religion and politics...

[MrsRose]

Not to start a controversial thread (no seriously, controversy and quarreling are NOT the intention of this thread) but I am curious about politics, etc in NZ.

From the perspective of those who live in New Zealand: What is your take on the government, people, political attitudes, etc in your country?

some examples...
Is the government favored and respected by the people of New Zealand in general?

Is NZ more of a liberal or conservative nation? Or does this vary by city?

What are the most controversial political issues for kiwis today? (for example: in the States, things like national debt, gay marriage, abortion, health insurance, and the economy in general seem to be the big issues in our upcoming presidential election)


Just a few topics I'd like some insight on from all of you who live in NZ.
And feel free to add any other insights you might have regarding the country's politics, religions, issues, and, or course, please add some the the things you love about the nation of NZ as it pertains to these topics.

(And again....PLEASE don't turn this into a quarrelsome thread.

[USAGary]

I would say that the biggest topics in the upcoming USA election are the stonewalling done by conservatives to block any meaningful economic and social reforms which are wanted by the vast majority of Americans, the despised Citizen United doctrine that has allowed non-citizens and corporations to give unlimited campaign contributions that buy elections for their cause, the incredibly unfair shift of money to 1% of the USA population which has set up a ruling class and all the class warfare that comes with it, rampant racism and all the big money that supports it, and general tyranny of the rich. It seems that socialism isn't akin to Hitler in New Zealand like some in the USA say. But hey, I won't finish moving to the North Island for another two months so I will be able to afford more opinions then.

[MrsRose]

I don't need info on issues in the States. I live in the States. And there are about as many different opinions in this country about the problems facing us and who's to blame as there are people living in it. And blaming any one group for everything is far to massive of a generalization.

Anyways, I'm just looking for general info and opinions on New Zealand. Not only for myself, but for the benefit of all of those on this forum who are considering making NZ their new home. It helps to be thoroughly educated in all areas of NZ life before making the move. I'm sure it will make for a more smooth adjustment from one culture to another.

[topcat83]

Originally Posted by MrsRose

Not to start a controversial thread (no seriously, controversy and quarreling are NOT the intention of this thread) but I am curious about politics, etc in NZ.

From the perspective of those who live in New Zealand: What is your take on the government, people, political attitudes, etc in your country?

some examples...
Is the government favored and respected by the people of New Zealand in general?

Is NZ more of a liberal or conservative nation? Or does this vary by city?

What are the most controversial political issues for kiwis today? (for example: in the States, things like national debt, gay marriage, abortion, health insurance, and the economy in general seem to be the big issues in our upcoming presidential election)


Just a few topics I'd like some insight on from all of you who live in NZ.
And feel free to add any other insights you might have regarding the country's politics, religions, issues, and, or course, please add some the the things you love about the nation of NZ as it pertains to these topics.

(And again....PLEASE don't turn this into a quarrelsome thread.

Haha! As you may have noticed we do have some contributors who like a good bicker! We encourage healthy debate but try and stop it getting personal. NZ isn't perfect - but where is??

So here's my call on your questions:

Generally NZ people are fairly liberal - as in most don't have extremist views. As everywhere, some do - and there are certainly some Maori who (IMHO) are the most racist people I have ever come across (I mention Hone Harawira - born John Hatfield). But at least they have the right to talk, and are taken notice of. There are many countries where this is not the case.

We have a form of proportional representation in Parliament, which means people will generally vote for the party that has policies that are closest to their own beliefs rather than tactical voting to keep the party they don't want out. So the third main party in NZ are the "Greens' with over 10% of the vote at the last election. There are also a couple of smaller parties, but mainly it's between National (right wing) and Labour (left wing). Usually the government needs to form a coalition but (IMHO) I think this works in NZ because it keeps the party that's in power honest and works OK because we don't have the extremes that sometimes make other proportional representation fail (for example in Israel).

Our current PM (John Key) is a good showman - but what politician isn't? I think he's mis-read a few situations recently (Crafer farms being sold to China, Sky City Casino deal, the sale of part of the State-owned energy companies, changes in Education policy) and I think this is affecting his popularity - which seems pretty low. But we are mid-term between elections so I think that's fairly standard too.

See New Zealand Parliament - Current MPs for a full list of current MPs and their parties.

On your other questions -

Gay marriage - we're a pretty laid-back lot - live and let live. Some of the older population don't agree. But bear in mind that homosexuality has only been legal in NZ since 1986, so they grew up in a different society to today's generation.
One of the things that also surprised me is that prostitution is legal and that there are adverts on radio at every hour of the day for sex products and (which made me choke the first time I heard it) for girls to work in 'Gentlemens' Clubs' with 'great earning potential, free health care and flexible working hours'.

You'll also have to get used to the use of some words that would be considered offensive in the US - 'Bu&&er' is in general use, and just means 'bother'. There's even an ad got the Toyota Hilux that contains only that word! (see

Toyota Hilux ****** advert from New Zealand - YouTube

Toyota Hilux ****** advert from New Zealand - YouTube

)

Religion - if there's a religion for it, there will be a church somewhere here. We have some 'evangelist' types. The one that springs to mind is Brain Tamaki from 'Destiny Church'. These seem to be frequented by Pacific Islanders mainly, who are very religious, and probably the ones that can least afford the payments that these kinds of church 'request'.
I'm probably not the best one to ask about any religion as (IMHO) the world would have less wars without it.

And health insurance - well, what can I say? We don't have any, and don't feel a burning urge to go out and buy any. We've had to use the public health service a number of times (my husband has had a heart attack and a quadruple heart bypass on it) and we have nothing but praise. But others will have different stories.

That's my pulpit talk given

[dodgerodger]

Originally Posted by MrsRose

Not to start a controversial thread (no seriously, controversy and quarreling are NOT the intention of this thread) but I am curious about politics, etc in NZ.

From the perspective of those who live in New Zealand: What is your take on the government, people, political attitudes, etc in your country?

some examples...
Is the government favored and respected by the people of New Zealand in general?

Is NZ more of a liberal or conservative nation? Or does this vary by city?

What are the most controversial political issues for kiwis today? (for example: in the States, things like national debt, gay marriage, abortion, health insurance, and the economy in general seem to be the big issues in our upcoming presidential election)


Just a few topics I'd like some insight on from all of you who live in NZ.
And feel free to add any other insights you might have regarding the country's politics, religions, issues, and, or course, please add some the the things you love about the nation of NZ as it pertains to these topics.

(And again....PLEASE don't turn this into a quarrelsome thread.

The Labour party is the left, the National Party is on the right but people Kiwi's don't really talk about the government unless it is to complain that the wages need to be higher or the 15% good and services tax is too high.
The way I see it when I lived in NZ was that the kiwi's are always complaining that they don't get enough handouts from the government even though they get tons.

God does not really play a part in New Zealand; New Zealand is a rather secular country when it comes to God BUT then there is Rugby which is the national religion.

[MrsRose]

'Bu&&er' is not an offensive word in the States. (At least, no where that I have lived.) I've rarely ever even heard anyone say it, unless they're just doing a silly British impersonation.

It's interesting to note that some words, in one culture, can be so offensive, and in another culture, mean almost nothing.


So what do you mean when you say churches "request" payments? My husband and I are Christians (though our definition of a "Christian" is probably very different from the typical depiction of what a Christian is/believes.) and the idea of a church taking payments from those who attend sounds absurd. My best guess is that is those church leaders' selfish way of twisting the meaning behind scriptures concerning church tithing. There are churches like that here in the States too. They take advantage of those who come to learn about/worship God, and become very rich. A VERY small portion of the money (if any) goes to anything it SHOULD go to...like caring for the poor, helping those in need, etc...

So does NZ have a lot of political and economic dealings with China?

Oh, and another question I have is about food. (haha)
I've heard some say that NZ is a very health-conscious nation, and others say the exact opposite. I guess I'm hoping that the food in NZ is different from the U.S. Here, there are so many artificial ingredients, GMOs, etc put into our foods. You really have to go out of your way in the States to purchase whole foods and organic foods. Is it difficult to find healthy food choices in NZ as well?

Prostitution is illegal in Las Vegas (believe it or not) but it's still goes on ALL the time here. Since it's legal in NZ, is it everywhere? I mean, other than hearing adverts on the radio and such? Are there "gentlemen's clubs" in all the cities?


Sorry if I'm presenting too many questions at once.

[dodgerodger]

1. As far as I know; tithing is non mandatory in most churches here.

2. New Zealand Government LOVES China; NZ has a freetrade agreement with them and I am sure that if there was a war between the US and China; NZ would be flying the red flag.

3. I was a pretty healthy eater in the the US but when I moved to NZ the lack of good healthy ingredients at a price I could afford really threw me off my healthy path.
There is no wholefoods store in NZ or anything like it; there are fish n chip stores on every corner, milk is $8+ a gallon (so is gas)
I gained a whole bunch of weight while living in nz; only just now loosing it since moving back to LA.
There are actually believe it or not more fat people in NZ per capita than in the US.

[MrsRose]

Originally Posted by dodgerodger

1. As far as I know; tithing is non mandatory in most churches here.

2. New Zealand Government LOVES China; NZ has a freetrade agreement with them and I am sure that if there was a war between the US and China; NZ would be flying the red flag.

3. I was a pretty healthy eater in the the US but when I moved to NZ the lack of good healthy ingredients at a price I could afford really threw me off my healthy path.
There is no wholefoods store in NZ or anything like it; there are fish n chip stores on every corner, milk is $8+ a gallon (so is gas)
I gained a whole bunch of weight while living in nz; only just now loosing it since moving back to LA.
There are actually believe it or not more fat people in NZ per capita than in the US.

It's hard to imagine that ANYWHERE on earth could have more overweight people than the US!

Our family doesn't drink milk. We drink almond milk. is there any of that in NZ?
And we make most of our food from scratch (raw, whole food ingredients) so I'm not super worried about not being able to find the same stuff as in the States.
Are things like produce, rice, beans, nuts, etc expensive there?

[MrsRose]

Originally Posted by dodgerodger

1. As far as I know; tithing is non mandatory in most churches here.

2. New Zealand Government LOVES China; NZ has a freetrade agreement with them and I am sure that if there was a war between the US and China; NZ would be flying the red flag.

3. I was a pretty healthy eater in the the US but when I moved to NZ the lack of good healthy ingredients at a price I could afford really threw me off my healthy path.
There is no wholefoods store in NZ or anything like it; there are fish n chip stores on every corner, milk is $8+ a gallon (so is gas)
I gained a whole bunch of weight while living in nz; only just now loosing it since moving back to LA.
There are actually believe it or not more fat people in NZ per capita than in the US.

It's probably just as well. I think China owns more of the U.S. than the U.S. does.

[jawnbc]

Funny kiwi vocabulary story. In 2001 I dragged my two best mates (friends) to NZ for a holiday. Air NZ had a sale on, so we hit the North island, as well as Raro and a bit of French Polynesia. We still talk about that trip--and now they promise to come visit me often in Auckland once I'm there.

But I digress...

I explained to them that the work "d1ckhead" doesn't' have the same connotation as it does in Canada. I also explained about how some kiwis have rather clipped vowels in their speech. And for the first couple of days they razzed me mercilessly about it all being BS.

We stopped in a tea house en route to Northland--empty in August except for us and the proprietor--and got some lovely tea and scones and enjoyed the views over the gulf. A mother and young daughter came in shortly thereafter--I'd guess the little girl was 6 or 7.

Mummy: Suh how wuz school today?
Girl: Jummy wuz bein' a deckhid.

The guys nearly sprayed their teas. After that we heard d1ckhead almost every day.

(I apologize if my attempts to orthographize a kiwi accent has offended)!