The quality of NZ expertise - or its relevance

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Scientists study facts...from facts we derive values...but might their value judgements offer more value if they actually studied value systems, whether psychology, economics or philosophy. Perhaps we ought to stop seeking the opinions of people speaking outside of their expertise. So what does this 'scientist' do? He is a physicist. What would he know about these topics. Is NZ so bored as to care what someone of no 'moral authority' cares? The NZ Herald seems to think so.

Clearly some journalists at the NZ Herald are really impressed by scientists with PhDs. Perhaps they would be less impressed if they realised that the prequalifying characteristic for getting a PhD is a great deal of self-hate. Why would you pay huge amounts of money, waste an inordinate amount of time for a qualification to impress the same type of people as you. Oh, the pay off of this self-congratulatory system is that you win the praise of unthinking journalists.

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Author Andrew Sheldon| Applied Critical Thinking | www.SheldonThinks.com

NZ does offer attractive buying

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Tower has recommended property buyers re-enter the NZ property market this year due to the prospect of rising inflation. We could not agree more, though with the following caveats:

1. NZ will experience stronger offshore buying and a stronger currency relative to EUR, JPY and USD, probably parity or worse with the AUD.

2. Inflationary pressures will be confined to relative productivity falls

3. Imported inflationary pressures will be minimised by a strong NZD

4. The origin of the NZ "inflation" will not be the NZ government debasement of the currency, but rather productivity losses and weaker cross-rates caused by debasement of the USD, JPY and EUR.

I would suggest that the appeal of property will be broad-based for these reasons. The main factors will be stronger rural incomes, as well as tourist and immigration driven investment.

NZ Property Guide Philippine Real Estate Guide Japan Foreclosed Guide

Author Andrew Sheldon| Applied Critical Thinking | www.SheldonThinks.com

New Zealanders getting rich from business

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Michael Hill has some important advice for New Zealanders....if you want to be successful...as I guess he thinks you ought to be, then you need to 'get out of your comfort zone'.

This is undoubtedly a problem in NZ. The country is inherently less aspirational than places like the USA, southern Britain or Australia. I do feel these places are 'the land of the free', and NZ has the sense of a retirement 'backwater'. The reality however is that NZ is among the freest countries politically in the world. Sadly this is a relativist view, and statism is a sorry legacy in all countries.

The problem for NZ is that with little population growth and the entrenched government controls means the country cannot depend on population and debt stimulus that other countries do. So either the government has to resort to winding back government or stimulating population growth. I hope the former.

What I find particularly interesting about Michael Hill is that he really only made his break from the age of 40yo. This means there is still hope for me. :) Actually, his perspective is much the same as mine, but for different reasons. According to the NZ Herald, he lost all his possessions in a fire. In my case, I had a life-changing girl friend. She was kind of the first positive person in my life. A best friend....but a kindred spirit in the sense that we were both out to make a difference. I truly believe I am on the path to success now, whereas before I was just a lot of great ideas with no execution. She most importantly changed my view of people. Before I just did not see potential in people. One of the great aspects about the internet is the ability to meet people who think as you do.

NZ Property Guide Philippine Real Estate Guide Japan Foreclosed Guide

Author Andrew Sheldon| Applied Critical Thinking | www.SheldonThinks.com

Important news for Australian & NZ investors

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If you are a foreigner interested in investing in NZ, you should read this, particularly if you are an Australian or a NZ planning to go to Australia. Most people will not have the breadth of knowledge to generate these insights. It encompasses a mix of finance, economics, mining engineering, metallurgy, geology, politics, and a touch of critical thinking....and its all sugar coated. Anyway, what type of analyst looks 20 years into the future. Yep, there are not too many futurists around.

NZ Property Guide Philippine Real Estate Guide Japan Foreclosed Guide

Author Andrew Sheldon| Applied Critical Thinking | www.SheldonThinks.com