Comparing Rights, Rules and Responsibilities

For inquiry we compared the rights, laws and responsibilities of citizens in China and in New Zealand.

All citizens of the world have rights, responsibilities, laws and rules to follow. Two countries with similarities and differences in the rights, responsibilities and laws for their citizens to follow are China and New Zealand.

Group 1 - Caleb, Emily K, Charlotte, Joshua L

Both citizens of China and New Zealand have a right to an education funded by the government. In China education is funded by the government but citizens have to pay for textbooks and tuition. They also have very long school days (7a.m-5p.m). In New Zealand we have to pay for stationery, uniform, and trips in return we however get shorter school days (8:55 a.m-3p.m). We believe that if education is free it should be free rather than there being hidden costs. We also believe it is fairer on people to have shorter school days.

Group 2 - Sara, Leslie, Ethan, Joshua G

Both citizens have a right to a job. In China many workers work long hours for less pay compared to New Zealand citizens who have the rights such as breaks and a minimum wage. We think that getting more money and a stable amount of hours to work is better. You have more time to spend with your family and you have enough money to survive.    

Group 3 - Rhea, Samarah, Michael, Hemish

Both countries have the right to have children. The citizens in China used to have a law that you were only allowed one child per family. However now in China you are allowed two children because there were too many men and there were no girls. However if you had too many children you would have to pay a fine. On the other hand in New Zealand you are allowed to have as many kids as you want. We think that New Zealand treats it’s citizens fairer because they can have more than two children without needing to pay a fine.

Group 4 - Dineesh, Emily D, Krish P, Eli

Both citizens of China and New Zealand have to follow traffic laws. In China you have to be 18 to drive on the other hand in New Zealand you have to be only 16. It is a good thing to be 18 to start driving because you will be more mature and responsible. New Zealand is lucky to drive at the age of 16. In China the traffic is very high compared to New Zealand so maybe that’s why they have a higher age limit of 18.

Group 5 - Kalani, Kristy, Gabby, Dev, Shreyas, Ilsa

Both citizens of China and New Zealand have a responsibility to give to those in need. For example China came in 144th place in the World Giving Index, and New Zealand came 3rd place. People in China thinks it’s more important to care about themselves and don’t give much money to charity, whereas New Zealand thinks it’s better to put others before themselves and give to charities. New Zealand also donates money to the countries in need of help such as, Fiji and South Africa.  

Group 6 - Fiona, Ella, Heila, Kaelem, Logan

Overall we think that New Zealand is a better place to live because school hours are shorter being only 6 hours. In China school is 10 hours and they have to do hours and hours of extra homework. Another reason is that in China you get paid less money for employment. The minimum wage is $2 per hour. In New Zealand we get more money because the minimum wage is  $15 per hour or more. New Zealand treats its citizens fairer because they have the freedom of choice and New Zealand citizens are better global citizens because they give to others more readily.