The fact that the New Zealand government looks like it will be genuinely producing federal budget surpluses over the next few years is a surprising positive. Even though they are probably producing the surplus by accident (e.g. higher than expected tax revenue due to a strengthening economy) still they are far less inept (no such thing as a good politician) then the Muppet politicians we have in Australia. Also New Zealand does not have capital gains tax thereby encouraging investment and does not have stamp duty on housing thereby promoting labour mobility. Don't get me wrong the politicians in New Zealand are still corrupt, self serving and incompetent as all politicians are but they are a paragon of virtue compared to the politicians we have in Australia. The level of socialism in Australia compared to better managed countries (e.g. New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Panama) is mind boggling. That being said you have to wonder how real the current "surplus" is in NZ. According to this article: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/new-zealand-government-to-post-a-budget-surplus-2016-05-26 The net government debt is forecast to rise out to the end of FY2018 despite apparent "surplus". "While the government's books are in the black, Mr. English said a tight rein on spending is still needed as the focus shifts to repaying debt. The Treasury is forecasting net core Crown debt of NZ$62.3 billion for the year ending June 2016, saying it will peak at NZ$68.3 billion in the year ending June 2018." Perhaps it has something to do with the way they do their accounting perhaps certain investments or capital expenditures are not classified as expenses because they produce an asset on the balance sheet and are thus counted as investments. I am not an expert in government accounting practices and am just speculating.
I think that they have a lot to be thankful for in having had only two prime ministers since 1999. Helen Clark and John Key. Centre left then centre right so really, there was not too much between them and both of them were pretty solid blokes for steering the ship in the right direction. The country itself is teetering on a financial precipice just like the rest of us but the Kiwis seem to be either genuinely okay about this for blissfully ignorant. Either way, the only things that seem to bother them is the number of Chinese property buyers in Auckland, Fonterra milk solids prices and any All Blacks test match. Heck, the biggest issue to hit their shores in years was a conundrum about should they change their flag or not. Given our next choice of PM is about as enviable as US with the Trumpster or "Hillary for prison", the grass is certainly looking greener on the other side of the Tasman. Hang on, maybe think about it after winter is over.
