We will be live-streaming the Prime Minister's post Cabinet media briefing at 3 pm today (Monday), where a widely-expected move to COVID-19 Alert Level One may be announced.
We will have a separate story on the details when they are available.
14 Comments
Obviously, steer away from a reliance on those two components of our economy from now on and into the future. Less tourism and less foreign students in other words.
If we can't see how fragile they make out independence, then we aren't looking.
"No pain, no gain" and all that....
Of course, there are alternatives!
That's what 'hard times' deliver - alternatives born of necessity.
They may not be apparent right now, but that's the dynamic of a small, open economy. It has to adapt, and we will.
The Old Model is broken; it isn't coming back and dispensing with those bits that made us fragile must be the first thing on our 'to do' list.
Look at where Japan and Germany recovered from, and where they are today, and we are so far removed from their starting-point that we should be able to be just as sucessful, if not moreso!
there are many alternatives for NZ -- we are a great resourceful and innovative nation that has packed a punch well above its weight for decades.
We are entirely self sufficient in food and energy if we chose to be- unlike the vast majority of the globe -- and only rampant consumerism and greed means we import a fortune in cheap tat from countries like China - including micky mouse students who are buying residency not an education.
the longer the borders stay closed and we focus in on our own people, our own infrastructure and services to support our people the better -- that gives us the complete choice about who and what we allow in - and why - A clear test being does this improve the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders, and does it reduce poverty - no more importing of 8000 tour guides or 5000 chefs - adding jack shit value
I'm expecting a number of people will take their time to returning to typical activities (apparently this is still significant for schools). Even I've been thinking about returning to the office next week, but I'm waiting to see how busy it is first.
It will be interesting to see if there is a boost in confidence.
Indeed.;
Family member's first day back today. SME with 5 employees and the owner; all 6 sitting around staring that the front door wondering if any customers are going to come back through it. The Subsidy has kept them all 'employed' and the extension will too, but after that? It all depends on that front door.....
but does the country -- why the rush back to before -- which was not really working on many levels -- working form home has had so many benefits - not just to families but saving people over an hour a day in wasteful commute - the cost both financial and environmental - do we really need rampant consumerism to return ? i think not what happened to a cleaner greener more equal rebuild -- or has that soundbite dissipated into thin air
much better to see this as an opportunity to change - nothing wrong with families eating together every night and leftovers for lunch - majority of my staff who i was able to get working from home -- are asking to do a mix or 2/3 days in office 2/3 days at home - majority are already doing this - and loving that flexibility - and option to stay at home and get stuck into larger pieces of work without distractions -
We must keep thinking new and innovative and not revert back to lazy same as thinking -- as it wont be the same and businesses that think that way wotn be recovering any time soon if at all
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