt departments, administrators, working groups, consultants and advisors means nothing gets done and problems get worse.

[@andreatodd3095]

Agree, medals for everyone....for doing very little other than making headlines.

[@fairpolicycommentary]

There is not enough gratitude for the work you are covering, Sean! Thanks heaps! In this debate, I counterargue Oliver Hartwich. The introduction of MMP was never a milestone in a decline. New Zealand had the 3rd largest GDP per capita in 1950 (US and Switzerland were in the lead) but then, there was not enough innovation here. Besides, Anglo-Saxon societies have had slow social progress, some elements of the 1215 Magna Charta are still in law even in New Zealand. The decline is broader and deeper than what Oliver described.

[@peterrhodes5663]

Nanny state. Nanny is getting older and worse. She's had all her jabs, so maybe she'll be gone soon.

[@grandadneal8114]

Heard a great line...re crime I think, this is typical of Aotearoa, wouldn't have happened in New Zealand

[@michaelnewzealand1888]

MANGA. Make Aotearoa New Zealand Great Again.

[@kotukuwhakapiko467]

Mediocre is a compliment...aren't we Chinese since 2000s ?

[@skaxman99]

The next Fiji, Zimbabwe or South Africa or a combination of a few of these countries.

[@PontificusPinion]

"The South Africa of the South Pacific". Yep.

[@skaxman99]

@@PontificusPinion yep! Embarrassed! So sad :(

[@paulthomson2288]

Too many people reliant on government support. And the more money government throws at a problem the worse it gets.

[@ooo-vc4xl]

NZ has slipped from having the highest standard of living per capita in the 1950's to somewhere ranked in the 30's. We are stuck between a rock and hard place. Tyranny of distance and many very small companies without economies of scale. We can't grow any faster as we cant build fast enough - there are no economies of scale in building either - each house is unique. And if we do grow faster we end up with all the other capacity constraints like the health system and absolute, not per capita, emissions targets. We do need to reform the tax system. It must be aimed at the productive use of capital, not the previously appalling worst use of capital buying an existing house and renting it out for free capital gain. We could have lower labour and company taxes if we had environmental taxes, capital gains taxes and wealth taxes. This would help rebalance the use of capital in NZ to productive use. Capital at the moment simply seeks the nearest tax free hole to fill.

[@daylightcaper812]

I can only hope that October 14, changes something as I know so many that are considering leaving this country.

[@donreeves4039]

Any person under 35 should get the hell out of this broken Country, I include Maori in my advice it's not going to be any better for 95% of them either.

[@Alex55455]

Already planning my exit from NZ should Labour get back in.

[@njd2342]

We are just another Pacific Island nation like Fiji and Samoa and just need more overseas investment from ...... China?

[@stewatparkpark2933]

Yeah , just a glorified South Pacific Island .

[@Sharpy7562]

So true after travelling dozens of country not getting value for money anymore Would leave at drop of hat when cash up KiwiSaver having always loved the world you live once in own identity and body not forced into others identities and false collectives

[@annatetiad.4991]

NZ has sold every public asset to "stakeholder" now making a profit off all working Kiwis (energy/food/building materials). Our grocery prices are obscene considering we can feed our own - our gubemint decides NOT to feed Kiwis first. Every other country subsidizes exports so that they feed their own first, yet here - the taxpayers are doing this. Then we are paying 15% GST on food - something that no other country in the world does. Do you see how the people on the ground are getting rorted and ripped off at every corner. Yet the gubermint isn't going to do anything about it because they are raking in the cash.

[@Scott_Bradbury]

NZ is now a 3rd world country with a subscription to being called a 1st world country and a bank account that won't cover the next install.

[@Battleneter]

Don't be ridiculous NZ is a wealth developed first world country using nearly any metric, but yes I would agree its been slipping in a number of areas in recent years especially.

[@Scott_Bradbury]

@@Battleneter It really isn't. Healthcare is not 1st world, transport is not 1st world, cost of living vs wages are not 1st world. Can't think of much that is.

[@Battleneter]

@@Scott_Bradbury I have traveled through multiple truly 3rd world countries, seriously you have no idea what you are talking about when you use that term. Every person in every country is complaining about the cost of living atm. NZ wages sit in the middle of the OECD, NZ has the 4th highest minimum wage rate on the planet, NZ is not as low pay as some Kiwis seem to believe.

[@Scott_Bradbury]

@@Battleneter Those figures mean nothing when you don't take into consideration exchange rates. NZ cost of living vs income is ridiculous and the minimum wage being forced up 40% in the last few years only fuels the inflation. It also destroys the businesses, many of which are closing down all across the country, especially in more rural areas. I've travelled many places in the world, including places like Afghanistan so I do know what I am talking about. 1st and 3rd world are both on a scale and I see NZ as being closer to the 3rd than the 1st in many aspects for a growing number of people. If you have money, most 3rd world countries are 1st world, same goes for NZ. But if you base it off your average young adult, NZ is screwed.

[@Battleneter]

@@Scott_Bradbury lol its converted to $US, do you need help using Google or something?

[@angusielts7.00]

When this fellow talks about over-regulated building materials, I can't help thinking about all those leaky homes at the beginning of the 2000s.

[@paultownsend8443]

I am 66 left new Zealand to live in Vietnam more stable no crime good growth rate New Zealand totally unstable crime out control economy tanking

[@NikkiHjorth]

Here here! We patriotic New Zealanders have the right and need to speak up to fix our island nation from geopolitical induced self destructive policies.

[@scorpnz4433]

Majority of people on the planet are mediocre. Where do you think tall poppy comes from. People who achieved nothing attempting to bring down those that did, just to make themselves feel better about their choices of not being where they'd like to be, due to accepting their lot in life instead of getting off their backside & taking the first step of many

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

We are all greater than we presently realize. And somehow we sense this, which only serves to make us even more frustrated and insecure...with our lot. I believe we are all mind wiped at birth, suffering from amnesia ...and here we are unaware of our greatness🤷🏻‍♂️

[@rod-contracts1616]

Agree. I've always known I wasn't particularly smart but by working hard and training myself, myself, unfunded by anyone else, I'm in the top 10% financially. That's not a heck of a lot, more that the vast majority are more laid back, and in retirement, envious.

[@DynoTrex]

The covid lockdowns killed this country. NZ is not the place I wanna live. Considering moving to Australia.

[@marjorieesteakley1982]

🎯💯🔔 moving won't help. Only organizing and arming and training can stop this.

[@colincameron5219]

Over 30 percent of our landmass is in national parks which cost money to maintain. Which is not used as off setting our emissions because they were created before 1989. Can't use a fraction of the resources that is underneath those parks. Yet any other western nation would. Look at Aus but then the loopy greens complain about the cost of student loans want free health care free this free that and look how much you can make in Aus. Then let's use our resources

[@ericschin328]

It's true I moved to Europe 6 months ago and it's much nicer here fingers crossed I get a work visa so I can move my business here I'll be happy to never fund a New Zealand government again...

[@simonrainey8573]

So true

[@22grena]

The AB's put you on the map but now another island are the All Greens.

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

One thing sadder than living vicariously through the national sports team is living...the green 🤢dream🤯

[@NAMDNYH]

NZ should gather a dozen or so people like Oliver and form a genuine non-partisan think tank. These people are available and would be keen to participate (I know several of them). This body could be coupled with a citizens referenda group as in Ireland. These folk could be charged with the task of drawing up a blueprint for NZ's long term future. They coul examine and advise on subjects such as climate change, the economy, agriculture, education, health, social welfare, security etc. I think such a scheme could be extraordinarily useful and the politiicans would have to take note. To continue to blunder along as we have done to date is just hopeless.

[@rod-contracts1616]

I don't know how many he works with but he's already doing pretty much what you suggest. The problem however is not enough of the public take notice and of course the lefty MSM and politicians are too focused on woke, green, and socialist nonsense.

[@gregsmith2164]

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[@PontificusPinion]

Nope. That kind of thinking is part of the problem. That a small committee of non-existent non-partisan masterminds can successfully micro-manage every aspect of our economy and lives as part of some grand plan or national vision. A courageous government needs to scrap all the useless agencies, regulations and taxes, streamline and reform the useful ones, then get da fark out of the way so people can grow their incomes, start or expand their businesses, and live their best lives.

[@annatetiad.4991]

@@PontificusPinion from the bottom up (not the top down) - grassroots people starting over

[@sclark9011]

NZ MEDIAWOKRITY I aghree 100% Oliver . way too many snouts in the trough fresh out of university and other paper holders with no other substance to back up what they did at uni lectures all those years.....fell asleep? read another book? did another overdue assignment in that lecture?? hung over from student hazing parties??

[@rachelabbott9393]

Right on! Over regulated in all the wrong areas too! We seem to enjoy making everything extremely difficult /out of reach, for the everyday person. Why is that?

[@danbassman1760]

Well at least you are doing better than we are in the US so count your blessings!

[@geoffreywilliams9324]

'Spot welding solution' I like it . .

[@FRED-gx2qk]

Hartwich is Grand !!!🧐

[@francishooper9548]

As a Kiwi living in Australia I strongly discourage people, especially females, from visiting NZ. It is just to dangerous.

[@Battleneter]

lol NZ is rated as one of the safest countries in the world and out ranks Australia on multiple indexes, so I guess don't visit Australia either :P

[@titiwhai]

We build almost double the OECD average but also have the highest migration ("where did that little bit of xenophobia come from?").

[@donnajamieson1775]

So we'll said

[@Sharpy7562]

Would never pay the prices expected now for quality of housing in nz rather have the cashflow for an escape plan

[@mashelalnaar]

Need to do what Uganda has done.

[@68arclight]

NZ exceptionalism has seen a slow burn to where it is today.

[@LanceRoulston]

I think OZ is heading down a similar path to us

[@petertaylor9016]

Agreed...

[@anzacman5]

She'll-be-right Land regulated. Bad combo.

[@marjon888]

Don't worry.Lucky boy Luxon and lovely Nicky will sort everything out.

[@donreeves4039]

A donkey in a cheap suit could do a better Job than labour has done.

[@ala-hc4rx]

Will do a hell of alot better than this useless lot .health ,education ,crime and a separate society .stuffed everything in 8 yrs

[@lynneades4632]

Doesn't he attend the same clubs as the last pm?

[@williamcrawford3241]

Love platform but 13 dollars I think I've said way over priced when I'd like too be able to afford a decent movie channel for the family, you need to go back too your think tank ,5 dollars and you might find a he'll lot more followers. ❤

[@bbtdltd8081]

We are where the largest voting demographic sent us to be when they chose MMP.

[@russellturner1909]

Sook leave then good riddance.

[@barbarathomas2561]

Yeah well Plunket's pretty mediocre, and his overall expression is cynical. And this so-called commentator published in The Australian (not in any NZ media platform). He is most decidedly South African. So perhaps the ref to Zimbabwe in the comments is appropriate. You can't hark back to so called 'good old times'. Things have changed. We have all social media now for one thing. You have to keep moving towards the future, whatever that means .....may entail. MAke the right decisions, responses, for this time.

[@matthewrawnsley8131]

Time to wake up Barbara, New Zealand is in serious trouble.

[@Michael7477]

Your comment doesn't make much sense. Where is the connection with South Africa? And is a NZ think tank an Australian platform?

[@stewatparkpark2933]

The future for NZ is a dismal poverty stricken backwater .

[@adiudicium]

That's an ad hominem, criticism should be of content and there is good reason to be concerned about where the nation is going whether you are born here or immigrated later and made it home. Started in 2017 in a good position to handle something coming around the corner like a recession and through bad management the nation might just end up being like Greece through the GFC. Bankrupt. We've been through these cycles before and that's the valid point of yours as that's why people are concerned. As a nation, we need to respond correctly, and not by doubling power pricing leaving the elderly in pensions freezing in their homes. The seventies were tough, with high inflation and interest as well as a huge government deficit so why have they printed money to take us back there again? That's without any big projects, at least Think Big had a few aims like making the nation less dependent on imported fuels for power generation and diversifying the export base. Those that don't learn the lessons of the past are destined to repeat it.

[@chrismckellar9350]

@@matthewrawnsley8131 - Yep thanks to 37 year addiction to 'for profit at least cost' neoliberal economic and governance used by successive governments creating the current economic, social, infrastructural and housing mess where the country is spending more on import than what is earned from low financial return service and raw product exports.

[@orangeranger7644]

Its been mediocre for the last 40 years