CTU – Put the cost of fixing inflation on those who caused it, not on working people

Written By: - Date published: 5:29 pm, January 23rd, 2023 - 104 comments
Categories: cost of living, Economy, Unions, workers' rights - Tags:

Working full time required us getting food parcels… With our children unable to afford to go and see grandparents I haven’t seen my mum in 5 years. We live in the same island. Never in my life have I been so poor”

That’s one of the many heartbreaking comments we got back from respondents to our fifth annual mood of the workforce survey. Heartbreaking but unsurprising when more than three quarters of working people who responded told us that their income had fallen behind the cost of living.

That’s five percent more than last year when COVID was at its peak, and a more than fifty percent increase on the survey before that.

At the same time just over half got a pay rise in the last year and 61% say increasing wages is the best fix for them and their whānau for fighting these cost increases. Which is why Fair Pay Agreements are so very important. Again unsurprisingly, the two biggest contributors to budget pressures are basic necessities – rising food and housing costs.

Through all of the data one thing stands out: it’s working people who are already paying the price for inflation.

But some people seem to think that working people aren’t paying enough.

Recently a bunch of bank economists claimed that we need increased unemployment and reductions in real wages to beat inflation. These same economists didn’t say much about the record billions of dollars in profits the banks themselves had extracted or the destructive property speculation that enabled it. Perhaps inflation doesn’t apply to banks?

In the meantime, the main opposition party is spending a lot of energy to find politically palatable ways to reduce tax for the wealthiest in our society. They put their incredibly expensive and brutally inequitable top tax bracket cut back in the top drawer for another day when they realised it was political poison.

But they haven’t taken their almost-as-ridiculously-expensive tax cuts to property investors off the table. They seem to think inflation doesn’t apply to property investors?

Our economist, Craig Renney, costed those tax cuts- they’re $2.5bn over three years and it will be paid for by cuts to public services. Most likely the public services that help working people most like health, education, and family support and childcare. There’s just not enough to cut elsewhere.

So working people are already paying for inflation and it seems that a lot of the wealthiest New Zealanders and their political advocates want them to pay even more.

Is there another option?

Of course there is. We released just such a plan – our Inflation and Incomes Act – late last year. That outlines an approach to inflation that doesn’t rely on raising working people’s mortgages and cutting their pay to bring inflation under control, but instead looks at the real drivers.

It aims to share the burden of inflation more fairly and, importantly, recognises that inflation is driven by bigger long-term economic imbalances. Look at our current cost of living crisis for example.

This crisis didn’t come about because we all got paid too much or too many of us have got jobs.

It’s the result of weak and deregulated supply chains collapsing because of COVID, of an overreliance on oil that skyrocketed in price because of a war on the other side of the world, of property speculation that went unchecked and rents that were uncontrolled, of a supermarket duopoly that makes at least twice as much profit as is normal for the international supermarket sector, and of financial institutions stripping billions of dollars in profit every year.

And it’s because of a labour market that relied on bringing skills in from overseas rather than investing in developing them ourselves.

Given the real causes of high inflation, the idea that the answer to inflation is to cut wages, cut employment, and cut public services is ridiculous.

It’s more than ridiculous. It’s immoral.

Tell the respondent who wrote to us “We’re getting less and less for our money. We are not able to afford some of the basic necessities now, and our children are missing out.”, that she should now get paid less because we won’t regulate supermarkets. Or that she should lose her job because we’ve overcooked the economy by letting people make windfall profits buying and selling the same houses to each other.

Explain to the respondent who wrote “I was ill with cancer and would have liked a break from work while I dealt with chemo but the sickness benefit wouldn’t cover my rent.” that this is a good thing because otherwise we’d have to implement rent controls or tax capital gains. Tell them they should take a pay cut to help out the economy.

Now find a way to say to the mother who wrote “There’s something wrong with the state of things when I’m weighing up the cost of taking myself or my kids to the doctor and buying food… No one should ever have to choose between these two things.” that she should put even more aside for her healthcare so we can afford tax cuts for the very wealthiest.

We know what’s caused inflation. It’s not a secret and it’s not the people who are currently paying the price.

As a nation we have to make a political decision to address the real problem rather than making working people pay.

Again.

That wouldn’t be a bad start for the new Prime Minister.

Melissa Ansell-Bridges – CTU Secretary

104 comments on “CTU – Put the cost of fixing inflation on those who caused it, not on working people ”

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  1. Thinker 1
    23 January 2023 at 5:45 pm

    Is the report publicly available, please? If so, where?

    Thanks.

  2. PsyclingLeft.Always 2
    23 January 2023 at 5:54 pm

    BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope, who told Morning Report he would like some "moderation" in future minimum wage hikes.

    "We need a reset in some of the industrial relations area. We've had a massive shift in minimum wage – it will contribute to inflation as business costs rise, so we really need to have a reset in the industrial relations area.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/482935/incoming-prime-minister-chris-hipkins-singles-out-global-inflation-pandemic-as-priority

    I'm sure he would ! However…

    A spokesperson for Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Michael Wood told RNZ there was no evidence its minimum wage hikes have had any significant impact on inflation.

    "When the government considered the latest increase to the minimum wage, analysis by MBIE estimated there would be only a 0.15 percent inflationary impact," they said.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/482935/incoming-prime-minister-chris-hipkins-singles-out-global-inflation-pandemic-as-priority

    This will be a test. I'll await with interest. Mr Hipkins..dont let us down.

    • Tiger Mountain 2.1
      23 January 2023 at 6:07 pm

      Watch PM Hipkins indeed–if you ever go into a duopoly supermarket–basic cheese at $20 kg is not far off…price gouging is rampant. Some local markets are still good value though.

      Govt. needs to keep subsidy on petrol, bring in fare free public transport, GST off food etc. but will they? The invisible hand will not save you Chippy.

      • PsyclingLeft.Always 2.1.1
        23 January 2023 at 6:13 pm

        Consumer NZ chief executive Jon Duffy​ said supermarkets took more than $1 million in excess profits every day.

        “These profits are twice what they should be. We need more competition to drive down prices and give New Zealanders a fairer price at the checkout.

        https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/128586011/a-slap-in-the-face-consumer-nz-calls-for-end-to-excess-supermarket-profits

        And…i would say their employees…arent on a massive wage ! Probably the least the duopolists can get away with.

        • Maurice 2.1.1.1
          24 January 2023 at 9:11 am

          As 'profits' that will be taxed at 28% pouring close to $280,000 in to Government coffers each day to be used for paying outgoings such as welfare. Remove the profit and the tax take disappears along with the ability to pay out welfare.

          • PsyclingLeft.Always 2.1.1.1.1
            24 January 2023 at 9:29 am

            You seem fixated on welfare. And do you also think the duopoly are …performing some kind of public service paying…tax? Corporate philanthropy? lmao.

            • Maurice 2.1.1.1.1.1
              24 January 2023 at 2:34 pm

              Would "government expenditure" be better?

              The article notes that a base profit of 5.5% is the historic norm. Now unfortunately with 7%+ inflation (loss of value for the money) a return in excess of 12% is required to return the same value at year end. Anything less than the rate of inflation as a return results in reduction in capital in real terms and eventual bankruptcy – whence we no longer have Supermarkets to sell us food.

              Just pointing out that "excess profits" also result in increased Government tax revenue.

  3. Muttonbird 3
    23 January 2023 at 6:10 pm

    This crisis didn’t come about because we all got paid too much or too many of us have got jobs.

    It’s the result of weak and deregulated supply chains collapsing because of COVID, of an over-reliance on oil that skyrocketed in price because of a war on the other side of the world, of property speculation that went unchecked and rents that were uncontrolled, of a supermarket duopoly that makes at least twice as much profit as is normal for the international supermarket sector, and of financial institutions stripping billions of dollars in profit every year.

    Bravo, Melissa.

    If student politicians Seymour and van Velden are anywhere near policy later this year, working people will pay the most horrendous cost for their bizarre ideological experiment.

    • PsyclingLeft.Always 3.1
      23 January 2023 at 6:16 pm

      Hell yes. Also…a thing I have NEVER understood, is the "average" wage worker..who hates Labour. And likes the Nats. Ignoring their Labour given pay increases, extra holidays,etc etc. Go figure…

      • Muttonbird 3.1.1
        23 January 2023 at 6:27 pm

        That average wage worker has issues with one or more of the following:

        • Vaccines
        • Women
        • Māori
        • Transgender people
        • PsyclingLeft.Always 3.1.1.1
          23 January 2023 at 6:37 pm

          Sad but true. In my working life (quite a time period)…I have tried on different occasions,to get workers to stand together against bullying "managers", poor or dangerous working conditions etc etc….. I have heard SO many reasons they cant/wont.

          Some i got..but sadly, mostly, they didnt want to cause a problem. Like they werent working FOR the problem ?

          Anyway..I really hope nact dont get back..because of some who cant see how bad it will be !

          Workers..deserve pay increases. End of

          • KJT 3.1.1.1.1
            24 January 2023 at 3:43 pm

            Workers know all to well, that they have no power and "standing up" or even joining a Union, will only result in no job or other individual Ill treatment.

  4. observer 4
    23 January 2023 at 6:55 pm

    The TV/media vox pops today used reports like this to create an entirely false picture, namely – people are doing it tough, therefore government bad, therefore opposition in.

    With the obligatory soundbite of Luxon saying "we need change" and not one fricking reporter asking him or telling the public what that "change" entails.

    Do we have to wait until October before they bother?

  5. adam 5
    23 January 2023 at 8:11 pm

    The CTU is to be congratulated.

    Now NatAct will come rushing to defend their Lords and Peers

    Least they have to care about weak and the poor – not their problem.

    • Gosman 5.1
      24 January 2023 at 1:01 pm

      The proposed solutions in that piece will make things worse not better for those at the bottom.

      • Incognito 5.1.1
        24 January 2023 at 9:59 pm

        You would say that but your comment lacks supportive analysis and sound argument, as usual, and thus has zero credibility and validity aka you’re wasting our and your own time here, as usual. At least over at KB you’ll score some ‘likes’ with your nonsensical troll-like comments. How’s that for value for money and ROI? Any intelligent free-market disciple would count their losses and run but not you!?

  6. tsmithfield 6
    23 January 2023 at 8:52 pm

    I agree that there is a lot of imported inflation. But I think the government also has a lot to answer for so far as inflation goes.

    One area is government fuel levies. The government did the right thing to reduce their tax take on fuel. In reality the government was creaming it due to the fact that the GST take increased substantially with fuel prices. But reducing the levy had an anti-inflationary effect.

    However, now, they intend to reverse that change and put the levy back on. The effect will be to bump inflation up. I think the government should keep that levy reduction in place while there is a cost of living crisis and inflation is high. That would leave a lot of money in the pockets of kiwis.

    Another area is immigration. Due to the tight immigration settings wages were artificially inflated with no productivity benefits for employers. In fact, employers have been screaming out for immigration settings to be loosened for a long time now. There has been a highly detrimental impact on productivity due to the difficulty in finding workers.

    We have experienced that in my business. It certainly hasn't been easy.

    My company is in the "unemployment business". That is, our business operates in the field of automation. So, when labour costs get too high, businesses look to automate to reduce their labour costs. Ultimately, that leads to lay-offs and higher unemployment.

    Wage increases are great. But they need to be driven by increased productivity, otherwise the labour costs are seen as increased costs that need to be reduced through gains in efficiency, such as automation.

    This is not only in the area of factory automation. But also, in automation of office processes, and cost-reduction methods such as moving call centres overseas.

    At the moment, wage increases have been due to artificial government-induced stresses in the supply of labour. This will end in a cycle of both lower profits for businesses, continued inflation, along with a recession. In other words, stagflation, which is far worse than ordinary inflation.

    And, what to say of the incompetence of the Reserve Bank. They pumped way to much cash into the economy. This had the predictable effect that asset prices would be driven dramatically higher.

    And now that they see the folly of their ways, they are punishing consumers by ratcheting up interest rates dramatically.

    This has had the disastrous effect on those who had to pay over-inflated prices for those who needed a house, especially first home buyers, in that a lot of those will now be underwater with negative equity, and many may end up losing their homes.

    • Muttonbird 6.1
      23 January 2023 at 9:01 pm

      Same old story as described in the new post by the CTU. You lot want ordinary Kiwis to suffer so that you can make outsized profits which feed the child you gave 20K to as a 19 year old.

      How about thinking of the greater good rather that your own immediate family?

      • tsmithfield 6.1.1
        23 January 2023 at 9:04 pm

        Why do you assume outsized profits? Most businesses in NZ are small to medium sized enterprises, many just trying to survive.

        Think about the poor retailers and hospitality businesses who have just gone through Covid lockdowns. And just when things are coming right in the Covid respect, they are now facing having to get through a recession.

        Many of us have mortgaged our houses to fund our businesses. My brother and I, who run our business actually pay ourselves less than some of our employees.

        Unless you have actually tried to run your own business, you really have no idea about the sort of stresses that business face.

        • Muttonbird 6.1.1.1
          23 January 2023 at 9:11 pm

          I am self employed. I know what it means to live day to day. Oh to be able to leverage property against borrowing.

          This is where you nut jobs lose the centre…

          • tsmithfield 6.1.1.1.1
            23 January 2023 at 9:16 pm

            It is the fact that some of us have the ability to do that which allows us to grow our businesses and employ people. But there are big risks with that as well.

            I think banks need to change their attitudes to lending for self-employed though. It is really hard to get a bank to give a loan to someone who is self-employed compared to someone in a job, even if the self-employed person is doing really well.

            So, if you are in that situation, I do sympathise with you, because I don't think it is really fair.

            • KJT 6.1.1.1.1.1
              24 January 2023 at 3:31 pm

              Why would banks lend to a productive business when they can make more, without risk, by lending to property speculation

    • KJT 6.2
      24 January 2023 at 3:27 pm

      "were artificially inflated with no productivity benefits for employers."

      Employers have benefited for decades by wages that were artificially depressed by immigration policies and Union busting. Increasing the wealth of capital at the expense of workers.

      Wages are still nowhere near the percentage of GDP, they were in the 60's.

      Employers will just have to get out of the habit of having employees subsidising their marginally profitable business and work at making it more efficient.

    • Incognito 6.3
      24 January 2023 at 10:09 pm

      Due to the tight [loose] immigration settings wages were artificially inflated [suppressed] with no productivity benefits for employers.

      FIFY

  7. Stuart Munro 7
    23 January 2023 at 9:27 pm

    Go the CTU – needs to be said.

  8. PsyclingLeft.Always 8
    24 January 2023 at 7:53 am

    Banks, energy companies post huge profits as households struggle

    Meridian is up 55%, Mercury 42% and Genesis is up from a $31 million profit to $221 million, a near 600% increase.

    https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/08/25/banks-energy-companies-post-huge-profits-as-households-struggle/

    Fucks sake Labour ! : Re-Nationalise NZ Power ! And NZ Rail ! Get rid of Kiwirail and the white-anters within it….

    Better to 'bite the bullet' and get rail work done quickly, Transport Minister says

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/482965/better-to-bite-the-bullet-and-get-rail-work-done-quickly-transport-minister-says

    And yea….about Business profits…

    Vodafone NZ has lifted profitability and edged closer to the $2 billion revenue mark in the year to 31 March, 2022.

    https://www.reseller.co.nz/article/701709/revenue-profit-grow-vodafone-nz-simplifies-its-business/

    Banks keep economic headwinds at bay with $1.7b profit in last quarter

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/475169/banks-keep-economic-headwinds-at-bay-with-1-point-7b-profit-in-last-quarter

    And despite the Labour commies ( Jacinda, I miss you : (…..

    Despite significant ongoing global turmoil, New Zealand agricultural producers are positioned for another profitable year in 2022, according to a just-released report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.

    This would represent the sixth consecutive year of general profitability for the country’s agricultural sector.

    https://www.rabobank.co.nz/media-releases/2022/220203-new-zealand-ag-sector-looking-to-another-profitable-year-ahead-rabobank-2022-outlook/

    Despite the hate-on towards Labour….there are many more making heaps. So, whining employers, Kirk Hope, et al..fuck off

    • Gosman 8.1
      24 January 2023 at 8:32 am

      The government would need to borrow billions more to re-nationalise the energy companies and likely case a massive capital flight similar to the one that led to Liz Truss's political demise.

      • Incognito 8.1.1
        24 January 2023 at 9:04 am

        Speculation on speculation plus a little fearmongering but no real genuine analysis or effort whatsoever, which is your MO.

        • x Socialist 8.1.1.1
          24 January 2023 at 10:09 am

          Speculation? Of course capital flight would become a reality. There's no money in a communist nationalised state.

          [headsup that you are on your last warning. You have a history of bans and warnings for trolling, Māori bashing, and quoting without linking. The next ban will be until well after the election. We’re having a clear out so that TS is in good shape for the election period and to reduce moderator workload. – weka]

          • weka 8.1.1.1.1
            24 January 2023 at 11:08 am

            mod note.

          • Incognito 8.1.1.1.2
            24 January 2023 at 12:49 pm

            So few words yet so much ignorance on display!

            The capital flight must have been enormous when we re-nationalised NZ Rail and Air NZ, for example, and we descended into a “communist nationalised state”.

        • Gosman 8.1.1.2
          24 January 2023 at 10:41 am

          How would the government re-nationalise the energy companies unless they borrowed billions of dollars?

          • Incognito 8.1.1.2.1
            24 January 2023 at 12:49 pm

            Government is already borrowing billions. Has this led to capital flight? What does Liz Truss got to do with this? Is she your new benchmark for quality arguments?

            Put some effort into your piss-poor comments!

            • Gosman 8.1.1.2.1.1
              24 January 2023 at 3:03 pm

              Liz Truss's experience is useful because it illustrates what would occur if a government decides to ignore fiscal discipline.

              • Incognito …
                24 January 2023 at 10:21 pm

                Nonsense! The NZ PM did not get ditched (by their own Party) each time NZ Government undertook a (major) re-nationalisation. Liz Truss barely had time to put her feet under her table.

                You really have to start putting some effort into your comments. They suck!

      • PsyclingLeft.Always 8.1.2
        24 January 2023 at 9:34 am

        Now …where have I heard that kind of line before ? Oh..Right.

        Reckless…himself

        Labour-Greens electricity threats would destroy savings & jobs

        https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/labour-greens-electricity-threats-would-destroy-savings-jobs

  9. Gosman 9
    24 January 2023 at 8:21 am

    Inflation is an increase in the money supply in the economy without a corresponding increase in economic activity. The main culprit behind that is the Reserve Bank and whoever is directing them.

    • Incognito 9.1
      24 January 2023 at 9:03 am

      The RBNZ is independent, so who is directing them? Nothing but insinuations, which is your MO.

      • Gosman 9.1.1
        24 January 2023 at 10:37 am

        The government is directing them with their changing of the focus of the RBNZ target.

        • Incognito 9.1.1.1
          24 January 2023 at 10:27 pm

          What change?

          When did this happen?

          How often does this happen?

          What was the rationale?

          Who sets the Official Cash Rate in NZ?

          How often?

          Who directs this?

          How?

    • Tiger Mountain 9.2
      24 January 2023 at 10:27 am

      Gosman drops another floater in the pool.

      This perfect storm of the last year or two is down to the COVID supply chain disruption and finance capital opportunism which has seen capital basically trousering the increased money supply in certain sectors, and massive price gouging of consumers.

      • Gosman 9.2.1
        24 January 2023 at 10:40 am

        In which case inflation should slowly disappear on it's own and their is no need for any organisation or individual to do anything as the supply problems will slowly work their way out of the system. Remember inflation is a problem when it is a persistent increase in prices not merely one off shocks to the system.

        • lprent 9.2.1.1
          24 January 2023 at 2:50 pm

          It is a supply shock situation imposing on top of structural one. Exterior shocks are mostly what is pushing the cost inflation that teh RBA is concentrating on with interest rates rises to make money more expensive. Including housing rental and mortgage costs – the largest cost to individuals and families.

          The structural problem is that we also have a period where population employment participation is very high, especially for skills. But we can’t afford high immigration because that pushes housing costs as we still have a significiant backlog of a housing shortage and excessive housing costs.

          Price inflation + employment shortages + persistent housing costs will cause pressure to raise wages.

          The basic structural problem is that during Nationals lazy terms in office they concentrated on tax cuts rather than making sure that there was the housing infrastructure for the massive migration that they encouraged to increase the tax base. So when we have external inflationary shocks, there is little economic room to move.

          The Labour government had 2018 and 2019 to start to try to correct that structural issue, then they caught a bit more than 2 years of an external pandemic, and this year with the cost inflation incoming.

          It will take a few years to work the existing inflation through, while hoping like hell that we don’t gte more coming in from offshore and we don’t get a building bust that stops us from killing National’s housing shortage.

    • Nic the NZer 9.3
      24 January 2023 at 11:08 am

      "Inflation is an increase in the money supply", said no serious recent economist.

      Inflation is a sustained increase in the price level.

      • Gosman 9.3.1
        24 January 2023 at 11:13 am

        That's funny because that is why we task the Reserve bank to tackle inflation. The Reserve bank is restricted to controlling the money supply to manage that. If no serious recent economist is saying that inflation is around money supply growth why are none of them (that I am aware of) suggesting we ditch the RBNZ role in tackling inflation?

        • KJT 9.3.1.1
          24 January 2023 at 7:03 pm

          Actually more than a few "serious economists" are critical about the ideas behind the RBA.

          You need to expand your reading. Von Mises, Ayn Rand and the Chicago school, are not the entire pantheon of economic thought.

          • Gosman 9.3.1.1.1
            24 January 2023 at 7:20 pm

            Why has the Labour party not ditched the inflation target from the Reserve bank act?

            • KJT 9.3.1.1.1.1
              24 January 2023 at 7:24 pm

              The neo-liberal religion still persists.

              • Gosman …
                24 January 2023 at 7:43 pm

                Amazing that something that you think is quite obviously false can have such a hold over a political party like Labour which is meant to be attracting people like you.

        • Incognito 9.3.1.2
          24 January 2023 at 10:38 pm

          Crikey, that’s too difficult and I’ll have to consult my ChatGPT on that.

          Bummer! It crashed (Fatal Error In Stack Overflow) when I typed in “Gosman” and “serious economists” crying

        • Nic the NZer 9.3.1.3
          25 January 2023 at 9:38 am

          Not sure why your having trouble understanding the distinction.

          The RBNZ looks at the CPI as an inflation measure. The CPI measures price level changes.

          Where as the way you put it makes a definition, inflation is any increase in the money supply. There is an idea of a correlation between these but if your a serious economist you ought to be aware of concepts which require measured evidence of their truth value.

          The evidence is not there for this one and the RBNZ gave up quantity targets circa 1986, if it actually tried them seriously before (this idea just didn't work). The RBNZ policy rate is an interest rate at which they will lend as much as needed.

    • adam 9.4
      24 January 2023 at 12:03 pm

      Yeah right Gossy, nothing at all to do with the war, the slow down of trade, covid, other world events, demographics, or greed.

      This is why any one who has a rational brain can't vote natact, they will destroy the economy in the name of purity within weeks if they get the reigns of power.

    • Incognito 9.5
      24 January 2023 at 1:05 pm

      Did you get that description of inflation from an old economics textbook for secondary school students by any chance? Your simplistic reckons show a profound lack of understanding and knowledge and/or of a disingenuous agenda of obfuscation.

    • KJT 9.6
      24 January 2023 at 3:05 pm

      The main culprits are excess profit taking suppliers and non productive rent seekers like, banks, property speculators and landlords, along with oil companies.

      But. You know that perfectly well.

      The reserve bank is responding by killing the productive economy, and disadvantaging the people who the economy is supposed to serve, because their absurd enabling ACT, requires them to protect rentiers, FIRE, sectors of the economy by attacking those who do productive work.

      • Gosman 9.6.1
        24 January 2023 at 3:18 pm

        If you are correct (which you aren't) then why are pretty much ALL parties in Parliament (even the Greens) broadly supportive of the RBNZ having an inflation target. If you are correct then there is very little the Reserve Bank can do to manage inflation and therefore the target should be removed.

        • KJT 9.6.1.1
          24 January 2023 at 6:58 pm

          I note your expressing an opinion which is contradicted by the evidence.

          Including the idea that the Greens are supportive of the RBA.

          And yes. The RBA will depress wages and productive activity, but not underlying inflation, which is imported.

          http://kjt-kt.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-reserve-bank-debt-and-property.html

          In New Zealand we have the "Reserve Bank Act".
          Which basically requires the reserve bank to kill the rest of the economy, whenever Auckland house prices, or wages, rise.

          In fact the rise in interest rates will also be inflationary.

          Reflecting the oft quoted right wing mis representation about taxes and a bucket.

  10. Gosman 10
    24 January 2023 at 8:30 am

    If the analysis by the CTU was correct (it isn't by the way) then it is a stunning indictment on the current government as it was they lack of urgent action on any of the areas mentioned they has led to the situation we are now in.

    • Incognito 10.1
      24 January 2023 at 9:04 am

      Typical libertarian response, you want your sardine cake and eat it but no effort put into it at all, which is your MO.

      • Gosman 10.1.1
        24 January 2023 at 10:35 am

        What do you mean no effort? The CTU thinks the problem with inflation is caused by supply issues in the economy (which it is not to any significant degree) and the government should target this to tackle inflation rather than other methods which is likely to lead to more economic pain for those at the lower end of the economy.

        The current government (which the CTU generally supports and is closely associated with) failed to deal with these issues for the past 5 years and doesn't look like it will do so in any significant way now.

        • Stuart Munro 10.1.1.1
          24 January 2023 at 11:23 am

          The CTU thinks the problem with inflation is caused by supply issues in the economy

          It's interesting that you should say so, because they don't. What they say is:

          It’s the result of weak and deregulated supply chains collapsing because of COVID, of an overreliance on oil that skyrocketed in price because of a war on the other side of the world, of property speculation that went unchecked and rents that were uncontrolled, of a supermarket duopoly that makes at least twice as much profit as is normal for the international supermarket sector, and of financial institutions stripping billions of dollars in profit every year.

          In short, not supply issues in the economy. External cost increases and unregulated avarice. Are you trying to misrepresent their position, or did you simply not understand? Courses in remedial reading are available.

          • Gosman 10.1.1.1.1
            24 January 2023 at 12:56 pm

            Ummm… those are mostly on the supply side of the economy. Supermarket, Landlords, Distribution, and Oil production are all related to supply not demand. The only ones that aren't are property speculators and financial institutions neither of which there is evidence for them causing inflation. How financial institutions "stripping billions in profit every year" is meant to lead to higher inflation is not explained. Perhaps you could detail the mechanism for how we have higher prices as a result of this.

            • KJT 10.1.1.1.1.1
              24 January 2023 at 3:07 pm

              So. If you own a business. You don't put prices up when your interest rates and rents double?

              Sure.

              • Gosman …
                24 January 2023 at 4:16 pm

                Why do you think the RBNZ raises interest rates to try and lower inflation? If your logic was correct (which it isn't) then raising interest rates would cause HIGHER inflation.

                • KJT …
                  24 January 2023 at 7:09 pm

                  Having to pay up to 26% mortgages had no effect on wage demands and price increases in the 80's.

                  Pull the other fucking leg, again!

                • Incognito …
                  24 January 2023 at 10:58 pm

                  You are not really that ignorant, so you must be trolling again.

                  The RBNZ target range for inflation is between 1 and 3% with a mid-point of 2%.

                  Why do you think this is the case?

            • Stuart Munro 10.1.1.1.1.2
              24 January 2023 at 5:30 pm

              No evidence of property speculators causing inflation eh. You have to be looking the other way mighty hard to maintain that fiction.

              • Gosman …
                24 January 2023 at 7:17 pm

                We've had property speculators running rampant in NZ for much of the 2000's. How did they impact the inflation rate?

                • KJT …
                  24 January 2023 at 7:58 pm

                  The house price inflation, pass you by?

                  • Gosman …
                    24 January 2023 at 8:07 pm

                    Did you miss the underlying inflation rate being below 3% for the majority of that time period?

                    • Stuart Munro …
                      24 January 2023 at 8:47 pm

                      So our economy was essentially moribund – tell us something we didn't know. For all the neoliberal talk of growth, they were mighty reluctant to bring in the policies that would have produced it.

                    • Gosman …
                      25 January 2023 at 12:02 pm

                      Ummm… no. The economy has performed quite well over the past decade and a half.

        • Incognito 10.1.1.2
          24 January 2023 at 1:18 pm

          What I mean by effort is that you lift a finger, and you lift your game here. If not, I will moderate you, again, and most likely with a ban this time.

          The CTU is in good company in its thinking about the causes of inflation. For example:

          Supply-chain and war-related disruptions will continue to be important determinants of the future path of inflation.

          RBNZ Monetary Policy Statement August 2022 (https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/-/media/2e7d3800e1b5463bb1f4dcaace23c3d7.ashx)

  11. Tiger Mountain 11
    24 January 2023 at 10:18 am

    The NZCTU has been significantly missing in action ever since Helen Kelly’s unfortunate departure. And it was MIA before Helen too! A significant class error of the late 20th century was forming the CTU and ending the more fighting NZFOL.

    The ‘theory’ from Ken Douglas was “tripartism”, “positive engagement”, “industry unions” and so on that would lead to a brave new world. The reality of the union busting ECA was that the bosses wanted no less than the total destruction, or at least marginalisation of organised labour. They almost got what they wanted except for the likes of NDU/FIRST, Unite, Etū, Munz, and the militant pockets of Teachers and Health Care workers.

    So considering that back drop, it is great to see Secretary Melissa Ansell–Bridges say these things. They need to be said daily on the media channels and enforced with direct action as can be organised.

    • Gosman 11.1
      24 January 2023 at 10:44 am

      Direct action by Trade Unions beyond supporting a pay and condition negotiation is not permitted under NZ law unless it just involves actions that do not disrupt operations of the businesses the Trade Union members work for.

      • Tiger Mountain 11.1.1
        24 January 2023 at 10:58 am

        It may be news to you Gossie (as my old friend TRP used to tag you) that NZ citizens actually have the right to exercise their freedom of speech, assembly and association regardless of employment legislation.

        Unions as registered entities do have a whole bunch of requirements such as bargaining time frames and notification and specifying in great detail any industrial action. Heh, but that is not my theme here.

      • lprent 11.1.2
        24 January 2023 at 2:19 pm

        I think that you have no idea about what the law is. Certainly you can’t express it. Using your interpretation of the law, since ‘Diect Action’ and ‘operations of a business’ could mean anything, then the following would be unlawful.

        • Writing a press release or informing ACC/MBIE about dangerous work conditions that an employer allows would be unlawful. That could disrupt the sales and marketing which is a operation of a business, or get ACC or MBIE disrupting the operations of a business.
        • Informing suppliers that an employer doesn’t pay their bills would be unlawful.
        • Informing transport companies directly or indirectly via media of possible future strike operations would be unlawful. These often happen outside of the scope of a negotiation.
        • Informing anyone that the employer doesn’t pay staff in full or regularly, and thereby disrupting employment operations would be unlawful.
        • Informing the police of banks or auditors or the IRD about financial improprieties would be unlawful
        • Recruiting members is a direct action.

        These are just simple examples of direct actions, all of which are perfectly legal activities for a union, union members, or anyone. Indeed many of them are legally desired activities. Most of which I have either read about in business news, court cases, or seen.

        If you want to make silly blanket assertions, then it might pay to actually use your brain a little next time.

      • KJT 11.1.3
        24 January 2023 at 7:11 pm

        So much for libertarian "freedom" eh?

    • Chris 11.2
      24 January 2023 at 11:30 am

      Too bloody right. And perhaps a new secretary has a better grasp of the importance of the need for unions to represent all workers, not just those in employment.

  12. Sabine 12
    24 January 2023 at 11:26 am

    Unless government – any government btw, starts regulating rent, food, energy you can not wage increase yourself out of poverty and / or inflation.

    Higher costs in production will lead to higher costs to the end consumer

    every time government increases benefits (not enough imho) landlords increase their rents

    every time a beneficiary/min wage worker/low income worker gets an accomodation benefit another landlord increases their rents cause the government provided

    The supermarket duopoly was supposedly looked at by the current Labour government, i guess it got put on the back burner, other issues more important than having affordable food

    youth unemployment sits at 9%, why is that? Does anyone care?

    under employmnet sits at 9% why is that, does anyone care?

    The current min wage sits at 21.20 NZD per hour, plus 8% holiday pay, plus sick pay for 10 days, plus kiwi safer contributions, ACC levies. That does not include the cost of hiring, training, providing a safe work environment, continous training to retain said employee etc. You can increase this to a base hour wage of 50 NZD and with your rent costing 1750 per week for a hole in a wall, you are still as poor as you were earning 9.50 NZD in 90s.

    • Tiger Mountain 12.1
      24 January 2023 at 11:54 am

      Such an array of photons from Sabine.

      Natzos/ACT will freeze minimum wage for three years according to what ACT have stated. So get real, stop whinging and start community organising.

      • Sabine 12.1.1
        24 January 2023 at 12:12 pm

        A. I propose that you don’t vote for ACT if you don’t believe in them.

        B. You demand that Labour finally does something that trickles down to those that might consider voting for N or A in order to prevent them from voting for N or A.
        You know all those that were properly left behind these last 2.5 years that Labour had a full majority which with it did nothing.

        I just pointed out a truth. You will never raise wages as high as the cost of living as every single time you do, the cost of living goes up. Someone finally in the lefty world needs to understand that unless you regulate nothing is going to change.

        • Tiger Mountain 12.1.1.1
          24 January 2023 at 12:46 pm

          Heh, what truth? capital is never going to self regulate. The bourgeois Parliament is not going to sufficiently control capital and finance capital either without lots of citizen pressure.

          Workers power is the only solution.

          • Sabine 12.1.1.1.1
            24 January 2023 at 1:53 pm

            I don't expect Capital to self regulate.

            I expect Government to regulate Capital.

            And any government that refuses to regulate Capital is part of the problem and an enabler of the excesses of capitalism.

        • Gosman 12.1.1.2
          24 January 2023 at 1:00 pm

          I love how many on the the left think they can control prices by regulation. It is like people thinking they can control the tides by building sand walls.

          • Tiger Mountain 12.1.1.2.1
            24 January 2023 at 1:22 pm

            Who holds class power is how it happens Gossie–and capital has had it for far too long.

            Change will happen via generational shift, younger and non white is where we are headed and more disruptive events–finance capital and environmental ructions.

            • Gosman 12.1.1.2.1.1
              24 January 2023 at 1:35 pm

              Where you are headed if you choose to pursue policies such as price controls is the same place other efforts have gone – the dustbin of economic failure.

              • Incognito …
                24 January 2023 at 11:07 pm

                You seem to know that dustbin inside out. Are you a failed Economics student or a business failure, by any chance? It would explain so much!

          • Chris 12.1.1.2.2
            24 January 2023 at 2:17 pm

            You sound as if you believe that the economic system we've adopted, how ever one may describe it, is a natural phenomenon.

            • Gosman 12.1.1.2.2.1
              24 January 2023 at 2:57 pm

              As much as human interactions are natural. Do you think activities such as sexual intercourse are natural or man made?

              • Incognito …
                24 January 2023 at 11:10 pm

                A bit of Zen for you:

                If you have sexual intercourse in the middle of a forest and there is no one else to witness it, then it is not sexual intercourse.

                Consider TS your forest and that we are not there to witness you.

          • Incognito 12.1.1.2.3
            24 January 2023 at 11:03 pm

            Of course they can! Do you still have shares in Telecom?

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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago

  • Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • At a time of media turmoil, Melissa had nothing to proclaim as Minister – and now she has been dem...
    Buzz from the Beehive   Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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