Stephen Jones

Here in the UK the economy is going to hell in a hand-cart...with unemployment rising and the Tories doing their best to create a low-wage serf economy, all under the guise of "balancing the books".

What's the feeling in NZ about long term prospects for both the economy and employment?

I would be especially interested in knowing peoples' views about the chances for the under-25s.


Steve

Charismatic

Rubbish, lots of graduates off to Australia and North America. They can earn a lot more money abroad, be promoted faster and for many there is also a lower tax burden on incomes.

Linky: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/educ...in-brain-drain

jmh

To be honest NZ is not the place I would recommend a youngster settle down in. Visit yes, but just passing through. I left there when I was 23, built up a career and travelled a lot. Now I'm approaching 50 NZ is the place for me!!

Genesis

I agree. I really hope my kids find another future elsewhere for their benefit. If I am still around (very doubtful!) I will miss them but NZ is probably the worlds biggest western civilised 'back water'. But alas not big enough ever to make the grade. We have just recently been down graded in our competivness. NZ is great if you are a kid or in the autumn of your life (like me and had enough of the throngs of people that is europe) or you manage to find a niche job and you don't want to set the world afire. I love lots about NZ (and hate lots of it too) but will always admit it is beautiful and wonderous on many levels but it is dull and not very vibrant on another level. Go to Oz mate. The day my kids do one and Kate has retired I think that is the day I pack up and go to Tazzy.

Boopy

I suppose it depends on the individual. My son was 19 yrs old when we came here...... wanted to be a laid back drop out! But NZ has offered opportunities that he wouldn't have taken up back home, due to the expectation of you not doing anything out of your normal. He's now a lovely 23 years old man & settled well, he loves Wellington, the night life is fantastic. He started Massey uni in Feb & now doing BSc Nursing, he's in love with a kiwi girl & they share a flat together. Life isn't easy for them, he has to work at weekends etc....... no student bursary like I got. But it's do able.... yes, he'll probably travel, but they'll be back when they're ready to settle down.
I guess, life is what you make it wherever you are

Jo-Chris

Hi,

I wouldnt agree with saying that NZ isn't suited to younger people. My husband and I emigrated to NZ last year when we were 28. We both have well paid jobs (I earn more here than I did in the UK and its the same job). You can get a bigger house for your money - in the UK all we could afford was a flat but in NZ we could get a three bed house with a garden.
I think it all depends on what you want out of life - if you have great career aspirations then NZ probably isnt for you but if you want a better lifestyle then NZ is perfect.

Genesis

Agree with you totally. As I said if you can find the right job for yourself and are happy to get along well without making big bucks for yourself NZ CAN be good. But why do you think soooooooooooooo many young people do one for their OEs? Because NZ is a tad dull, not noted for high culture or extreme variety and because so many places are simply much, much more interesting.

Dustybin

everywhere else is interesting if you haven't been, no matter where you are from...

Genesis

That is my point. The price to travel from NZ to the gretaer world is way to much for most. By contrast those in europe are fairly well travelled because of the close proximity of so many different countries AND (its a big and) flights from the Uk are not a huge rip off like they are in NZ. I guess that has summat to do with the smaller market so fair enough it aint a rip off.

jmh

That might be true if you are moving to New Plymouth, but not Auckland. I'm disappointed at the size of house I would get if I sold my London terrace.

chocolate cake

Agree the price of property in reasonable areas in Auckland is far from good value, then there's the risk of leaky homes too. The latter will be costing the country (taxpayers) a fortune to put right, dwarves the cost of rebuilding quake damaged bulidngs in the Christchurch area.

Economy wise the prospects for NZ are certainly no better than the UK.

mohogony

In Australia