[judfry]

Some good points Mr Jones makes. I would like to add New Zealand's biggest drawback: exporting their non-productive human flotsam and jetsam across the Tasman. No - I'm not talking about the average hard-working citizens who make the trip and add so much to our call-centre and venue security industries, rather the crackpots and no-talents who lob in West Christchurch (aka Australia) with a view to "contributing" to our public life. To wit:
Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Richard Wilkins aka Richard Wilde
Russell Crowe aka Russ Le Roq
Rebecca Gibney
The Finn (pron. Funn) brothers
Sam Neill
The bloke who plays Max Hoyland on "Neighbours"
Jay Lagaia
Sure, getting this human refuse off the streets benefits you, but it stinks the joint up over here. Have some consideration for your ANZAC comrades.

[extremeslick]

i like the towing idea, the further the better

[Samuel]

Originally Posted by PinklineJones

A mate of mine would also like to point out a few more drawbacks:
"White men can't get into the All Blacks any more.
Humiliated by Australians every Commonwealth Games.
Still waiting for first female Prime Minister."

Well if it isn't Pinkline Jones, the self-proclaimed leading social commentator. I actually thought you did have a reasonable level of intelligence, but I don't know about that now. You don't seem to know much about the country you criticize. Perhaps you should look into things yourself, as if you had you might know NZ has had a female Prime Minister since 1997, the current one being the second. As far as your other points, there are white players in the All Blacks, and per capita NZ doesn't do at all poorly compared to Australia.

[kremelta versattchi]

As a former secretary of mr Pinkline Jones , I can totally agree with his complaint that New Zealand would benefit from a female Prime Minister. Mr Clarkes throaty voice is too intimidating for the sensitive ear ,

[Samuel]

I find that an odd comment for Pinkline to make, because in a forum recently he said that women are the inferior sex and cited a source saying women's brains weigh less than men.

[Lina]

Originally Posted by Samuel

I find that an odd comment for Pinkline to make, because in a forum recently he said that women are the inferior sex and cited a source saying women's brains weigh less than men.

May weigh less, but we use more of it...

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by extremeslick

i like the towing idea, the further the better

Good idea, but unfortunately with the Internet, it looks like we still have to suffer rude and moronic Australians.

Sad, but true.

*edit to answer OP* Main drawback: Proximity to rude and moronic Australians.

[Eileen]

AM in USA at moment and for me NZ is paradise!!! Small, not rushed, people kind, NO DRAWBACKS!!

[JohnT]

Maybe someone could answer me this. If NZ is so wonderful, why are there so many Kiwi's living in London?

[PinklineJones]

Sorry Linda,

Nice theory to cling to in desperation but using more of not a lot doesn't really mean much. 99.9% of the comforts women enjoy is due to the man's brain not the woman's.

Plod Plod You Go

PINKLINE

[MandJ]

It's been very amusing to read all the questions and responses in this thread and I've had more than just a few smiles at the differing senses of humour, which has to be a good thing.
At the moment, I'm in the process of trying to complete the necessary imigration so that I can permanently move from the UK to NZ, so any Kiwi who wishes to do a direct exchange is welcome to get in touch, as I would very gladly swap all the moans and groans you might have about NZ for the lifestyle in the UK. Maybe the Braodband is a little slower, maybe you might think that Petrol and Diesel prices are expensive. I can assure you that Fuel prices are double in the UK, house prices even in the cheaper areas of the UK are twice that of the more expensive areas of NZ and rising expedentially. Trying to find an averagely well paid job in the UK is becoming harder, as the cheaper labour from the "New" European Common Market countries and Russia are flooding into accept any job they can do, as any pay at all is better than no pay at all in their own countries. Levels of taxation from a ever extending Nanny-state Government means that everyone is worse off with each passing year. Added to that, there's no space in the UK to even turn around (the land mass of the UK is roughly similar to that of NZ but in the UK, there's 60 million people, as opposed to 4 million in NZ).
I think that it's obvious why I want to move to NZ, as you all have way more than you could ever see without living in the UK for a while.................. The grass in New Zealand really is greener.............. fact

[PinklineJones]

Good on you Mandj,

Yes NZ seems to be a cool place to live. Just be mindful though when putting "The Millenium Prayer" (tenth repeat) on the jukebox at some of the less salubrious establishments. But we can balance a negative with a positive in saying that they did produce Sunline over there so they've gotta be doing something right.

[Camel56]

If you like sleeping with sheep then you'll love the NZ culture. Society will embrace you and make you feel at home. In short, you'll be in your element.

[kall]

Oh wow! A sex with sheep joke!

How original! Your brain must be at least the size of a fishtank pebble.

Bravo! Hurrah!

[tazjet]

If NZ is so wonderful, why are there so many Kiwi's living in London?

Well low wages mean many Kiwis go to high wage nations to make their fortune before coming back here.

Property speculation is a problem/opportunity depending on your viewpoint. Making money the regular way is hard slog, but a lack of capital gains taxes mean that you can leap frog by buying and speculating on property, which in turn keeps driving up housing costs.

[Neophis]

Having only 1 major airline, and the PC police trying to ruin it for everyone else

[tazjet]

Having only 1 major airline, and the PC police trying to ruin it for everyone else

Well I can't solve the Police issue, but I am working to put together a new domestic airline. I have Trade mark protection for tazjet and a domain name reserved. I also already have an airline operator's certificate which I can use if I can raise US$500K. Three 737s are offered to me once I raise the dough. That is my mission in 2007. Raising the capital to start operating.

A custody battle unfortunately keeps dogging me. Life was never meant to be easy.

Hey incidentally to anyone looking to migrate here as business migrants if you are looking for a business venture, I am quite kosher and sincere. It is a high risk venture so no guarantees, but I'd be happy to talk.

I wont ask for anyone's investment without a proper prospectus and compliance with the Securities Act and talk is free, but I would honestly like to hear if anyone out there can help?

I wont take a bean unless the investor(s) know the whole picture and feel comfortable. simon@tazjet.com

As for your comment Neophis, I used to work for Air New Zealand. I think I can speak for a lot of Air New Zealand staff there. That airline is a big anonymous sausage machine. In my experience and opinion, there are lots of really dedicated wonderful people working at that airline, but they are quite unappreciated by management.

In my opinion and based upon my experience, their management structure is quite sycophantic and therefore unable to think laterally. All change at Air New Zealand is from the top down at their marketing department. They fail to draw upon the ideas and insight of their own staff.

Air fares in this country are extraordinarily high if you compare routes of similar distances in the USA or Europe. I have seen daily domestic passenger numbers for both Air NZ and for the local Qantas operation in NZ over the past 6 years. Both airlines have very healthy load factors.

Of the two I am more impressed by Qantas for being generally cheaper and better service.

In summer 2005 Air NZ was getting 93% load factors out of Wellington to Sydney for just one example, but were complaining publicly that they could not make money on the route. There is something very sick in that airline when they can't make money with high fares and high load factors.

The current situation is quite ripe for a new player.

[fignozzle]

Good morning, all!

As to the original question, I too am interested in the answer.
I'm 45, my wife and I are both university educated (what's the slang word...seppos?) Americans who are VERY seriously considering relocating permanently to NZ. I am in IT/ICT aka Computer Support, and my wife teaches elementary aged school. I do hope that would be a good addition to the workforce and not just being on the dole. All 3 kids (2 girls, one boy) are highly motivated, too, and I anticipate one being a doctor, one a pharmacist (chemist?) and the other's too young yet to call, though science is her strong suit.

In what small research I've been successful with, it seems that many of the native tribes get preferential treatment, but with the way USA's white Euro squatters (from whom I am about 90% descended) scammed the native Americans, I'm kind of glad the Maori are getting a better deal than the Native American indian tribes (from whom I am about 10% descended).

Anyhoo, it does seem that the pace is slower overall in NZ, (I mean, how do you stereotype an entire nation???) which is appealing. I just think it's time for us to leave the US. I sincerely hope we don't start a flood of emigration to NZ from America, but who knows?

I am very good with languages, being fluent in English and Spanish, conversational in French and wonder if there is a benefit to learning more in NZ? Maori, or what else might be advantageous to have?

Also, a VERY important consideration is: Can I get my beloved Newcastle Brown Ale down there on a regular basis? How much will it cost me? haha!

Thanks to all!
Ben/Fignozzle

[tazjet]

Almost everyone in New Zealand speaks English Ben. Most Maori don't converse in Maori. My ex was Maori. Maori kids get pre-school in their language (Te Reo) and many non Maori kids go to Te Reo pre-school as well. It's not like you need to learn Maori, but it flatters Maori people when you make an effort.

Kapai = Thank you
Kai = Food
Whenua = Land
Whanau = Family
Tamariki = Children
Tane = Male/man
Wahine = Woman/wife
Aroha = Love
Utu = revenge
Toa = Warrior
Kuia = Old lady (venerated)
Whakapapa = ancestry/ancestors
Marae = Tribal meeting place
Whare = House


You and your wife both have skills in demand. People do stop and talk to you here so I guess that helps ?

[Cobra]

Ben,

With that rate New Zealand’s population would be 300 million and ours will be reduced to 5 million.
(Joking)

I have a question for New Zealanders:

Don't you folks get annoyed when people express interest in retiring to New Zealand?

From what I understand, New Zealand has a small population and you folks would need more young people moving to New Zealand.

- Cobra