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Source: ONE News -
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While the politicians debate how best to fix New Zealand's economic woes, many are questioning whether the country is really in a recession just yet.
The Western world may be going to rack and ruin but with petrol prices heading south and interest rates even lower, many in New Zealand are not seeing a recession.
"You hear a lot about it in the news building it up but we can't say we've noticed anything. That's what the media is for, it's to tell you what's coming isn't it?" says Miklos Johasz, cafe owner.
At Western Springs in Auckland, middle New Zealand was feeding the ducks and despite the country being in a recession life there is still okay.
"We went to the mall the other day, it was full of people, especially at Christmas it was packed. So someone's got money somewhere," says Helen McKane, teacher.
However, economist Gareth Morgan knows enough about money to be able to spend January on his bike. He says recession apathy is about to end.
"Changes are coming, including on the dairy price for example - big drop coming and that will change the look on people's faces pretty quickly," he says.
One sure way to check how the recession is going is to go to your local paper and check the day's public notices. There are 20 businesses being liquadidated on Thursday, 15 of them are being put under by the tax man.
The good news for Johasz is that even in a recession people still drink coffee.
