Changes

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New Zealand’s towns and cities are rapidly becoming ‘hyper-aged’.<ref>[https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/24-11-2022/welcome-to-the-hyper-ageing-nation-that-is-new-zealand ''Welcome to the hyper-ageing nation that is New Zealand''] by Charlie Mitchell, November 24, 2022, The Spinoff (originally appeared in Stuff.NZ.CO)</ref>]]

New Zealand’s towns and cities are rapidly becoming ‘hyper-aged’.<ref>[https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/24-11-2022/welcome-to-the-hyper-ageing-nation-that-is-new-zealand ''Welcome to the hyper-ageing nation that is New Zealand''] by Charlie Mitchell, November 24, 2022, The Spinoff (originally appeared in Stuff.NZ.CO)</ref>]]

MacauBusiness.com notes: "The [[World Health Organization]] defines a country as having an “ageing society” when the proportion of people aged 65 or more is between 7 and 14 per cent of the total population; as having an “aged society” if this proportion is between 15 and 20 per cent; and as having a “super-” or “hyper-aged society” when this proportion is 21 per cent or higher."<ref>[https://www.macaubusiness.com/special-report-2031-the-hyper-aging-society-scenario/ Special Report – 2031: The hyper-aging society scenario], MacauBusiness.com, 2021</ref>  

MacauBusiness.com notes: "The [[World Health Organization]] defines a country as having an “ageing society” when the proportion of people aged 65 or more is between 7 and 14 per cent of the total population; as having an “aged society” if this proportion is between 15 and 20 per cent; and as having a “super-” or “hyper-aged society” when this proportion is 21 per cent or higher."<ref>[https://www.macaubusiness.com/special-report-2031-the-hyper-aging-society-scenario/ Special Report – 2031: The hyper-aging society scenario], MacauBusiness.com, 2021</ref>  

On 11 August 2020, Jacinda plunged [[Auckland]], the largest city in New Zealand, into a "level three" shutdown, meaning that it was similar to "level four" except for people being able to go out for takeaways, which was still outrageous. This was caused because of only a handful of Covid cases in Auckland, which showed the radicalness of Jacinda.<ref>https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/08/coronavirus-live-updates-covid-19-in-community-auckland-going-to-level-3.html</ref> The lockdown lasted for a few weeks, but thousands of jobs were lost as the result of the decision.

On 11 August 2020, Jacinda plunged [[Auckland]], the largest city in New Zealand, into a "level three" shutdown, meaning that it was similar to "level four" except for people being able to go out for takeaways, which was still outrageous. This was caused because of only a handful of Covid cases in Auckland, which showed the radicalness of Jacinda.<ref>https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/08/coronavirus-live-updates-covid-19-in-community-auckland-going-to-level-3.html</ref> The lockdown lasted for a few weeks, but thousands of jobs were lost as the result of the decision.

On February 14 2021, Jacinda once again plunged [[Auckland]] into a "level three" shutdown, over another small handful of community cases.<ref>https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-auckland-in-level-3-lockdown-rest-of-country-at-level-2/XIHDKTK57ZKASTIEZNOLQZUUGY/</ref> This was the third lockdown that Jacinda plunged Auckland in. The shutdown lasted for three days and restrictions were slowly lifted. However, just a few weeks later, on 28 February 2021, [[Auckland]] was once again plunged into a "level three" shutdown, over a small handful of community cases. This shutdown lasted for a week, and restrictions were slowly lifted after that. All of this shows the extreme nature of the prime minister pushing an agenda on the people.

On February 14, 2021, Jacinda once again plunged [[Auckland]] into a "level three" shutdown, over another small handful of community cases.<ref>https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-auckland-in-level-3-lockdown-rest-of-country-at-level-2/XIHDKTK57ZKASTIEZNOLQZUUGY/</ref> This was the third lockdown that Jacinda plunged Auckland in. The shutdown lasted for three days and restrictions were slowly lifted. However, just a few weeks later, on 28 February 2021, [[Auckland]] was once again plunged into a "level three" shutdown, over a small handful of community cases. This shutdown lasted for a week, and restrictions were slowly lifted after that. All of this shows the extreme nature of the prime minister pushing an agenda on the people.

On August 17, 2021 the extreme radicalized [[far-left]] prime minister, [[Jacinda Ardern]], announced a “level four” emergency shutdown.  As a result of the ‘level-four’ restrictions, the people in New Zealand were instructed to stay at home, “Do not talk to your neighbors”, wear a mask, maintain 2 meters social distance, and stay away from others if you leave your home for the three approved reasons: Emergency food shopping, healthcare or testing. This was a radical decision, over one community case, and this lockdown was longer than the first lockdown. It lasted from August 2021 all the way until December 2021, an absolutely mind-numbingly long time. Auckland was placed in a level-4 lockdown, meaning all restaurants were shut down even for takeout, and people within the L4 zone are to remain in strict isolation bubbles and quarantine confinement.  Enforcement of the quarantine bubbles are carried out by police and military units.  Police checkpoints keep citizens from traveling into or out of the quarantine perimeter of [[Auckland]].

On August 17, 2021, the extreme radicalized [[far-left]] prime minister, [[Jacinda Ardern]], announced a “level four” emergency shutdown.  As a result of the ‘level-four’ restrictions, the people in New Zealand were instructed to stay at home, “Do not talk to your neighbors”, wear a mask, maintain 2 meters social distance, and stay away from others if you leave your home for the three approved reasons: Emergency food shopping, healthcare or testing. This was a radical decision, over one community case, and this lockdown was longer than the first lockdown. It lasted from August 2021 all the way until December 2021, an absolutely mind-numbingly long time. Auckland was placed in a level-4 lockdown, meaning all restaurants were shut down even for takeout, and people within the L4 zone are to remain in strict isolation bubbles and quarantine confinement.  Enforcement of the quarantine bubbles are carried out by police and military units.  Police checkpoints keep citizens from traveling into or out of the quarantine perimeter of [[Auckland]].

After an extensive sting operation and police chase, law enforcement announced they successfully arrested three men who were attempting to gain re-entry into Auckland with a significant amount of contraband [[Kentucky Fried Chicken]], ten tubs of coleslaw, and an undisclosed quantity of french fries.  A breach of the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act can result in imprisonment for up to six months; or a fine of up to $4,000.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/21/new-zealand-police-arrest-pair-trying-to-enter-auckland-with-large-amount-of-kfc</ref>

After an extensive sting operation and police chase, law enforcement announced they successfully arrested three men who were attempting to gain re-entry into Auckland with a significant amount of contraband [[Kentucky Fried Chicken]], ten tubs of coleslaw, and an undisclosed quantity of french fries.  A breach of the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act can result in imprisonment for up to six months; or a fine of up to $4,000.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/21/new-zealand-police-arrest-pair-trying-to-enter-auckland-with-large-amount-of-kfc</ref>

==Economy==

==Economy==

In the statistical year ending September 2007, the economy grew 2.7%, an increase over the 2.2% growth rate in 2006. Household spending was up 3.4%, and investment in new housing was up 2.2%. The demand for new housing is in part driven by immigration, but the net increase in new arrivals has begun to slow. The net permanent long-term migration inflow to New Zealand in the year ending February 2008 amounted to 4,600, down from a net inflow of 13,200 in 2007. The net outflow to Australia was 29,600 in the year ending February 2008, reaching the highest level since 2001, when it was 30,000. New Zealand did not experience the slowdown in growth seen in many other countries following the terrorist events of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent fall in overseas share markets. The prolonged period of good economic growth led the unemployment rate to drop from 7.8% in 1999 to 3.2% as of December 2007.  

In the statistical year ending September 2007, the economy grew 2.7%, an increase over the 2.2% growth rate in 2006. Household spending was up 3.4%, and investment in new housing was up 2.2%. The demand for new housing is in part driven by immigration, but the net increase in new arrivals has begun to slow. The net permanent long-term migration inflow to New Zealand in the year ending February 2008 amounted to 4,600, down from a net inflow of 13,200 in 2007. The net outflow to Australia was 29,600 in the year ending February 2008, reaching the highest level since 2001, when it was 30,000. New Zealand did not experience the slowdown in growth seen in many other countries following the terrorist events of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent fall in overseas share markets. The prolonged period of good economic growth led the unemployment rate to drop from 7.8% in 1999 to 3.2% as of December 2007.  

In January of 2023, New Zealand's business confidence slumped to its worst since the 1970s due to higher interest rates, weaker demand and labor shortages.<ref>[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zealand-business-confidence-slumps-worst-225738685.html New Zealand Business Confidence Slumps to Worst Since 1970s], Yahoo News syndicated from Bloomberg News, January 2023</ref> See: [[Labor shortages and desecularization projected to be faster in New Zealand in the 21st century]]

In January 2023, New Zealand's business confidence slumped to its worst since the 1970s due to higher interest rates, weaker demand and labor shortages.<ref>[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zealand-business-confidence-slumps-worst-225738685.html New Zealand Business Confidence Slumps to Worst Since 1970s], Yahoo News syndicated from Bloomberg News, January 2023</ref> See: [[Labor shortages and desecularization projected to be faster in New Zealand in the 21st century]]

In the past, New Zealand's economy has been helped by strong economic relations with Australia. New Zealand and Australia are partners in "Closer Economic Relations" (CER), which allows for free trade in goods and most services. Since 1990, CER has created a single market of more than 22 million people, and this has provided new opportunities for New Zealand exporters. Australia is now the destination of 20% of New Zealand's exports, compared to 14% in 1983. Both sides also have agreed to consider extending CER to product standardization and taxation policy. New Zealand has had a free trade agreement with Singapore since 2001. In July 2005, both countries joined with Chile and Brunei to form a Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership, liberalizing trade in goods and services between them. In April 2005, New Zealand initialed a free-trade deal with Thailand. In April 2008 New Zealand concluded a free trade agreement (FTA) with China and is negotiating an FTA with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). New Zealand held its first round of the New Zealand-GCC FTA in Wellington in July 2007 with representatives from the Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman).  

In the past, New Zealand's economy has been helped by strong economic relations with Australia. New Zealand and Australia are partners in "Closer Economic Relations" (CER), which allows for free trade in goods and most services. Since 1990, CER has created a single market of more than 22 million people, and this has provided new opportunities for New Zealand exporters. Australia is now the destination of 20% of New Zealand's exports, compared to 14% in 1983. Both sides also have agreed to consider extending CER to product standardization and taxation policy. New Zealand has had a free trade agreement with Singapore since 2001. In July 2005, both countries joined with Chile and Brunei to form a Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership, liberalizing trade in goods and services between them. In April 2005, New Zealand initialed a free-trade deal with Thailand. In April 2008 New Zealand concluded a free trade agreement (FTA) with China and is negotiating an FTA with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). New Zealand held its first round of the New Zealand-GCC FTA in Wellington in July 2007 with representatives from the Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman).  

New Zealand's top six trading partners from June 2006-June 2007 included Australia, the United States, Japan, the People's Republic of China, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Korea. Australia continued as New Zealand's principal export market, worth $5.3 billion with exports to Australia rising by 6%. The United States and Japan were New Zealand's second- and third-largest export markets, receiving $3.3 billion and $2.6 billion worth of goods, respectively. New Zealand's fourth-largest export destination was China with exports worth $1.4 billion from June 2006 through June 2007.  

New Zealand's top six trading partners from June 2006-June 2007 included Australia, the United States, Japan, the People's Republic of China, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Korea. Australia continued as New Zealand's principal export market, worth $5.3 billion with exports to Australia rising by 6%. The United States and Japan were New Zealand's second- and third-largest export markets, receiving $3.3 billion and $2.6 billion worth of goods, respectively. New Zealand's fourth-largest export destination was China with exports worth $1.4 billion from June 2006 through June 2007.  

The U.S. is the second-largest trading partner for New Zealand, with U.S. goods and services accounting for approximately 13% of all imports. With the New Zealand dollar reaching a 24-year high of over U.S. $0.80 in July 2007 (the highest since the New Zealand dollar was floated), there are greater opportunities for U.S. exporters in 2007-2008. New Zealand's total imports from the U.S., as of June 2007, amounted to U.S. $3.3 billion. The market-led economy offers many benefits for U.S. exporters and investors. Investment opportunities exist in chemicals, food preparation, finance, tourism, and forest products, as well as in franchising. The best sales and investment prospects are for whole aircraft and aircraft parts, medical or veterinary instruments, motor vehicles, information technology, hotel and restaurant equipment, telecommunications, tourism, franchising, food processing and packaging, and medical equipment. On the agricultural side, the best prospects are for fresh fruit, snack foods, and soybean meal.  

The U.S. is the second-largest trading partner for New Zealand, with U.S. goods and services accounting for approximately 13% of all imports. With the New Zealand dollar reaching a 24-year high of over U.S. $0.80 in July 2007 (the highest since the New Zealand dollar was floated), there are greater opportunities for U.S. exporters in 2007–2008. New Zealand's total imports from the U.S., as of June 2007, amounted to U.S. $3.3 billion. The market-led economy offers many benefits for U.S. exporters and investors. Investment opportunities exist in chemicals, food preparation, finance, tourism, and forest products, as well as in franchising. The best sales and investment prospects are for whole aircraft and aircraft parts, medical or veterinary instruments, motor vehicles, information technology, hotel and restaurant equipment, telecommunications, tourism, franchising, food processing and packaging, and medical equipment. On the agricultural side, the best prospects are for fresh fruit, snack foods, and soybean meal.  

New Zealand welcomes and encourages foreign investment without discrimination. The Overseas Investment Office (OIO) must give consent to foreign investments that would control 25% or more of businesses or property worth more than NZ$100 million. Restrictions and approval requirements also apply to certain investments in land and in the commercial fishing industry. OIO consent is based on a national interest determination. Foreign buyers of land can be required to report periodically on their compliance with the terms of the government's consent to their purchase. The OIO, part of Land Information New Zealand, took over the functions of the Overseas Investment Commission in August 2005. Full remittance of profits and capital is permitted through normal banking channels. As of March 2007, the U.S. accounted for 12% of all foreign direct investment in New Zealand, amounting to U.S. $7.76 billion.  

New Zealand welcomes and encourages foreign investment without discrimination. The Overseas Investment Office (OIO) must give consent to foreign investments that would control 25% or more of businesses or property worth more than NZ$100 million. Restrictions and approval requirements also apply to certain investments in land and in the commercial fishing industry. OIO consent is based on a national interest determination. Foreign buyers of land can be required to report periodically on their compliance with the terms of the government's consent to their purchase. The OIO, part of Land Information New Zealand, took over the functions of the Overseas Investment Commission in August 2005. Full remittance of profits and capital is permitted through normal banking channels. As of March 2007, the U.S. accounted for 12% of all foreign direct investment in New Zealand, amounting to U.S. $7.76 billion.