I am neither a Kiwi nor...

I am neither a kiwi nor do I presume this blog reaches around the globe but I can’t help but have the ‘cockles of my heart’ warmed lovingly by the thought that someone, somewhere would take an interest in me.

EveryKiwiCounts is an attempt to draw together the New Zelanders who live in all of the four corners of the globe regardless of their success or status.

Kea New Zealand chief executive Sue Watson says: "New Zealanders living outside the country are some of our most talented people. Every Kiwi Counts is focused on finding out more about these important citizens."

I’m starting to well-up… somebody loves and appreciates you.

But wait… the bottom of this article Sue is quoted as saying:

"We will find thousands of New Zealanders who are interested in investing in this country, helping New Zealand businesses that are expanding offshore, or who might return to New Zealand for the right sort of job,"

There you go, that makes more sense… it's that Kiwi ingenuity and sense of community, supporting one another as we make our way in the world.

Nothing wrong with that…
If you’re a Kiwi living abroad take the survey…. by clicking here

If you’re not a kiwi living abroad DON’T take the survey… by clicking here

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Contributing to people's human capital?- Yeah right!

Over one-fifth of New Zealand's population have borrowed almost $14 billion.
Students who are not paying back their student loans tend to be have dropped out without completing a qualification, more likely to have studied for a lower-level qualification such as a certificate or diploma rather than a degree and are more likely to be Maori or Pacific Islanders.
With interest-free student loans there is no motivation for paying it back, why would you? Its the cheapest money you’ll ever see.
So what motivates those that have contributed $619 million in the last financial year? How many teachers are still battling with student loan repayments 1, 2, 5, 10 years after study is completed?
Deferment may be an answer for some, but is it not simply delaying the inevitable?

"The money for loan repayments has to come from somewhere... It is money which is not being spent elsewhere." Prof Paul Hansen

SO the question is not so much whether student loans are good, right and honourable but are they being accessed appropriately by students to make a significant contribution to ‘human capital’?
And whose job is it to decides?
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Student borrowing fuels the brain-drain

It is interesting to note that students are borrowing more while studying, at least in 2009 compared to 2008.
Jobs for MeWhat this article lacks is opinion. Is student debt a 'good thing'?
If students are building up debt during study that is running out of control then it will impact upon, even cripple, their chances of getting ahead as they make there way out into the 'real world'.
Deposits for houses are huge, expenses for travel are large, starting wages in New Zealand are comparatively low. Is there a 'loan crisis' emerging that only is fuelling the brain-drain?
If the only way of clearing the debt and saving for the all important deposit for the first home is to work overseas for a while then many will, most do.
"Honestly, mum. It'll be for a year or two and then I'll comeback.Don't worry." - But will they return?