kiwi logic

[Swoop]

From todays Harold.
Topical.........

Driving, costs shock migrants

16.02.06
By Julie Middleton


Immigrants don't like our driving habits and cannot believe the cost of living.

But nearly all new immigrants would tell others to join them in New Zealand, saying the country's natural beauty, relaxed pace of life and friendly people made their Kiwi experience special.

The insight comes from Skilled Migrants: A Study of Settlement Outcomes, by Ruth Wallis, a Department of Labour senior research analyst. The survey encompasses 2060 skilled and business immigrants, who were polled three to 12 months after their arrival.

A total of 93 per cent were satisfied with their lives in New Zealand.

Most immigrants - 79 per cent - were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with their jobs, and 81 per cent were happy with their housing.

But of the 94 per cent who would recommend a move here, just 55 per cent would do so "with enthusiasm", 39 per cent attaching "reservations".

Although the study did not outline what those reservations would be, immigrants listed the high cost of housing, living and healthcare among "their shocks and surprises".

Englishwoman Jennifer Barnes, who arrived in Auckland on January 3, says she can relate to the survey's main findings.

Aged 25, in New Zealand on a talent visa, flatting in Parnell and working as a product development technician for manufacturer Tasti, she has found people friendly and helpful and the environment attractive, but was "shocked" by the cost of doctors' visits.

In England, doctors' appointments are free, and although she knew medical visits here attracted costs, she had never got around to finding out what they were before arriving.

She has also found driver behaviour alarming: "They are terrible! Cutting people up, driving slowly in the fast lane and not indicating."

Rita Zhang, from China, has been in New Zealand for the past year and a half. She likes the natural beauty, the environment and the relaxed life style, enough to want to have a career here.


New Zealand - Pros and cons

Likes
* Climate, natural beauty, clean environment (selected by 85 per cent).
* Friendly people and relaxed lifestyle (79 per cent).
* Recreation and leisure activities (65 per cent).
* Safety from crime and violence (59 per cent).
* Low population density (54 per cent).

Dislikes
* Distance from home (40 per cent).
* Bad driving/lack of road safety (35 per cent).
* Poor public transport (32 per cent).
* Poor quality of housing (22 per cent).
* High cost of living (22 per cent).
* Complicated tax system (19 per cent).

[Drunken Monkey]

Crazy isn't it? Should be H.P restrictions in my opinion. For bikes, it would open up the posibility of having more to choose from, other than limited to 250cc.

Sensible idea, but who's going to pay for it? How will it be policed? Will people on learner licenses have to display a dynometer chart on the lower left of their windscreen? Easy for you to say now, but could you afford to dyno your vehicle when you were 17? Would you be prepared to pay for it just so your kids could drive?

[imdying]

Englishwoman Jennifer Barnes, who arrived in Auckland on January 3, says she can relate to the survey's main findings.

She has also found driver behaviour alarming: "They are terrible! Cutting people up, driving slowly in the fast lane and not indicating."

Stupid pom, we don't even have a fast lane.

[Grahameeboy]

Stupid pom, we don't even have a fast lane.

that is cause you don't understand that with 3 lanes the 3rd right hand lane might just be for faster use........stupid Kiwi.....okay don't really mean that last bit but what the eck......beers on me when we catch up....

[Drunken Monkey]

Use of the term 'fast lane' aside, the road code quite clearly states one should 'keep left unless overtaking'.

[Grahameeboy]

Use of the term 'fast lane' aside, the road code quite clearly states one should 'keep left unless overtaking'.

thats right, left of the central motorway barrier..............init

[Ixion]

Sensible idea, but who's going to pay for it? How will it be policed? Will people on learner licenses have to display a dynometer chart on the lower left of their windscreen? Easy for you to say now, but could you afford to dyno your vehicle when you were 17? Would you be prepared to pay for it just so your kids could drive?

Easy enough, do as some Oz states do. There is an "approved list". Anyone can apply to have a bike/car added to the list, but must show that HP is less than X. Obviously mainly manufacturers/dealers will do so. Initial list set up in consultation with "knowledgeable persons". Only applies to unmodified - so it's an offense for a beginner to drive a modified vehicle () . Prolly, for convenience add a couple of "anything older than 40 years" to cover vintage, and "anything less than 100cc" to cover scooters. Cops just need to check the make/model/year against the list. Sorted.

[Drunken Monkey]

NSW only, as far as I was aware, but the system may have been adopted by others more recently. They also have an approved list of suitable, >250cc bikes. Sensible, therefore something we will not see here.

[justsomeguy]

From todays Harold.
Topical.....................................

NZ is a great place for it's lifestyle. People should realise they come here for some decent education and a peaceful life.

Those who come here seeking great jobs and great salaries are seriously deluded or "bullshitted" by their agents.

The cost of living in Auckland is not that expensive compared to the rest of the developed world, it's just that salaries are low, so people have less to spend.

[justsomeguy]

Yeah a 250 4 stroke is too slow on the open road, should be a 400 four stroke or a 250 two stroke.

What??? I thought 100 was all you are allowed to do on an open road.

A poxy old ZZR250 will do a reliable 140kmph and any of the inline four 250's will easily do at least 160kmph. That should be fast enough for any learner.

[naughtygirl]

Hmm yeah, its crazy!

[Marmoot]

having come from another country (wont say where) been here 2 yrs now
im still trying to figure out how a 17 year old can drive a 400hp turbo v8
and myself being 28 ,even after six months on a learners ,still be limited to a 250cc engine.

F#@king ridiculous

Because 400hp turbo v8 has 4 wheels, hence more stability and less likely to fall off compared to you on 2 wheels. Especially, since you are older than the said 17 year-old, your stability is less (geriatric effect......you become less stable as you get older). The age 17 years old is the perfect teenage where the body functions perfectly.

If it were up to me, I'd abolish the 250cc bike limit on 17 year olds too, but I'll impose a 3-wheel limit on people above 50.

As for crashing risk, both are comparable as both are moving vehicles.




Besides.....the accelleration of a 400hp V8 is comparable to 250cc bike anyway.

[idb]

............ your stability is less (geriatric effect......you become less stable as you get older.................

Work has got me spinning so much at the moment I'm experiencing the gyroscopic effect.
On the bright side that can only help my stability on the bike.

[Marmoot]

Work has got me spinning so much at the moment I'm experiencing the gyroscopic effect.
On the bright side that can only help my stability on the bike.

ahh...your work negative effect negates the age negative effect then.

Good zen, keep it up.

[scumdog]

. Especially, since you are older than the said 17 year-old, your stability is less (geriatric effect......you become less stable as you get older).

Besides.....the accelleration of a 400hp V8 is comparable to 250cc bike anyway.

So it is age rather than the copious quantities of bourbon that make me less stable???

And yeah, the 250 is probably quicker up to 80-100kph.