The social and economic contract between New Zealanders and their government has given the populace just about everything they could want from a generous and large government. They have a first-rate universal health care at virtually no direct cost to the consumer. But the elderly cannot get expensive treatment in a timely matter. The highway system is paved and carefully maintained but clogged so badly at rush hour they cannot meet their traffic needs. Ports are clean and well-staffed, but larger ships cannot dock in severe weather because of inadequate planning. Airports are able to handle huge volumes of tourists with little fuss and confusion unless they use the larger planes essential to cross the Pacific Ocean. Larger cities have suburban rail, but light rail service has been discontinued. All but the smallest towns have bus service and all are subsidized. Ridership on public transportation is very low at 2.5% despite high taxation on motor fuels and vehicles.
The government provides free broadcast television. There are four channels, two of which have part time high definition broadcasts at 720p only. Radio stations are commercially run. High speed internet is not common and most ISPs hold customers to a very small monthly 10GB limit.
So, is this beautiful country the paradise it appears to be? With high taxes, high prices and low private sector wages, they are exporting their highly motivated and highly educated workforce overseas. In our next segment we will study just where their economy got derailed.
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