[kall]

If I recall correctly from my days in Geography, our population isn't too top-heavy.

[tazjet]

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.

It's not viewed that way. One of the impediments to any industry here is the home market is so small that businesses which might be viable with larger markets fail here. Not that we want chimneys and smokestacks but there is a sentiment that you do need some critical mass.

Another point is we see allowing in people from Asian nations creates trade connections from which we can leverage access to world markets.

We pre-select a lot of immigrants. I gues the thought is if we're gonna get swamped let's at least have some say in who comes so we get the best or at least people who are really keen to contribute. Business migrants also bring venture capital for entreprenuers.

As for older people, they have families too.

[fignozzle]

Originally Posted by tazjet

It's not viewed that way. One of the impediments to any industry here is the home market is so small that businesses which might be viable with larger markets fail here. Not that we want chimneys and smokestacks but there is a sentiment that you do need some critical mass.

Not that I'd wish a Wal-Mart economy onto my kiwi friends, but the specific way that Sam Walton got started with his empire was in consciously targeting "tier 2" cities and towns (meaning smaller) for his stores. To me, this leaves the market beautifully open for the smaller entrepreneur, who doesn't really have the need &/or the vision for a huge juggernaut of a company, but who would like to develop a business beyond a mom & pop storefront.

That would be the direction I'd go, if I were looking to develop a business in NZ. YMMV.

[Cobra]

A small population of five million poses certain limitations for a country unless the entire population is concentrated in one or two big cities.

Perhaps New Zealand would like to preserve its white majority demographic. So, they are perhaps a bit choosy about whom they want to let in.

[fignozzle]

Originally Posted by Cobra

Perhaps New Zealand would like to preserve its white majority demographic. So, they are perhaps a bit choosy about whom they want to let in.

I'm not sure where that comment came from, but I certainly never implied such a thing. There may be a white majority, but for good or bad, I see NZ as a country who was/is far more fair to the indigenous Maori than USA was to the indigenous Native Americans. Native Americans (aka indians) were promised the moon, then shafted big-time by the American government. Hope it wasn't anything *I* said to elicit such a response.

[Cobra]

Fignozzle,

I did not mean to be judgmental. There is a lot of room for misunderstandings when communicating on a bulletin board.

I did not say that New Zealand is practicing racism or anything like that. I like New Zealand. I think you folks are very tolerant people.

I was just trying to take a wild shot at New Zealand’s immigration dilemma. On one hand, yoy need more people and on another hand you have to maintain white majority demography.

I have heard some people in USA raise the similar concern regarding excessive influx of Mexican immigrants. They are concerned that excessive immigration from Mexico is threatening white majority demography of USA.

New Zealand is good in my book.

I would love to see New Zealand win the world cup this year.

Peace!

- Cobra

[fignozzle]

No problem Cobra. We're on good terms. Just didn't want someone to come along later on and attribute or misinterpret what was being said, or that I instigated it.

Trabajando mucho por la paz,
Figgy

[fignozzle]

No problem Cobra. We're on good terms. Just didn't want someone to come along later on and attribute or misinterpret what was being said, or that I instigated it.

Trabajando mucho por la paz,
Figgy

[Cobra]

fignozzle,

I am so glad that we were able to avoid potential hazard.

By the way, is that Spanish or Italian?

[fignozzle]

It's spanish. Trabajando mucho por la paz = Working hard for (the) peace.

[Cobra]

Amen to working hard for peace.

fignozzle, I wish you a happy new life in New Zealand once you move there.

[Sparklechick]

Fignozzle.

Brilliant name.

I've been away from the boards for FAR too long.

[Lina]

Originally Posted by 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

Pinkline, you REALLY are a DICKHEAD.

And it's LINA, not Linda.

[Lina]

Originally Posted by Sparklechick

Fignozzle.

Brilliant name.

I've been away from the boards for FAR too long.

I'm with you on that one, Sparkle...

[NNY]

We have had a centre-left government for a while now that focuses heavily on social reform which is nessacary because we are a very diverse immigrant
country but unfortunately it has been causing a few problems for the economy and private enterprise (maybe thats not so unfortunate). being so diverse we suffer from the same racism problems as everywhere else but violent crime is low and everyone generally gets along. Our major political issues are pretty damn trivial compared to the rest of the world like i said we're heavy into our social reform so now main problems are boy racers, the overuse of P (which is cough syrup crack cause we dont seem to be able to get any good drugs here), and slow internet. Our gangs are a laughable they hold no power and pretty much only intimidate old ladies

we are behind on technology but one would expect that from an island at the bottom of the world. Our health care system is lacking but it is public and free (anyone who has lived in a country with privatized healthcare can appericate that).

Our public transport system does duck this is because we are over a faultline and cannot implement subway or monorail systems and we have had very little

also "white people" most definately can still get into the all blacks.

we do have alot of forgien students studying in our universities this is because education is a major export (without it our economy would be screwed)

We dont have an immigration dilema we are and immigrant country, we set a high standard for what it takes to become a new zealand citizen and anyone from anywhere who is willing to be a contributing member of our society is welcomed.

auckland traffic is nothing compared to LA traffic.

we are rated 4th in the world for having the least corruption in our government.

On one hand, yoy need more people and on another hand you have to maintain white majority demography. this isnt true at all what makes this country so great is that there isnt really a majority anymore and we are making adjustments to suit. Whats more is that (white) chirstian fundamentalists are a miniority here.

We are nuclear free and we dont get involved pointless wars.

We dont need more young people as such but we have a problem with our secondary school education quality i think this is probally because we see our education as a more of an export. We made some bad decisions regarding our secondary school education system and as a result this generation of high school leavers are a bit underskilled.

most new zealanders leave new zealand simply out of desire to see the world cant argue with that i'll be doing it too.

most of the negative comments about new zealand I've ever seen are just the opinions of ignorant redneck racists but every country has its fair share of those, here we dont tolerate them.

New Zealand is a safe, friendly, quite place to live I have seen a bit of the world and plan to see more so far i would not want to live anywhere else and when i'm done travelling i'll be coming back.

lastly you shouldnt compare america to new zealand because
a) america sucks
b) new zealanders think america sucks
and last but not least
c) because america sucks

thats about all i can think of for now

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by Gromit

There are not enough playground for children here!!
Am I right?

Wrong.

[Vald]

The worse thing I can see about New Zealand so far is that...I hate you Kiwis when I'm not there to eat those delicious Pavlovas and Cadbury Chocolates

[spxoobg]

New Zealand is a wonderful place to be. Beaches for Africa. You can be at almost any point in the country and there is there a beach within an hour.

Auckland must have the worst public transport the world as far as I'm concerned. It's more expensive than taking the car! And i get the listen the radio station I want! What the fuck!!@!@#

That aside I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. There's a certain sort of peace you hase here i can't see being anywhere else

[kremelta versattchi]

it was a great country till they removed stringent immigration levels ie must be qualified at trade and be able to read a stop sign. now every corner store indian , and asian crime gangs rampant and lots of great new live displays of african tribes attacking each other in shopping malls.

+

[kremelta versattchi]

your one of the residents often spotted with his head in the sand.