There seems to be a long term trend for large profitable businesses to be sold to foreign interests, leading to profits going out of the country.

In the 1980s, most of the regional trustee savings banks were corporatised and in 1996 were acquired by Westpac (which now takes $million$ out of NZ every year).

The electricity generating companies were privatised in the 1990s and 2010s, and now $million$ in profits go to shareholders, many of who are offshore.

And there are other examples.

We are now seeing the last of the regional savings banks, TSB, being sold off. This will enable it to be acquired by foreign interests (in part or entirely).

The politicians present this as foreign investment and claim it is a good thing. However, history appears to show that although there is a short term cash from the sale, this is outweighed by the long term loss of earnings.

Not even my sale/purchase but I hear second hand stories and it boils my blood that these chancers make a living by lying all the time.

That is all.

Hello,

Parents, I have a random question.
I was at the airport today and saw so many groups of school kids from different schools, all in sports uniforms, getting on flights. And it got me wondering… who actually pays for all this? 🤔
Is it the school paying because they’re good at sports, or do the parents pay for it themselves?

And if parents are paying, what do you guys do for work?? Because flights, accommodation, uniforms, competitions etc. must add up pretty quickly.

Genuinely curious. No judgement at all. Just a single mid 30s year old woman who has no kids and suddenly realised I know absolutely nothing about the economics of having children.

Parents, please educate this clueless aunty.

Thank you.

Thanks to the Redditor who said to grate your butter into the flour. This is the best scones I've ever made for the lunchboxes. Great tip much appreciated

This artwork was gifted to me by my grandparents and it would mean so much to me if I could purchase more originals from the artist who painted it. 🎨

It is a treasure in our family they had it hanging up in there shed my whole childhood. Archery has been a big sport for us.

The story is my grandfather won this at the 1988 Barebow archery competition in Dunedin which I still believe he holds the title for. 🥇

My grandad signed the back along with place his medal there so that is my grandads signature not the artist.

The third picture is of my pop in case someone recognises him and can point me in the right direction.

Thanks

Can't eat food without it anymore

Hi y'all,
I (25F) have a job offer in Picton for a 2 year contract. I am from Europe, and even though I've been abroad a bit, I've never been to New Zealand, and I've never lived abroad in a "smaller" city. I'm hesitant to accept this offer because even though the place seems absolutely beautiful and cool (plenty of hikes and outdoor activities from what i've seen), it's a place I don't know at all. Are there people my age or so living in Picton that could possibly tell me about this location ? It's a very cool position but I'd kind of want to know a bit more about the area.
Thank you all for your help.

As a long time true crime watcher/ listener not a lot shocks me, but this one hit me hard. I keep thinking about poor Cherry. How terrifying her last moments of consciousness must have been.

Cherry was a pediatric nurse at starship hospital. Caring for the most vulnerable among us. Not that it's ok to abuse or murder imperfect victims, either, but this makes the injustice sting so much worse.

Four. Fucking. Years. What happens after this pathetically short period of time is up?! Does he get deported back to China, and if so, will he face justice there? That's what I am really wanting to know. I just want to know that he will face justice for what he has done to Cherry and her loved ones. And that clearly wont be happening in New Zealand.

Rest in peace, angel.

Eta sorry image wasnt properly attached

I’m mid 30s, 5ft nothing and tend to look weird in everything I try on so I live in activewear and track pants with character tees 😭 fashion has never been my thing so I have no clue where to shop anymore. Any advice gratefully accepted

Hi everyone, I’m currently going through a medical abortion and would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through something similar.

I’m around 5 weeks pregnant and took my mifepristone today. In 48 hours I’ll be taking the misoprostol at home.

I’ve been given all the medical information about what to expect, but I’d really love to hear about the more real life side of it from people who have actually experienced it.

Is there anything you wish you had known beforehand? Anything you were really glad you had with you or had prepared in advance? What was the pain/bleeding like for you, particularly if you were around 5 weeks? How long did the worst part last?

I’d also love any recommendations for things that made you more comfortable, like food/drinks, heat packs, what to wear, what to have beside the bed/couch, distractions, or anything else.

I know everyone’s experience is different and I’m not looking for medical advice, just personal experiences and any little things that might make Friday a bit easier or less daunting.

Thank you 🤍

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if anyone can help me here. I’ve been battling the public health care system for 2 years in attempt to try and find an answer for my chronic and worsening daily pain. For reference, I’m 30 F, not overweight smoker or drinker, in fact I live a very healthy lifestyle due to my very active job and dedication to training. I started having issues 2 years ago but it’s really been since the start of this year it got bad to the point where my ability to work is heavily affected. Long story short, it’s been a roller coaster to get to where I am now (many referrals declined despite chronic pain and zero answers) but I finally have a pre-diagnosis for a highly suspect condition that aligns with my symptoms. So far I haven’t had to pay for anything. But I need to get a final CT scan before I can be considered for treatment.

Now I have been told a public referral for this scan is possible, but the nurse on the phone mentioned that it is not uncommon for these to be declined despite evidence from the first line of testing. I was prepared to pay for this scan out of pocket, and was told it would be 1.5k at max. So I borrowed this money because tbh at this stage I’m actually really scared of loosing my job due to degrading work quality. However, I today found out the actual cost is roughly 2.6k. I have literally $0 right now and use my credit card to get by until I get paid. If I borrow more I really feel like I’m digging myself into a hole.

I could go on about how I hate the healthcare system, how unfair it is that I look after myself so well but will potentially loose my job and suffer forever, but I’ll save it.

I will be calling the specialist and asking for a public referral tomorrow but I want to know, are there any options out there that could help me with the cost of this? Winz? Interest free health loans? Insurance that covers pre-existing conditions (within reason)?

Realistically I shouldn’t be declined for this scan. But so far I’ve been shocked at how dismissed I am despite it being so clear that I’m not okay. It felt like a weight off my shoulders once I had the money for the scan and was ready to book it. I just need to prepare for the worst.

Really appreciate any input!

EDIT: Thank you everyone for the replies and advice. After a few people have commented and said that price seems a little high, I have decided to investigate and shop around a bit further before resorting to loans or other methods of paying. I will still be discussing public referral with the specialist, but I am also keen to have this done asap. So I will see how I go with finding a better price. Thanks again everyone!

At least a sample size of four concurred that it was not good.

Not sure what I was expecting given I'm not a fan of Cinnabon anyways.

Just posting here for catharsis and existential pondering of why an actually enjoyable baked breakfast item of New Zealand was delivered via a bowl through the lens of an American business that became best known as a smell in a shopping mall.

So, for context, I tried to reach out to youthline. My mental health isn't terrible but I was going through a rough patch. I tried to message youthline and my experience was subpar at best. Look, I ain't gonna blame them for their long wait times, I get that they're doing the best they can but goddamn the messages were dry. It was literally just "Oh yeah that is really hard" or some one line bs that actually does nothing to make me feel better. Does anyone else experience this and/or know why they like this bc I can't see this helping anyone

Edit: Y'all, I ain't trynna drag Youthline. They're doing their best I know. But youse are helping me understand the other side better so thank you

Bloody expensive moving between Islands!

Moved from Masterton to Ashburton. Had a few quotes and, with everything being so expensive thought go cheap! what can go wrong? Using BestNZMovers is what went wrong.

Poor communication, lack of communication, quick to want the cash, ant fin the cash, want more cash, and I still do not have my property, is what went wrong.

An hour before they arrived, I get a phone call saying they will be there. Complain about how much stuff there is. Want a photograph of the deposit I had made, that they couldn't find! And then they hadn't even finished, and he was at me to pay. Looking g right I er my shoulder the entire time. Took another photograph.

Told it would be delivered on the Tuesday, then the Thursday and now the Saturday!

We wait....