Yes, I do agree that Don Brashes recommendation is too radical. The govt of the day should encourage people to go and work instead of relying too heavily on dole. The unnecessary support in funding for students in who has been hopping from one course to another aimlessly studying on the pretext of receiving dole has to be completely reduced. The bulk of education spending is on dole however productivity does eventuate.

Many Private Training Establishments need to be carefully scrutunised in providing not only simple course for seeking educational funding purpose instead an positive outcome in employment should be realised.

Taskforce 2025

NZ Government, a taskforce of vision commissions, Their work now presented but who of them listens? To those tasked to attest, how to equal our neighbour, Nought but flack is directed, for fear of disfavour!

Do we care to revere the wisdom thus shared? or despair at continued, NZ cupboard bared? With our neighbour Australia, we once yoked the same, but our faltering has brought us to financial shame!

Arise little nation, with vision once sound, and shrug off the hindrance that long held us bound; thrust thought mediocre, in reckoning state, stepping equally yoked with Aussie our mate!

As a kiwi who's lived in and out of the place over recent years, I've been amazed at the bitterness and sniping on both sides of debates like this. Until the late 1970s we were on a par with Oz in terms of income etc. Thanks to Robert Muldoon, we then went backwards for years. I've lived and worked in Britain, Asia, Australia and NZ, and have to say that I probably won't ever live in NZ again. Crime's too bad, income inequality is too bad, neither of the major parties inspires confidence, race relations are appalling. Members of my family have by and large moved to Oz, where housing's more affordable, wages are better and schools are far better. NZ's slipped behind on all those fronts as well. But instead of tackling these problems we just rage at anyone who says NZ's not the place it used to be. It's not Godzone (probably never was). You have to live outside a country for a while to see it objectively. While I'm no fan of Don Brash, he's right in that we're overtaxed. Helen Clark also wasted huge amounts of money doubling the size of government knowing that the jobs created would largely go to Labour voters.

Nick #143 - brilliant idea! I'm a far righter myself, but I think it would be highly interesting for Labour to commission some of their own to write a similar report - let's see what ideas they come up with. A good idea is a good idea regardless of whom it comes from, and we need to be looking everywhere we can. At the moment, Brash's ideas are the best, and I support them, but they're the best by default - there are no other ideas on the table.

SuziQ - I can see what you're saying, but by artificially raising the wages as you suggest you end up undermining the whole structure. People need to be getting paid what they are worth, not X amount simply because that's what Joe Bloggs across the road is getting. If you feel it's not enough, work harder, upskill or find another job. I don't want to be insulting here, but if you're getting paid below average maybe it's because you're a below average worker. And I can say that because as fully half of the ownership, management and labour in a business that last year grossed $1.2m, I only paid myself $14k. Let's see you take on that much responsibility before you start moaning about how much you don't get paid.

Lord forbid NZ should ever do anything "radical".

Let's bumble on like always. She'll be right.

This discussion really comes down to how people believe they should live their lives. Is the accumulation of money and possessions the ultimate goal of an individual? Is being ranked ahead of other countries like Australia the ultimate goal of NZ? For people who live happy and fulfilled lives, the answer to these questions is "NO". Life is about contributing to society, helping others when you are not obliged, enjoying time with family and friends, and having fun! The so-called income and GDP gap is really irrelevant when you think about what life is all about.

I sure hope all those harping on about paying back student loans (or even the draconian idea of imprisoning someone while they fight against a compounding debt) and the saturation of degrees aren't baby boomers who received a free education. It would reflect poorly on your character to suggest that others should struggle for what was handed to you on a platter.

The voting public only needs to know one thing ... "left or right ... never trust a politician"

Pete 156 you have said it exactly, it need not be about closing the income gap if commodities cost less here, but at least in Australia the worker is left with some of their take home pay to spend or save as they choose, here after paying for everything there is nothing left for anyone to try and save for their future or spend as they wish. The average wage is supposed to be $25 per hour - I am still looking for someone I know that is earning that, and if that is so then I am so underpaid it is not funny. Nothing will change under this government or any subsequent government because they don't want to rock the boat there does have to be some sort of reform to the welfare system that is fairer, there needs to be a shift in mentality that the state owes us, we should have adopted the Australian super scheme years ago and although we will never have the mineral wealth of Australia we should have been protecting our jobs instead of sending them off shore, when the economies pick up internationally just watch the massive exodus from this country we will lose our young people and replace them with what I wonder.

#149 Having also lived in Australia, I know this isn't always true. Often a salary offer will be a 'package' which includes the 9% super. I agree that the super scheme in Australia is far superior to that of New Zealand, but it's not fair to suggest that it's an added bonus of your salary when this is not always the case.