New Zealand employers need a mind shift. I remember a very successful businessman in the UK being interviewed by a reporter about his wealth and his business model. He said "look, I don't pay good wages because I'm rich, - I'm rich because I pay good wages"

In other words, he paid good money to get top talent which made his business a winner (not a banker).

2010 sees new contracts being negotiated for NZ's primary and secondary teachers. Surely this is the perfect opportunity for the National Government to show their commitment and begin closing the wage gap with Australia...

Have I just created a new advertisement for Tui?

why does everyone think house ownership is impossible in new zealand? of course your not going to get a mansion for your first home, but i managed to buy a house a year ago - on the minimum wage!

Your occupation determines your financial ranking in society. A school caretaker in Australia has the same ranking in Australian society as a school caretaker does in NZ society. The boat might sit higher in the water, but you are still on the same deck.

#56 never met a poor Australian? Might want to visit an aboriginal community...Redfern for instance

"First do more than you are paid for, Before expecting to get paid for more than you do."

Maybe we need to work a little harder. Instead of building a cycle way throughout NZ, how about an underground railway in the major cities-Auckland for one needs something. Get all the dole bludgers in that area, give them a shovel and start digging the tunnels by hand.

Honestly, we need to start thinking BIG. We need to stop wondering what the new technologies that are out do to an economy then employ them here 10 years later because we didn't "know what the effects might be."

Brain Drain. Do what the U.K does-any medical degree(nurses, doctors, anything to do with health) have to do a MINIMUM 2 years working in their home country before they can leave to work overseas. Why should we teach people only to have them leave when they finish? In fact, do that with all the graduates that this country needs.

When I finish Uni, I'm not staying-already traveled the world, and there is more fun out there compared to this "laid back, beautiful country" that does nothing. The cities overseas are "busy, expensive, overcrowded etc etc" but they always forget to add the words "fun, cool, exciting." Been to London? That's an awesome place. New York too.

I agree with merstham #54 We do have a beautiful country, but it's no use if if can't be enjoyed because you have to work 10 hour days on such low pay just to pay over-inflated power/food/rent bills etc. Get real. Aussies can work less hours and have heaps more money left over to travel to NZ and enjoy our country, then go home and rake in more money. We are missing out :(

Wake up Kiwis, we will always be behind Australia in terms of income gap, this government in reality does not care about it. We need to have mandatory pay increases each year at least the CPI to even start making a move towards cutting the gap. How on earth can we ever catch up if for years Australians have had great wage rises, here in NZ even in the recent boom times our wage rises if we got them were inadequate. Those who say it is expensive to live in Australia, where on earth do you live and what are you spending your higher income on, I visit family two/three times a year over there and have found house prices comparible, power/petrol so much cheaper, food on a comparable rate but with a much larger disposable income I have not met any poverty struck Aussies yet, not like here. I am tired of people saying we have to be more productive, most people I know work damn hard and for long hours and if they are lucky they may get a wage that lets them stay afloat. Until we sort out our burgeoning welfare bill and stop promoting welfare as a lifestyle and paying people to have umpteen children we will never get ahead. The difference between Australia and New Zealand is Australia never signed a Treaty with the Aboriginies this also holds New Zealand back, that and our worship of rugby and booze.

I disagree merstham #37 lifestyle is about being able to go hiking, to the beach etc and with so many people living near the coast, beautiful scenery etc I think it is a great lifestyle we have. Also our scenery is deserted compared to other countries. I have travelled quite a bit in Europe and there are literally people everywhere. Beaches are packed and anything even remotely touristy has thousands of people. How can you enjoy something with so many people around? It is so easy to get away from the masses and enjoy nature in NZ. Problem is people in here take it for granted. I think even the POMS don't winge as much about their country as us yet there are so many people who would love to live in a country like ours. Go figure.

I think it's funny when people justify the wage gap by saying 'It's a life style choice'. Given that the biggest influence on one's lifestyle is probably salary. Given that most N.Z business' don't actually supply 'the lifestyle'. Given that they actually don't want people exercising their 'lifestyle' but rather to work long hours for low pay. Given that the 'urban lifestyle' to which most skilled workers/ professionals subscribe , is pretty much the same throughout the western world.

NZ IS probably one of the better places to live, but it would seem 'lifestyle' is'nt enough of a compensation ( if it exists at all).