MMP Results

On the 25th November NZ election there was also a referendum on NZ's version of proportional representation. The results were released yesterday- with people in favour of keeping MMP. I am SO puzzled why people would have voted that way. ... Only yesterday did John Key advise the Governer General of the intention to form a government. So after the election, weeks of nothing, I would suppose as he works out his coalition agreements. I don't like MMP because it results in perpetual coalition governments. Small parties or influential one person shows ally with the biggest party and get given too much influence for their portion of support. Voters don't know what they'll get.

In my view good governments do more than just troll through their term bouncing about but instead made decisions and often bold moves. New Zealand's short 3 year election term coupled with the MMP induced lack of a decisive and clear government mandate, in my view weakens the ability of the NZ government to act boldly and decisively for the people of NZ.

Jogging

I arrived in NZ in 2006 and completed my first and only half marathon in early 2007.
A few years ago I competed in a 1/4 marathon. I haven't done much since until I ran the 5km in the South island masters games a month or two back. I've been jogging regularly for the past month or so and recently purchased a Garmin GPS watch. I love it! Now I can check my pace, and all sorts of data and then when I get back analyze how it went. I hope it will get easier over time and I'll be able to build up distance at my current pace.

An auckland trip

My boss & I were flying to Auckland Thursday night. As were were about to Board, there was an annoucment that due to operational requirements we would be flying via New Plymouth. It was later annouced that we'd be picking extra passengers up. I was mighty surprised to see that one of the passengers was none other than a smiling Prime Minister John Key. The fellow in the row in front of me who was from overseas mentioned how good he thought it was, than their key leaders wouldn't fly commercial. I don't think many on the plane minded- we had a good tail wind so ended up only around half an hour delayed. A few people went up and said hello to Mr. Key.
We were staying in Parnell & we stopped at one of the first restaurants we came across- which was Siam I am. I had the best thai chicken dish I've ever eaten. Friday we attended an NZICA course on doing business in Australia which was really good. Then I had a good catch up and visit Friday night through mid day Saturday with one of my former flatmates and we found a tasty mexican restaurant for lunch . I was reminded during the visit how lovely the Auckland waterfront is. The tram that was going through the new Wynyard area didn't have many passengers, but I'd like to do it one day.

Now back in Nelson I've cast my votes in the election today. There were 2 ballots- one to cast the party vote and candidate vote, and the other to cast about whether to keep MMP or not, and what option to go to if it was to be replaced. Interestingly, you mark check marks in NZ, not Xs. Election results should be out tonight. The election campaign is very low key compared to a Canadian campaign- I can't really say I saw anything in the form of attack ads.

A few things

Once again it has been a great while. Things have been busy with me moving in to a new job.

I recently entered the South Island Masters Games in 3 different events and came away with 3 medals. I entered the 3km race walk which I underestimated the pain of. Wow- I could barely walk for several days after from my soreness after having had to land with a straight knee. I threw a discus for the first time in about 15 years and I seem to think I came about 10 m less than I used to. And finally I did a 5km road race and came up with a really good time for me and a bronze medal. A friend and I also attended one of the events: the Harbour cruise. Too bad it was rainy and overcast that day- I'd loved to have seen the view of the Nelson from the Harbour. It was a great event- a 97 year old man competed in the 5km road walk and won a gold medal. I think he really showed a lot about the benefits of staying active.

It's into garden and flower planting season here and I've been going a little crazy. Many different plants planted... Stay tuned for how they turn out and grow.

I really enjoyed watching the Amazing Race Australia which just finished. It was the first season and the Aussies were racing for $250K. My favourite- the cowboys only made it to the final 4 where they were eliminated after a challenging sewing task. I think they picked the Aussie host based on how much he looked like Phil K from the normal American Race. I wish they'd do an Amazing Race NZ! :)

to Canada and back again

I've been rather silent. I was in Canada mid July through mid August.
My flight Auckland to Vancouver was delayed. I arrived at Vancouver airport about an hour and a quarter before my connecting flight. After clearing customs I RAN through to the domestic transfer desk, got my boarding pass, went through security and then RAN to my gate where my aircraft was boarding. I am thankful the security person didn't select me- from the time he was spending on the person a number in front of me, I think I would have missed my flight. I arrived in sunny and HOT Regina later that evening and had a few days in the Regina area catching up with friends. I then took STC bus up to Glaslyn where I was picked up by mom and dad. I had nearly a week with them. Next on the holiday trail was some time camping in the Meadow Lake Provincial Park. In small Saskatchewan fashion, after selecting Mistohay Lake to camp at, we met our neighbour who turned out to be related to my uncle and aunt. We also spotted a bear at the neighbouring camp site just across the road. Thankfully the neighbours boxer dog scared him away later that night for the duration of our trip. We had quite a wild thunderstorm during the first night there- it was amazing how the tent lit up, lightning flash after lightning flash. Thankfully we didn't get the big hail some of the other campsites just up the road did. Next on the holiday trail came a half day shopping at West Edmonton Mall. This was done en route to Kelowna where we had a few days visiting with mom/ dad/ my brother and sis in law/ my first niece and my other brother and his girlfriend. That was all good family time. And then we flew to Vancouver Island and had 4 1/2 days there, before we had to transit back to Vancouver and return home. I could never live in Tofino with its summer cloud and fog cover, but it was a beautiful place to visit. We had an amazing encouter with 2 humpback whales when we went on the hot spring boat tour. I don't think I've ever been so amazed and so afraid all at once. It was sad to see the end of holidays, but it was definitely a good break. We returned to quite the cold snap with many flights cancelled the day we arrived. Thankfully, ours was only bumped back a couple of hours. Welcome back to winter- which in Nelson thankfully consists of a lot of sun.

Of referendums and Political Party ads

Received in the post this week: my address check and information for the upcoming election and referendum on 26th November. The questions on the voting system are as follows:

1) The first is whether you think New Zealand should keep MMP (the current system) or change to another voting system.

2) The second question asks which of the 4 other voting systems you would choose if New Zealand decides to change from MMP: first past the post, preferential voting, single transferable vote, or supplementary member. You can read more about them at www.elections.co.nz

My answer on the first question will be simple. I've not been overjoyed to see how the NZ MMP system has worked to date. (A brief precis- there are currently 120 members- 70 come from electorate districts and 50 from the list. We all get 2 votes- one for a local candidate and also a party vote. The party vote is used to determine the total portion of members a party will get in the house- more or less. To get a member either an electorate must be won, or a minimum of 5% support must be obtained.) This pretty much guarantees coalition governments are the norm. Voters are not quite sure who will coalesce with who- and what the government will look like. I support a system which allows the voters to know what they will get should the party they vote for come into power- and also which will allow the government the mandate to govern and take decisive action in the manner that was supported by many voters.

The answer to the second is more difficult- I'll need to do more homework.


This week I also received a brochure from the Labour party in the post box. The front shows a basket of groceries and says "Prices are rising faster than wages, a 20% increase in just 8 months". On the back it has Labour's plan- which is to take GST off fresh fruit and veges, to make the first $100 of income tax free, to have a tax system where everyone pays their fair share of tax, and to keep kiwi assets like power companies and help keep power prices under control. They've contrasted their view of National's policy- to sell assets, borrow for tax cuts, put the GST up, and cut kiwisaver.

This is one of the most interesting brochures I've seen in a very long time- certainly during in my time in NZ. Almost every single item could be discussed in great detail. Re: the GST on veg & fruits comment: the price of fruit and vege in NZ varies dramatically based on seasonality. I pay a fortune for tomatoes year round because I want to keep eating them- the grocery stores aren't afraid to shoot their prices up in winter and people like me continue to pay. We had a recent GST rise from 12.5% to 15%. I see I am purchasing my peppers for $1.99 each now. I can't recall that they were a fraction less prior to the GST rise. It appears to me the grocery store set their prices. Labour seems of the view that grocery prices are set in stone and will not be impacted by government action. They seem to believe in good faith the grocery stores will not take the 15% cut into their own pockets. I'm more skeptical. I can not support this policy to reduce government revenues without any guaranteed benefit to consumers. On the second front, New Zealand currently has a wonderfully simple GST system to administer compared to other countries like Canada and Australia as GST is applied to a broad base of transactions without the exceptions other systems use that make tax accountants lots of money but which cause the general business owner confusion . Labour clearly supports increased administration. I could not support this policy- whether it is a money maker for accountants, or not.

That's just a comment on one of their comments. I'd love to hear yours...
Let me know what you think on the MMP issue, as well.

Torrents and figures

Well- we've sure been getting rain and rain and rain and rain. This has translated into green grass for my horsey Oscar- which has translated into him being rather hyper and naughty. Now we've gotten into longer nights of darkness so I'm only riding on the weekend. He could use a lot more work.

Work has been a tad bit busy. This accountant is awfully tired of the old thing called "year end!"

I've got a holiday coming up mid July through mid August in Canada- I can't wait!

I'm pleased to hear about the Canadian majority government. We've got an election coming up later in the year. PM Key annouced it months ago - with some stability to come in advance of Rugby World Cup. I'd love to see a majority here- it's rather tricky with the proportional representation.