It’s nearly Christmas 2021, but a year ago, on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula, there is a factory manufacturing product for New Zealand buildings just in time for Christmas, that arrives very late, in the New Year. Why?
Portugal has a population of 10.2 million and to date it has had 18,700 Covid related deaths. Most of these, (14,000), occurred earlier this year and late last year during the last northern winter.

Portugal’s infection and mortality ratios are common with many countries including the UK, Israel, USA, France, Spain, Italy, Germany. If New Zealand was Portugal, we would have 10,000 Covid-19 deaths. As winter bites again, much of the north will recall a terrible last winter, this Christmas time.
Spare a Christmas thought..
Please spare a thought for Portugal,
this Christmas we are here,
Most Kiwi’s survived lockdown,
Time to appreciate, with a beer,
About it being good, to be alive,
To spread some Christmas cheer,
In this place, we call home,
At this time of year.
Please be kind to everyone we share this small world with.
Merry New Zealand Christmas Everyone, for 2021.
“Celebrating 50 years of New Zealand Building Economist 1972 to 2021”

By Matthew Ensoll
FNZIQS. Reg.QS.
Editor New Zealand Building Economist.
Merry Xmas to you both as well from Dunedin