southerner

Agree that generally cost of living is high vis-a-vis incomes. I disagree it is because of rip-offs. Its more because incomes are low, that many costs are global costs; eg. oil, electronics, food etc, that land is in demand (perhaps overpriced), and that it is hard to get economies of scale like ASDA, Tescos, IKEA and the like can achieve. Tax is the same scale thing at work, it costs more per person to run a small country.

The only potential rip off that I am aware of is the surpermarket duopoly, but even then people can shop around if they want.

simonsi

Averages are pretty meaningless in this discussion, everyone will look at their own income and expenses before coming to an opinion, that is why there are no single answers to these sorts of discussions here.

Also, peeps who want to emigrate and are on here are statistically a self-selecting sample who have largely already come to the conclusion that NZ is better for THEM, irrespective of the UK average wage vs UK RPI or the NZ equivalents...

UK is a rip off for some things, NZ no doubt is for some things....which you buy affects you view as does your personal price sensitivity to those items....

No harm in the discussion obviously but you can´t expect everyone to fall into line with a view based on averages, everyone will compare their own cirumstances, thats what makes it fun!

JohnThePom

Oh it's fun! Now I'm starting to get it

Regarding the tax rate starting at zero.... the other side of the coin is that taxpayers in the UK can calim they are being ripped off because those on lower incomes get to enjoy the sate-provided benefits without contributing to the tax pot.

Not a view I particularly subscribe to, but just wanted to throw in another angle, there doesn't seem to be enough to argue about...

Maybe the problem is that coins are designed with two sides?? (or three if you're a pedant and include the edge, or one if your a topologist and consider only the surface... oh the possibilities are endless)

jennifer45

and you are priceless!
Bringing a smile to my face despite my virus wracked body. Cold Virus!

zoglet

I think benefits have been taxed in the UK since Thatcher came to power!

simonsi

Ha ha! so being taxed on a benefit equals a contribution does it???? So if your children gave you back 20% of their pocket money would you class that as helping towards the family income?

zoglet

I seem to remember that was the justification of the time.


[/QUOTE] So if your children gave you back 20% of their pocket money would you class that as helping towards the family income?[/QUOTE]

I'd class it as a bloody miracle!

Psychopandy

I have just heard an advert for a TV3 programme tonight at 7pm which is looking at this very issue. Comparing whether NZ rs are actually getting ripped off. Going to compare things like houses, supermarket shopping, days out etc - using Sydney, Auckland and London as a guide to work it out. Could prove interesting.

I reckon, as its made in NZ - the view will probably be that NZ is not a rip off - its just us that like to moan alot

Wilester

Would like to find out the results of that one if you dont mind doing a review

Psychopandy

Will see what i can do, i have set the planner to record it

mickey_d

Of course it will, especially when it's comparing to 2 areas which we already know are more expensive.

Psychopandy

Im glad its not just me thats a bit sceptical

Justcol

For an accurate comparison they should compare auckland with bradford or wakefield

Psychopandy

As it turns out it was about 10 minutes worth of a half hour consumer affairs programme.
They compared the value of
a day out - a trip up the London Eye
A trip up the Sky Tower
A trip up a larger tower in Sydney

Auckland won - Just
but having done the London eye and the sky tower - i would rather do the london eye.

a basket of shopping
milk - cheapest in London
cheese - london
beef - Auckland
Lamb - London
Chicken breasts - Sydney
Bread - Auckland
Quite ironic considering the amount of cheese, milk and lamb we have here!!

Bar charges - pint of beer, glass of wine, regular coffee

beer - comparatively the same all round
Coffee - Auckland
Wine - Around the same

But on the same programme, it also looked into how much of a pint you actually get if you order a pint of beer in NZ = most were around 3/4 pt - could you imagine trying to get away with that in the UK so maybe not so cheap after all.

Public transport
Auckland seemed to come out on top price wise but also provided a rather inferior service compared to the other two cities. Sydney was most expensive.

Car rental - cheaper in London by around $100 compared to Auckland.

Books and DVDs - Cheaper in London by around $10 for new releases.

Cinemas - per ticket - Auckland wins

Auckland $15.50
London $20
Sydney $22

Big mac
$7.70 Auckland
$8.50 Sydney
$8+ London

I find it curious that they used London, Sydney and Auckland rather than Wellington as that is the capital of NZ. It was also a programme with the bias on the tourist - as in how much they are paying for things having earned their money elsewhere and converted it to the NZ $.

They did confirm that the average NZ er is getting a pretty raw deal when you compare the average $100 per week less earnings than in the UK and $580 less per week compared to Sydney.

In Campbells own words - For the average Kiwi earning and spending the Kiwi $ it could - "Almost argueably make NZ a rip off"

And so say I x

I think Col has a point. Auckland may be our biggest city but if you are comparing it size wise and stuff - London is way out of its league. Just my opinion - no one needs to jump on my back

Psycho x

Wilester

Thanks for taking the time to do that