Is that creavet a Kiwi version of a cravat??
I'm sure you will be pleased to know that the floods have thrown up plenty of ordinary Joes and Josephines who have saved lives without proper training - no-one in the UK ever wants to stop that happening, perhaps you have rather a skewed view of our 'nanny state'.
As to calculated risk management - yes Sid and I have plenty of experience in that field given our occupations but in order to calculate risk you must have some more accurate basis than 'it'll be right mate'.
I don't doubt there is plenty of ability in NZ and I'm sure it doesn't always come in the bare-chested, testosterone-fuelled, shorts-wearing, authority-hating form that has appeared from time to time on this thread
Looking forward to the beer