NZ - poverty myth.
Nov 27th 2005, 9:33 pm
#16
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Re: NZ - poverty myth.
Originally Posted by NZ Climber
I hadn't even thought about the actual quality of the water Livewire, although it is reportedly extremely bad in areas. It was more actually getting water - you only have to be one bay over from where we live and you have to collect your own water via rainfall. And we live in Auckland, the largest city in NZ, home to 3/8 of the population...
Outside of Auckland there are many places where there are no roads, it's all tracks to get to the settlements, there's no electricity in many of these places, no sewage and certainly no water system. You either collect what falls out of the sky or if you're lucky you have a bore.
So, no roads, no mains sewage or electricity or water in some places. Hmmm, says "third world" to me, not sure about Tottefan, he probably thinks that's 'rustic'...
Outside of Auckland there are many places where there are no roads, it's all tracks to get to the settlements, there's no electricity in many of these places, no sewage and certainly no water system. You either collect what falls out of the sky or if you're lucky you have a bore.
So, no roads, no mains sewage or electricity or water in some places. Hmmm, says "third world" to me, not sure about Tottefan, he probably thinks that's 'rustic'...
Then there is the million dollar lifestyle development called "Goodlands" in Dairy flats - has its own little stand-alone waste water treament plant but no mains water supply.
You don't have to travel far into Rodney DC to find many unsurfaced roads either.
Not much money around to be invested in infrastructure I guess
Nov 27th 2005, 10:01 pm
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 81
Re: NZ - poverty myth.
Originally Posted by NZ Climber
I hadn't even thought about the actual quality of the water Livewire, although it is reportedly extremely bad in areas. It was more actually getting water - you only have to be one bay over from where we live and you have to collect your own water via rainfall. And we live in Auckland, the largest city in NZ, home to 3/8 of the population...
Outside of Auckland there are many places where there are no roads, it's all tracks to get to the settlements, there's no electricity in many of these places, no sewage and certainly no water system. You either collect what falls out of the sky or if you're lucky you have a bore.
So, no roads, no mains sewage or electricity or water in some places. Hmmm, says "third world" to me, not sure about Tottefan, he probably thinks that's 'rustic'...
And in terms of the railway system here, the trains in Kenya (a third world country i'm sure everyone will agree) run to the timetable better and are more numerous than the trains here...
But that probably adds to the charm of the place for Mr "i've never been to NZ and have no idea what i'm talking about", right?
Outside of Auckland there are many places where there are no roads, it's all tracks to get to the settlements, there's no electricity in many of these places, no sewage and certainly no water system. You either collect what falls out of the sky or if you're lucky you have a bore.
So, no roads, no mains sewage or electricity or water in some places. Hmmm, says "third world" to me, not sure about Tottefan, he probably thinks that's 'rustic'...
And in terms of the railway system here, the trains in Kenya (a third world country i'm sure everyone will agree) run to the timetable better and are more numerous than the trains here...
But that probably adds to the charm of the place for Mr "i've never been to NZ and have no idea what i'm talking about", right?
Nov 27th 2005, 10:09 pm
#18
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Re: NZ - poverty myth.
Originally Posted by tottefan
My mother has always cooked fresh food, though, and we've always managed. 
I've not read many of your posts, so I don't know your background, but will your mum be coming with you to NZ or are you leaving home to cross the great divide?
Nov 28th 2005, 12:35 am
#19
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Re: NZ - poverty myth.
Going back to the infrastructure thing....
I've just been reading Teletext. (p. 201 I think it was) and it says that Transpower wants to raise prices by 19% next June and then wants annual increases of up to 13% for the next 4 years. I think it was to pay for upgrading the national grid.
The Commerce Commission may impose price controls unless Transpower can justify the increases.
I've just been reading Teletext. (p. 201 I think it was) and it says that Transpower wants to raise prices by 19% next June and then wants annual increases of up to 13% for the next 4 years. I think it was to pay for upgrading the national grid.
The Commerce Commission may impose price controls unless Transpower can justify the increases.
Nov 28th 2005, 2:00 am
#20
Memetchi
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 201
Re: NZ - poverty myth.
Originally Posted by southerner
a brief read of livewire's link shows 1 in 5 live in "relative" poverty in NZ; ie. 20% of households living on less than 60% of the median income. No idea what the UK equivalent would be.
Nov 28th 2005, 2:23 am
#21
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,613
Re: NZ - poverty myth.
Save the Children Fund report March 2005.
This is not to say that there is not poverty in the UK also. There is.
The above is to illustrate that there IS poverty in New Zealand & at what level its rated by Save the Children fund and UNICEF.
After all its NZ we are all interested in ,isn't it.
NZ's child poverty levels unacceptable
1 March 2005
Save the Children called on the New Zealand Government today to honour its responsibilities to children under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 1, following the release of a UNICEF report which ranked New Zealand 4th worst on an OECD child poverty league table.
Executive Director of Save the Children New Zealand John Bowis said New Zealand’s ranking, compared with other developed countries like Hungary, Greece and Poland, is unacceptable.
“The Working for Families package demonstrates a significant move by Government to reduce child poverty for some families, but there is still a long way to go before child poverty is eradicated in New Zealand. Children should be given maximum priority in election year.”
1 March 2005
Save the Children called on the New Zealand Government today to honour its responsibilities to children under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 1, following the release of a UNICEF report which ranked New Zealand 4th worst on an OECD child poverty league table.
Executive Director of Save the Children New Zealand John Bowis said New Zealand’s ranking, compared with other developed countries like Hungary, Greece and Poland, is unacceptable.
“The Working for Families package demonstrates a significant move by Government to reduce child poverty for some families, but there is still a long way to go before child poverty is eradicated in New Zealand. Children should be given maximum priority in election year.”
This is not to say that there is not poverty in the UK also. There is.
The above is to illustrate that there IS poverty in New Zealand & at what level its rated by Save the Children fund and UNICEF.
After all its NZ we are all interested in ,isn't it.
Nov 28th 2005, 2:36 am
#22
Memetchi
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 201
Re: NZ - poverty myth.
Originally Posted by Apollo10
This is not to say that there is not poverty in the UK also.
Nov 28th 2005, 5:35 am
#23
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Re: NZ - poverty myth.
Originally Posted by cypherpunk
Good, because the UK child poverty level is within statistical noise distance of the NZ child poverty level, three places up the league table at 15.4% vs 16.3% (before housing costs I assume). http://www.unicef.org/brazil/repcard6e.pdf
I am yet to fathom why , at the slightest sniff of a warts and all New Zealand, some want to throw sticks and pot shots at the UK. Why? It's silly and it tickles me a bit, I will admit. There is no need to do this. What is the point
The UK is the UK. NZ is NZ. Why not choose Poland ? Or the USA. Most from the UK accept its bad points and will be honest about them. Warts and all. I am secure enough not to feel defensive about the UK. I am sensible enough to be able to look honestly at New Zealand, just as I do the UK or anywhere else.
The thread and this forum , for that matter, is about New Zealand. The first post ,albeit from someone with a hugh wooden stirring spoon, suggested that poverty in NZ was some sort of myth. It is not.
Never mind the retaliation shots at the UK. NZ is where we are, or where we think we would like to be. NZ is the country therefore that is under discussion.
Nov 28th 2005, 5:42 am
#24
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,467
Re: NZ - poverty myth.
You're right the person that started this thread just wanted to start a big squabble on the board.
Nov 28th 2005, 7:47 am
#25
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Re: NZ - poverty myth.
Originally Posted by Apollo10
There is no need to be defensive. I had already stated there is poverty in the UK.
I am yet to fathom why , at the slightest sniff of a warts and all New Zealand, some want to throw sticks and pot shots at the UK. Why? It's silly and it tickles me a bit, I will admit. There is no need to do this. What is the point The UK is the UK. NZ is NZ. Why not choose Poland ? Or the USA. Most from the UK accept its bad points and will be honest about them. Warts and all.
I am secure enough not to feel defensive about the UK. I am sensible enough to be able to look honestly at New Zealand, just as I do the UK or anywhere else.
The thread and this forum , for that matter, is about New Zealand. The first post ,albeit from someone with a hugh wooden stirring spoon, suggested that poverty in NZ was some sort of myth. It is not.
Never mind the retaliation shots at the UK. NZ is where we are, or where we think we would like to be. NZ is the country therefore that is under discussion.
I am yet to fathom why , at the slightest sniff of a warts and all New Zealand, some want to throw sticks and pot shots at the UK. Why? It's silly and it tickles me a bit, I will admit. There is no need to do this. What is the point
The UK is the UK. NZ is NZ. Why not choose Poland ? Or the USA. Most from the UK accept its bad points and will be honest about them. Warts and all. I am secure enough not to feel defensive about the UK. I am sensible enough to be able to look honestly at New Zealand, just as I do the UK or anywhere else.
The thread and this forum , for that matter, is about New Zealand. The first post ,albeit from someone with a hugh wooden stirring spoon, suggested that poverty in NZ was some sort of myth. It is not.
Never mind the retaliation shots at the UK. NZ is where we are, or where we think we would like to be. NZ is the country therefore that is under discussion.
Nov 28th 2005, 7:50 am
#26
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Joined: May 2005
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Posts: 812
Re: NZ - poverty myth.
Originally Posted by turkeytickler
I think that people in NZ are brought up in a fairly unquestioningly patriotic fashion ala the US and this defensive reaction is only to be expected..... :-(
Vicki
Nov 28th 2005, 8:36 am
#27
Memetchi
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 201
Re: NZ - poverty myth.
Originally Posted by Apollo10
I am yet to fathom why , at the slightest sniff of a warts and all New Zealand, some want to throw sticks and pot shots at the UK.
There is a large gap between the haves and have nots in this country, more so than you see in the UK.
you have no real-world idea what the poverty is like in this country. It's not on african standards but make no bones about it, there are a lot of people very badly off indeed in this country. Like has been mentioned, 1 in 3 kids lives in poverty, statistical fact.
Nov 28th 2005, 9:01 am
#28
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Re: NZ - poverty myth.
Originally Posted by Joshlin
I'd much rather be in a place that is proud of its country and its achievements - brits are very good at slating the UK and downplaying its positives (and I say that as a brit!)
Vicki
Vicki
Nov 28th 2005, 9:26 am
#29
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22
Re: NZ - poverty myth.
I think the sad fact of the matter is some people are never going to be happy wherever they live. I take it all those that moved to NZ did so because they weren't happy in the UK, and unfortunately some of you are now not happy in NZ. Some people can adapt better than others and some people will make things work and be happy whatever the situation. That is not a criticism it is a fact of life, how boring the world would be if we were all the same. When we go out in Feb 2006 I am going to the prison service on $36k and yes I know that is cra* money and we will have to adapt, my wife will still have to work etc. But for us life in the UK is getting worse every year. We will take everybody's advice onboard and do whatever it takes to make the move a success. Will I live to regret it only time will tell, but we will not be put off by some bad experiences. I wish everybody luck that is going over and hope that those that are struggling have a change of fortune soon.
Nov 28th 2005, 9:55 am
#30
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,613
Re: NZ - poverty myth.
Eh? You been on the juice? I think you have replied in the wrong thread.
The thread started is called NZ Poverty Myth.
It is not a myth. There is poverty in NZ.
The answer is Yis!
If what was posted doesn't suit your palate - take it up with Save the Children or Unicef.
No amount of wriggling ,will make it otherwise. Pointy fingers at the UK, which is a national past time with many & oh! so easy to do over so many issues for some, will not make the problem here disappear.
Poverty is here in NZ. Its nothing to be proud of. Heads buried in the sand will do no good. Its not something to gloss over .
Its not something that can be defended by trying to highlight poverty elsewhere in the world.
It needs taking on the chin. It needs its people to stand up and state that, yes, there is poverty here. It needs those people to say they want their government to do something about it. It doesn't need anyone trying to shift the real focus by gabbling on about elsewhere.
Its New Zealand we are in or hoping to come to. If everyone is so proud of this country, why is there any child poverty.
The thread started is called NZ Poverty Myth.
It is not a myth. There is poverty in NZ.
The answer is Yis!
If what was posted doesn't suit your palate - take it up with Save the Children or Unicef.
No amount of wriggling ,will make it otherwise. Pointy fingers at the UK, which is a national past time with many & oh! so easy to do over so many issues for some, will not make the problem here disappear.
Poverty is here in NZ. Its nothing to be proud of. Heads buried in the sand will do no good. Its not something to gloss over .
Its not something that can be defended by trying to highlight poverty elsewhere in the world.
It needs taking on the chin. It needs its people to stand up and state that, yes, there is poverty here. It needs those people to say they want their government to do something about it. It doesn't need anyone trying to shift the real focus by gabbling on about elsewhere.
Its New Zealand we are in or hoping to come to. If everyone is so proud of this country, why is there any child poverty.
Last edited by BEVS; Nov 28th 2005 at 10:14 am. Reason: fumble fingers. Hadn't finished the post.