Yesterday National delivered a budget that offered zero opportunities for young New Zealanders. Removing the tax credit on part-time work for young people, restricting student allowances and increasing student loan repayments are all examples of how young people are paying for National’s deficit of ideas. Nothing was presented yesterday to offer young people hope for their futures. Rather, what was presented will have even more of our young people scampering for the nearest departure lounge.
Over the last 24 hours my inbox has been running hot with messgaes from young people feeling like they have been abandoned by this Government.
This afternoon I received this email from a constituent of mine. She has also sent it to the Prime Minister. I guess she really means it!
I really don’t have to say anymore – it speaks for itself!
Dear John,
I’m breaking up with you. I can’t handle this anymore. You weren’t my first pick anyway, to be honest. Russel charmed me, Pita and Tariana said nice things, and even Phil was better company. But we ended up together you and I, facing the gloom and doom of an ageing population, a broadening gap between here and the West Island, the ever-looming GFC, and now, the recovery effort here in Christchurch. You were all right to start with; we got on well enough. Your friends aren’t that great. Anne annoyed me when she closed the school down the road from me, Bill is boring, Gerry keeps on eating all the pies, and Banksy’s a liar, plus your perpetual smirk started to wind me up, but mostly, we managed.
But this budget John, it’s the breaking point. That’s it. It’s over.
You know how I finish my LLB/BA this year, having worked part time jobs since I was 15, and essentially 7 day weeks for the past 4 and a bit years? You know how I haven’t been eligible for student allowance until very recently when Dad had to stop working? You know how my student loan is currently sitting around 60 K? Yeah, this budget isn’t helping. Cancelling student allowance for postgraduate study? What were you thinking, John?!?
I don’t know if you know, but I was looking at doing an LLM next year, in some facet of resource management that would actually be useful and productive for the nation. My husband is currently finishing off his very useful and productive PhD in mechanical engineering, with a little bit to go next year. Our combined student debt is around the 100 K mark. Another year for us without allowance is another 10 K to that debt. I realise that you used to shuffle huge sums around for Merril Lynch, so 10 K seems like nothing, but can I tell you what this combined debt means for us?
It means a struggle for a first home. Heck, it might mean no home at all, in current conditions. It means having fewer children, if producing at all. They tell us the right people aren’t having enough offspring. Children are a priority for us, but not if we can’t afford them. Most of all however, this debt means going overseas. Australia beckons, but we were thinking further afield, like Canada. We’re likely to stay there. There’s very little here for us anymore.
So it comes to this, John. It’s over. You said so much about bridging the gap between here and Australia. Expecting students to take such a hit while expecting them to pay for the ever-increasing superannuation explosion and the resulting problems that that little nutshell is going to have is f*cking stupid, John. Do you expect us to let you back in next election? Forget your sins, expect us to let you ‘change’? Ha, you could only hope. I’ve got a new politician in my life. His name is David. He offers far more than you. Get lost John.
No longer yours,
A soon to be graduating lawyer and her engineer husband who are leaving NZ – and not looking back.
Great letter. I had already had enough of the lack of jobs in NZ and moved to Australia two weeks ago. I don’t think I will ever look back. Have fun with my student loan John Key. I am not paying it back. Why would I? you made no effort to create jobs for me!
What a great letter, Megan. Sounds like she was always a Labour supporter though, right? Do you know if she voted for you at the last election?
@ Johno, really annoyed mate. Its idiots like you not paying back their student loans that are screwing up the system. But guess what mate? The Nats will hunt you down, need to run further than Australia. – Egg.
Awesome letter though.
love it say no more and good luck with your future.sorry you have to leave.xx
@Steven
Do they pay for anything? No. They just drain demand from the real economy…
@Johno: what sort of daft justification is that? You pay for your education. Surely, in the end, you must’ve gotten educated. I bet whatever qualification you got has given you some opportunities overseas, if not here, that’s certainly a personal benefit to you, isn’t it? Even if you dropped out and didn’t achieve anything, the service was still given to you for as long as you were there.
If your qualification didn’t give you any, even non-feasible, benefit, anywhere in the world, then you could possibly justify not paying for it, but I very much doubt that that would be the case.
If everyone thought like you then I would just pop down to the local department store: I shouldn’t have to pay for a new home theatre system, should I? Because they made no effort in giving me a PS3 to plug into it.
@ johnno & the author…
Good go and leave, leave the best country in the world to fulfill your own selfish needs, take the degrees we all paid for while excusing yourself and blaming the government because you couldn’t get a job. Go and see how brilliant life is in other parts of the world, how about Europe, things are looking up there maybe Greece would be happy to have you. Go and leave your family, your friends and all those that have helped you in your life. You are selfish and greedy people and we don’t need you. We will bring in people who want to live here, who want to contribute and that are happy to work rather than bludge then leave, people that will be gratefull for what we have in NZ and not blame and moan that everything is not going your way. Aussie is your best bet they have heaps of immigrants…
I ask you this, what happens when things turn sour in your next country of choice?, will you leave and bitch and moan about that place too, will you quit and skulk back to NZ because we have all those things that money can’t buy, probably the latter. Go and never come back we don’t need selfish pigs like you in NZ, shut the door on your way out you disgust me.
Perhaps Johno if you had got a qualification in something just slightly employable and removed that chip off your shoulder you might have a job already.
As Steven says, good luck trying to hide.
Megan
I agree with your criticism of National in terms of being utterly inept when it comes to creating jobs. Don’t quite understand your sense of entitlement to a job. Great in a utopian society, but supply and demand in the current globalised economy suggests this will not always happen. The government can’t employ everyone if the nation is practically broke. I don’t sleep well at night personally, because I may go any time soon. And I have few ideas of what to do after that. While I respect (and maybe even admire) your decision to emigrate, what you say about not paying back your fiscal obligation to the New Zealand taxpayer is reprehensible.
We need more lawyers
You don’t know you’re execrable
Think you’re secure, don’t know what for
You make me sick when you mince through the do-o-or
TV make-up -don’t cover up
Being the way that you are is eno-o-ough
Everyone else in the room can see it
Everyone else but you
mate you fuck up my world my world like nobody else
The smug way you smirk gets me underwhelmed
But when you smile at the crowd it ain’t hard to tell
You don’t know
Oh oh
You don’t know you’re execrable
If only you saw what I could see
you’d understand what a prick you are John Key
Right now I’m looking at you and I can’t believe
You don’t know
Oh oh
You don’t know you’re execrable
Oh oh
But that’s what makes you execrable
Just like Clark, did before
you don’t give two shits about the po-o -or
smooth articulate clean handed generals
of class war
Everyone else in the room can see it
Everyone else but you
mate you fuck up my world my world like nobody else
The smug way you smirk gets me underwhelmed
But when you smile at the crowd it ain’t hard to tell
You don’t know
Oh oh
You don’t know you’re execrable
If only you saw what I could see
you’d understand what a prick you are John Key
Right now I’m looking at you and I can’t believe
You don’t know
Oh oh
You don’t know you’re execrable
Oh oh
But that’s what makes you execrable.
Fantastic letter! I don’t think anyone sees it, but a vote for Labour means that parties like the Greens are more likely to also have a greater impact on New Zealand, for the better. I moved back to New Zealand, only to escape a dangerous marriage, but here I am thinking my children and I would be better off back USA, if John Key perpetuates the lining of his pockets with the national budget, expressing his total disregard for the country he is supposedly leading.
This is ridiculous. I’m glad I left New Zealand for Canada. The only good thing about National in power is they are weakening the NZ dollar. Wages are far higher for professionals in Canada, and the dollar is much stronger, and I have full medical and dental coverage. Why would I want to live in NZ A.K.A. a 3rd world country?
so, it seems that the only defense being put up by the shrinking pool of apologist talent is reduced to cutting off their own noses to spite their faces….
telling the very people we need desperately that we can get by fine without them, in fact, if the logic had any merit, that we will be better for them not being here… well that’s just wonderful….
you guys have proved that it really is the smartest ones leaving….
we’re now faced with the reality that “right wing intelligence” is actually an oxymoron….
After what sounds like a life spent thinking socialism wasn’t a bad thing, this lawyer and her engineer husband don’t seem to relish the thought of paying the confiscatory taxes imposed by National and Labour to pay for election bribes like welfare for the middle class and student loans.
That said, there seems little point in sticking around NZ when wages are so much better offshore. People like Gino would, deep down, like to keep the capable and clever trapped in New Zealand, their productivity milked to pay for election bribes. I assume, Gino, you would be equally annoyed if this couple decided to forgo their “selfish needs” and take low paying jobs, as this would reduce the amount of tax which the government was able to strip from them. Gino – you seem to forget that among the “selfish needs” of this lawyer and engineer are paying off their student debt, which they will be better able to do working in Australia!
So NZ taxpayers fund this woman and her husband’s education and then she skives off because she can’t be bothered borrowing an extra $10K interest free? Good riddance.
Both will be qualified professionals who’s earning potential will exceed 100K between them.
None of what she says adds up. I’d rather low income students get more to live off than giving money to jerks like the above.
She sounds like a belligerent, self-entitled little git. No wonder Megan Wood holds her up as a model citizen.
“Have fun with my student loan John Key. I am not paying it back.”
I approve
“you disgust me”
So what do you think about jk’s $52k pa tax cut?
Judging by the reaction to johno’s post, will anyone support retrospective legislation to make all those ‘wealthy’ baby boomers who benefitted from free education, pay their fair share?
You’ll all be still earning good money off the back of your free schooling.
Pay up, you scrounging gits.
Oh Hey, look Dad! I’m famous! Even if people do think I’m a… sorry, what was than Hoolian? An entitled, belligerent, self-entitled little git? I promise I’m lovely, really, my Mum tells me so. Gosh Megan, what anger spouts from all these keyboard warriors. Golly, how it stings! I wrote this letter as a humorous attempt at turning the anger currently felt by the student community into something instantly recognisable, a Dear John letter (get the pun? get it?). My friends laughed, so I thought it was funny, but clearly my humour has been lost on a few commenters here (cough, Gino). My burlier half and I will indeed pay off our loans as good little citizens, but to do so productively, and to save the money we’re going to need to finance our retirements once the Baby Boomers have drained the Cullen Fund, we don’t see much of a choice but to do at least a few years overseas. I’m sorry that hurts all your feelings so. Finally, al1ens, what a marvellous idea, shall we start a petition? Maybe Gino would like to be the first signatory?
Ryan in Canada is right.This couple is leaving NZ just like John Key & his missus did. They had to go overseas to make some decent money & have a better lifestyle. JK & Mrs JK both graduated from UC too.
What’s the difference?
And Hoolian as professionals in Aussie they’ll be earning more than $100k each & in Aussie Dollars too.
@TheOriginalAuthor
Great letter. You should think about hanging around though. That sort of passion will go a long way to removing this current rabble from power and getting New Zealand back to where it should be.
Your letter wasn’t funny, but it was an insight into your self-absorbed view of the world.
Good, hardworking tax payers go without so that students can invest in tertiary education. They’re not just ‘rich pricks’ but medium income, honest, hardworking Kiwis, who subsidise your education which benefit few people other than yourself.
Borrowing an extra $10K interest free to secure higher education is a dream come true.
Stop your whining.
“Good, hardworking tax payers go without so that students can invest in tertiary education.”
Prove it!
“They’re not just ‘rich pricks’ but medium income, honest, hardworking Kiwis, who subsidise your education which benefit few people other than yourself.”
So what abot Mr Rich Prick getting $1,000 pw in tax cuts on investmnents and portfolios he’s not even allowed to ‘play’ with whilst he’s pm?
$52k a year, for doing nothing but be a rich prick.
Only benefit in that is to his pension fund.
Out of the mouths of poverty stricken children and students who have to cripple themselves with debt to get a chance at a decent future.
Hypopricks.
$52k a year, for doing nothing but be a rich prick.
????
It might come as a shock to you but generally income tax works by taxing income, that is the amount of money one gets paid for doing a job.
Out of the mouths of poverty stricken children and students who have to cripple themselves with debt to get a chance at a decent future.
I’d borrow 10K interest free any day if it meant doubling my earning capability.
Silly, al1ens. You really do live on another planet.
@TheOriginalAuthor – I totally agree with you in that there is anger spouting from the fingertips of many of the commentators here. Think this goes to show what a raw nerve you have hit – this is a serious issue for a generation that we politicians cannot ignore. I also agree that your letter was funny and I think I would agree with your mum that you are very lovely – sorry your wit has been met with such venom here. For the record – it literally made me laugh out loud when I read it.
I have purposely let the commentary going on here continue because I found it fascinating and a great insight into some of the thinking in the debate. Here are some overarching responses:
1. John Key, Stephen Joyce et al are continuously telling us that innovation lies at the heart of NZ’s economic future. The words they speak tell us that in order to earn more money in NZ we must be innovation and make more money out of our ideas; science and innovation are priorities for their Government they say. Their actions, however, tell a different story. Post-grad research is vital to innovation, science and research – this move will be a disincentive to NZ students a) undertaking that study at all and b) doing that study in NZ.
2. Buried within Key and Joyce’s rhetoric is a belief that we will all be better off from this innovation – there will be a “public good” if you like.. However, this move does nothing to recognise that public good. For those raining their vitriol down – remember this is not even about fees- this is about living costs! However this move tells young NZers that while the Government is prepared to keep on paying out (to an ever increasing number of people) living costs each quarter to those “Not in Education, Employment or Training (87 000 young people at last count) they are explicitly excluding young people undertaking post-grad work an allowance for their living costs. The clear message being sent is we will do nothing to create jobs, we will pay more and more young people not to be in work education and training (and them demonise them as the root of all evil – but that is another story), but we will not pay you an allowance to get by if you decide you want to further your studies. And there is a wonder that so many young people are fleeing NZ.
3. Saddens me that so many of the commentators have left or
“????
It might come as a shock to you but generally income tax works by taxing income, that is the amount of money one gets paid for doing a job.”
Are you saying jk doesn’t get the tax cut on his investment portfolios that he, by law, cannot trade whilst being pm?
Now what was that about paid for doing a job?
“I’d borrow 10K interest free any day if it meant doubling my earning capability.”
That 10k, is it on top of another 20, 30 or 40k?
Where’s your cut off limit? 70k, 80k debt.
Tell me about the problem jk says we have with personal debt. Greece you say
“Silly”
“al1ens. You really do live on another planet.”
So it would seem, Cornelius. Regards to Zira
I have a sister and her family, a niece and her family, and two good mates, who have all moved to Australia in recent years. They are all doing really well, and getting on. Good homes, good jobs.
I, on the other hand, stayed in NZ and have worked full time for over 20 years, paid my taxes, been a model citizen. Always been in a job, and have always paid my way.
But it’s now a real struggle; not really getting ahead. We are living from pay packet to pay packet, just as we did when I entered the workforce decades ago. No overseas holidays. House needs painting and new guttering, but I can’t afford it. Just paid the rates and insurance, and left with $100 in the overdraft to live on for the next 7 days. I travel a lot around NZ in my job – I see an increasing number of closed up shops and factories. Where shops open, they seem to be second hand clothes and $2 type outlets. Everything looking more and more run down.
I look at our government, and see nothing but them espousing more of the same failed promises.
I love living here, as do my wife and son. But we are seriously thinking of heading away next year, when my wife finishes her early childhood teaching training. Lots of demand for that job in Aussie; only cutbacks here.
And given the huge numbers of NZers ” abandoning ship” , seems we won’t be alone.
I can well understand young people wanting to seek a better life overseas.
Bit off topic here but i am living in China and have been very slack about making loan repayments (one payment in twelve years). But I am trying to make right at the moment. Sent about a dozen emails to them with no response. Used up two phone cards while on queue. Got through once and was told send an email to such and such adress – no response. Sent a letter. No response! Anyone else had these issues??