[Ibon]

Slightly off topic, the load controller (governer) on our micro hydro set up here in Panama had a maintenance issue and I needed a couple connectors that I couldn't locate. I contacted Powerflow, the New Zealand manufacturer. They sent me the spare part connectors in the mail and didn't even charge me and the unit is 8 years old. So very nice!

[Shaved Monkey]

the secret is out

"The thing that was always working against New Zealand - the tyranny of distance - is the very thing that becomes its strength as the world becomes more uncertain,"
"If the world is going to go to hell in a hand basket, they're in the best place they could possibly be,"
"People want to get the hell out of where they are and they feel that New Zealand is safe."
"The world is heading into a major crisis," said internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom in October. "I saw it coming and that's why we moved to New Zealand. Far away & not on any nuclear target list."
http://www.theage.com.au/business/the-r ... sgsp0.html

[Ibon]

the secret is out

"The thing that was always working against New Zealand - the tyranny of distance - is the very thing that becomes its strength as the world becomes more uncertain,"
"If the world is going to go to hell in a hand basket, they're in the best place they could possibly be,"
"People want to get the hell out of where they are and they feel that New Zealand is safe."
"The world is heading into a major crisis," said internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom in October. "I saw it coming and that's why we moved to New Zealand. Far away & not on any nuclear target list."
http://www.theage.com.au/business/the-r ... sgsp0.html

Those are all compelling reasons except that this should never be the main reason to go live there. One decides to go live in a place for the inherent organic assets of the place and its people, not because of some rodent in a hole escape strategy. New Zealand does have great cultural and ecological assets by the way. A great place to live.

[kiwichick]

@ ibon......that's nice.....not all of us have horns coming out of our head

[sparky]

.
Like the police a country has the politicians it deserve
Australia " poor fellow.. my country "

[KaiserJeep]

Roads are not bad things to have if you could traverse them without burning vast amounts of petroleum. A system of paved roads accompanied by charging stations say every 100 km or so would last a long time with lightweight EVs using them. Likewise heavy freight should be moved by barges and railroads, with both powered by electricity. The island of NZ has opportunities for Hydropower, Solar Power, Wind Power, and Nuclear Power. All you need is a plan to replace oil and coal. Which party has a plan?

[ROCKMAN]

S - That's one of the problems with democracy, eh? The voters make the politicians and the politicians make the rules. LOL.

I don't really think the world is more self centered today then before. Folks didn't oppose actions, even if the didn't agree with them, if they didn't have a negative effect on them. But as BAU continues to become more difficult and resources deplete such negative effects start spreading wider.

Take Germany: no great uproar over taking in ME refugees...initially. I'm sure many right leaning Germans didn't care for it but kept silent for the most part...initially. But as the refugee numbers grew and the costs grew the right began vocalizing their self-interest THAT WAS ALWAYS THERE. And the concern may exist in varying degrees with the middle and even left TODAY. And when/if those two groups start suffering significantly they'll probably start exposing their "selfishness".

Always easier to shard when you have a lot. Much more difficult when you feel you're not getting " your fair share".

[ROCKMAN]

S - "The difference between Germany and New Zealand is that whilst we have a lot of immigrants they don't end up on welfare. They also don't cause problems." Didn't know that...thanks. And makes my point: no pain...easy to be nice. Don't take that as criticism...just the reality of the situation. Lucky you.

If some of the initial reports are true we might see Canadian how accepting they remain for illegals: as a result of our new POTUS there's a potential mass migration north from the US.

[Newfie]

Squallim,
IIRC immigrats to NZ have to cross a pretty high bar. Be able to show some advanced ability to contribute to society and have a fair amount of cash. Also age restrictions?

[Cog]

The don't want unproductive old people. Ageism.

[yellowcanoe]

If some of the initial reports are true we might see Canadian how accepting they remain for illegals: as a result of our new POTUS there's a potential mass migration north from the US.

No problem. We're going to build a wall and then make the Americans pay for it!

[ROCKMAN]

Y - Not the first Canadian "wall". When I started in the 70's Canada was extremely protective of its workforce. Maybe had high unemployment at the time. It was very difficult for a US citizen to transfer to his oil company's office in Calgary. Even traveling to Canada for a meeting came under close scrutiny.

[rockdoc123]

Not the first Canadian "wall". When I started in the 70's Canada was extremely protective of its workforce. Maybe had high unemployment at the time. It was very difficult for a US citizen to transfer to his oil company's office in Calgary. Even traveling to Canada for a meeting came under close scrutiny.

I think it went both ways. If you worked for one of the multi nationals (i.e. Exxon/Imperial OIl, Gulf Oil, Chevron etc) who had offices in both Canada and the US the process to get a transfer even for a limited time period to the US wasn't easy. Even though you had a job and were sponsored by a major oil and gas company the vetting process took a few months and there were cases where you might be refused if you didn't have some sort of skill set that wasn't uncommon. As an example it was easier for a PhD sedimentologist to get a transfer from Calgary to Houston than it was for a BSc non-specialist geologist.

Back in the early seventies I think the biggest issue Canada had in dealing with illegal immigrants was the influx of draft dodgers!

[ROCKMAN]

S - Interesting...thanks. So given an extremely small % of one group which would qualify under those stipulation it appears NZ has what is, in essence, a ban on Muslim immigrants.