The latest OECD survey on New Zealand says that our economy has grown faster than most other countries in the OECD. Good economic growth should continue.
However, there are some things we could improve. One is housing in Auckland. House prices are too high, partly because of immigration and speculators buying houses. Also New Zealanders do not like living in apartments so instead of building up, Auckland has spread out and there is a shortage of land for building.
There are problems with urban infrastructure. The survey especially mentioned traffic jams and suggested either road tolls or a tax on cars entering cities during working hours. Both Auckland and Wellington are considering road tolls.
We mostly have high employment but another suggestion was more frequent updates of the skill shortage category for immigration.
NZ needs to do more about greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. We also need to do more to improve water quality of rivers and lakes.
One main negative issue was the significant number of poor people in our country. We are below the average OECD for income equality. We need more good quality social housing or financial help with rent. Poor people have health issues, especially obesity and smoking problems. They also have poor education results. Early childhood education is important and poor children often do not go to kindergarten or other early childhood education places.
Listen to December 12th 2014 to hear more about the OECD.
Vocabulary
• survey (n and v) – to examine a situation (or a country) carefully and write a report
• speculators – listen to May 18th 2015 to hear more about speculators and the Auckland housing market
• infrastructure (n) – roads, transport, electricity, water supply etc
• frequent (adj) – happening often
• update (n and v) – give the latest information
• skill shortage category – skills we need e.g. building skills
• obesity (n) obese (adj) – overweight, too fat
Pronunciation
Listen to the pronunciation of ‘economy’ and ‘economic’. Note which syllable is stressed in each.
Note also the pronunciation of ‘inequality’.