NZ most socially advanced country - report

**Ocean1** · 4th April 2014, 19:24

Originally Posted by jasonu

NZ is a total rip off for day to day stuff. All of the items I mentioned are at least double the price I pay here even after the exchange rate is added in.

Originally Posted by Robbo

Sure, some things are expensive compared to other countries but you have to remember that our population is extremely small compared to them and our geographical location also adds to the costs. This is a price worth paying for the lifestyles we enjoy.

Originally Posted by JimO

its the economy of scale, 4 million v whatever the population of the US is, also we are tucked away at the bottom of the world

It's fuck all to do with economies of scale, not much more to do with transport costs.

It's simply the difference between the bargaining power of a very large economy and a very small one. Where items sold in the US are supplied from the same source the costs are typically 160% dearer in NZ, and while items from different sources may be of slightly different inherent value, (and in my experience there's a lot of shit dumped on the NZ market) the price difference is pretty much the same.

Blame who you like, but NZ, along with many similarly sized countries are effectively subsidising the US consumers in particular, and every other large economy in general. And short of some very clever trade agreements with other affected countries to form a trading bloc with some clout I don't see any way you can change it.

**ellipsis** · 4th April 2014, 22:24

...we don't do too bad for a country with a population around that of Melbourne...and we are free to take advantage of the delights our refuge allows us, if you wish...it's all relative...cheese is relative too, I suppose, and shit...

**Ocean1** · 5th April 2014, 09:31

Originally Posted by ellipsis

...we don't do too bad for a country with a population around that of Melbourne...and we are free to take advantage of the delights our refuge allows us, if you wish...it's all relative...cheese is relative too, I suppose, and shit...

Absolutely. And you only have to look here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...3-Stupid-World
to see how ugly comparing how green is our neighbours grass makes people.

**mashman** · 5th April 2014, 09:53

Originally Posted by Ocean1

Absolutely. And you only have to look here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...3-Stupid-World
to see how ugly comparing how green is our neighbours grass makes people.

Pick your colour parasite.

**jasonu** · 5th April 2014, 13:15

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

ok consider this. Lets say you dragged your sorry arse overseas 10 odd years ago.

meanwhile here I think we've all noticed how much the shopping bill has gone up & power & other general services. The grocery cartels are pushing up prices of fresh food insanely whilst paying the same or less than they did for it 20 years ago (go ask a produce farmer if you can find one who hasn't lost he will to live).

Anyway lets say this aforementioned miserable bstd comes home for a visit, it would be more of a shock. I can see why Jason makes that statement. Heck there have been quite a few articles in the slightly off mainstream media about it.

Anyways I'd still rather live here.

Yes mate that about sums it up. You get a real shock when you get off the plane, drive down the road to the nearest pub away from the airport and pay $10 for 2 regular tap beers .

In my opinion unless you have spent a significant amount of time living overseas you will never know just how expensive NZ really is.

**F5 Dave** · 12th April 2014, 13:02

In Dom yesterday , Nz about 5th highest food costs for developed countries. 14% of household income. Compared to 7% in US. Strangely Aussie was higher. Japan etc were higher but they subsidise farming

**Headbanger** · 12th April 2014, 13:23

Can't speak for anyone else, But our grocery outlay each week for a family of four in Aus is half of what we paid in NZ.

Food isn't as flavorsome though. (lamb is a sad joke).

Personally I consider the figures are skewed purely because so many people when they are looking for work can skip over the ditch and get a job.