Economic powerhouse - the South Island?

Mid-Canterbury, South Island, N.Z.


In his Comment column published in the Dominion Post for February 28, 2011, Tom Pullar-Strecker asserted that 'The mainland (= South Island for our non-NZ audience) is the powerhouse of our export economy.'

At first this seemed a bit far-fetched and I puzzled over how I would prove or disprove his statement.  Subsequently I was reading the February issue of NZ Manufacturer p.10 and came across these outstanding statistics for Mid-Canterbury which supplies:

• 50% of world requirements for radish seeds
• 35% of world requirements for white clover seeds
• 33% of world requirements for carrot seeds
• approx 30% of world requirements for bok choi seeds
• 1/4 of all NZ feed grains
• 60% of the seeds for growing pasture - underpinning a NZD$9 bn export industry

These figures at least go some way to proving Tom Pullar-Strecker right!  It's obviously a subject worth more investigation.

Budget 2010 - a late comment

The Budget summary despatched by  local National candidate for the last election Malcolm Plimmer included this statement under the heading: Biggest tax reform in 25 years

Tax package provides incentives for Kiwis to get ahead, leaves the vast majority better off and tilts the economy towards savings, exports and productive investment

Tilts!  It is not geared to produce much more than a gentle lean!  Exporters needed a shove in the economy not a tilt!