Lifestyle. NZ v OZ.

[TLMAN]

Im packing up and moving my family over to sunny OZ next year.:sunny:

I have been checking out the comparison between house prices and im stunned at what you can buy over there for the same price and less than what I paid for my house over here. (in Auckland though)
The mortgage interest rates are lower over there too, and you seem to get paid more money for working.

It seems a bit of a no brainer or am I being naive?

I will be looking to move to Queensland between Cairns and Brisbane somewhere on the coast.

I have never been there and am looking for input from anyone who has made the move in the past or has been to that part of the country.

Are there any places to stay away from etc, and for what reason.

[BuFfY]

My mum just moved to Melbourne. The place she is moving into is brand new, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and is the same price as a shit version in Auckland. I so thought it would be more expensive over there. One thing they found was that things are a lot smaller over there.

Best of luck with your move!

[NighthawkNZ]

Are there any places to stay away from etc, and for what reason.

Aussie... mainly because of the Aussies that live there...


Oh wait Errrrm :scratch: never mind

[TLMAN]

One thing they found was that things are a lot smaller over there.

How do you mean "smaller"?

[devnull]

Good on ya...

We're planning to head over in about 18 months

Been looking at the southern suburbs of Brisbane.
Better housing, economy, schooling for the kids... and only about a 1 hour drive down to the Gold Coast theme parks.

Kiwis now beat the Brits in emigration statistics in Queensland - first time ever

[HTFU]

got two brothers living in Brisbane. Ones a bricky the other a butcher. Both own houses and doing really well. A family friend is teaching over there and her partner helped with the Warehouse setup etc and they are doing very well. My old man retired to Brisbane and the sunshine coast last year, he has a caravan and tows it around. I found Brisbane bloody hot and the old man says it gets worse the further North you go.

I quite liked the area 100km south of the Gold Coast when I hired a 50cc scooter a few years ago, a bit more laid back. We have thought about it as well and maybe Perth (poles apart but both have things going for them). It is better financially from the experience of people I know trying to get ahead. NZ seems to ok if you got a foot in the door of the property market.

Main thing stopping us at the moment is we have a pretty good setup working at a hostel so we have lots of spare time and few living costs. But once we are done with that we will be making a move for sure.

Man what are you going to do with all the bikes?

[BuFfY]

How do you mean "smaller"?

lol, like the size of the houses. And in Melbourne they hardly have back yards etc, but I think that might just be Melbourne cause it has so many people etc

[TLMAN]

lol, like the size of the houses. And in Melbourne they hardly have back yards etc, but I think that might just be Melbourne cause it has so many people etc

Yeah from what I can see on the real estate websites nobody has a back yard because they all have a whopping big pool there instead - suits me fine.

[TLMAN]

got two brothers living in Brisbane. Ones a bricky the other a butcher........

Man what are you going to do with all the bikes?

Up until a few years ago I was a Butcher for 12 years prior, I know of heaps of Kiwi butchers that headed for OZ because they get paid almost double over there. I was considering taking it up again.

I only have the SV now which ill try and hold on to until the last moment, unless somebody makes me a good offer.......:whistle:

[SVboy]

How do you feel about snakes and spiders......?

[TLMAN]

How do you feel about snakes and spiders......?

F#@*ing hate the things, but i didnt think you get many of them in the towns/cities??

Will have to :bash: if I see any

[The Pastor]

aussie doesnt have corners, not very good riding to be had.

[Ewan Oozarmy]

F#@*ing hate the things, but i didnt think you get many of them in the towns/cities??

Plenty! Last time I was in Brisbane my sister in law was getting a nest of Redbacks removed from her loft. They were everywhere - the kids couldn't play in their sandpit after dark as the redbacks took it over then. The little buggers (spiders not kids) seemed to like building night time sand castles.

Sister in law also warned me to keep away from the edge of the pool after dark 'cause the Funnel-Webs hung out there......

[janno]

I've just come back from four years in Aus - I couldn't handle the extreme summer heat which last for effin half the year, and the crowds in the big cities. Aus is either Big City or Tiny Country Town. No in-between, it seems. My ex likes it and is still there.

I was in Perth and Brisbane. Perth is like a country town, except spread waaaay out. They have 9-5 weekday only shopping hours including the supermarkets - amazing how increadibly inconvenient that is for the household cook. (like NZ was 25 years ago.) Brisbane is damned hot, so you'll either love it or hate it. Best part of bris is the outer northern suburbs, IMHO. closest to the best biking roads, Mt Mee and the sunshine coast hinterlands etc.

Much better work ethics for the young ones, all the kids seem to have part time jobs while at school, and go on to something straight from school.

Overall, Aus is vibrant, hardworking, friendly and fun. The Aussies we met were generally great, with a real hard case sense of humour. In Aus, they aren't so hung up on pieces of paper, as long as you can prove you are able to do the job. Much more entrepreneurial over there.

However if you can't handle the heat, like me, then it'll be a really bad idea.

[SVboy]

My Sis lives in a good suburb in Sydney-modern house etc etc-still has issues with deadly spiders-becomes just part of life apparently! If I had an encounter with an Aussie snake-I would sprint OVER the Tasman sea on my way home!!!
I heard in Surfers-the most common police call-out is for snake removal! If that is true-well fuck!!!

[janno]

aussie doesnt have corners, not very good riding to be had.

Tons of great biking roads in Aus, it's just that they are either several thousand kilometres apart or else have several thousand tourists on them.

I rode from NP to Wgtn return over the weekend and was dribbling with happiness the whole time about the lack of traffic, even from Levin onwards. Was just mildy inconvenient instead of wall to wall bleedin vehicular chaos like in South East Queensland. The sheer numbers of vehicles on the road at all times of the day and week in SE Qld is just mindboggling compared even to Auckland. So you need to be really careful where you decide to work and live. I've known people there to turn down good jobs because it would involve a worse than usual commute.

[TLMAN]

Thanks JANNO, was actually looking at north of Brisbane somewhere.

As far as snakes and spiders go:argh:, ill become a regular Steve Irwin in no time, and besides they have anti venom for most of what bites over there these days.

[Al]

Moved from East coast in South Africa to Auckland.
Moved from Auckland to 100km South of Darwin in the Northern Territory....

Hot, humid, snakes and insects - just like we are used to.

Now own a 40 acre block with mangos and cows!

Aus is good..... NZ is good too, just too cold for us!

Take care

Al

[Joni]

NZ is good too, just too cold for us! Indeed :cold:

TLMAN, a good friend of mine moved from Auckland to Brisbane - he says he should of dont it years ago... never looked back! Good luck :niceone:

[Mikkel]

Good luck with the move.

I don't think there's quite as big a spider/snake issue around Melbourne. And it seemed like a nice place when I was there.

In Sydney you have the Funnel Web Spider (teh [sic] nasty!), but quite good access to Blue Mountains (I seem to recall a fair bit of nice windy roads around there).

Canberra is good - weed is legal and you got easy access to the few skiing resorts in Oz during winter. Plenty of good roads for riding around that area too I believe.

Queensland, too warm, too humid, too many snakes, too many spiders, too many nasty nasty things in the water... Good place for a vacation, but I wouldn't want to live there.

[janno]

Some really lovely towns in North Qld, Mackay and townsville, cairns etc. But you really need to be sure you can handle the HEAT!! Have you spent longer than a quick holiday in summer over there? You do acclimatise, but it takes 3-5 years it seems.

Snakes seem to bugger off if they can, hardly any Aussies are bothered by them and think it's a real hoot that we kiwis are so paranoid, so I just decided that when in Rome . . .

Work and money wise, Aus is the place to be if you are willing to put in the effort. You can really get ahead there compared to here.

[TLMAN]

But you really need to be sure you can handle the HEAT!! Have you spent longer than a quick holiday in summer over there? You do acclimatise, but it takes 3-5 years it seems.

Not a problem, I have found New Zealand too cold over the last few years and the summers over here have been a waste of time.

Am looking forward to walking around in just my speedos...:Oops:

[janno]

Am looking forward to walking around in just my speedos...:Oops:

Oh the humanity! Think about the children . . .

If you are a sun bunny then you and Aus will be a perfect match. Have fun!

[k14]

aussie doesnt have corners, not very good riding to be had.
Well when I was over there last month I stumbled upon a pretty good place to ride :whistle:

Yeah I've been thinking about moving over there for 6 months or so now. Not quite ready yet but more than likely within the next 18 months. Was in Melbourne last month and after the initial shock of how friggen massive it was I liked the place. Just need to get your head around the public transport and then its easy to get from A to B. Only problem would be finding a place that has a garage for the bike :cool:

The other thing is the tax rates are lower over there. I worked out that if I earned what I do now in Auzzie dollars I'd be 10k better off in the hand a year. Thats a bit isn't it?

[k14]

Am looking forward to walking around in just my speedos...:Oops:
Remember they're undies unless you can see the water :clap:

[The Pastor]

im sure there are some good roads in aussie, but no where near as good as in NZ.

[pritch]

The Eastern brown snakes are nasty and come into the suburbs looking for water during a drought. (Most of the time?)

There was an item in the paper a week or so ago where a woman was chased by a brown snake, her dog had attacked the snake but was in a coma.

A year or two back friend of mine came home from work to find a very upset wife and two very excited dogs. His dogs had just killed a brown snake. They were luckier. Another brown snake had killed the neighbours boxer a few weeks previously.

In WA my brother lives across the road from a golf course, he said to take care walking on the footpath there at night, the snakes come out to lie on the warm concrete. He also told me not to take short cuts across grassed areas in the dark on the way to the shops.

At his gun club nobody really wants to be first to use the toilets in case a "long tailed possum" has taken up residence therein since the previous weekend.

So it isn't like it doesn't happen. Things are a bit different, there are dos and don'ts and you'd best find out what they are sooner rather than later.

[P38]

Just returned from a month in Queensland checking out a move for us too.

My thoughts

Awesome bike riding roads everywhere you look. Lots of MC Clubs too (gangs as well)

Didnt consider Brizzy, dont like big cities but there are heaps of opportunties their.

Gold Coast: Housing too expensive near Surfers, inland and south to Collengatta is cheaper: but still plenty of jobs, mostly touristy stuff.

Sunshine Coast: Fu*king expensive housing. busy streets, not so many jobs.
Retiree area

Rockhampton: Reasonable housing. Heaps of jobs (labour shortage up here) good money too.

My Choice

Townsville:
Very reasonable housing.
More jobs than you can imagine. Severe labour shortage area,
Work in town, for the military or in the mines
Very nice city, beaches, islands, people, weather.
All the shopping of a much bigger city too
Very nice cilmate if you dont mind being warm all year round. can max out at 42c but average is closer to 28-30c
Food is a little more expensive than NZ but wages smash what youd get in NZ.

Eg. My son works in a carton fibre factory running a machine and earns $30/hr
His flatmate welds reo bar for concrete preforms and gets $32/hr. every construction site I saw had a list of trades wanted displayed on bill boards Immediate start.

Wife's cousin contracts for the military laying fibre optic cables and earns obscene amounts in excess of five figures.

Down side is there is a shortage of rental housing but if your buying $350+k will get you 3-4 bedrooms with all the bells n whistles.

Check it out
Jobs
www.seek.com.au

Housing
www.realestate.co.au

Cheers
P38


P.S seems every second person you meet is a bloody Kiwi too. :niceone:

[Grahameeboy]

My mum just moved to Melbourne. The place she is moving into is brand new, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and is the same price as a shit version in Auckland. I so thought it would be more expensive over there. One thing they found was that things are a lot smaller over there.

Best of luck with your move!

I was told that building a house over here is like 4 times what it costs over in Aussie due to all the regulations etc

[Grahameeboy]

Not a problem, I have found New Zealand too cold over the last few years and the summers over here have been a waste of time.

Am looking forward to walking around in just my speedos...:Oops:

Compared to UK the weather is summer all year round here.

[Big Dave]

Living in Oz is cheaper than NZ ?? :rofl:

[SPman]

Housing prices in Perth are about the same as in Auckland. Houses and rentals are in short supply. Better income,(generally). Prices of some things are higher (alcohol). Cost of living generally a bit higher, overall.
Temp was 40C yesterday and it's not even summer yet - Spring seemed to finish last week - at least it's not too humid!
Seen 2 snakes in 18 mths, both on the road - a Dugite (deceased) and a Black Tiger snake. Walking outside in the paddocks, etc, just thump around and they'll generally get out of the way - also be careful of creeks, ponds, etc - the snakes like to hang around water. And it pays to be a bit cautious fossicking in piles of timber etc.
Big black hairy spiders are scarier than Redbacks - just got to be careful sometimes - you soon get to know where the Redbacks hang out. Funnelwebs are more a problem around Sydney and northern NSW - nasty bits of work - seen an enraged female jump a metre at a guy poking it with a stick......
Better bike roads out East. Be careful of the Traffic Police. Much lower speed tolerance - 3k over in Victoria and about 5k over elsewhere and they've just upped all the fines again. Double demerits on all public holidays, as well, although if you keep off the main highways, it's not too bad. Radar detectors only legal in WA.

[Big Dave]

Housing prices in Perth are about the same as in Auckland.

And it's comparatively one of the cheapest cities - is it not still?

[davereid]

My Dad lives in QLD, (Gold Coast), so we go over regularly. Wages are pretty good, and the climate is warmer, although its not really that great. They get very wet and windy seasons same as us but without the cold. But far too hot to use a bike in summer, you really need that air con. And QLD is boring. Seen one great beach.. well they are everywhere. And don't ask about the mangroves. But if beaches are all I want, there are plenty in NZ, except the season here is short. But over here, I really live in Tuscany, Switzerland, and France. It's just I only get a few months of each. Even on a frosty winter morning, I enjoy my commute into Levin. The wind is cold, but the mountains remind me that I live in a unique place, a subtropical, but alpine island. My only gripe is that incomes are lower, and don't need to be. But I won't allow poor government to destroy the rest of the value I see in this little country, I am sure we will prosper in spite of the best efforts of our leaders.

[Drunken Monkey]

lol, like the size of the houses. And in Melbourne they hardly have back yards etc, but I think that might just be Melbourne cause it has so many people etc

Mmm, we had a pool when we lived in Melbs. You can hardly fit that in your backyard if it's not big. Most of our neighbours did too. Small lots would probably be true if you lived close to the city, say Toorak or Carlton, but then that would be like living in Parnell or Eden Terrace. You hardly find big lots there either.

[Big Dave]

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/12/1194766590346.html?s_rid=smh:top5

[Cr1MiNaL]

spiders, bugs, no riding roads.... meh I say.... If u like sunshine lots n lots of it, more people, and the $$ auz is the place to be.... still small but more people and more to do.... much much more.... only a matter of time for me. Good Luck.

[Mole_C]

I went there last month to check out if i wanted to live there. Decided i like NZ a lot more. I can't stand the heat and don't like big cities so not really my thing. I wouldn't get paid any more there either so no incentive for me.

It has its perks and drawbacks.

Water is a bitch everywhere and the roads around Melbourne were boring as hell. All the bikes had massive chicken strips. Also the flies fucked me off and it wasn't even fly season. Waiting for a huge que at a boat ramp and all the nature being man made didn't take my fancy either.

So yea, depends what u like in life.

[slowpoke]

I was told that building a house over here is like 4 times what it costs over in Aussie due to all the regulations etc

Rubbish, the cost to build a house in NZ seems cheaper than Oz. Previous posts about hourly rates explain why. Not to mention nearly everything is double brick and tile. Timber is very expensive (comparatively).


And it's comparatively one of the cheapest cities - is it not still?

Nope, Perth is the most expensive city in the country for property these days.

Average property prices at September '07:
Perth $560k
Sydney $506k
Brisbane $411k
Melbourne $402k
Adelaide $360k

Don't forget to add on stamp duty. To buy the average house ($560k) in Perth you have to add on stamp duty and sundry fees totalling nearly $25k. Now do the conversion to NZ dollars......

I kind of laugh at people saying "there are so many opportunities for entrepeneurs in Oz" when they've gone over there with the intention of looking for opportunities....the same attitude in NZ would yield a similar number of openings.

Health care is pretty bloody ordinary, with a marked lack of services in regional areas, and main centres are a lot further away than in NZ.

Education is as screwed up as NZ with private schooling being the norm if you can afford it....and the fees would make your eyes water.

No ACC, so if you hurt yourself and you are a contractor good luck to you pal. So income protection and health insurance are virtual necessities, depending on your age that's not cheap either.

The East coast has better roads for bikes but has more traffic and more cops, the West coast has less cops, frikkin' pea gravel (like natural ball bearings), less traffic and virtually no decent roads that last longer than a few minutes (miles/corner rather than corners/mile).

Are you into track days? If you are, choose your location carefully, it's a long drive from Rockhampton down to Queensland raceway and it's not much fun when you get there.

On the whole the labour market is pretty tight thanks to the resource boom. It's good for wages in the short term but George Dubya's finger puppet John Howard has put in some industrial "reforms" that are going to be savage when the labour market cools off...might be different if labour win the election.

There is no better or worse, just different, depending on what your priorities are. For myself living in beautiful Martinborough, just over an hour from a main centre, on a few acres, I know I could never afford this sort of property in Oz...and the vibrant wee village would be a tacky tourist trap that was overrun by backpackers and tourists 24/7 rather than just getting "a bit busy" on weekends.

When some family health matters are resolved here we'll probably head back (I still work there) but it will only be for the convenience to work certainly not the lifestyle.

What do you want from life?

[MaxB]

There is no better or worse, just different, depending on what your priorities are. For myself living in beautiful Martinborough, just over an hour from a main centre, on a few acres, I know I could never afford this sort of property in Oz...and the vibrant wee village would be a tacky tourist trap that was overrun by backpackers and tourists 24/7 rather than just getting "a bit busy" on weekends.



From some of my 40+ rellies that live in Oz they say much the same thing. Not better or worse - just different.

Might I suggest anyone thinking of going over to live first go on a mini break to suss out areas, jobs, schools etc. before making the big move.

[fredie]

what about the kangaroos;):beer::weep:

[BIGBOSSMAN]

Or these...

[janno]

The cane toads at our place in Brissie reduced in number by two thirds over the three years I was there - yaaaayyy!

Because of the extreme drought - boooooo . . .

Oh, and in Queensland don't forget that the mosquitos carry Ross River Virus. That makes glandular fever look like noddy's picnic, and I met quite a few people who had contracted it. They are expecting Dengue fever to show up within the next decade or so as the climate warms and the mossies are able to expand their habitat.

Give me cold and rain any day - just put on the appropriate clothes and there you are!

[degrom]

Im packing up and moving my family over to sunny OZ next year.:sunny:

I have been checking out the comparison between house prices and im stunned at what you can buy over there for the same price and less than what I paid for my house over here. (in Auckland though)
The mortgage interest rates are lower over there too, and you seem to get paid more money for working.

It seems a bit of a no brainer or am I being naive?

I will be looking to move to Queensland between Cairns and Brisbane somewhere on the coast.

I have never been there and am looking for input from anyone who has made the move in the past or has been to that part of the country.

Are there any places to stay away from etc, and for what reason.

Why bother moving to Australia,why not go to the US or Europe?

I am a software developer and doing small engineering work as a hobby. Finding parts for my hobbies is like asking for 2 months of no wind in Wellington. Australia is a bit better but sill hard to get stuff.

At least with Australia you have a choice of a few cities if you are in the IT industry.

[The Pastor]

To the person who said "get over it" I will not get over motorcycling thank you.



(im infracted till the end of the year, so i cant tell who gave me the rep)

[TLMAN]

Or these...


Thanks all for the info ^^

Those things woould definately get :bash: Theyre as big as my cat!!

[Dilligaf]

Well I grew up in Brisbane and then spent nearly four years living in the Whitsundays before heading overseas. Then on to NZ.
I married a kiwi and his family business needed him to come back. This is the only reason that we are living here.
The people here in NZ are mostly great (apart from the massive chup on the shoulder some carry around regarding anything Australian :yawn:) and the no snakes thing is a bonus but really I would much prefer to live back in Oz.
Mostly because we love water sports and it is simply too bloody cold to do much in the water here.
Whilst we are on a good income here, we would be better off in Oz.
Oh and free schooling means that in Oz. And whoever said about no ACC, well you can go to Dr for free (some you pay a % for, some are free) though you do pay for pharmacy.
Lastly, I have to say the thing I like least about living here is the underlying menace apparent out and about. Petty crime is higher here and you always have the feeling that if you look the wrong way at some people, you'll get the bash.

[trump-lady]

Wow this is def a sign for me. The house I rent is going into mortgagee sale and Im thinking why am I here. After 10 years overseas Im getting itchy feet. This post is a sign as I too have been thinking of moving for money and weather reasons. Thats it Im moving after summer this year......

[SPman]

And it's comparatively one of the cheapest cities - is it not still?

It's competing with Sydney for most expensive

[devnull]

http://www.demographia.com/ has comparative housing info by city

[SwanTiger]

I've been giving the idea of moving to Queensland some serious consideration as well, perhaps I'm being naive, however it seems Australia as a society has a better attitude.

At the end of the day I guess it boils down to what you make of it.

I have given New Zealand 110% to get ahead and comparative to my age I am doing well, however I look at Australia and realise I could have more.

Someone of notoriety once told me "Son, you have two choices in life, a lifestyle made from success or a successful lifestyle".

It makes sense to me.

One can acheive a successful lifestyle here in New Zealand, however this country will never provide the real opportunities for success.

When you think about it, every New Zealander who has become hugely successful has made their acheivements offshore.

[Big Dave]

It's competing with Sydney for most expensive

When I lived there - '84 - it was about half price.
Still didn't seem good value :laugh:

'Oh you're from the 'Eastern States' are you...snifff.'
You (Kiwis) got a much better go over there than someone from Sydney job-wise and stuff - back then anyway.
The difference in attitude to my Tasmanian girl was noticeable. 'She understood the isolation.'

[fredie]

what about the kangaroos that bite you:no::stupid:

[SPman]

what about the kangaroos that bite you:no::stupid:
Been there, done that, got the scars.......

[fredie]

what about the local girls:buggerd::beer:

[tri boy]

Sometimes I desire the warm waters, and outdoor social scene of Aus. (spent 12yrs there).
I'm not convinced that in the grand scheme of things, that Aus is the better place.
But people should try it.
I've settled back here, and doubt that I will return to live.
Miss my larikin mates heaps though.:bye:

[Usarka]

Just been over, and my number one observation:

The place is full of good looking & wealthy people who are breeding. They seem to have a system that doesn't just encourage red-necks and dole-bludgers to have families.

[Finn]

Oh dear, it just keeps getting worse. Never mind, we've got the 2011 World Cup to look forward to. She'll be right aye.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10477423

Unfortunately because of commitments, I can't leave at the moment. I had an opportunity to leave several years ago and in hindsight, I should have grabbed it. However, no regrets. My plan is that I'll sit out a further 2 years of my sentence and I'll be outta this nutty place.

Of all the countries in the world, why, why, why did my parents immigrate here? What were they thinking?

[janno]

Just been over, and my number one observation:

The place is full of good looking & wealthy people who are breeding. They seem to have a system that doesn't just encourage red-necks and dole-bludgers to have families.

Yeah, quite noticeable innit? I don't know if it is just a perception or if the place really is doing much better than NZ. Or if it's because they have much more deliniated "poor areas" than here, esp the smaller towns . . . so you don't see the same socio economic mix.

[k14]

They seem to have a system that doesn't just encourage red-necks and dole-bludgers to have families.
Yes, its called a right wing government. Sadly though it looks like there will be a swing to the left in the next few weeks. Hopefully just for one term though.

[Finn]

Yes, its called a right wing government. Sadly though it looks like there will be a swing to the left in the next few weeks. Hopefully just for one term though.

Mate, with your promising racing career ahead of you, you really need to get your arse over to Aus. Your options are very limited in NZ.

[Usarka]

I know there are differences between visiting somewhere and living there, but I talked to friends who've lived in Brisbane and the agree with most if not all of what I saw. My observations in Brisbane in order:


Got the train from the airport to the city. Yes, a train from the airport....
The train was electric
The train was new (well, newer than 1980).
The train was quiet
The train had NO graffitti
The city had virtually no graffiti
It was hot
The aussie women look good. They care about their looks and weight.
It was really hot
When asked "Why would I not move over?" all my mates said there were no reasons at all (actually one said the heat)
Still no graffiti
The city seemed reasonably well laid out.
I got a ferry down the river. On time. Every 20 minutes!
The ferry had no graffiti. And it was new.
Loads of happy good looking families.
The tax, super and holiday loadings were explained to me. I cried.
The governments attitude towards personal responsibility were explained to me. I cried.
Some of the beer is drinkable. I smiled.
I saw a really drunk guy get served. He wasn't bothering anyone and didnt look remotely violent. Personal responsibility.
Rented a car. Drivers were courteous!
Motorways and highways had signs displaying meaningful journey information.
Drivers were courteous.
You can actually surf at the Gold and Sunshine coasts.
Finally saw some graffiti with the tag - NZ Maori (seriously, no shit).
Saw the start of schoolies week. Locals were (reasonably) tolerant. Cops were everywhere being friendly but firm and fair.
Got home. Took 50 minutes to clear customs. Got cab with taxi driver who couldn't speak english. Saw graffiti all the way home. Caught a dole bludging burglar in my house he got let off and I got arrested for assault.

[SPman]

Would I be right in saying, # 26 has pissed you off, big time?

[Finn]

Got home. Took 50 minutes to clear customs. Got cab with taxi driver who couldn't speak english. Saw graffiti all the way home. Caught a dole bludging burglar in my house he got let off and I got arrested for assault.
[/LIST]

Please tell me you got off.

[Toaster]

The differences between the two countries are more complex than many assume. Housing and different tax regimes are but a small part of it.

Putting all that aside, they do have warmer weather.... just pays to take water with you. They are running out.

[Usarka]

Would I be right in saying, # 26 has pissed you off, big time?


Please tell me you got off.

haha :rolleyes: sorry I was joking about the burglar part, the rest is true but it's proved my point no one would be surprised by that here....

[k14]

Rented a car. Drivers were courteous!
Motorways and highways had signs displaying meaningful journey information.
Drivers were courteous.
I totally agree with that. When i was in melbourne last month I couldn't believe how courteous the drivers were. Not having a clue on how to get around the city I had to do a few last min lane changes coming up to lights etc, but every time i put my indicator i was let into the appropriate lane at the first opportunity. Makes it so much better and nicer to drive around. Specially when the traffic volumes are so high.

Mate, with your promising racing career ahead of you, you really need to get your arse over to Aus. Your options are very limited in NZ.
Yeah tell me about it. Although even auzzie is limited on that aspect. Not to mention the thousands of km you have to drive to do more than 2 or 3 tracks that are local. I'm thinking UK, but still 18 months away at least. Auzzie would be a good option in the meantime though.

[Finn]

Phil Rennie from the Centre for Independent Studies has published an analysis on why Australia is so much richer than New Zealand.

Major points are:

* Per capita GDP (adjusted for PPP) is NZ$48,000 in Australia and $36,400 in NZ
* The major difference is labour productivity - Australian workers produce a third more wealth for every hour worked, largely because they have more capital (machinery and technology) to work with.
* Tax is a major area of difference between the two countries. Australia is a much lower taxing country, especially in terms of income tax. This affects incentives to work, save, and invest.
* Prosperity does not come by accident. Australia has a stronger political consensus around policies for growth, which contributes to investor confidence. In contrast, New Zealand halted most major reform in 1993, and has increased tax and regulation since 2000.

That last point is an important one. Both the Coalition and Labor in Australia are very focused on increasing economic growth, and making necessary reforms to increase labour productivity etc.

The analysis includes some wage comparisons. For example a dump truck operator in NZ earns $45K to $60K and in Australia $73K to $84K in NZ PPP $.

Going back to Australian Labor, the report quotes the new PM Kevin Rudd:

Kevin Rudd says he is ‘committed to keeping taxes as low as possible to attract investment and reward enterprise.’

Also a good quote:

A myth persists in some quarters that New Zealand is a laboratory for free-market reform, and that it has done all it can to create a level playing field. The reality is that our major reforms are now considered orthodox around the world. If we want to increase our growth, we need to do more, as Australia has consciously chosen to do.

Finally some recommendations:

1. Lower income taxes.
2. Cut the top rate of income tax.
3. Improve the quality of government spending.
4. Commit to light-handed regulation as much as possible.
5. Regulatory responsibility law.

Now of course some people will decry all these things. But here’s the irony - they’re the same people who probably complain wages in NZ are not high enough. You want higher wages - you need to keep improving the economic environment.

So, in short. Don't vote for Labour.

[Timber020]

Aus is a lucky country, its has huge mineral resources, and a low population compared to its geographic size. If they need to make overseas currency they just need to dig another hole.

They are able to do things such as crop farming on a massive scale, but its done it at the cost of sustainability. Alot of the land has been massively over sprayed, water is running out and theres not good news in site unless you like recycling toilet water.

Incomes might be higher, but they are in danger of overcooking there ecomony as inflation and interest rate rise, only to get worse as tax back promises are carried out in the next few years.

Does anyone else find it funny that their two main parties are Labour and Liberal, and the Liberal party isnt Liberal?