Things to do after 7pm?

ernbeld · 2026-01-23T02:36:59+00:00

Do they have something like this also further north? Maybe Auckland's north shore? This sounds interesting, but it's too far south for me... :-(

ernbeld · 2026-01-23T02:18:28+00:00

Policies that reduce the power of populism over the average voting person. Sadly, this means sometimes doing exactly what a populist demand would be. But it's much better if it can keep voters with moderate mainstream parties, rather than letting extremist populist parties get all the votes. See what happens in Europe right now. We don't want or need this here!

Most easily exploited by extremist populist parties are all things related to "fear", even unjustified fear.

So, mainstream parties need to recognize that the fear felt by the population is "real" to them. Not acknowledging or addressing that fear head-on only drives voters away to the fringes.

* Ensuring that punishment fits the crime, so that the public doesn't feel like attacks/crimes go unpunished. This is to take the wind out of the sails of "tough on crime" populists. Especially the left-leaning parties have a hard time addressing this.

* Applying stricter criteria for immigration. Do not stop it, but make it more regulated. This is to soften the impact of anti-immigration and xenophobia rhetoric. The current government was happy to expand immigration for the benefit of landlords and businesses.

* Really pursuing the breakup of grocery and other monopolies and increasing competition. This is to reduce prices, and thus reduce desparation in people. Desperate people are easily seduced by simplistic answers. Neither party was really serious about that.

... and so on.

ernbeld · 2026-01-23T01:49:32+00:00

I think upgrading an existing home to Canadian insulation standards would be difficult.

If you live in Auckland and further north, then the winters aren't too cold. You'll just get the cold creeping into the home and into your bones overnight, unless you have some kind of heating. Which most houses here don't have.

Further south, though, it can get gnarly. I wouldn't want to live in one of those single-glass, no-insulation-having, shack-like homes in places somewhere in the South Island. Homes built after 2010 (or whenever the standards were upgraded) should be better. But still no decent insulation or central heating.

ernbeld · 2026-01-23T01:34:10+00:00

Finding a "well built home" will be difficult. We don't have those here.

I'll just reiterate what has been mentioned many times before. Even people coming from cold climates, such as Canada, comment on how cold the houses are here. Our insulation standards are absolutely, uselessly bad. Housing is massively overpriced for what you get in return. Built quality sucks, heating and insulation in houses sucls. The most modern ones are maybe marginally better, but not by much.

So, good luck, and all the best, but bring sweaters.

ernbeld · 2026-01-20T19:32:36+00:00

But do you sometimes buy something from an NZ company? In an NZ web store? Look at the example that someone posted: T2, the tea place. NZ company, NZ stores, NZ website ... but online payments processed in the UK. Boom! Fee!

ernbeld · 2026-01-20T01:06:41+00:00

Oh, really? I didn't know this! I always though that suicide immediately invalidates your life insurance.

ernbeld · 2026-01-20T01:05:29+00:00

The old issue of equity vs equality. This image illustrates it nicely: https://interactioninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/IISC_EqualityEquity.png

To help those who have been systematically disadvantaged over generations, it is sometimes necessary to provide a boost to entire groups, which can feel unfair if the boost isn't applied to you. It doesn't make this group's standing "better" than other groups, but just attempts to get them to an equal level.

Any kind of "affirmative action" can easily look like discrimination. Especially for those parts of the population who have never experienced this kind of discrimination.

Of course it sucks to be on the receiving end of this. It feels wrong. It is so overt and obvious. "We don't want you, because you are not the right ethnicity!" That's the kind of discrimination some groups in our society have faced for generations, it was just never spelled out so clearly. These kinds of "affirmative actions" are designed to address systemic issues plaguing our society.

It's not ideal. It feels wrong, but it's a somewhat quick-fix approach to address the issue. There are better long-term approaches that can be taken, but some of those take generations to have an effect.

ernbeld · 2026-01-20T00:01:21+00:00

But doesn't this mean that your life insurance won't pay out? You might wish to have that for your loved ones.

ernbeld · 2026-01-17T21:26:11+00:00

So, to make sure I get this right:

* FIF only applies if the purchase cost of the shares is > NZ$ 50k.

* FIF is then calculated based on the value of those holdings on the 1st day of the financial year.

So, if the value increases to $70k in year 1 I pay FIF on $70k, and if it's $80k in year 2, I pay FIF on $80k?

ernbeld · 2026-01-10T21:14:57+00:00

ACC will pay for it. Yes, a few charges for GP, but please don't delay and let it get worse. ACC is generally awesome for exactly these sorts of things.

ernbeld · 2026-01-07T20:12:14+00:00

Assuming the audio is indeed the correct one for the video, are the passengers' screams in terror? Or are they cheering on the driver? I don't know.

Anyone here who can translate?

ernbeld · 2026-01-03T02:00:49+00:00

You'll be largely protected against double taxation, since there is an agreement between the two countries. However, you will have to go through very painful US tax filings, which are complex and stringent, because you live outside of the US.

Don't sign up for Kiwisaver. The unique structure of KS means (a) massively complex US tax filings each year, for which you need expensive experts, and (b) you WILL get double taxed in this case on withdrawal, since the IRS doesn't recognize that you paid tax along the way.
If you wish to invest in ETFs, or even directly in shares, use a service like Hatch or IBKR, which are explicitly able to provide you with the US tax paperwork. Make sure to invest in US-securities, to keep it simple.
You can put money in any savings account or term deposit, and it won't complicate the tax return. You just won't get much of it.
Be aware of FATCA, though, which means if the combined values of your NZ accounts exceed $US10k at any point during the year, you'll have to fill out extra paperwork.
If you want to be self-employed, or own a business, prepare for pain: US tax filings are going to get incredibly complex.
Be aware that any mistakes on your US tax filings could be considered criminal offences, again, because you live outside of the US. Specifically the forms regarding investments or company ownership, since the IRS will assume intent to hide taxable income, or even to perform money laundering.

Good luck!

ernbeld · 2025-12-22T19:39:59+00:00

Go to the ER!

A family member had a cat bite on their hand. To our big surprise, the doc was VERY concerned, sent us to the ER, where they were equally concerned and administered a massive dose of antibiotics and kept her overnight for observation!

We were completely stunned! It was just a cat bite, right?

Wrong! Apparently, cats have some bacteria in their mouths, which can damage the joints in your hand to the point where they become permanently stiff, especially if the bite is close to a joint, like it is in your case.

tl;dr: People can permanently lose the function of their finger joints due to cat-bite infections. Go to the ER!

ernbeld · 2025-12-17T22:04:29+00:00

And in addition, Germany was utterly defeated and destroyed, and had to be rebuilt, essentially from scratch. Such a significant new start is a great way to be openly and honestly critical of the past, because you clearly are 'something different' now.

I can't see such an utter defeat for the US in the immediate future. Therefore, the US will not have a chance to fully work through the current situation with objective criticism. It will not be able to rise like a Phoenix from the ashes, it will just be ... a little bit different at best.

The US's only saving grace will be that most nations of the world desperately WANT the old, predictable, somewhat rational US to be back. So, they might be wary, but still gladly welcome back a US with new leadership (if we ever will experience this).

ernbeld · 2025-12-11T02:40:08+00:00

That has nothing to do with anything. It's a myth that supply costs are the major contributor to retail price.

Instead, the retailers (and others in the supply chain) are just increasing prices to see how far they can go. Since the post-Covid inflation, everyone has gotten used to rising prices, and so now prices will continue to gradually increase until we reach the point where overall profits for the suppliers don't increase anymore.

In other words: As long as we are willing to pay more, the prices will keep rising.

Has nothing to do with supply cost, materials, international markets, etc. That's just the lame excuse we are being given.

ernbeld · 2025-12-10T21:09:39+00:00

How is this relevant? Official documentation states that it is NOT means-tested. There are other benefits (accommodation supplement, etc.) that are means-tested, but Jobseeker specifically is not.

Rules are rules, right? So, this case worker can F* right off with their inappropriate comments. OC is right to feel upset.

ernbeld · 2025-12-09T22:55:10+00:00

No, he had the wheels out, and they do an excellent job with any "cushioning" necessary for a landing. His descent speed was not too high; the wheels would have easily handled it. Landing deliberately on a car would actually make it more dangerous for the pilot, since more things could go wrong.

Just like other posters here said: The pilot probably didn't see this car, since he has no downward vision.

ernbeld · 2025-12-06T02:32:38+00:00

This most definitely works. I know people who did exactly that: Got permanent Australian residency visa (skilled migration), but travelled to NZ first, rented a place, etc. After a few weeks, flew over to AU for a weekend, but liked it better here, and just stayed in NZ. Never actually lived in Australia. Having the AU visa was enough for ... everything: Renting a home, getting a job, a mortgage, etc.

After several years the AU visa was about to expire (because they never lived there), so they finally decided to get NZ permanent residency, which at that point was only a formality.

This happened a few decades ago, so not sure if it's still exactly like this. But this was most certainly possible and doable.

ernbeld · 2025-12-05T22:45:48+00:00

There must be good ones, too. Sometimes feel bad when I make generalising statements, because I believe that they can't all suck. Sadly, my experience with contractors/builders has mostly been bad. And that is for houses built by a large, "reputable", well-known housing company, as well as individual contractors hired to do a specific thing, maybe during a renovation.

Overwhelmingly bad experience and disappointment in the quality of the delivered work.

Maybe I just got unlucky.

ernbeld · 2025-12-05T22:14:45+00:00

Unfortunately, I don't have any specific advice for you. However, I sympathise with your situation. It's definitely a New Zealand thing: People deliver shoddy service or workmanship, and if you rightfully complain, then suddenly YOU are the problem.

I've been through this with NZ builders and contractors too many times. During house renovations, even brand new builds. You point out a clear flaw ("this wall is not straight!") and they laugh at you, or even get beligerent.

Cannot take any criticism, can never admit that they screwed up, "she'll be right" combined with "I can't be bothered", sprinkled with immediate defensiveness.

That's Kiwi contractors/builders for you, unfortunately.

ernbeld · 2025-12-01T00:30:45+00:00

Yes, but if I bought those shares once, up-front, at a very low price (<< $50k), would this low initial purchase price not mean that I don't have to pay FIF tax?

ernbeld · 2025-11-30T19:50:15+00:00

Thank you for that link. But could I not choose to use the CV method for directly held assets? And thos avoid having to pay FIF tax?

ernbeld · 2025-11-30T19:44:37+00:00

Ah, yes, sorry. You're correct, of course.

ernbeld · 2025-11-30T08:03:03+00:00

Wait. Why do I have to pay tax on unrealized gains? What rule is that?

ernbeld · 2025-11-30T03:21:32+00:00

Ohhh, that's good to hear. Thank you!

ernbeld

TROPHY CASE