Jealous, much
New Zealand has one of the lowest income tax rates in the OECD.
Even after going up to 39 per cent, the top rate is still less than that of Switzerland (41.7 per cent), Denmark (55.9 per cent), Netherlands (49.5 per cent), Finland (51.2 per cent) and Australia (47
per cent).
It's lower than the UK (45 per cent), the US (43.7 per cent) and even Turkey (40.8 per cent). To find lower tax rates means going to eastern Europe, such as Lithuania (32 per cent), Slovakia (25 per cent) and Czechia (15 per cent).
New Zealand's top corporate tax rate is comparatively high, at 28 per cent, but it still lies behind Australia (30 per cent), Japan (29.7 per cent), and Germany (29.9 per cent).
So why is tax such a huge burden on New Zealanders that so many are so terrified of the unwashed masses taking their hard-earned cash?
Never mind the politics of envy, when did jealousy politics become mainstream?
Morgan L. Owens, Manurewa.
Communication breakdown
In a country where the public sector is reported to spend $88.7 million annually on "communications", it's ridiculous that a pregnant Canadian mum (NZ Herald, August 5) should be one of many new migrants every year left "stressed and shaken", due to lack of awareness of important residence visa travel conditions
It is hardly surprising that migrants who gain residence - i.e. no longer need to keep reapplying for "temporary" work visas - might assume that they could take short holidays without ever requiring permission to re-enter New Zealand.
Rather than officiously noting that the migrant was "sent an approval letter which outlined her travel conditions", Immigration New Zealand might consider the Business Communications 101 maxim that the sender of communications should take responsibility for ensuring they will be effective.
For a figure closer to $88.70, I would be happy to draft an equally accurate but far more effective "approval letter", along with a follow-up email.
Stephen Bayldon, Mt Roskill.
Under the raider
I sympathise with business owners who have been victims of ram raids and break-ins. However, I have difficulty understanding their demands for instant action from Jacinda and the Government to solve the problem. "They need to know the consequences" is the common cry.
That the police have arrested a significant number of those responsible, on several occasions only minutes later, and that they are already being subjected to the New Zealand rule of law, does not seem to be acceptable.
What else can they expect? Public floggings?
Adolescents, and particularly boys, don't think about the consequences of their actions; they are in for the thrill of the immediate, not what might happen as a result.
At the same time as demanding action, many are recognising these events are the consequence of societal issues, and are more complex than simple in finding solutions. Bless them for that understanding.
That is where a prime responsibility does rest with Jacinda and Government, and for that matter any future government of New Zealand.
David Hood, Hamilton.
Over rated
A reader's comment (NZ Herald, August 5) about Auckland Council reducing the rateable value on Auckland homes now housing prices are softening made me smile. The values are based on nothing more than sheer speculation.
The valuers are instructed to look at house sales within certain areas, pick out an average price and then add a speculative value for inflation. No consideration is given to land size, house size, or condition of said properties. They are more concerned with how many bedrooms and toilets a property may have.
My property valuation is grossly overinflated with the consequence I am faced with, not a 6 per cent rate rise but, a more than10 per cent rate rise. I look forward to a more realistic valuation.
P.C. Guptill, Wattle Downs.
Hard place
A relative studying to qualify as a nurse says that if the 1100 hours of clinical placement were paid, it would go a long way to offset the cost, about $28,000, of gaining the three-year qualification.
Not only that: payment would help mitigate apparent hardship.
A NZNO survey found that nearly half of nursing students (49 per cent) indicated they had experienced financial difficulties associated with clinical placements. Addressing this issue may not only help reduce the number of nursing students dropping out before qualifying (nearly one-third, according to a RNZ report), but increase the numbers of New Zealanders opting in the first place to take up a nursing career.
John Hunt, Hobsonville.
