 | Kia Ora 4 weeks ago I arrived in New Zealand to visit my daughter who lives in Paremata, just north of the capital city, Wellington. We spent most of our time together touring the South Island in an (old) rented car, revisiting places I haven't seen since emigrating the country in 1997. The country has changed a lot; less sheep, more dairy cattle, better coffee, more tourists, more sophistication, less old-world charm. The beautiful scenery, native bush and beckoning beaches remain the same. |
We intended to hike ("tramp") more but km to travel each day reduced that to "walks". Stayed with friends a few nights but mostly booked hostels or motor camps at an average price of $30 - $40 per night per person. Petrol was between $1.74 - $2 per litre and grocery prices were generally higher than in Canada. European travellers commented on higher costs compared to home as well.
New Zealand once boasted an egalitarian society where professionals earned no more than 10x what labourers did. Now with free trade, elimination of subsidies and privatisation the country has one of the widest income spreads in the world. The "kiwi 1/4 acre" (home ownership) that once even those on a government benefit could afford is beyond the reach of a significant portion of the population, just as it is in Victoria and Vancouver. House buying is no longer procuring a home, it's a calculated investment for future sale.
With my agriculture background and green leanings I'm sad to see sheep paddocks converted to subdivisions and small town shops succumb to international franchises. "Small is beautiful" wrote Schumacher in 1973 but everyone has forgotten.
New Zealand has about half the land area of British Columbia and its Dept of Conservation is actively protecting its unique natural features. Tourism has grown hugely and problems of pollutions, loss of privacy and economic distortion are cropping up for locals. Bigger is apparently not better.
Well, I'll end this with another picture, as one thing that New Zealand excels at is scenery!
This is the view just over the railing from the photo above; the Rakaia Gorge, SW of Christchurch.
New Zealand once boasted an egalitarian society where professionals earned no more than 10x what labourers did. Now with free trade, elimination of subsidies and privatisation the country has one of the widest income spreads in the world. The "kiwi 1/4 acre" (home ownership) that once even those on a government benefit could afford is beyond the reach of a significant portion of the population, just as it is in Victoria and Vancouver. House buying is no longer procuring a home, it's a calculated investment for future sale.
With my agriculture background and green leanings I'm sad to see sheep paddocks converted to subdivisions and small town shops succumb to international franchises. "Small is beautiful" wrote Schumacher in 1973 but everyone has forgotten.
New Zealand has about half the land area of British Columbia and its Dept of Conservation is actively protecting its unique natural features. Tourism has grown hugely and problems of pollutions, loss of privacy and economic distortion are cropping up for locals. Bigger is apparently not better.
Well, I'll end this with another picture, as one thing that New Zealand excels at is scenery!
This is the view just over the railing from the photo above; the Rakaia Gorge, SW of Christchurch.
