Does New Zealand have a 'Big Brother' culture?
Feb 1st 2008, 7:37 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 44
Does New Zealand have a 'Big Brother' culture?
My wife and I did a tour of New Zealand a couple of years ago. We decided to stay in Britain and moved from London to a remote part due to family ties and because we found an okay school. However, things are changing in out little corner too and we are starting to feel uneasy again.
What we really find hard to stomach is the ever encroaching surveillance culture. We detest endless CCTV, automatic number plate recognition, fingerprinting our children in schools, ID cards, speed cameras, dodgy databases etc. etc. It really has gone over the top and our lives don't feel private anymore.
Have these cultures spread to New Zealand? Does the New Zealand Government snoop on the people? Do they have plans for ID cards? Do they fingerprint people for passports?
We don't want to go from the frying pan to the fire. However, we found NZ and the Kiwis to be delightful and our children (aged three and five) are young enough for a complete new start. Also we have work qualifications on the skills list so it might all be possible.
But please, no more Big Brother!
What we really find hard to stomach is the ever encroaching surveillance culture. We detest endless CCTV, automatic number plate recognition, fingerprinting our children in schools, ID cards, speed cameras, dodgy databases etc. etc. It really has gone over the top and our lives don't feel private anymore.
Have these cultures spread to New Zealand? Does the New Zealand Government snoop on the people? Do they have plans for ID cards? Do they fingerprint people for passports?
We don't want to go from the frying pan to the fire. However, we found NZ and the Kiwis to be delightful and our children (aged three and five) are young enough for a complete new start. Also we have work qualifications on the skills list so it might all be possible.
But please, no more Big Brother!
Feb 1st 2008, 7:51 pm
#2
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 647
Re: Does New Zealand have a 'Big Brother' culture?
there is a big 'Bro' culture.....
Feb 1st 2008, 8:10 pm
#3
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,225
Re: Does New Zealand have a 'Big Brother' culture?
Awwww.....I was going to say that!
Feb 1st 2008, 9:11 pm
#4
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 10
Re: Does New Zealand have a 'Big Brother' culture?
My wife and I did a tour of New Zealand a couple of years ago. We decided to stay in Britain and moved from London to a remote part due to family ties and because we found an okay school. However, things are changing in out little corner too and we are starting to feel uneasy again.
What we really find hard to stomach is the ever encroaching surveillance culture. We detest endless CCTV, automatic number plate recognition, fingerprinting our children in schools, ID cards, speed cameras, dodgy databases etc. etc. It really has gone over the top and our lives don't feel private anymore.
Have these cultures spread to New Zealand? Does the New Zealand Government snoop on the people? Do they have plans for ID cards? Do they fingerprint people for passports?
We don't want to go from the frying pan to the fire. However, we found NZ and the Kiwis to be delightful and our children (aged three and five) are young enough for a complete new start. Also we have work qualifications on the skills list so it might all be possible.
But please, no more Big Brother!
What we really find hard to stomach is the ever encroaching surveillance culture. We detest endless CCTV, automatic number plate recognition, fingerprinting our children in schools, ID cards, speed cameras, dodgy databases etc. etc. It really has gone over the top and our lives don't feel private anymore.
Have these cultures spread to New Zealand? Does the New Zealand Government snoop on the people? Do they have plans for ID cards? Do they fingerprint people for passports?
We don't want to go from the frying pan to the fire. However, we found NZ and the Kiwis to be delightful and our children (aged three and five) are young enough for a complete new start. Also we have work qualifications on the skills list so it might all be possible.
But please, no more Big Brother!
Seriously though - totally agree - another reason to foxtrot oscar ASAP from the UK.
Feb 1st 2008, 9:26 pm
#5
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,225
Re: Does New Zealand have a 'Big Brother' culture?
Oh give NZ time - it will catch up.
Feb 1st 2008, 9:37 pm
#6
you dewty owld maan!
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: is practically perfect in every way
Posts: 5,565
Re: Does New Zealand have a 'Big Brother' culture?
already have controversy over the use of anti-Terror laws to "victimise" certain "groups".........
just do a Google on "Tame Iti" and "Terrorism Suppression Act" - you'll see where we are headed.
but CCTV coverage in NZ is pretty scant and most operators dont know how to use it evidentially (in my limited experience)
just do a Google on "Tame Iti" and "Terrorism Suppression Act" - you'll see where we are headed.
but CCTV coverage in NZ is pretty scant and most operators dont know how to use it evidentially (in my limited experience)
Feb 1st 2008, 10:34 pm
#7
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,285
Re: Does New Zealand have a 'Big Brother' culture?
The NZ authorities know most everything about you as you will realise when you fill in the forms for your visas.
At the moment I'd say there's less cctv but the population is much lower. If you are looking to 'go back in time' a bit, then it probably is a good choice.
At the moment I'd say there's less cctv but the population is much lower. If you are looking to 'go back in time' a bit, then it probably is a good choice.
Feb 1st 2008, 10:48 pm
#8
HAPPY AS...
Joined: May 2006
Location: Taupo
Posts: 1,068
Re: Does New Zealand have a 'Big Brother' culture?
There is quite a bit of database based info on you and your vehicles, seems LTNZ know everything, as I found out when my road user charge (deisel tax) ran out, and I tried to blag a couple of hundred Ks.:embaressed_smile:
Feb 2nd 2008, 12:35 am
#9
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,612
Re: Does New Zealand have a 'Big Brother' culture?
CCTV has just been installed in Woolworth, Nelson.
Feb 2nd 2008, 2:08 am
#10
you dewty owld maan!
Joined: Oct 2005
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Posts: 5,565
Feb 2nd 2008, 2:13 am
#11
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Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Auckland
Posts: 141
Re: Does New Zealand have a 'Big Brother' culture?
already have controversy over the use of anti-Terror laws to "victimise" certain "groups".........
just do a Google on "Tame Iti" and "Terrorism Suppression Act" - you'll see where we are headed.
but CCTV coverage in NZ is pretty scant and most operators dont know how to use it evidentially (in my limited experience)
just do a Google on "Tame Iti" and "Terrorism Suppression Act" - you'll see where we are headed.
but CCTV coverage in NZ is pretty scant and most operators dont know how to use it evidentially (in my limited experience)
And there are people that can analyse it following an incident. My company analyses and enhances CCTV images in NZ...
But if you've nothing to hide..... no problems...
Feb 2nd 2008, 3:34 am
#12
you dewty owld maan!
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: is practically perfect in every way
Posts: 5,565
Re: Does New Zealand have a 'Big Brother' culture?
What I have found though is that people who should know how it can help them in their work are loathe to get hold of it at an early stage.
Feb 2nd 2008, 4:05 am
#14
you dewty owld maan!
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: is practically perfect in every way
Posts: 5,565
