Anderton: "New Zealanders often ask politicians to be a bit more visionary. I said one of the visions I have is of a fully employed New Zealand … I don't understand why, as a nation, we don't pay young people as much for their education or training as we currently pay them on the dole. I am not saying that people should be compelled not to go on the dole, but there should be opportunities for training, education and work so that going on the dole is not the option that you have to take."

The Dominion reports that Anderton is presently drawing up policy proposals to guarantee that young New Zealanders do have such opportunities. The policies would include tertiary students and other under-20s in training being paid the equivalent of the dole.

Employment Minister Steve Maharey says that the Anderton proposals are aligned with Labour Party policies. Maharey: "What Jim's saying is consistent with Labour's point of view that young people ought to have options to be involved in work training rather than be on the dole..."

Source — The Dominion 10 July 2000 "Dole Thinking `wishful thinking'" by Mathew Brockett.

The New Zealand Herald reports that the shortage, particularly of experienced nurses, can be blamed on low pay, high student debt, lucrative job offers overseas, and high levels of stress. And the shortages are further compounded by a lack of junior doctors.

Source — New Zealand Herald 12 July 2000 "Shortage of nurses reaching crisis point" by NZPA; The Daily News 12 July 2000 "National blamed for nursing shortage".

Most timber companies report that they have their existing skilled workers at full capacity, and the labour shortages are in all areas, from logging teams to saw doctors. The companies fear that production could be seriously affected at a time when overseas markets have picked up and many trees are ready to be harvested — particularly in regions such as Northland, Gisborne, Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, and Nelson.

The latest industry figures show that there are 9,000 people employed inside forests, and 5,500 of these are doing on-the-job-training. A skilled person can make $500 net a week working on a forestry harvesting crew.

Source — The Dominion 30 June 2000 "Worker shortage threatens output" by Gil Norman

Thirteen years ago, there were 18,000 workers in the industry, and today, after a rash of closures and the emigration of manufacturing plants such as Bendon's, just 8,400 workers remain. After these losses, the industry is now facing a serious training and education shortfall for the next generation of workers. Participants at the conference report that when they advertise for workers, the people they get are usually in their 40s.

Sources — New Zealand Herald 10 July 2000 "Rag trade seeking a snappy new cut" by Dita De Boni; The Daily News 11 July 2000 "Apparel industry fears future worker shortage" by NZPA

The couple say they cannot cope with the demand for their products ... and they point to the development potential of having a very large possum population in Taranaki, an abundance of empty industrial buildings to process the skins, and a ready supply of labour (Taranaki now has the highest unemployment rate in NZ).

Environmental Products Ltd is looking for investment or possibly a joint venture with the government. Anderton, who is keen on developing a NZ possum fur and skin industry, has instructed a senior official with the Ministry of Economic Development to investigate the "bankability" of the couple's proposal.

Source — The Daily News 10 July 2000 "Organic possum tanning catches Anderton eye". by Rob Maetzig

Fabric manufacturers are now blending the fur with merino wool to create lightweight but strong and soft fabrics. The process of weaving the short-fibre possum fur with wool was developed several years ago, but it has only been taken into serious production in the last couple of years.

John Woodward of Mohair Fibres says that the demand for fabric incorporating possum fur is now consumer-driven. He says the new prices will increase returns to trappers and shooters to between $3.50 and $6 an animal, depending on the grade of fur sold. It takes about 10-15 possums to make 1kg of fur.

Source — New Zealand Herald 26 June 2000 "Demand sends possum fur prices sky high"

Eating and Sleeping. The Time Use Survey also reveals that teenage and adult New Zealanders spend an average of 8.6 hours per day sleeping and 2.2 hours eating and drinking. Those who spend less time asleep are 35-54 year olds who average 8.2 hours a day, while over-65 year olds spend more time both sleeping and eating. On average, New Zealanders spend the same amount of time asleep as Australians.

In addition, New Zealanders spend an average 22 minutes a day on sport and exercise, and if smokers, 1.6 hours per day are engaged in smoking.

Source — Time Use Survey: Welfare and Health, from statistics NZ