Locked-out New Zealanders outraged as visa scheme for rich foreigners resumes

Post by arbitrary_name » Sat, Dec 25, 2021, 5:20 PM UTC

ThrowAwayKiwi22 wrote: post #161

lancewiggs wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If we abolished MIQ then Aotearoa NZ would be riddled with COVID, many thousands or tens of thousands would have died, many many more living with chronic conditions and the economy and society crippled. As it happens less than 50 have died, each one a tragedy, while I’ve just had a lovely Christmas with 3 generations, as many others are around the motu. Sure we had to video call relatives in other countries, but thei…

Lance, honestly this is a pathetic reply. New Zealand is already riddled with Covid incase you havent noticed. Cases detected in the community outnumber those at the border 27x for the last week. Given this fact, why does MIQ still exist? Preventing new variants? Sure at the surface that might hold some credence, but that implies future responses will be to lock down again and impose massive economic costs and second…

Post by bobthepanda » Sat, Dec 25, 2021, 8:15 PM UTC

nowherebeen wrote: post #99

bobthepanda wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My understanding of these schemes is that they are generally designed for rich people who accumulated wealth in countries where they might like to have a backup option if their government gets in a particularly seize-y mood. (e.g. China or Russia)

Aren’t most rich residents in NZ from the UK and US? That was my impression. The middle class are usually Chinese. But regardless, rich people in China and Russia don’t accumulate wealth simply by playing fair. Is NZ okay with this kind of wealth transfer to their country knowing this? (Well we all know the answer honestly)

Post by pixel_fcker » Sat, Dec 25, 2021, 9:42 PM UTC

CallMeJim wrote: post #162

pixel_fcker wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What about people who can’t take the vaccine for medical reasons, or are too young? Fuck ‘em right?

Yes, exactly! The 90% can't live isolated forever because of the 0.2% who can't have vaccines for medical reasons. (The remainder is made up of those who've made anti-vaxx part of their identity). Put that money and resources into protecting the vulnerable, not into isolating New Zealand and severely impacting the economy in a vain attempt to keep a virus, which will be with us together, out. Human lives aren't infin…

Post by dzhiurgis » Sun, Dec 26, 2021, 12:56 AM UTC

q1w2 wrote: post #196

screenbreakout wrote: post #183

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How will it help New Zealanders if they just invest in real estate? Seems like a good speculative bet for them, but mostly it just makes it more difficult for young people to get afoot in the property market....

Higher asset prices makes building property more profitable. It incentivizes more construction. This is how the free market works, in general. When prices go up, it incentivizes asset creators create more. This is one of the down-sides of zoning limitations - they do not let the market provide more for the additional demand. ...and a simple Google search confirms that NZ has been experiencing a construction boom.

Post by roca » Sun, Dec 26, 2021, 1:05 AM UTC

someotherperson wrote: post #176

roca wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The right to return to NZ does not automatically trump all other considerations. Without MIQ we couldn't have executed our elimination strategy. Probably thousands of people would have died of COVID, or we would have had stronger and longer lockdowns --- probably both --- all highly detrimental to the well-being of people living in NZ. So why should the right of return take priority over all that?

That sounds like fanciful thinking. There is quite literally nothing to suggest that having a higher intake would have created a single additional death or resulted in stronger or longer lockdowns. New Zealand's own incompetence in not being able to come up with purpose-built facilities to handle overseas arrivals can't be written off with hypotheticals. It has been two years, no more excuses.