1. What a crock of shit .We older people have not pulled the ladder up .From a personal point I did not receive subsidies from birth to the grave .My parents may well have got the family benefit when we were kids but I myself did not get the same for my kids .And when other subsidies like family support came about we never got that either because I worked 60 hours a week and earned too much to qualify for any form of subsidy .
   Now that I am retired and living in a modest home which may sell for 365k at most I do not receive any other top ups from government other than my pension .
   I also care for 3 grand kids 70% of the week and it appears the school thinks I am responsable for their education as well .
   I dont get any subsidy for the care I give these kids nor expect any .
   Current parents though now get working for families ,acommodation allowance ,family tax credits ,early child care free for 20 hours a week .WOW if I had had all of those while struggling on a single income for all my working life I would be really well off .
   There is a great number of older people who now raise a second family because both parents work which is saving NZ INC a lot of direct and indirect cost .
   There are also a large number of older people who continue to work into their seventies ,I would be one of those were I not looking after my grand kids for free .
   You can bash boomers all you like but all the toys and high living that goes on now is way beyond what we ever had .
   And how many of our entitled brats have fleeced the bank of mum and dad because they want everything today instead of cutting back on their wasteful consumer life style .A lot of those old people that are now living in dire situations are doing so because their kids have sucked all of the savings and property away .

   • Totally agree, if not for boomer volunteers (both to their own families and the community) New Zealand would be a much poorer space. We “work” in resource centres, boomer sheds, opportunity shops, homeless shelters, anti graffiti crews, litter clean up parties, mangrove control, keeping local sport and culture clubs functioning, staff local museums, kind shoulders and guides at hospitals and airports, etc., etc., etc.

     The superannuation is being returned to the family and community in so many ways. Call us the oil that lubricates societies community projects.

     Just because it is not counted in employment figures does not mean superannuation is a sink hole in the New Zealand community.

     • New Zealand will be a great deal more stable politically when the Boomers are dead. The National Party of Aotearoa survives on their vote, and once the most virtuous imposition of imposing values on everyone dies down, we will all be better off for it. Let’s be clear boomers are not the greatest generation. Of course they were going to boom after the great generation destroyed half the world’s economy you got a bit of a boom. You didn’t do anything with its this generation having to deal with the problems from a hundred years ago. Like what wars did you lot win?

   • I’m just going to copy and paste a reply to another question here.

     Inflation is being driven by a number of things. We can’t really go after housing prices the way I would prefer it’s just not politically advisable. So chippy is going after energy prices inflation.

     But where I would advise chippy go after property prices is commercial property prices which got kicked in the balls after corona hasn’t recovered after getting kicked in the balls again by inflation and underpins chippies whole tech innovation. Bolster wages then the economy should be fine.

     Now, that doesn’t mean a global recession is impossible – Europe is in bad shape due to sluggish COVID recovery and Suez-related shipping issues, China has the real estate and demographic troubles we are see the top of the Chinese boom, and Japan is going through a recession due to currency issues – but it most likely won’t be driven by economic troubles in New Zealand and honestly what I’m hearing from chippy “if true” will limit how bad it can get in NZ.

     Given the US is still the global economic engine there really isn’t a way of disconnecting militarily. At least where commercial property is concerned. So, basically a lot of New Zealand. And unfortunately there have been a few engeneering studies done that showed those building cant even be converted to residential apartments. maybe a few high end units per floor, maybe, but not high density.

     I’ll add the Chinese issues. Diary needs to be repurposed. Look we cant decouple from trade. But we can repurpose trade and tourism. Again we can have Bougie upmarket. But not high density.

     The global consensus is cautious and optimistic but the issues still remain. There’s still a war in Europe which risks breaking out into the middle east and south east Asia and south pacific.

     The idea that we can turn New Zealands economy around is how do I say…, “optimistic.” We just aren’t talking correctly. We are just way to hell bent on undermining each other.

     “The economy going to the wall because people can’t get a mortgage is the least coherent economic argument.”- that’s me being charitable. We have to start treating China and America the same as Wikipedia. It’s not a legitimate source of information let alone trade links. You just can’t learn anything from nations that puts the full cost of health and education on a single consumer.

     Economics is a frighteningly complicated discipline and anyone who predicts with certainty is in a position to make a ton of money. Most most mostly most people can not make accurate predictions much less people who just started talking economics and that’s assuming the metrics don’t get revised making it seem like you were never in a recession to begin with.

     There are significant costs that are as yet unaccounted for. And the costs that are accounted for are delayed or pushed out into the future. I mean if it’s not adapting to climate change then whatever money you do spend will disappear with all of the icebergs.

     Chippie probably has less of an economics degree than I do but those questions you listed has and I’m not having a go at you but those questions have even less ideas. If we can fix Labours energy and housing policies then there health education and defence policies will be in a much better position which leaves commercial properties the only dark spot but as far as a recession it ought not spill over into other areas especially if one or more other nations start heating up.

     Moving New Zealand onto a development footing will call out to those fleeing New Zealand. We can attack your list of issues individually but we’ve got to give ourselves time to retool and upskill our own otherwise we’ll just be calling out for fruit pickers and tourists and those sectors have already been maxed out.

     This generation is way to innovative. Most of us remember a time without cell phones this generation expect things to appear on demand they can’t handle 10 to 20 year turn arounds they need innovation every three weeks and if they can’t get the innovation in NZ then they just take off. But in any case I wouldn’t read to much into your questions corona prices are way to volatile for that. But you can make the case for these are the problems that need solutions. There’s not much direct cash injections can do to lower prices.

     The supply chain issues have already happened. They’re real and there isn’t much New Zealand can do to fix global supply chain issues. The real issue is kiwis having to pay more for the same things that have been run down for the last 80 years and alternative costings is typically more expensive.

     We need a pipeline of technologies that this and the next generation can utilise unsupervised. Kids now days are utilising 3D printers to manufacture things we used to buy from the warehouse but at way lower prices. Look retail is just going to get kicked in from all sides. Even manufactures from abroad are offering free shipping.

     To summarise all of the orthodox economic stimulus packages have been burnt out already in an effort to lock generations of kiwis out of the family home. Giving the wealthy more money absolutely gets them spending more, which gets more money flowing, which benefits the poor, but it’s possibly the least effective way of doing it. It worked for Regan because taxes were much higher, although thise figures are almost always inaccurate relative to what people pay. And most importantly because demand was depressed due to financial scarcity. Trickle down works when the people who get handed money have wanted to spend money but been unable to. It doesn’t work if they already have all the money they need.

     If you want to make Trickle Down actually work you need to incentivize spending instead of just handing people additional money.

2. Make sure you thank the next boomer you see for the phone and computer you are reading this on .It was boomers that invented all of these must have toys you gleefully buy each year and we also built the web and CT scanners and MRI machines and lots of other stuff you take for granted .
   As my last manager who is 30 years my junior it is the boomers fault that his generation are a bunch of entitle spoilt brats .We only have to look at our current PM to see he is correct ,you know the IM entitled IM sorted fellow .

   • If you’re going to credit boomers with all the good then why not let bomber credit boomers with all the bad?

     Your logic just ain’t logicing. Y’know Ardie Savea is having the single best performance in super Rugby I’ve ever seen.

     There’s always people who outperform the narrative. The people you want to throw shade on too.

     I don’t share your doom and gloom this generation has got something you don’t. Class. I mean suitcase phones were shit anyway. Nintendo game boys were black and white.

     And by the way we’re still paying off the boomers debts they racked up to Maori.

3. Just a small contribution the Boomers did make for future generations, was the start up funding for the NZ Super Fund through higher taxation.

   Currently valued at $80 billion and returning 10% per annum so that superannuation will be self funded away from general taxation for future generations.

   Thanks Boomers; Notice how little we discuss or take into consideration the super fund and the huge benefit the ROI’s will have in reducing taxation if on the right and increase in state spending if on the left. .

   https://nzsuperfund.nz/

4. How on earth can you be a boomer and poor? The bar was so low and the opportunities everywhere. The rest of us can only dream about the gravy train of opportunity. Martyn, they need to support their own.

   • read my comment above .And not all boomers were paid big money were they .For a long time there was no minimum wage or government top ups were there .And a large majority started from being poor from day one .

   • Firstly, the “boomer generation” is in reality several generations. The real “boomers” are those who were born after WW2, up to the late ‘50’s. Those of us who were born in the 60’s and 70’s have had a vastly different experience.

     I came from a working class background, no matter how well I achieved in high school, I had been preordained to be a working class “oik”. I couldn’t be accepted into university, as places were limited, and I would have taken the place of a middle class white kid, who was more deserving and who came from the right background. The only time I’ve ever had free medical treatment, it was covered by ACC. Other medical treatment I have needed, I have had to pay via health insurance.

     The “gravy train” was there, but it was reserved for the wealthy, who could pay, and the professional white collar middle class.

5. It’s likely most boomers own their own house (though many may still have a mortgage). They are considered wealthy through no fault of their own. Inflation devalued the currency the house value is measured in. They will have to sell the house to pay for their elder care. The properties will be bought up by billionaires and blackrock who will let them to the coming Own Nothing Rent Everthing generations.

   Which political party is going to stop this process and bring home ownership back up to 90% in an egalitarian AoNZ?

6. ‘Which political party is going to stop this process and bring home ownership back up to 90% in an egalitarian AoNZ?’
   Hit the nail on the head Joseph. AND THAT is not the job for boomers. Our sun is set.
   If I may make a suggestion – younger people may wish to leave social media alone(it seems to inspire inane acts) and READ. Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Henry George, Upton Sinclair and many others then act by performing another political movement( or party).
   My own preference is a new, genuinely socialist party, adapted to New Zealand conditions, but, unlike various other old farts who rant here, I recognise that “you do not pour new wine into old bottles’ and “Ka pū te rūhā, ka hao te rangatahi” this old net should retire so the new one can deliver a good catch.

7. Martyn while I respect your viewpoint and agree with a lot of what you say in most of your posts, like Gordon Walker, I also take exception at you insinuating almost all ‘Boomers’ are parasites and have ripped our country off. My husband and I stopped working age 68, downsized our home, bought an apartment and invested the difference so we could be self-sufficient and not bludge off the state. We have both worked hard since turning 16 plus have helped our children into their own homes. We had ordinary jobs that didn’t pay huge salaries/wages and certainly had it tough in the early days having to save for everything not simply demanding or expecting it.
   There are two major issues here:
   1] Not preparing for your old age, e.g. having wonderful trips etc. with the expectation that you will be looked after!
   2] That damned Community Services Card which was meant for those in need and not superannuitants who either refused to downsize from their homes in wealthy suburbs or have lived the good life. And yes there are genuine cases where they didn’t earn enough to save sufficient funds. I even know a woman with this card living in a +$2m home with a bach she rents out at an exclusive beach.
   Since we don’t have a CSC we pay full price for doctor visits and don’t get kick-backs like the rate rebates. So please don’t paint us with the same brush. We also have friends who are like us, have dignity and a sense of fairness.
   In saying all the above, a liveable wage is essential; we should not have to top up people who work full time with accommodation supplements or working for families.
   Where to from here – cancel all the CSC for those who have extensive assets, have clearly earned well, but have failed to save for their retirement? It seems once you have this card it’s yours forever even if you get an inheritance! Yes!! The CSC should only be for those in need and should be reviewed regularly. Those with property can downsize, reverse mortgage or whatever – shouldn’t be our problem but every asset every ‘hidden’ transaction should be taken in consideration. It’s a drain on our resources and so unfair to those in genuine need.
   You are forgiven and at 78, I would still march for a nuclear free NZ.

8. Martyn while I respect your viewpoint and agree with a lot of what you say in most of your posts, like Gordon Walker, I also take exception at you insinuating almost all ‘Boomers’ are parasites and have ripped our country off. My husband and I stopped working age 68, downsized our home, bought an apartment and invested the difference so we could be self-sufficient and not bludge off the state. We have both worked hard since turning 16 plus have helped our children into their own homes. We had ordinary jobs that didn’t pay huge salaries/wages and certainly had it tough in the early days having to save for everything not simply demanding or expecting it.
   There are two major issues here:
   1] Not preparing for your old age, e.g. having wonderful trips etc. with the expectation that you will be looked after!
   2] That damned Community Services Card which was meant for those in need and not superannuitants who either refused to downsize from their homes in wealthy suburbs or have lived the good life. And yes there are genuine cases where they didn’t earn enough to save sufficient funds. I even know a woman with this card living in a +$2m home with a bach she rents out at an exclusive beach.
   Since we don’t have a CSC we pay full price for doctor visits and don’t get kick-backs like the rate rebates. So please don’t paint us with the same brush. We also have friends who are like us, have dignity and a sense of fairness.
   In saying all the above, a liveable wage is essential; we should not have to top up people who work full-time with accommodation supplements or working for families.
   Where to from here – cancel all the CSC for those who have extensive assets, have clearly earned well, but have failed to save for their retirement? It seems once you have this card it’s yours forever even if you get an inheritance! Yes!! The CSC should only be for those in need and should be reviewed regularly. Those with property can downsize, reverse mortgage or whatever – shouldn’t be our problem but every asset every ‘hidden’ transaction should be taken in consideration. It’s a drain on our resources and so unfair to those in genuine need.
   I would still march for a nuclear free NZ.

9. I think the picture used with this article gifts the Gen Z and Millennials more muscle than I’ve ever seen on any of them.

   Girly arms the lot of them. Except for some of the girls of course.

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