First, we have the highest standard of living in the Caribbean, and we have earned it by transforming the economy and investing in infrastructure and human resources, over many decades. Figure 1 compares the Human Development Index (HDI) for Barbados with the rest of the Caribbean. The HDI is the best indicator of the quality of life available for countries worldwide.
This task is an important determinant of New Zealand's long-term economic growth and hence banks' future profits, and must be considered carefully. The larger banks' shareholder interests, which are intrinsically linked to the health of the New Zealand economy, will not be achieved if they promote loans to people who cannot afford them.