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Kiwis live well and prosper.

Leongsam

High Order Twit / Low SES subject
Admin
Asset
h-nzheraldlogo-sans.gif


<hr class="displayNone"> <!-- First Image Width= 300 --> Kiwis live well and prosper Doc

4:00AM Sunday Nov 01, 2009
By Andrea Milner

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The most prosperous nations have happy, free citizens. Photo / NZ Herald



New Zealand has made it into the top 10 of a list of the world's most successful countries, according to a global survey of wealth and happiness.
New Zealand ranks 10th in a "prosperity index" of 104 nations covering 90 per cent of the world's population released last week by London-based free market think-tank the Legatum Institute. Finland takes the top spot, while Australia ranks sixth.


Unsurprisingly, Zimbabwe is at the bottom.


The survey brings together data on economic growth with ratings for democracy, social provision, happiness and quality of life.


It shows the most prosperous nations are not necessarily those that have only a high GDP, but also those that have happy, healthy, and free citizens.
A key finding is that it is true money can't buy happiness - unless you are poor.


Only in the poorest countries do increases in income have a significant effect on people's life satisfaction.


Most New Zealanders see themselves as healthy, but just 62 per cent say they feel well rested, which suggests many people either do not get enough sleep or are experiencing significant sources of stress in their day-to-day lives.


Economically, the report says New Zealand is stable and productive, but export performance is weak, indicated by a low ratio of export revenues to the cost of imports.


Also, it says the country's raw material reliance is moderately severe, and foreign direct investment is very low, illustrating one of the drawbacks of self sufficiency and independence.


Workers in New Zealand command plentiful resources in the workplace, as measured by the capital stock per worker, an indicator that quantifies such things as offices and machinery. And our domestic savings run near the international average.


With few bureaucratic hoops to jump through to start a new business, a spirit of entrepreneurship prevails, but New Zealand may be falling behind on innovation.


Information and communications technology and high-tech exports are low, and expenditure on research and development makes up just 1.2per cent of GDP.


While New Zealand has been slow to make use of its entrepreneurial freedom in high-tech industries according to the report, royalty receipts constitute a relatively high percentage of GDP, showing businesses are able to commercialise their intellectual property.


Just over half of the population owns a computer, ranking New Zealand near the global average on this measure.


Efficient and open processes inspire public confidence in New Zealand's businesses and Government, the report says.



Economic and commercial activities are well regulated, business institutions inspire high levels of confidence, and New Zealanders believe their government and businesses are largely free from corruption.


Copyright ©2009, APN Holdings NZ Limited
 

kansas

Alfrescian
Loyal
New Zealand and Australia are ideal destinations for Singaporeans.

One great advantage is it is so much closer to Singapore, visiting relatives in Singapore is so much easier and the flight is shorter and cheaper.

Great weather, sunny days, warm and cool.

If you think Singapore is expensive, Australia is a paradise :biggrin:
 

Leongsam

High Order Twit / Low SES subject
Admin
Asset
h-nzheraldlogo-sans.gif


<hr class="displayNone"> <!-- First Image Width= 300 --> NZ among Lonely Planet's best 2010 destinations

1:00PM Monday Nov 02, 2009
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Paragliding over Queenstown is described as a 'life-changing experience' by Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2010 guide. Photo / Eveline Jenkin




New Zealand has been named one of the top countries to visit in 2010 by Lonely Planet's popular Best in Travel guide.


The annual publication draws on the knowledge of Lonely Planet's staff and authors to highlight some of the best and most inspirational travel experiences from around the globe.


In naming New Zealand, the guide's authors said there was wisdom in the old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and the last time they checked "the land of Maori and hobbits certainly didn't need repairing".


Paragliding over Queenstown, exploring Tongariro National Park, kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park and taking a flight over Fiordland are singled out as "life-changing experiences" by the guide.


Best in Travel 2010 also features 10 top regions and cities to travel to in the coming year as well as numerous other lists.


The South Island's Otago Peninsula is named one of the 10 best cycling routes for its mixture of "scenery and sweat" while Dunedin's "network of dog-friendly trails" helped it secure a place on the list of top 10 places to walk your dog.


New Zealand is also praised for its sustainable tourism practices.
"NZ is spearheading the ecotravel revolution, winning international accolades for its ethos towards responsible travel... When you're gawping at the spine-tingling vistas it's good to know they'll still be there for future generations."


Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive George Hickton said being singled out by Lonely Planet as one of the Top 10 Countries for 2010 was an "astonishing result" given the competition from established and emerging tourism destinations.


The other countries on the top 10 list are: El Salvador, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Portugal, Suriname and the USA.
- NZ HERALD ONLINE
 

neddy

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset

NZ will have an important role to play in the future of this crowded planet.

India is turning to Africa to produce food for its people. China is losing more farmland to Disneyland. For people from these 2 countries, they will need to chill out in NZ and turn to NZ for fresh produces and the clear blue sky soon.
 

neddy

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
I suspect Kevin's money did wonders to homesick Aussie-based Kiwis as well. :biggrin:


Kevin Rudd sends Aussies to New Zealand
By staff writers AAP
November 09, 2009 03:28pm

New Zealand's 2009 winter ski season recorded 1.5 million sets of skis hitting the slopes
KIWI tourism operators are sending a big thanks to Kevin Rudd for "stimulating" their best ever ski season. The recession-beating stimulus package handout had the unusual spin-off effect of helping Australia's recession-ravaged neighbour out of the financial doldrums.


New Zealand's 2009 winter ski season was the best ever, with 1.5 million sets of skis and snowboards hitting the slopes.

This impressive figure is thanks largely to record numbers of Australians flying over the ditch to sample the snow delights.

"We're all writing to Kevin Rudd to see if he'll do it again next winter," Lake Wanaka Tourism manager, James Helmore, said.

It's a big turnaround for New Zealand, which started the season saying Aussie ski numbers were disappointing.

Just over a million Australians either ski or snowboard but only 60,000 to 80,000 were choosing to do it in New Zealand each year.

This year's season, which officially ended on Sunday, is expected to have drawn over 100,000 skiers across the Tasman.

The extra income brought some much-needed relief to New Zealand, which has officially been in recession since early 2008.
 
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