Why would there be poverty in our “Western” country? Why would there be organisations set up to help children in poverty in our affluent “Western” country? Why would we need legislation enforced in 2019 to make housing’s indoor environment up to the International Standard? Why would we need to have legislation to ensure every house has heating …. in our Western Country?

In NZ we have massive issue of child poverty that we shouldn’t have ( poverty in general). We have “third world” diseases (increasing by the way) that we shouldn’t have. Why in this country do we have organisations set up and/or lobbying for child poverty? It blows my mind. This shouldn’t be so – we have enough wealth in NZ that kids shouldn’t have to go to school hungry and without shoes. It’s a serious problem. The balance needs to change.

Does this ever cross your mind?

 My friend from London came over to stay with us here in NZ, not long after we emigrated to NZ from London. I asked her what she thought of NZ – she said something like this – “I think there is a shop front here in NZ that displays what is good and beautiful but there is something hiding, not good, behind the closed doors” – pretty astute I reckon.

The housing in NZ is generally incredibly poor. We watched about 32 houses being built opposite us a few years ago ….my husband went on how he would never buy one of those houses they were so badly made. Our house itself was classified as a “Leaking home” because the builder didn’t put the windows or doors in correctly and didn’t finish the painting on the outside of the house at the standard it should have been.

Of course the council signed it off after it was built but took no responsibility when we approached them.  Sigh. That’s another story.

So lets Disturb the Balance…? Or do we want this to continue being the status quo?

1. The government needs to get their act together, pull out all the stops no more excuses. Its our kids!!

2. The housing needs to be priority!! Seriously!! I have patients who live in sheds and garages! My own son rents a house that doesn’t have insulation and no heating but the landlord keeps ignoring him. So the insulation she stated on the contract that was there was never there!! We haven’t even got as far as double-glazing and in Europe they have triple glazing!! Please don’t tell me its not cold enough …..!!

3. We need to start seeing what is in front of our eyes in admidst our wealth, our nice houses and nice cars. NB Don’t be prejudice, read the statistics to get the facts. 

4. Why is there GST on food? Why am I paying >$6 for a pound of butter – when its made here in NZ? People can’t afford food – the basics – milk, cheese, eggs, bread …. why is it made so difficult for people to survive here?

We survived better in London …. better wages cheaper food and the competition being so vast – it made for real good buys eg food, utilities, phone companies.

Seriously I don’t have all the answers BUT it needs to be stated and shouted from the mountain tops! If the MPs took a cut in wages (she says snickering at the thought of them living in a shed) AND  we all did a little then maybe something would shift.

I know that’s a massive spreel …… but hey Im passionate about what I see daily.