Many families encounter times when it's clear a particular situation is unsustainable and an intergenerational agreement needs to be reached.
Often these discussions are difficult. Sometimes they lead to a resolution but sometimes the situation is ignored and reaches the point where it can't be solved without a disaster.
For example, a teenager might have to be told to shape up, get a job, grow up and leave home. A problem gambler might need to be told to stop gambling and look after the family or leave. Old and sick parents might need to be told it's time to sell the house to move into a retirement home.
It's time the New Zealand family had that difficult discussion about intergenerational wealth and debt because the present situation cannot be sustained beyond the next 20 years or so. Older property owners need to give up some of their wealth and future benefits.
For the doubters, here's why New Zealand and many other developed, ageing and indebted economies have a looming problem.