Wellington decimated
Is Wellington (aka the public service as a proxy for Wellington) being treated like a mutinous Roman legion? Or is it a more 16th century regional tax kind of vibe?
Economist Shamubeel Eaqub compiled data that showed that from a year ago, the number of jobs in Wellington City has dropped 19,430. That is equal to 11.6 percent of the jobs in that area. He said the impact on the region would be grim. Auckland as a region - a much larger area - had lost just over 10,000 jobs over the same period.
Is Wellington (aka the public service as a proxy for Wellington) being treated like a mutinous Roman legion?
Or is it a more 16th century regional tax kind of vibe?
Which ever way you take it, it has had a massive impact on the city. Less so, out here on the southern coast suburbs, but it's still being felt. People marshalling their resources all year, just in case the worst should happen. The vibe in the city very much being downbeat, keeping your head down, not drawing attention. And definitely not eating out anywhere near as much and cutting back on those coffee shops, too.
I've been back to the city not once, but twice for events over the past month, and the vibe feels subdued but determined. Coupled with an acceptance that things have changed in Wellington - the environment feels much tougher, and the financial stress is real was a determination not to let the good things of life slide and disappear.
Maybe a low-cost, low-key approach might be in order. More community events. Low-cost community events to bring people together over the summer.
If only we had these in NZ (just 74 days until I am back in Japan again).
