What can Farmville tell you about the way money works?
I admit it – I’m a sucker for Facebook games. In my defence – I do limit myself to playing one or two at any one time. I started out with Real Estate Tycoon, but it got boring as you got to point where you could only really buy and sell two properties.
I then discovered Mafia Wars when we were fighting with INZ over my parent’s sponsorship. It was highly “relaxing” doing mob style hits and jobs and amassing a large stash of weaponry at the time – I can tell you.
Both games involve making an awful lot of money – my bank balance in Mafia Wars stands at a healthy $277,000,000,000.
But it is with my latest game Farmville that I ended up with a bit of a shock and the realisation that art imitates life in these games sometimes.
In all these games – as well as your normal playing – you have achievements that you try and attain. In mafia wars its things like “Killing 1000 people in Cuba” but in Farmville it’s obviously a bit more sedate: harvesting 20 trees, befriending 10 other farmers – that sort of thing. And you get ribbons for gaining an achievement – four ribbons or levels for each one.
The thing is there are ribbons for both spending money and earning money.
To get the Blue Ribbon (the highest level) for earning money on your farm – you need to earn $1,000,000. But to get the same blue ribbon, or level of achievement for spending money in the market? You gave to spend $1,500,000!
The game makes you spend more than you earn to get the ribbon.
And while that may be the way the world wants you to do things, and give you a pat on the back for spending us out of a recession – its not a healthy way to do things. I’m sticking to spending less than we earn thank you very much!
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Why I love Riversdale Beach.
I decided to pop over to Riversdale Beach on Friday – as a way of dealing with extreme Immigration Stress. There really is nothing better for me than staring at the sea with a take away coffee. It also helped that it was a stunning day, and the sea was a beautiful turquoise colour.
Well, we went back today, because hubby really also needed a day out, and if we stayed at home we would find things “to do”. So off we toddled.
As usual, we got the beach, and the very first thing we did was head to the shop for the much needed coffee.
Where they still had my EftPOS card from Friday – sat there waiting. Apparently they had assumed I was coming back for a second coffee on Friday. Which I guess at the very least suggest I’m a “regular” now if they remember that I usually do get another one for the drive home.
It’s a good job I didn’t need the card this weekend.
So thanks to Brownie at the Riversdale store, for not laughing at me too hard, and keeping my card safe.
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Do you have the skills to be an NZIS Customer Service officer?
While discussing our immigration woes over dinner last night, hubby was doing some research. Yes I know – this is exactly the kind of thing that has now tuned us into hardened criminals – but it was funny.
We found a job description for a Customer Service Officer, based in Auckland. Its absolutely hysterical for anyone who has actually had to deal with these people – in fact anyone who has had to deal with any NZIS staff – most of whom take incompetence to a whole new level of expertise.
First off: the purpose of the role:
The Customer Service Officer provides and assists all customers with quality information, so the first choice of migration is New Zealand.
Hmmm – does that sound familiar to anyone? And if NZIS want New Zealand to be the worlds first choice for migration – why oh why do they keep making such a balls up of applications and treat all potential applicants like raving bludgers?
Then we get to the bit which really cracked us up: Experience and Knowledge:
· An awareness of current Immigration Law and Act.
· A knowledge of EEO principles and practices
· Knowledge of Contact Centre technology. INZ use ACD MIS, CTI and Remedy
· Be internet savvy and have an understanding of how to deal with a variety of online applications.
· A demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Treaty of Waitangi issues and their current implications;
· Experience in a service orientated field with a demonstrated commitment to meeting customers needs
· A minimum of 2 years work experience
· Highly developed interpersonal skills including the ability to interact effectively and appropriately with others of differing cultures, gender, age, or backgrounds
· ability to quickly apply new learning gained from training experience, or situations in the role
· Demonstrated ability at working effectively in a team;
· Ability/ experience managing and organising fluctuating workloads in a very demanding environment.
Right, so you are going for a Job as an Immigration Customer Service officer, and of all the things you need to know about – the one you need to be only “aware” of is immigration law.
This may explain why when you phone the help desk, even these days get written answers – you will get different answers each time.
And when it comes to skills:
· Excellent oral communication including putting the other party at ease, active listening, questioning and summarising.
· Sound writing skills, that is the ability to provide information and explain policy in a way that is understandable and acceptable to a range of audiences;
· Computer skills; accurate keyboard skills minimum speed 30 wpm; Must have an intermediate knowledge of the following programs: XP 2000, Excel, Word, Internet Explorer, and Outlook
Excellent organisational and time management skills
Hmmm, I have so far dealt with just 1 staff member at NZIS in the past four and a half years who had any of those skills – and she left. The people we are dealing with these days, for a start won’t actually lower themselves to talk to us – and when we get hold of them via email we get a load of gibberish back. Usually it’s a stock answer, not much more intelligent than “would you like fries with that?”
Besides, if the people at NZIS had the ability to “explain policy in a way that is understandable and acceptable to a range of audiences”, then the thousands of migrants who have spent years answering questions on forums and blogs would not have had to waste their time. Most of them don’t even know what the policy is from my own experience.
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Someone gave NZIS a kicking :)
Mrs Stanners, the lady with the Kidney Failure has been granted a medical waiver meaning she will get residency in New Zealand.
The only shocking thing is that it took the media and the Associate Immigration Minister to get it done.
Apparently many people have offered Kidneys to Mrs Stanner, but it seems her brother is going to see if he is a suitable match. I really hope so – and I hope the case officers involved in this are bloody ashamed of themselves.
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No matter where you go – MP’s are the same.
Filed under: For the numpties amongst us, Jobs & Work, Life in New Zealand
It never ceases to amaze me that politicians refuse to lean from other people’s cock-ups. So many British MPs will lose their jobs in the next election because they took the mick with their expenses, and it was world news. We got all the gory details over here in our little corner of paradise, and the MPs in question may forever be known more for their moat leaning and duck islands than for any work they may actually have done for their constituents.
So I cant help but wonder why on earth New Zealand’s MPs didn’t take notice – switch their brains on, and sort things out here before they got rumbled for the same fiddle.
One thing came out of it – I now know that the word Rort means basically being on the fiddle but doing it legally.
It turns out that New Zealand MP’s also get to Rort the system. They too can get expenses for second homes, or living allowances if they work in Wellington (as many do) but also serve another constituency. They also get very generous travel allowance – even after they have left parliament.
This has been in the news lately – with an unsurprising amount of disgust being bandied about. It seems our Finance minister Bill English manages to get $900 a week in expenses because he has to live in Wellington while he serves a south island constituency. Of course – he lives in Wellington anyway – so why the hell he should get an allowance at all is beyond me. He also “appears” to have set up the home in a trust – and while this is not unusual in New Zealand – there are suspicions that changes were made to the structure of the trust to maximise the allowance. I really do not know the truth of that – but it becomes very important later on.
And well within the rules, Roger Douglas of ACT, took a holiday to the UK in which a whopping 90% of the flight cost was paid by the taxpayer. For him AND his wife! Now this isn’t because he is a sitting MP – its because he WAS – past tense.
MPs elected to Parliament before 1993 and who served three terms receive a discount of 90 per cent on their international airfares for the rest of their life.
To make the situation so much worse – Mr Douglas has been berating parliament lately for overspending. The bloody cheek of the man.
But the thing that makes this so utterly revolting is that it is still going on at a time when people who are stuck in “Palnet Electorate” to quote our illiterate friend in the Whips Office – are taking pay cuts, being refused any hope of a pay rise, cutting back to 9 day fortnights and are in fear of their jobs going bellyup. And all the MPs can come up with is that “its within the rules”. Hmmm – have we heard that somewhere before?
I have no problem with MP’s having high expenses if they need to travel for work – but I am nauseated that we have to pay for Mrs Douglas to do anything! She has never been an MP, and she shouldn’t be bludging off the taxpayer. For any reason.
Hubby gets expenses as part of his job if he has to travel. But If I choose to go with him – I pay every single expense that has to do with me. I pay for the flights, food, and any entertainment for the two of us. All IBM pays is hubbys flight and transport costs and his hotel, with a $62.50 allowance for food each day he is away which usually covers most of the cost of his food, but certainly doesn’t pay for mine – nor should it.
And the fact is that while MP’s don’t get huge salaries – they do get considerable ones, and they should not be trying to wangle more money under the covers. They also know before going into the job that it will involve travel and possibly being away from home. They need to decide if that is acceptable to them, and sort things out accordingly. The same as the rest of us plebs have to. If getting a ministerial post means a move to Wellington for the vast majority of the time – suck it up – the rest of us have to!
A standard MP gets $131,000 a year - plus an expenses allowance of $14,800 a year. Remember that when you are told that New Zealand can’t afford high wages and you have to live on the square root of diddly squat if you want to life here.
So – if you think you will get away from this nonsense when you move to New Zealand – think again. They are all at it!
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The IAA actually does something about an immigration scam!
Well blow me over with a feather.
The IAA has finally decided to pull its finger out and prosecute Gerard Otimi for his immigration scam, as they have now determined that he was giving unlicensed advise. Its about bloody time. On the 23rd June I blogged about the fact that the IAA had decided to investigate. Its taken 2 months for them to act. And yet how long was it before Move2NZ got a warning? A few days? Hmmm.
THIS is what the law should be about – not gagging migrants and taking away our right to free speech.
You know – one of the reasons I wanted to get out of the UK was the rapid rate at which our freedoms were being eroded. It fills me with a huge amount of sadness that New Zealand chooses to follow suit. At the moment it is only migrants who can’t speak out – but its troubling none the less.
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Last Night of The Proms – Kiwi Style.
Well, in a much need break from immigration stress and finding out that I’m breaking the law – some friends invited us to a night of sheer unadulterated patriotism and Britishness.
I’ve never been to a Last Night of The Proms – and very rarely to a Proms concert in the first place. The nearest I ever got was the Schools Proms – where each night was basically a last night.
Well, Wellington holds its own Last Night every year, and for the first time we got to go. Now – it has to be said that I’m one of those migrants that does miss the UK. I actually love the UK, and I am proud to be English (as distinct from hubby who considers himself British). I’m proud of our culture and heritage, and our amazingly colourful history. So something like this is right up my street. And oddly enough – it helps with any lingering homesickness.
It was also a bloody good concert. It was the first time I ever got to hear the New Zealand National Anthem: God Defend New Zealand. (Possibly because I don’t watch rugby – or indeed any sport which is up there with watching paint dry in my book). It’s sung in Maori and then English. And it’s rather beautiful. It was followed by our Own National anthem. One thing I did notice: the New Zealand anthem is about the country, the UK one is all about the queen. Not bad in my book as I’m an unashamed monarchist – but I can imagine that it would peeve some people.
Then the first part of the concert got underway. Some of it did nothing for me, but the rousing Polovtisan Dances were right up my alley. The rush for the loos and the bar in the interval were as expected – but something did make me laugh: there was free tea available! How typically English! And the Morris Dancers who were in the standing section put on some entertainment (much to the utter disgust of one of our friends – an Englishman through and through who has no time for that sort of silliness!) I thought it was rather good myself.
But the second half is where the fun begins, in keeping with the whole Last Nigh tradition. The flags come out; people talk and laugh, bob up and down and sing their hearts out and stamp to the Hornpipe. Flags were available for a $1 donation for those of us too tardy to bring our own, as were streamers. (Note to self – stock up on party poppers next time).
What really made this a stunning event were things like the Conductor – an American, – who had a real sense of humour – he also took a break for some tea during the second half, while we got a lullaby from the oboes. And Helen Medlyn who sang some arias in the first half but some Noel Coward in the second. She was a right scream – hammed it up for all she was worth and then led the crowd in Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia dressed in a union jack pant suit.
Seriously – we had an amazing night. Good friends, food, and a great night of entertainment. Something I heartily recommend.
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When compassion should be automatic.
So once again – a lady may have to leave New Zealand next January when her work permit expires because she can’t get a residency permit. The lady in question is married to a Kiwi, and has two Kiwi child, aged 2 years and 6 months. During her first pregnancy she developed a kidney problem which became worse during her second pregnancy and has now become a serious medical issue. She has failed the medical component of the immigration application.
“Immigration is tearing our family apart. If I have to go back to the Philippines, I am surely going to die – I’d rather die with my family beside me.”
Now without a doubt – if Mrs Stanners were allowed to stay in New Zealand, it will cost the health service a lot of money. It seems she is highly likely to need dialysis or a transplant. This is not a case like we saw with my dad, where the numpties at immigration, and their medical assessors didn’t know the difference between age related kidney deterioration and kidney failure. Mrs Stanners has just 15% function in her kidneys now.
But for crying out loud! Its not as if the woman knew she had a duff kidney and then married a Kiwi to get access to New Zealand’s “world class” healthcare system. These things happen, and I can’t help but think that Immigration New Zealand gives this country an appalling name when it does not switch its brain on and think these things through.
Mrs Stanners now has to apply for a medical waiver. Fair enough – that is what the system is there for. But did you know that some people are given medical waivers automatically? Shouldn’t be possible – and yet I’ve seem people “advise” on forums that you can get them without applying – because it happened to them. Hmmmm.
But not for Mrs Stanners – who has had to ask MP Jim Anderton to intervene and contact the associate Immigration minister – who is being very careful not to offer any guarantees.
The thing that upsets me most about this sort of situation is that it leaves Mr Stanners in the position of either being apart from his wife – or leaving the country he was born in. I do not understand an immigration policy that makes it so hard for Kiwis to stay in New Zealand if they marry a non-kiwi. The policy seems to say that if you marry outside of New Zealand – we don’t really want you back. It’s a bit odd.
I really hope that someone sees some sense here – and a little compassion. It makes no sense to split this family up. Aren’t they going through enough? Mrs Stanners life is going to revolve around frequent dialysis and hospital visits, without this she may not see her children grow up.
These are the sort of stories that people need to read un understand if they plan on emigrating here. You need to look at the types of visas people are getting, and what happens to them. Emigrating is stressful at the best of times, but when something goes wrong – in this case you develop a serious medical condition while you are still on a temporary visa – then the stress levels are beyond belief.
Be very careful.
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Blog Update: Immigration News
Well, I took a weeks break, and what happens? I keep reading things and seeing things and thinking: “That would make a good blog”. So heres a roundup of what I have missed blooging about while I’ve been lazing around.
It’s actually been an interesting (if fraught) week in New Zealand for migration news. Firstly – the Thai tiler who came back to New Zealand as requested to give testimony in the Phillip Field bribery case doesn’t yet know if he fill finally be able to stay in New Zealand permanently. He is here on a temporary permit, but now the associate immigration minister is looking at the case to determine whether he can stay. I can’t help but wonder how they can possibly turn him down. He has a New Zealand born child, and has been through hell – one not of his own making – and he has had the guts to come forward and help put an end to one MP’s corruption.
And following on from the blogs about Gerard Otimi’s immigration scam, where he charged mostly Samoan Overstayers for illegal visas, it seems that out of the thousands of people who were scammed by him, only 36 came forward to make formal complaints. This does mean that he has now been charged on 39 fraud offences. The problem is that the 36 people who came forward get no protection from the police when dealing with Immigration New Zealand.
A spokesman for Immigration New Zealand said those who had lodged complaints would be treated the same as others who came forward.
“[Immigration New Zealand] considers their current circumstances, as against the case for them staying in New Zealand.
“This is an individualised assessment. If there is no reason for them to remain, and they are in New Zealand unlawfully, the expectation is always that they will depart New Zealand.”
Which just about says it all really: you will do sod all about the thousands of overstayers you know are here – but the poor buggers who helped you do YOUR job and put an end to this scam will get no leniency and no thanks.
And while it seems the Immigration Fraud department couldn’t have cared less that a Maori Activist was scamming Samoans: they do care that recruitment agencies in Ashburton on South Island could be scamming migrants farm workers out of pay and are holding o to their passports to prevent them moving on and stepped in.
Newly-appointed community development worker for the council Raewyn Barclay told Courier Country that allegations of pay skimming and passport retention had been supported by the council’s own investigations that saw one Mid Canterbury migrant’s passport returned to the council’s Cass St Ashburton office within hours of a request by Immigration New Zealand following a council tip-off to the department.
The migrant worker had been trying for eight months to get the passport.
She said immigration officials who visited Ashburton recently for a four-hour session included a compliance officer for the South Island and an officer specialising in working with farm workers.
“It was a huge coup to get them here,” Ms Barclay said.
“But now, that initial meeting has widened to include regular contact with the immigration fraud investigation team in Auckland and just in the last week I have taken advice from the immigration advisory authority, because we have been very concerned about what we can and cannot say to migrants.
“We are not immigration advisers.”
Ms Barclay, whose job is funded by the Department of Internal Affairs, but based at the Ashburton Safer Communities Council and established to grow networks between the various groups, said the migrant farm worker issue in New Zealand was a disgrace.
And once again – the IAA law steps in and screws migrants over from getting help they need! Even DIA employees have to keep their mouths shut.
Federated Farmers have got INZ to overturn their decision to take Dairy Farmers off the skills shortage list. Not because they particularly need more workers, but – unsurprisingly because of all the workers they have now trained to do the job who are on work visas and could end up getting sent home.
An agricultural industry trainer is worried that any future Immigration New Zealand decision to remove dairy farm workers from the country’s skills shortage list could strand dairy farmers without sufficient staff.
Federated Farmers’ lobbying has resulted in an about-turn by Immigration New Zealand in June to remove skilled dairy workers from the Immediate Skills Shortage List (ISSL).
The dairy industry in New Zealand currently employs about 1300 migrant workers from countries such as the Philippines, Chile and South Africa.
However, despite the change of heart, AgITO dairying adviser Jock McEwen, of Timaru, said the issue was of concern.
His fears are not so much based on fewer staff being allowed into the country, but on the future of staff already here, now trained and making a significant contribution to the industry.
“I became concerned at Immigration New Zealand’s recent suggestion made because it [Immigration NZ] thought the recession had reduced job opportunities on farms,” Mr McEwen said.
“I think the number of jobs has contracted slightly, but my worries are more about the guys that are fully functional and valued employees on farms who were not yet residents.
“They could still be living in fear of being sent home [if Immigration New Zealand again considered changing the status of their jobs].
A lot of this appears to have been a knee jerk reaction to stories a few months ago about Kiwis losing their jobs while migrants were kept on. But it has not been thought about properly, and as we have seen from the action of INZ over the past few months, they do not think about the long term effects when refusing work permit extensions. I know I am left with the impression that INZ is acting like a headless chicken – running round flapping its wings and looking faintly ridiculous. Some leadership is needed and someone needs to take charge and sort it out.
And finally – back to possible corruption and dirty dealings from our less than squeaky clean MP’s. This time it’s National who are in the fray with one of their MP’s accused of accepting money for false job offers. This has actually been bubbling for a while – but it seems there was no real proof, but it has popped again after new information was presented to the police and allegations made that people in India were pressured into keeping quiet. I guess we have to wait to see what the outcome is, but once again – Immigration investigated this one – but said it couldn’t do anything when Mr Otimi was scamming people.
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Avalon is taking a break…
Normal service (well, what passes for that round here anyway) will be resumed in a weeks time.
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