NZ and 'third world' lessons for politicians and businesspeople

South Korea was once 'third world'. (Image: Getty)

Mon, 09 Oct 2023

New Zealand’s sense of self-worth largely consists of us convincing ourselves we are better than countries we have traditionally looked down on. Every election, politicians in government try to tell us we are well on the way to becoming a South Pacific Scandinavia, while opposition parties warn us we are a whisker away from losing our first world food basket status and becoming a “third world” basket case. Yet sometimes the terms of this comparison can shift even while we are looking down our noses at our neighbour...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Travel

Airport hotels are evolving beyond layover necessities

The staid, cheap, bed-for-a-night abodes no longer dominate airport hotels.

The Washington Post 5:00am

Bloomberg Opinion

US bonds have never been risk-free, and never will be

It will still be a low-risk asset and in high demand.

Bloomberg 26 Apr 2025

US bonds have never been risk-free, and never will be

World

Morocco volunteers on Sahara clean-up mission

Some 50 people, gloved and equipped with rubbish bags, toiled away for five hours.

AFP 26 Apr 2025

Morocco volunteers on Sahara clean-up mission

Sponsored

“Not an invisible footprint”: Why technology supply chains need optimising

Outdated hardware is a supply chain and cost risk.

Datacom

Sponsored

Bayleys Total Property Issue 3 out now

Backed by Bayleys’ national strength and global reach

Bayleys

More Economy

Economy Free

Consumer confidence back on the up – ANZ survey

Consumer confidence rose five points to 98.3 in April, according to the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan survey, shoring up the upward trend that was starting to look wobbly.But inflation expectations also rose sharply – up 0.5 points to 4.7%, the highest reading since July 2023.“Household...

Staff reporters 24 Apr 2025