THERE is unfairness, and there is real, gratuitous unfairness. Many of the Times-Age subscribers would, I suspect, have little time for those who are too quick to lament at "unfair" circumstances. Youngsters, in particular, have a completely warped sense of justice, and are very prone to exploit whatever entitlement they think they deserve. Others believe they are owed something by default, and find comfort in blaming the system, the Government, social media, or our commercialised culture, for their missed opportunities. And sure, government policy does influence us all.
New Zealand no longer has a golden age, of jobs for everyone at the post office, and the effort for reward ratio is possibly tougher -- although my parents' and grandparents' generations might argue they worked damn hard for the comforts they enjoy now. But what I believe is demonstrably unfair, and well out of proportion to our culture, is getting on the property ladder.
You could roll your eyes at yet another lament about first-home purchasing, until you watch your own children attempt it. The hellish thing is that it is cheaper to be on a mortgage than it is to pay rent, as long as you can raise an exorbitant deposit for houses that right now are far too expensive for what they are, especially in Auckland but that's certainly the case in Wellington as well. Wairarapa's prices are perhaps more realistic but are climbing -- it's a sellers' market.
It doesn't take long to realise that it could take a grandparent's inheritance and significant financial help from your parents to make your first home a reality. Now, I do believe it is right and proper that parents pay it forward, in the knowledge that it's a legacy that will carry on for future generations. It may well be that parents have to take out savings policies, in much the same way that American parents save for their kids' educations. Now, added to the unfairness, are ravaging investors snapping up properties, notably in Auckland. My point is that many of the "difficult" things in life are, in reality, in proportion with our coping mechanisms -- even for those who might need a bit of a kick up the backside. But house buying is, right now, well out of proportion. John Key's proposed land tax for overseas buyers could be a useful move. Investment is fair enough, but our citizens should come first.
