From 2007 to 2009 Aussie per capita GDP ranking went up 5 places, ours went down 5 places.
Australia’s minerals (including oil & gas) only contributed 8% to their GDP in 2007.
Australia aren’t doing spectacularly well in comparison to many other countries, just a damn sight better than we are.

What resources do Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Jersey, Singapore, Hong Kong and Switzerland have that New Zealand can’t match or exceed? They’re all beating us hands down.

We’ve even been overtaken by Greenland and Slovenia.

Reaching Aussies level isn’t politically practical but its definitely achievable. It would even be politically practical to get quite close to their levels if John Key had a spine to make some necessary changes.

election bribes,
social welfare,
government expansion.

well i guess it could hold off tax increases for a while….

‘weve got water’

aussy has plenty too. besides, if you own land in nz, u would be far better off to sell it, than grow food.

if only nz could rid itslef of socialist policies and encourage personal and family responsibilities.

everything else is here to make this country outstanding.

I wonder what the leading cause of death for people under 30 is here Pete?

Do we publish those stats?

Estimated population – 127 million
Projected population 2050 – 100 million
Projected population 2100 – 64 million

And they have a rapidly aging population.

And one we don’t want to catch up on:
In 2009, the number of suicides exceeded 30,000 for the twelfth straight year. Suicide is the leading cause of death for people under 30.

It’s the fact the Aussies have a larger gene pool to choose from and most of our bright ones bugger off for some excitement. These days, they no longer see NZ as a “great place to raise children” so they don’t come back. Self-perpetuating.

Besides: e.g, Great South Basin. Biggest oil field in the Southern Hemisphere.

We have the minerals. Gerry Brownlee was an inspired choice. If anyone call roll over the “rare” and “precious” plants and spiders to get at billions of dollars that benefit us all, he can…

I like Gerry.

Perhaps if the govt developed options and put those white papers out there for long-term (e.g. six-twelve month) discussion and debate.

Unfortunately, as we all know, an intelligent political discussion even on a really really important topic is impossible given the media short-attention-span and the fact they always aim for the lowest denominator in the name of increasing circulation a.k.a. sell advertising.

Of course, the media say, it’s not their fault, they’re just playing to the realities of the market. And you know what? They’re right. How many adult people suck their thumb and happily giggle at lightweight celebrity bullshit or even worse, sport, than discuss serious political issues that – newsflash – actually in fact, matter a whole hell of lot more?

Nothing wrong with liking lightweight celebrity bullshit or sport, of course. Provided that’s not all you do. Trouble is, the “market” is apparently infested with these morons.

Leading us as a nation to accept lightweight political decision-making as well.

The thing I don’t get is: how come the Aussies have obviously got superior decision-making quality when they’re, on average, much thicker than us?

It sure is, and a paralysing one at that.
And of course we need to improve things here, WE REALLY NEED TO IMPROVE THINGS HERE! but we need to do it for our own reasons, not an overly simplistic comparison to a nation that is actually quite different to ours.
By not being “us” we are in fact losing our competitive advantage, and the things that make NZ unique.

Is that minus the ones the Australian Govt wants to send back?
Please
But by all means stay in your fantasy of returning to your beloved home land, I am sure we will be able to entice such loyal citizens back some day.

Develop a true test of quality of life and I am sure NZ would be one of the best places in the world to live, it’s not all about the size of your pay cheque.

True. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work on improving things here but the obsession with being like Australia is a distraction.

Same with the obsession with socialism. We need some socialist type policies and promote more fair capitalist policies, reduce tax and government, and we need to get positive about our country.

1. Earning or spending in NZ
2. Hiring or producing in NZ
3. Paying taxes or rates in NZ

Try and figure it out why the income gap is important.

Then it is not viable full stop, is it a south east Asian brothel?

We a comparing ourselves with a country of much greater living costs and which requires much greater compromise and expense to live in a decent part of the land of arse holes. Most of the place is bland landscape for hundreds of miles covered in spiders, poisonous snakes and other assorted nasties.
Hell, even a shitty old jap import costs about 4 times as much as the equivalent car in NZ, rest assured any extra money you make will be consumed by being an Australian.
Perhaps if we actually get back to OUR roots instead of continuing this pathetic collective insecurity on who we are, we would finally start to appreciate what we have actually got, and may be even have a bit of damned motivation to defend it.
Develop a true test of quality of life and I am sure NZ would be one of the best places in the world to live, it’s not all about the size of your pay cheque.

*Yes, yes, yes – we have had a gutsful of big government spending to much. Come on John Key – honour your promises by cutting back on government spending and letting taxpayers keep more of what they earn! Barbara

*I voted for National because they promised lower taxes and faster growth. That means they have to cut government spending. It would be outrageous if they broke that promise as well as reneging on their promise of tax cuts. It would mean they would be a one-term government for sure. Neil

*I would be very happy for National to pursue the goal of catching Australia. It would create a nation of winners. It is exactly what this country needs if we are to boost our future prospects. Larry

*It has been very disappointing to see John Key dismissing the Brash report but embracing the tax review on new ways to fleece us. It just goes to show that much of what he says is driven by politics, not not principle. The public needs to be aware of this. Tony

http://www.nzcpr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=947&sid=0367c434d995fd343095e32be0e3d33e&p=28282#p28282

Like begets like so 2+3 equal failure I guess.