[quote:853e70fba5="bugeyeguy"]
Example: December 2002, I was visiting New Zealand and the exchange rate was; 2.0084. $1000 US got me $2008 NZD. Today, 30 October, 2004; it's 1.4613. $1000 US will get you only $1461 NZD.

Is the NZ economy that much stronger? Do Kiwi's get better deals today on US goods than they used to?[/quote:853e70fba5]

It's now 1.37382 (aka $.727NZ to $1.00US)

The US Dollar is still dropping. There's a combination of different issues. One is the NZ economy in the 80's was horrible. They have implemented some fairly radical measures over the years to help get it back on it's feet, and it's doing pretty well now.

Oh, then there is the other factor which is how the US is spending it's money. The way the current administration is doing it (high spending, low taxes) I'll be very impressed if there isn't a major recession over the next 5 years.

Imports are helped, but I haven't noticed much of a difference (I got here in July when it was $.63NZ>$1.00US. It's now $.73>$1.00US).

Exports are hurt, as their products become more expensive overseas (same for tourism into NZ). The Wine industry has $.73 as the breaking point, if it's there for 3 months a lof of them may go belly up.