Latest news with #Spoonley
NZ Herald
18-07-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Declining birth rates: NZ fertility drops in line with global trend
Which is academic speak for, we aren't having enough babies to maintain the population of the human race. The human race needs more babies It was previously believed that 2.1 children per woman was the replacement level needed to sustain the global population, but it's now thought that the rate is higher – at 2.7 kids per woman. It's grim reading for a Saturday morning. But when three-quarters of the world's population lives in countries where lifetime fertility rates are below replacement levels – including Aotearoa where the fertility rate has dropped from 2.17 in 2010 to 1.56 per woman in 2023 – maybe the Uber driver (and, I hate to admit, Vance) has a point? Sociologist and Massey University emeritus professor Paul Spoonley has been tracking birth rates for years. He believes there are three main reasons why women are choosing to have none or just one child. 'An important factor is the increasing number of females with tertiary qualifications – 43% of women have tertiary qualifications compared to 36% of men,' says Spoonley. 'That means a greater participation by women in the workforce.' It won't come as a surprise to anyone but the cost of living is another reason we're not rushing to have more children. Professor Paul Spoonley says the cost of living is another reason Kiwis aren't willing to have more children. Photo / RNZ 'Children are expensive and the increasing cost of living and housing can force the decision for some in terms of having children versus buying a house.' Add to that the daily costs and trade-offs of employment, i.e. the so-called Motherhood Penalty or economic disadvantages faced by women in the workforce post-children, including pay and career advancement. 'Similar issues explain the increasing age of women having their first child,' says Spoonley. 'Last year more children were born to women 40 and over compared to births to women aged 20 and under.' If you thought climate change was the reason why some women aren't reproducing, put a tick on your bingo card. While Spoonley admits it's difficult to tell how significant this issue is, and how many women it affects, 'for the generation currently making fertility decisions, the environment is a growing consideration'. Lucy Hughes* is one of those women. The Wellington policy analyst believes it's 'ethically unjustifiable to bring kids into a world that's on fire'. 'The climate, and what humans are doing to it, is the number one crisis not just for my generation but for all of us,' believes the 28-year-old. 'I'm so worried about the catastrophic future this planet is hurtling towards, and the fact that governments aren't doing anything about it, that I've decided the best thing I can do for the environment is not add to the number of humans fighting for ever-decreasing resources.' Having been widely criticised by family and friends for her decision, Hughes is reluctant to use her real name for this story. But suggest that she's contributing to the end of humanity and she'll roll her eyes. 'I don't judge anyone for having kids but they feel free to judge me. I've been called selfish and stupid but my position is, faced with a future of war, flooding, heatwaves and food shortages – and politicians in various states of denial – I think I'm right not to have kids.' Jacinta Woodnutt has the kind of close-knit, wholesome family people make sitcoms about. The mother of six shares a four-bedroom home with her husband, high school teacher Stephen Woodnutt, and their six children – five boys and one girl who range in age from 14-3. The Woodnutt family, from left, Stephen holding Gilbert, Matthias, Patrick (top), Cecilia, Damien (bottom middle) and Jancinta holding Edmund. Photo / George Heard Their suburban Christchurch house is cramped and sometimes so noisy that Australian expat Woodnutt, 35, escapes to her bedroom for 'five minutes of peace'. 'It can be hard raising six kids, especially on a single income, but there's a lot of joy and laughter in our house.' Woodnutt, who met her Kiwi husband when they were both students at a Sydney Catholic university, admits that the couple's strong faith played a large part in their decision to have six children. 'As per the church's guidance, we use natural family planning practices. But the real reason for having six kids is that we both come from large families [Woodnutt has 10 siblings, her husband has four] and we both really love kids. We believe children are a blessing and a gift from God.' Not everyone sees it like that: Woodnutt is often met with raised eyebrows and comments such as 'Don't you know which century you're living in?' and 'You don't need to have lots of kids any more'. 'I've had total strangers say to me, don't you have a TV? Sometimes people are genuinely interested in what it's like to raise six kids but many are just rude.' Jacinta and Stephen Woodnutt and their children Patrick, Matthias, Damien, Gilbert, Cecilia and Edmund. Photo / George Heard Having been at the sharp end of judgment, Woodnutt would never judge anyone who chose not to have children. 'Just as I don't want people to have a go at me for my fertility decisions, I would never criticise anyone because it's nobody's business. I totally respect their choice.' But what about declining birth rates? 'I'm definitely concerned about that because it means fewer doctors and people we need for the future. For me, a child is a sign of hope so while I understand the perspective of those who don't want to bring children into this terrible world, we have to have hope.' It's a sentiment that's repeated, almost verbatim, a few days later at the other end of the motu. Premaloka Treacy is a yoga therapist on Waiheke Island who owns Prem Heart Yoga School and Lily & Lotus cafe/concept store, and is mother to six children aged from 10 to 26. The Treacy family from left: back row,Lalita-Jewel, Paul, Gabriel, Cashel, Luka and Uisce-Lily (holding Bantry). Front row, Premaloka and Delilah-Belle (holding Sandy). Treacy, her Irish husband Paul and two of their six children live behind the cafe (her oldest two recently moved to Dublin for their OEs, one is studying in Wellington and one flats in Auckland). 'I never ever considered I wouldn't have children,' says Treacy. 'We thought we'd have three or four but to be honest, we didn't really plan any of our children. And then I got addicted to having kids. They're the biggest blessing in our lives and we're a really strong, close family.' Treacy would be the first to admit that not everyone is cut out to follow her example. The Treacy family from left: Delilah-Belle (holding Bantry), Uisce-Lily (holding Wolfson), Premaloka, Paul, Lalita-Jewel (in front), Luka (holding Sandy), Cashel and Gabriel. 'Kids are a huge financial cost and a lifetime commitment and I understand that not everyone feels the same bond as I do, or that some women have had trauma in their lives or don't want the disruption. It's certainly not easy having six kids, especially when we had four under 5 years old, but when you have a child you bring hope into the world – hope for good, kind people who will make a difference. I'd never say to anyone, have a baby because our birth rates are falling but if you love and want kids and have the support to do so, then go for it because that child will bring you joy.' * Name has been changed to protect identity How governments tackle declining birth rates In Hungary, if you're the mother of four or more children, you don't have to pay income tax for life. Hungary also offers subsidies to help large families buy cars and houses. Poland, too, offers incentives. Hong Kong offers cash bonuses for each newborn as well as easier access to subsidised housing for families with children. South Korea, which has the world's lowest birth rate, is also offering cash incentives to new parents. Russia has extended a hefty cash payment, originally for new adult mothers, to include school girls in an attempt to reverse a dramatic decline in the country's birthrate. But Spoonley warns that these policies haven't stopped fertility decline. 'The interesting thing is that pro-natal policies of various governments around the world have had almost no impact on fertility decisions or reversing fertility decline. Sweden, which has far more generous pro-natal packages than New Zealand, did see a small blip but reverted to ongoing low fertility.' Spoonley believes the key is to figure out exactly what's driving falling rates so that governments can introduce effective policies to combat it. 'International experience shows that it's hard to reverse fertility decline. We need to better understand the issue and look at alternatives such as better educational investments and productivity improvements.'
Otago Daily Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Young Kiwi exodus 'quite different to anything we've seen before'
The country is losing new graduates and existing workers as statistics show the highest migration rate to Australia since 2012, a Massey University professor says. Just under 30,000 New Zealanders left for Australia in 2024, which Stats NZ said was "marginally higher" than in 2023. However, it was the highest level of emigration to Australia since it peaked in 2012 at nearly 44,000. Economic and labour market conditions were the main contributor, Professor Paul Spoonley said. "During an economic downturn, as we're seeing at the moment in New Zealand, Australia appears very, very attractive." It was similar to a period in 2011-2012 when thousands also left to settle permanently across the Tasman. Of all the departures at present, 60% were heading to Australia. There was an increase in the number of people in their thirties who were heading away. "Which suggests that we're not retaining those people who've been in our labour market for 10 or 15 years so we're losing the new graduates but some older people as well." The latest statistics suggested "the centre of gravity" for many families was "very much in Australia". It meant they were seeing adult children, grandchildren, colleagues and friends make the move. "So it is having quite an impact upon our mentality and we're comparing ourselves to Australia and seeing the higher salaries, the better opportunities and thinking 'Wow, why would I stay in New Zealand?' That's deeply concerning." It appeared some who were going to Australia had not been born in this country and had gained citizenship here before leaving again. "And that's quite different to anything we've seen before." More needed to be found out why these people were leaving and whether they were using New Zealand as a stepping stone, Prof Spoonley said.
Scoop
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
King's Birthday Honours Recognise Services To Education
Press Release – New Zealand Government New Zealands education system is world-leading. Dr Hood, Professor Spoonley and the other honourees have played an important part in achieving this. I thank them all for their incredible contribution and service to New Zealand, Education … Minister of Education Education Minister Erica Stanford has congratulated the recipients of the King's Birthday 2025 Honours List who have been recognised for their services to education. 'I'd like to congratulate the people honoured today, who have all made a significant contribution to education in New Zealand and around the world,' Ms Stanford says. The list includes three appointments as Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit, four Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit, eight Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit, three Companions of the King's Service Order, and three recipients of The King's Service Medal. Dr Nina Hood becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education. 'Dr Hood has been instrumental in improving training and support for educators throughout New Zealand. She founded not-for-profit organisation The Education Hub, dedicated to closing the gap between educational research and classroom teaching. Through her leadership, critical issues have been addressed including literacy curriculum design, neurodivergent learning support, and online learning. She's now contributing to curriculum at an international level, establishing a global conversation on education reform, effective pedagogy and rigorous curriculum design. Through 2023 and 2024 Dr Hood helped establish The Teachers' Institute, a charitable trust which offers school-led teacher education and professional development.' Distinguished Professor Emeritus Paul Spoonley is appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. 'Professor Spoonley served 42 years as a teacher and researcher in sociology with Massey University, retiring in 2021. During that time, he served in various roles including Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Co-Director of the National Centre of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and was appointed as a member of the Independent Panel of New Zealand Police's Understanding Policing Delivery. He has been a research fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity Germany since 2013 and is a Fellow and Board member of Auckland Museum. He has published 29 books and has more than 300 peer-reviewed academic journal articles. 'New Zealand's education system is world-leading. Dr Hood, Professor Spoonley and the other honourees have played an important part in achieving this. I thank them all for their incredible contribution and service to New Zealand,' Ms Stanford says.
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Why New Zealand immigration stance differs from UK's new hardline approach
The US has also strongly turned against immigration in President Donald Trump's second term. Massey University distinguished professor Paul Spoonley told The Front Page that the move comes after nearly 900,000 people arrived in the UK in 2023. " The numbers have dropped by about 40% since that peak. So they were already falling, but they want to reduce them by a further 100,000 a year by 2029," Spoonley said. While anti-immigration sentiment has swept Europe, the UK and the US in recent times, Spoonley said he doesn't think the same can be said for New Zealand. 'There are some important differences in terms of immigration. In most of Europe, the immigrants we're talking about there are actually refugees. In 2015 and again in 2016, over a million people arrived at the borders of various European countries. 'Australia, Canada, and New Zealand target skilled migrants, and we use our point[s] system to identify who's going to be appropriate. We have a very managed immigration system. Most of Europe does not. 'When you approve migrants who are well-skilled, well-educated and, in New Zealand's case, they're better educated and sometimes more skilled than the New Zealand population, the settlement outcomes for those migrants tend to be much better. 'But of course, Europe is dealing with people who are traumatised, who are refugees. Very significant numbers of asylum-seekers. And there are issues around settling those migrants into society. 'I just think New Zealand, Australia and Canada's general approach to migration is much more positive. The way we manage it is very different. And we just don't have those very strong anti-immigrant politics. We have people who are very anxious about it, but they don't represent significant parts of our political constituencies,' he said. Spoonley said people's attitude often changes towards what is perceived to be 'different kinds of migrants'. '[In New Zealand] refugees are always seen as different from migrants more generally and are seen in a more negative light. 'People from the UK, and to some extent, places like South Africa, are rated much more positively as migrants we want compared to those who are from Asia. And unfortunately, migrants from the Pacific tend to be rated as the lowest, the 'least desirable' by New Zealanders answering these surveys,' he said. The latest Stats NZ data released yesterday showed a net migration gain of only 26,000 in the past year, against more than 100,000 the year before. Provisionally, we had almost 150,000 migrant arrivals and more than 123,000 departures.
