If you're a Far Northerner reading this while sitting in your car near Kaitaia behind three logging trucks and a milk tanker on your way to collect the dole so you can pay your pot dealer, you're part of an economy that generates roughly three times theexport growth of your compatriot in Auckland on a $100,000 salary stuck in traffic on a billion-dollar bypass on their way to have a latte at Ponsonby.
My point? Winston Peters has underlined a simple fact. Far Northerners are part of an export economy that is far more productive, at its very worst, than Auckland at its very best.
But where's the respect? A couple of bridges? Given the impact of producing for export on roads and lifestyle, it's insulting to say the least.
Let's run some numbers. Far North export growth in 2014 - 9.3 per cent, Auckland 3.2 per cent; export share of GDP - Far North 37 per cent, Auckland 20 per cent. The Far North's share of export GDP from meat, 23.2 per cent, wood 19.1 per cent, logging seven per cent, horticulture 10.4 per cent.
The Far North is wonderfully productive in comparison with any region across the nation.
The single biggest investment made in the Far North in recent history, and probably ever, is $150 million on a jail at Ngawha. The same money spent on schools in the Far North would significantly reduce the need for a jail. Educating a teenager at school - $9000 per year. Educating the same teenager in jail - $100,000 per year.
Winston appears to get it. What part of 'this is utterly stupid and insulting' do the rest of the politicians not understand?
