Too true...

**Mikkel** · 2nd June 2009, 14:20

... and a quite entertaining read too.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/24627...pread-the-myth

**NDORFN** · 2nd June 2009, 14:24

She needs to get hard. Somewhere between New Zealands pioneering days and the present, we got soft. Really soft.

**Swoop** · 2nd June 2009, 15:29

The standard of housing in NZ is truly pathetic.
Why we persist in allowing crap building practices, by inept designers and foolish builders, to continue... is nothing short of amazing.

"New Zealand is not a country: it is a large-scale experiment in cryogenics."
Well, another nail in the coffin of "global warming" then.

**Mikkel** · 2nd June 2009, 16:24

Originally Posted by Swoop

"New Zealand is not a country: it is a large-scale experiment in cryogenics."
Well, another nail in the coffin of "global warming" then.

Well, you could potentially argue that in NZ we engage in 1st order global warming - that is, since there's no insulation we are heating up the atmosphere directly, those weatherboard panels and single-pane windows isn't even going to slow the process down...

What is truly appalling is the fact that the socio-economic impact of sub-standard housing is well-known. Telling people to HTFU and put on another sweater apparently doesn't make up for the production lost to unnecessary illness.

Another thing worth reflecting on is that NZ has one of the world's highest rates of allergies and asthma - illnesses associated with poor indoor climates.

The predominant shortsightedness that is to be found in most property owners is rather disconcerting. Why bother saving lots of money in the long run when I can save a little bit now - and do my bit to wreck my children's health at the same time.

**p.dath** · 2nd June 2009, 16:30

Originally Posted by Swoop

The standard of housing in NZ is truly pathetic.
Why we persist in allowing crap building practices, by inept designers and foolish builders, to continue... is nothing short of amazing.

"New Zealand is not a country: it is a large-scale experiment in cryogenics."
Well, another nail in the coffin of "global warming" then.

I think the standards have improved a lot, especially since the leaky build issue.

However, we have it really good here compared to a lot of countries. It's very easy to think how bad off we are, rather than how great things are.
We don't die of dieases long since cured; we have a social system that looks after most; we dont have famon and don't see people dieing of starvation; and we have great summers!

**MIXONE** · 2nd June 2009, 16:37

I just love the way she writes!

**short-circuit** · 2nd June 2009, 16:41

Originally Posted by p.dath

I think the standards have improved a lot, especially since the leaky build issue.

However, we have it really good here compared to a lot of countries. It's very easy to think how bad off we are, rather than how great things are.
We don't die of dieases long since cured; we have a social system that looks after most; we dont have famon and don't see people dieing of starvation; and we have great summers!

This is true but then we have our own problems like endemic illiteracy.

**davereid** · 2nd June 2009, 16:56

The problem is not that NZ is too cold.

The problem is that it is not cold enough. Or at least that is not cold enough for long enough.

Today, it was cold, but sunny. Not cold enough to light the fire. Perhaps too cold not to put a jersey on.

If I lived in most of Northern Europe, it would be winter, and the central heating would have been started, needed and never turned off until the second last week of spring.

But, here, I don't need the heater, today. I'll need it tonight, but not tomorrow.

So, we never spend the money to prepare for 6 months of hard winter, cos we don't get it. We spend the two or three months thats its really nasty whining about our power bills, and trying to remember where we put our woolly socks.

**hayd3n** · 2nd June 2009, 17:27

then send them to live in Dunedin.

naaa we dont want em

**Headbanger** · 2nd June 2009, 17:31

Whinge and moan.

Just another sign of weak spirit.

Here's a plan, Sit in your houses whinging until the Government fixes your house for you.

Sorted?

**007XX** · 2nd June 2009, 17:41

Originally Posted by NDORFN

She needs to get hard. Somewhere between New Zealands pioneering days and the present, we got soft. Really soft.

Agreed.

I was born in the Tropics and had never actually played in the snow til I came to NZ 14 years ago. I got used to it eventually by taking up snowboarding: now winters have a purpose and I don't care about the cold any longer, as it means slopes of fun and excitement are just around the corner.

HTFU lady! *even though I like the way she writes...*

**Mikkel** · 2nd June 2009, 17:57

Originally Posted by 007XX

I was born in the Tropics and had never actually played in the snow til I came to NZ 14 years ago. I got used to it eventually by taking up snowboarding: now winters have a purpose and I don't care about the cold any longer, as it means slopes of fun and excitement are just around the corner.

HTFU lady! *even though I like the way she writes...*

Mind, you're still living in the Sub-tropics... there's more to NZ than Auckland. And even more so if you like to hit the snow-clad slopes.

Yes, in NZ you can get by without insulation and decent houses - all I am saying is that there are costs associated with the HTFU mentality that aren't immediately apparent.
Since "common sense" prevails on this issue and it seems to boil down to the "one buck in the hand is better than two in the bank" mentality it is, unfortunately, again up to the government to do something about it (e.g. legislation regarding mandatory double glazing).

If your kid ended up with health issues because of your (not you in particular 007XX) shortsightedness and/or ignorance wouldn't you feel rotten about that? If you could save $1000 on power every year by making a $5000 investment when building your house - wouldn't it be stupid not to?

**007XX** · 2nd June 2009, 18:05

Originally Posted by Mikkel

Mind, you're still living in the Sub-tropics... there's more to NZ than Auckland. And even more so if you like to hit the snow-clad slopes.

yes, yes I know...we still need to come and visit you and your beloved and hit the slopes together , don't we?

maybe next year, once I got some form of fitness back into my body.

If your kid ended up with health issues because of your (not you in particular 007XX) shortsightedness and/or ignorance wouldn't you feel rotten about that? If you could save $1000 on power every year by making a $5000 investment when building your house - wouldn't it be stupid not to?

Completely agree. It is admitedly a bit more difficult for people who are renting, don't you think? I guess in this instance it is really about using common sense and being disciplined in making sure that any heating solutions are being used and selected wisely (ie: closing doors behind oneself when leaving a room, having good thermal lined curtains, etc)

**Mikkel** · 2nd June 2009, 19:09

Originally Posted by 007XX

Completely agree. It is admitedly a bit more difficult for people who are renting, don't you think? I guess in this instance it is really about using common sense and being disciplined in making sure that any heating solutions are being used and selected wisely (ie: closing doors behind oneself when leaving a room, having good thermal lined curtains, etc)

Actually, that is at the heart of my argument - it's a general shift of attitude that needs to happen. First thing to get rid off is the misconception that it's big and clever just to HTFU and put on another sweater. If people were actually to understand the issue from a wider perspective you'd get a situation where landlords would be better off for insulating their houses since they'd have an easier time getting tenants and being able to charge more than for an uninsulated house.

Let's put it this way - if you have ever just once lived in a well-insulated house you won't ever want to go back to a drafty cardboard box.
Take the house we're renting - nice location, double glazing and renovated not too long ago. But what is the fucking point if you have a kitchen with tile flooring where there's absolutely no other insulation than a sheet of aluminium foil between it and the garage? A garage mind where the wind flows quite freely through vents from the outside? Result = kitchen floor is one huge heatsink which means that the heat pump has to run pretty much continuously in order to sustain a proper indoor temperature (18+°C) - and on really cold days it needs help from the fire too. It's just silly...

If NZ has got such a mild climate, why then is my partner suffering from a much more frequent occurrance of colds and sinus infections compared to old cold and damp Denmark where we get down to -10°C in winter?