As the Government continues to prevaricate about whether there is true poverty in this country - as opposed to poverty observed in the Third World, which would seem to be the Governments Benchmark - the remarkable information being collected that shows many houses without any form of insulation, curtains and carpet flooring, would seem to decry the needs of those who live in these homes. Apparently the "we cannot see this problem and need" approach from the Government - and their "if we ignore it it will go away reaction" is to say the least a worry for us all.
We live in a welfare state by choice and it seems tragic that Government Departments and City Councils, as well as private landlords with property for rent cannot see that the investment in a variety of forms of insulation would be of benefit to their rental properties as well as of benefit to the people who live in these properties.
The losses of life lately for renters in these terrible and completely uninsulated properties and because of the need for those poor tenants to rent such property (that surely should not be available for rent until some form of upgrading is completed) seems to demand that there should be some form of new licensing based around a set of minimal building requirements to protect the renters from houses that become so cold and damp and that are in fact potential death traps for the renters and their families, not jut on the South Island but throughout New Zealand.
But this problem goes further than housing. It would seem that there are schools that are also not suitable for children to learn in, with leaking roofs, damp walls and floors and no wind proof windows in some cases.
A recession may be in the offing and the demands of this government that all government departments cut their budgetary requirements to fit their annual financial government allowances should not result in the lack of care for the development of children from 0 to 20 and those arrangement should also include their physical and mental welfare but also their educational welfare too. It would seem that for nearly a decade that the needs of educational buildings maintenance has hardly been managed but simply ignored.
I wonder how the MPs in Parliament would feel if there was no heating in any of the parliamentary buildings that they inhabit and work in - at all.
Health and education are the future for all countries, no matter how large or small the population. The investment in housing and education should go beyond third world basics.
We do not live in a hot country, we live in a country that skirts the Antarctic and between two huge oceans and a long way from the nearest continent and the weather is certainly slowly but steadily changing back to four distinct seasons with apparently lower temperatures. Now is the time for the Government to consider the reality of the future weather of our country, consider the ramifications for our peoples, their living conditions, their educational environment and the very best outcomes achievable for all New Zealanders, wheresoever they live, are educated and work. Less huge profits all round and more investment in care for the welfare of all peoples living in New Zealand.