Has New Zealand's property tax shift invited Australian investors to take a keener interest here? Photo / Brendon Thorne, Bloomberg, File
As a Kiwi living in Australia, Australians frequently express to me how they'd love Jacinda Ardern as Prime Minister here. However, that sentiment is changing.
The new property tax changes in particular have the Aussies' attention. Australians are exempt from the Overseas Investment Amendment Act in New Zealand, meaning they don't have to pay the national surcharge required from foreign investors to buy a house in New Zealand. Having had a property boom parallel to New Zealand, many Australians have large amounts of equity in their homes. Negative gearing is an attractive way to offset Australia's higher income tax rates, and the bright-line rule already exists, so there's no discouragement there. Additionally, Aussies don't have to pay stamp duty on property in New Zealand, a hefty state tax imposed on buyers of any property and arguably most Australian investors' pet peeve.
While Australia's property market becomes increasingly unaffordable, NZ looks a bargain, with the threat of a mass exodus of Kiwi investors and a forecasted drop in house prices. The Australian Government will gain too, pocketing any capital gains tax, while NZ washes up penniless with Aussies paying no New Zealand tax.
Belinda Castles, NSW, Australia.
Singapore has 5.7 million people jammed into a small island, a tropical climate and a Covid fatality rate of 5 per million — same as ours.
In February last year, people there were advised to turn off air-conditioning, open the windows and turn on fans.
In April this year — New Zealanders remain uninformed to the fact that aerosol is virtually the only way Covid is spread and that to reduce risk we should, well, turn off air-conditioning, open the windows and turn on fans.
New Zealand is light years behind Singapore — it always has been. We are not prepared for winter — no vaccine and no appropriate building ventilation. Let's hope our low population density saves us.
Andrew Montgomery, Remuera.
A week ago, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi was fully aware of shortages of oxygen and ICU beds and was still urging his states not to lockdown. President Bolsonaro in Brazil and reputedly Boris Johnson in the UK also rank economic revival as more important than lives.
Kiwis have this sussed but, periodically in New Zealand, we hear similar calls from outspoken media influencers who desperately fawn for freedoms — their overseas travel. They should all go to their overseas ideologues and stop wasting oxygen on convincing us we are not on the right track with elimination and cautious bubbles.
Steve Russell, Hillcrest.
I agree with Shane Te Pou's assessment (NZ Herald, April 27) of perceived Māori shortcomings and Ministry of Justice plans. I worked in forensic psychiatry for 28 years. We set up a new service that was developed by some very nuanced people. The first thing required was some tutelage in taha Māori. This was done by Winston Maniapoto the great-grandson of Rewi Maniapoto. Winston showed us how Pākehā and Māori were looking at life through different lenses.
As carers, we were also able to get to know our patients as individuals and see through the quite frightening exterior and contact the softer and more socialised person within. We had the psychopaths, but they occurred at the same rate in the Pākehā population. Genetic disposition seemed to be the major contributor to Pākehā mental illness but the biggest antecedent to Māori mental illness appeared to be a combination of poverty, life experience and drugs and alcohol.
They were not evil, just damaged. When they were distressed, the older female staff, preferably Māori, were a very effective part of the team to offer comfort and reassurance.
Our rehabilitation statistics reflected our level of success.
Niall Robertson, Balmoral.
Neil Anderson (NZ Herald, April 27) writes that UK Tories should be reminded that New Zealand is no longer a colony.
However, New Zealand still has the trappings of a colony.
We still have the British monarch as our head of state. We still have the British Union Jack on our flag.
What is the backdrop to Covid announcements? The Union Jack. Our politicians and officials might be representing the UK, such prominence is given to the Union Jack, during these announcements. Is it surprising that we might be mistaken for an offshoot or colony of Britain?
Carrick Bernard, Mt Albert.
Having just sneaked past another significant milestone (one marked 90) I feel qualified to opine on the features of old age.
First it is not as much fun as you might imagine or hope for. Certainly you are shown far more respect (and I suspect sympathy) than you are accustomed to or deserve. Most people are kind to elderly folk with a walking stick or a walker. Of course, unless you are a poseur, you only have the stick or the walker to enable you to stagger about without falling over. Other aspects of life such as continence assume an importance not hitherto experienced. Physical activities which were once a breeze are now a sometimes insuperable challenge, and to attempt them is folly ...
On the plus side, good Samaritans offer to return your supermarket trolley for you and are usually patient while you are on a pedestrian crossing. While incidents of short-term memory loss can be both embarrassing and irritating, the complaint is its own cure. Family members suddenly become solicitous about your health and it would be churlish indeed to attribute this to anything but genuine concern.
As the inevitable void looms ever closer, the uncomfortable truth is that the die has been cast progressively over your life span and there is little to be done now to retrieve past follies. All that you can do now is to lie back and enjoy what remains of the ride. Party on!
Peter Clapshaw, Remuera.
The people whinging about the central city are self-interested and blind to the truth. Queen St, like the Port of Auckland, has become an all-consuming issue because of decisions made generations ago.
Our business and retail centre is stuck up a blind valley. For the last 25 years our focus has rightly pivoted to the waterfront, our most valuable asset.
Our booming population added to stress, then Covid stopped progress dead in its tracks and diverted resources, but none of this matters to people indisposed to the truth because of personal cost or political gain.
Strangely enough, international brands like Prada and Louis Vuitton see otherwise, and have taken positions in Queen St.
David Hill, Freemans Bay.
I belong to a small club with no bad debts. We have used the council-owned Leicester Hall in Ellerslie for 40 years. Once a year, the council opens the bookings for halls.
Our president was online, ready to do our booking when the system opened at 9am. The system was overloaded and, when she eventually got hold of someone, another person had booked the Leicester Hall for our time slots.
We have made several phone calls to the council, only to be told each time that it is first in first served.
It does not matter that we had tried to book and that we had been using this hall for 40 years.
This happened last year but the council managed to rearrange the bookings and we maintained our slot. We have several members who will now not be able to attend.
I think the system is totally inappropriate for long-time users and do not know why the council will not listen or do anything about our complaint.
I am a very frustrated ratepayer.
Colleen Muir, Howick.
On China
To follow a policy that believes a small country does not need allies when dealing with an aggressive superpower is perilous. Tibet thought peaceful meditation would save them.
Alec Hill, Devonport.
New Zealand has a proud history of asserting its independence on the world stage when necessary. New Zealand's foreign policy settings and security arrangements are our business and we will not be pushed around.
Joe O'Brien, New Lynn.
On raiders
For the unprepared cigarette robbers, is there any chance of slipping a little sleeping gas into these fog cannons, or even a small supplement of methyl bromide?
Glenn Forsyth, Taupo.
On schools
Being a motorhomer for more than 20 years one would have to comment on the illogical speed limits for small towns villages and schools. Is a life in a country school worth less than a child in the city?
Reg Dempster, Albany.
On drunks
It is beyond belief that people (such as the latest reported from Dunedin who has been convicted eight times) are able to even get behind a vehicle wheel.
Marie Kaire, Whangārei
On Afghanistan
Your cartoon (NZ Herald, April 26) depicting Uncle Sam withdrawing from Afghanistan was missing something. Perhaps local girls watching in fear as a laughing gang of Taleban approaches them, guns waving?
B. Watkin, Devonport.
On Covid
When are we going to acknowledge Covid-19 for what it is — germ warfare?
Martin Adlington, Browns Bay.
'He has disregarded our voice and continued with this divisive kaupapa.'