Circling the drain

It could be that as a desirable place to live, New Zealand is world famous in the world, but not so much in New Zealand.

Social media hums with envious people fantasising about emigrating to this country, citing its tolerance and inclusiveness, pandemic containment success and Hobbit-worthy environment.

Here on the ground, it doesn’t look so rosy. Exhibit A: the trans-Tasman bubble, which may not only fail to revive local tourism,