New Zealanders are abandoning NZ at even faster rates. There are a number of good reasons for expecting this:
1. Canterbury (Christchurch) earthquake has given residents the hebbee geebees; and they don't want to place themselves in a situation where they could be vulnerable to another spell of it. The reality is that the earthquake rebuild will mean this will be a time of prosperity for those who go to Christchurch; though people will want to be careful about where they live, and what they live in. i.e. avoid brittle (brick in particular) structures; avoid loose sediment piles subject to liquefaction.
2. Cost cutting by government is going to see Australia absorb a lot of the public servants that the National Party is cutting. This is of course great for Australia since it adds to their demand; even if its 'good for nothing' public servants. The reality is that John Key is just killing NZ's potential for a recovery in economic demand. Paradoxically, public servants are probably among the nation's biggest savers. They have university education; but they didn't do much with it, so they lose point. They do eat and fart though; so Australia will take them.
The paradox is that NZ has some value propositions going forward. There are some brilliant Asian immigrants entering the country who really have a good work ethic. People are inclined to make generalisations about Asians. What they need to realise is that the ones that come here are usually the brightest in their 'over-populated' nations. I know some of them are difficult to understand. Geez, I spoke to a Chinese girl in Sydney. Very impressive....very smart...problem was I could barely understand here. Anyway, that aside, these people are very hungry, and they will greatly add to NZ wealth if NZ embraces them. Unfortunately, surveys show that Asians are the most discriminated group in NZ; followed by the Samoans. I personally this Aussies are persecuted here; but we can take it. We know its coming from a place of immense insecurity, so we can brush it aside. They all change when they migrate to an Aussie. They are never cured of the self-righteousness though. My mom has a NZ BF....he is forever saying he loves the country...but he never goes back.
The good news though is that NZ is dealing with the blow out in local government spending. Personally though, I don't believe centralising spending will make matters better. In fact it will just result in further job losses from rural areas, and this again could see more NZ'ers leaving. This government seems determined to drive NZ'ers out of the country. Everything they do is 'anti-jobs'. I appreciate the desire to make savings; but you don't replace a useless job with a useless welfare recipient. This will just compel them to go abroad. This will result in more job losses and business closures in the private sector; particularly in the rural areas of NZ. These towns are already over-serviced and over-capitalised, with depopulation still in some areas. We need the population of NZ growing.
