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As we drift somewhat aimlessly into 2025 we might reflect on the past year and perhaps think about what the future may look like.
We Kiwis are renowned as world travellers. We live so far from anywhere that the only way to get some real culture is to travel. So we do.
Some of us spend significant amounts of time abroad for various reasons and, much as we love New Zealand, it seems more and more of us find coming home can be a bit of a letdown.
Sure, we can lay claim to punching well above our weight in some sports and it would probably be fair to say that our farmers are amongst the most efficient in the world. Some Kiwis have delivered technology and other creative milestones to the world and we are rightly proud of them. However, there’s nothing like spending time abroad to make one realise that, actually, this place we call home, appears to matter very little to the rest of the world. Sure, we get our fair share of tourists (surprisingly given the standards of service we provide) and, interestingly, the feedback recently appears to lean towards two or three general comments.
Firstly, yes, our scenery is spectacular. But just how many beaches, lakes and mountains do people really want to see?
Secondly, totally contrary to how we view ourselves, it seems more and more visitors think we’re an unfriendly bunch who don’t engage with people and make them feel welcome. Maybe it’s our natural humility or shyness or perhaps we’re fearful of strangers. Who knows?
Thirdly, our prices have become so high (thanks to the ailing economy) that meals and other entertainment have become ludicrously expensive, making us pretty poor value for money.
Visitors often comment that we seem to completely shut down out of hours and you could fire several bullets down many main streets without fear of hitting anybody. Let’s face it, if someone’s looking for a good time after a day of sightseeing, the options are pretty limited.
On top of that, the great exodus of Kiwis to Australia and other parts of the world continues. With so many of our best people leaving in droves, our work force is depleted and businesses struggle to find good staff, and it shows.
Meanwhile, the government, bureaucrats and councils pedantically pass and enforce ludicrous regulations and laws that stifle production and progress by making it too hard to do business.
Our leadership is clearly out of its depth and wallowing in racial discord, in fear of doing anything lest there is criticism. Economic disaster stares us in the eye. Luxon looks more each day like Nero fiddling while Rome burns with his obsession about climate change and his commitment to not heeding the wishes of the people as he continues his mindless support of a two-tiered society based on race: the very thing we elected his coalition in to change.
New Zealand really is merely an insignificant little pimple on the backside of the planet: most of the world hasn’t heard of us. Those who have, generally have little idea where we are and it’s surprising how many people overseas think we’re all dark skinned and run around in grass skirts poking our tongues out at each other and making strange faces.
We’d do well to remember that social media beams everything around the world and the Māori Party’s disrespect of parliament (yes, I know – it’s all because of colonialism) doesn’t make us look like a civilised democracy.
We urgently need creative, competent and focused leadership because nobody else is going to save us. The current leadership is only marginally better than the last lot, and, when all is said and done, if we simply disappeared tomorrow, nobody anywhere else on the planet would really care for more than five minutes.
