tehori

Just where is all this grinding poverty, dark satanic
mill living in NZ ?
I do realise we are a touch behind, we do not have tent citys during the winter here.

Avid

Well....in terms of GDP New Zealand ranks 27th, which makes it quite rich in terms of the entire planet but a bit poor if compared only to developed nations. So it's not really 'grinding poverty'...more like 'poor relatives'.

If there was some way to assess all the work that is done out here for 'cash, no receipt' then New Zealand might break into the top ten.

On the other hand, when the property market collapses later this year a lot of Kiwis (already mortgaged to the hilt) are going to be, on paper, worth nothing....but luckily modern economics changes the rules as it goes along, so this won't count.

southerner

The usual definitions of poverty (these days) are relative incomes vs average for the population. They therefore are more a measure of income distribution than anything else, and often reflect the Government of the day's policies on minimum wages and welfare. Depending on your political viewpoint relative measures of income (or wealth) may be easily compiled data, but actually irrelevant.

True poverty (IMO) is not being able to afford minimum levels of housing, health, education, energy and food. The Salvation Army and other agencies believe that demands for their services are increasing, in line with costs rising more than incomes (thats a worldwide thing at the moment), and also because of increasing substance dependencies, gambling and mental health issues.

So yes, poverty exists in NZ.

happynz

Nice of modern economics to allow a 'mulligan'.

mulligan - definition: Most simply put, a "do-over." Hit a bad shot? Take a mulligan and hit it again.

tehori

[QUOTE=Avid;6110520]Well....in terms of GDP New Zealand ranks 27th, which makes it quite rich in terms of the entire planet but a bit poor if compared only to developed nations. So it's not really 'grinding poverty'...more like 'poor relatives'.

If there was some way to assess all the work that is done out here for 'cash, no receipt' then New Zealand might break into the top ten.

GDP, a very rough measure of living standards.
Sounds like my cousin when he whines that life is
hard as he puts the boat on the trailer.
Or as he pulls another salmon in.
Or when I make him carry the pig out after
another days hunting.

The US and the UK have higher average wage
rates, but, the amount of homeless is obscene
for first world countries.
After all do we not have an excuse here, being
a second world country ?

Nerine

Someone chuck another pig on the fire please.

Bellasmum

careful Nerine. That pig may be closer to you than you think

Nerine

Somehow I doubt it.

bourbon-biscuit

I think poverty is alive and kicking in NZ- it's just the rich-poor gap is massive and there is an appalling relationship between ethnicity and poverty here.

Anyway, we all 'feel' like we're living in poverty when we shop in Pakn'Save or Pack-the-crap as my ten year old calls it

Kiwiprincess

Your ten year old is very astute.

lardyl

Just:

Nerine

(thought it would look better cooked)

lardyl

oink oink.................

Nerine

"Mariane-Tga" and "Baron silas Greenback" roasted up real fine

lardyl

hehe
served with a jous a la "rip-off merchant" madamme ?.....?