The short answer is if you already own a house price increases are good, that and a heap of people have given up. The massive increase over the last 6 years and the higher interest rates have essentially made home ownership impossible for huge swathes of people.
Pretty much getting told to fuck off around Queenstown. I haven't met many who think it's a good idea long term. A few who need it to save their sorry arses, 'cause they will have to sell very soon ( or now), but most are WTF.
Ms Willis argued there were more than 95,000 houses valued at more than $2million in New Zealand, and that only a small number of those would need to be sold to overseas buyers for her projections to be achieved.
Her comments were greeted with rumbles of discontent from the full house, and open scorn from some of her opponents.
Greens co-leader James Shaw said Ms Willis’ policy was a continuation of "the war on renters" and would price first-home buyers in places such as Queenstown out of the market.
It's going to be a transformational policy for Queenstown and Central Otago, but obviously not in a good way.
Biggest criticism is that price changes will be supply side driven, everyone will want $2 million for their house leading to a huge gap in the market below that, effectively freezing the middle and below out of the market.
Queenstown under National government becomes the accelerated form of what New Zealand is becoming already: grossly unequal, foreigner dominated, and real estate obsessed – to the exclusion of all other values and all other people.
Queenstown's tourism and density strategies are going in the opposite direction to that.
Because they have decided that "Labour bad, National good" and don't want any inconvenient truths to unsettle them.
Boy, the real estate industry must be positively salivating at the thought of a NACT victory with the inevitable sky rocketing in house prices that will result.
But later, Mr Gurner said in a post on LinkedIn that he had "made some remarks about unemployment and productivity in Australia that I deeply regret and were wrong".
He said there were "important conversations to have in this environment of high inflation, pricing pressures on housing and rentals due to a lack of supply, and other cost of living issues".
He said his comments were "deeply insensitive" to employees, tradespeople, and families "across Australia" who are affected by cost of living pressures and job losses.
Mr Gurner added that he appreciated that the loss of a job "has a profound impact" on workers "and I sincerely regret that my words did not convey empathy for those in that situation".
Oh yea, I did reply on Daily Review….and yep IMO I see Gurner…and Seymour as Narcissists. Possessing Zero Empathy..but maybe if enough Public distaste served on them…and close media scrutiny they can be shown for what they are.
Posing capitalism as dependent on neo-liberal policy settings – using monetary policy to cause unemployment to control inflation, welfare at poverty levels as a work incentive, preventing industry awards (Fair Pay Agreement), migration to sustain a surplus domestic workforce and of course, wages below levels to afford property … needing to work to pay rent
Part of the ACT cost savings plan is to increase Super by the CPI permanently (not just when the CPI is higher than the increase due with the link to net average wage).
However, there is an override (s16 of above) which states the married rate must be between 66% and 72.5% of average wage (net of standard tax). Normally the lower bound bites so NZ Super increases by more than CPI. Except last year where it was just CPI (so the override didn't apply).
Oddly Labour took credit for increasing Super by more than wages even though they did nothing of the sort. Even odder was that National didn't call them out. They should have known as the Nats 2017 tax cuts meant the lower bound for Super went up and so would have given an increase to pensioners – the reversal of the tax cuts took that away so Labour effectively swapped it for the winter supplement.
So Act will repeal s16 so Super will increase by CPI (as now) but is very likely to fall as a percentage against the average wage over time. At some point too many pensioners will be struggling so an ad-hoc increase will be granted (or a party will reinstate s16 although not necessarily the same percentage upper and lower bounds).
Oddly Labour took credit for increasing Super by more than wages even though they did nothing of the sort.
Presumably because of custom for it to be at 66% of net average wage, and a CPI increase for the year taking it higher than that level (one of those rare occasions when this happens).
You'll love this
Willis said National intended that super payments would continue to be linked to 66 percent of average after-tax incomes.
Switching to CPI indexation will also ensure that the cost of the pension does not continue to grow inexorably as the economy grows.”
Act’s budget said the switch would save $1.13 billion across the period to 2026/27. The CTU’s analysis found an additional $1.36b would be saved in the 2027/28 financial year, bringing the total savings to more than $2.8b using revised inflation data.
Billions of 'savings' to be achieved by reducing what Superannatants receive
Elder poverty is coming back. The 'strong economy' demands it. Climate change will turbocharge it. As the insurance industry walks away or hikes prices stratospherically, uninsured people will have whatever meagre assets they own wiped out in weather events.
'In a day when National was accused of having a $2.1 billion hole in the costings of its tax policy, Willis came under pressure to release the modelling behind the plan, which National had not yet done.
Speaking to TVNZ’s Breakfast this morning, Willis said she would resign if a National Government couldn’t deliver on the tax cuts it’s promising.
”I would resign because we are making a commitment to the New Zealand people and we intend to keep it,” she said when pushed about whether the foreign buyers’ tax would work.'
That's just evasion – they'll make the tax cuts one way or another, just not via the means they have described (a $750M pa contribution from the foreign buyers tax).
If she took personal responsibility seriously, she would say that she will resign if the foreign buyers tax does not deliver within (say) 15% of target. But as we know, Tories love to accuse other (usually poor) people of failing to show personal responsibility as a way of denying any obligations towards them. But they seldom exhibit any themselves.
* Tax cuts for all, **Oops the cupboard is bare, just tax cuts for those with over $250kpa income – therefore we keep our promise, *** Cuts to Education, medical, social welfare, etc, etc,
SoftBank owned Gannet media is hiring reporters/correspondents/social media gossip columnists to cover celebrities – for USA Today (Beyonce) and Tennessean (Swift).
I would have thought SoftBank (big in robotics etc) would have used AI and deep fake tech to do the coverage.
Simeon Brown sent me an email today. Un-bloody-believable:
"Hi Chris,
When Chris Hipkins claimed he’d focus on ‘bread and butter issues,’ New Zealanders probably didn’t expect him and his ministers to take this quite so literally.
Today it was revealed that the government has splurged more than $52,000 on extravagant breakfasts.
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples spent more than $52,000 to promote Labour MPs at four post-budget breakfasts.
Just this morning, senior Labour minister Ginny Andersen defended the spend as "pretty typical" – this is an insult to New Zealanders across the country who are struggling to pay their bills and figuring out how to cover their mortgage.
It’s also the second instance of lavish spending from this government agency recently – after it spent $40,000 on a farewell party for its Chief Executive.
In a cost of living crisis, it’s clear that Chris Hipkins and Labour are wildly out of touch.
Labour has no respect for taxpayers' money.
The economic outlook this week showed the Treasury is forecasting a prolonged economic slowdown, combined with high inflation and interest rates – all driven by Labour's reckless spending. When $52,000 on breakfasts is “pretty typical” for Labour, what hope do Kiwis have that Labour will stop the waste?
Only National can end the wasteful spending, respect taxpayers’ money, balance the books and rebuild our economy to reduce the cost of living so Kiwis can get ahead
Party Vote National to get our country back on track!
Simeon Brown
National Party spokesperson for Public Service"
$14,000 per event. I want to know the details too, especially because of this,
It follows Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes criticising the ministry last month for spending more than $40,000 on a farewell for its departing chief executive last October.
I want to know how those figures compare to other government department spends on similar events (ie is it normal) and I want details of the events (eg are they large, in which case the spend makes more sense).
Nat and Act are obviously double teaming an attack on the Ministry for Pasific Peoples, which is fucked up and needs addressing. To do that the left needs to be transparent about spending, not just casually excuse it.
These were community meetings to explain and answer questions about the budget to communities who do not normally get that well engaged with.
I would imagine hall hire, tea, coffee, light snack, facilitator, kitchen staff, etc would come to that sort of cost.
It sucks when we expect poor communities to meet those costs themselves as government agencies have done for so long – government should pay for meetings they organise.
It is the same with consultation – councils, government etc all expect iwi advice and support for free yet agree quite happy to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees to KPMG, etc.
This issue was highlighted in several places way back in 1988 in Puao Te Ata Tu. A document that should be more widely read.
(d) That funds be allocated to Social Welfare district offices with a high Maori population to provide some remuneration to Maori people who provide assistance to Social Welfare staff in dealing with Maori clients;
“Get no recognition and or pay for performing special Maori duties.”
In the area of social work, there were many calls for Maori people to do the work of the “professional”workers. Whereas community workers saw themselves as being on call 24 hours a day, social workers were seen by some to work for only the prescribed hours. The complaint was strong that valuable skills were often used but not paid for when volunteers or community workers were used as a cultural resource for dealing with Maori people.
(c) District Executive Committees should be formed in each Social Welfare Department district. Each Committee shall consist of up to 9 persons appointed to represent the community on the nomination of the Maori tribal authorities and the nominations of other community interests. The Director of Social Welfare (in person) and the Director of Maori Affairs are to be members. The Chairperson should be one of the non-public service members. ‘Members are to be paid in the normal way.
It is also worth noting the home ownership levels in this report.
45% of Maori own their own houses (with or without a mortgage) and 50% are renting whereas for non-Maori the comparable figures are 73% owning and 24% renting.
No idea. I guess it comes down to how big the events were. I can't see any reason to automatically assume the amounts are excessive (although the $40K send off to an exec is raising my eyebrow). But I do think the issue should be managed transparently and MSM once again are failing us here. They could explain all that. We will see if they over the next few days.
My beef is that I remember in the 90s Treasurry spend $70,000 redecorating one of their offices. Later WINZ spent some godawful amount rebranding. I think when some people are used to having those kinds of budgets they see things differently.
It certainly jars against the CoL crisis. The left need a good way to respond to this that doesn't buy into the cut govt spending bullshit and that pushed back against the targeted racism.
I had the impression that the cost was high predominantly because of the gifts from each individual group that MPP represents. There are not too many agencies that cover off so many different but linked cultures with their own rivalries/sense of face.
The key in the the decision process I suspect was MPP's choice to fund the gifts as opposed to the groups funding them themselves. Once that call had been made the cost was always going to be high due to the number of gifts.
While I would have left it to the groups to fund their own gifts it is a bit like no school uniforms. The wealthier groups would have better gifts and the poorer group either lesser gifts or would have to sacrifice more. The Ministry paying would help ensure some evenness.
Again while personally I don't think much of the whole thing about well paid public servants getting gifts when leaving I accept others have a different view.
I just think there are nuances that need to be explored before drawing too many conclusions.
I am much more supportive of meeting with the community than CEO farewell's.
Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds told Newshub the post-budget breakfasts were community events and around 700 people attended in person across the country plus others attended online.
"Pacific communities have long been overlooked in post-budget communication and are not always aware of how initiatives in the Budget affect them," Edmonds said.
700 attended which catering wise comes to $35-00 a head. Haven't organised an event for a long time but that seems to me a little high but I'm clueless about current costs.
Much of the cost seems to be the three sets of AV equipment to presumably stream. I have done this recently and commercial equipment is expensive to hire.
What does seem obvious from the tone of the headlines is that it is primarily a racist attack with little investigation or even notice of what the Ministry actually said in response. Certainly ACT don't refer to it as a series of three community meetings – you get the impression it was the staff at MPP having a fancy shout in the office on government funds.
Have you provided both the Greens and Labour with a copy of his claims? There are so many outright lies I'm sure they could turn the tables on the weasel.
It might even be one of those “[insert MP’s name here]” electorate communications that the John Key Nat government was so keen on producing.
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Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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). ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Monash University Ken stocker/Shutterstock In the wake of numerous killings of women allegedly by men’s violence in 2024, thousands of Australians have joined rallies across the country to demand action ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Cutler, Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University Oleg Ivanov IL/Shutterstock Waiting times for public hospital elective surgery have been in the news ahead of this year’s federal budget. That’s the type of non-emergency surgery ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne Amna Artist/Shutterstock One of the earliest descriptions of someone with cancer comes from the fourth century BC. Satyrus, tyrant of the city of Heracleia on the Black Sea, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rose, Professor of Sustainable Future Transport, University of Sydney LanaElcova/Shutterstock Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giselle Natassia Woodley, Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University There is widespread agreement Australia needs to do better when it comes to gender-based violence. Anger and frustration at the numbers of women being killed saw national rallies over the weekend and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Graham, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney Mark and Anna Photography/Shutterstock As home ownership moves further out of reach for many Australians, “rentvesting” is being touted as a lifesaver. Rentvesting is the practice of renting one property to live ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sukhmani Khorana, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney Netflix The new season of Heartbreak High is garnering mixed reviews. Critics are writing about the racy story lines, comparing it to other coming-of-age series about teenage relationships and ...
Bob Carr intends to launch legal action against Winston Peters and Julie Anne Genter is facing a second allegation of bullying. Both sucked the air out of an announcement on education, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
In 1995, Sally Clark went out on her own in a bold and unorthodox attempt to join an illustrious group of equestrian riders conquering the world. In the days of glovebox road maps, brick cell phones, and the hit song How Bizarre, Clark refused to follow Sir Mark Todd, Blyth ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Beaglehole, Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago niphon/Getty Images The number of people accessing medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Aotearoa New Zealand increased significantly between 2006 and 2022. But the disorder is still under-diagnosed and ...
To celebrate the start of New Zealand music month, we look back at the best local tuneage that managed to weasel its way into Hollywood productions. There’s nothing quite like the thrilling zap of recognition when New Zealand weasels its way into a glamorous Hollywood production. Crack open a Tui ...
People trust other people more than institutions. So how can the media gain that trust through journalists without losing what’s important about the institution? Anna Rawhiti-Connell reflects on two years of curating the news for The Bulletin.Amonth ago, armed cops descended on my neighbourhood as calls to “lock your ...
A warning – suicide is discussed in this podcast New Zealand’s own long-running soap Shortland Street doesn’t hesitate to kill off its much-loved characters. But would TVNZ dare to kill off our favourite soap? That’s the fear as times get tough in television – even though it’s been pointed out ...
Essay: If the Crown harms children, how do you hold it accountable? Analysis by Aaron Smale in light of the Waitangi Tribunal court decision. The post The Crown versus Māori Children appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Opinion: PFAS – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are a class of thousands of man-made chemicals used widely in everyday consumer items such as textiles, packaging, and cookware, popular for their water, grease and stain-repellent properties. However, the very properties that make PFAS so attractive to manufacturers are also what ...
NONFICTION 1 The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour & Jude Dobson (Allen & Unwin, $37.99)’ This is the hottest book in New Zealand, number one with a bullet in its first week, selling more than any overseas title, and demand is so huge that it’s already been reprinted. A ...
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Asia Pacific Report A West Papuan resistance leader has condemned the United Nations role in allowing Indonesia to “integrate” the Melanesian Pacific region in what is claimed to be an “egregious act of inhumanity” on 1 May 1963. In an open letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Organisasi Papua Merdeka-OPM ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A key part of the Albanese government’s political strategy is to fill the news cycle with its presence and messaging. Ministers are deployed to the maximum, even when they’ve little to say. This week ...
Recent extreme weather events showed the importance of a well-functioning insurance system, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs minister Andrew Bayly. ...
By Jo Moir, RNZ News political editor, and Craig McCulloch, deputy political editor New Zealand’s Labour Party is demanding Winston Peters be stood down as Foreign Minister for opening up the government to legal action over his “totally unacceptable” attack on a prominent AUKUS critic. In an interview on RNZ’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Brakenridge, Postdoctoral research fellow at Swinburne University, Centre for Urban Transitions, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute The Conversation, Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock People have a pretty intuitive sense of what is healthy – standing is better than sitting, exercise is great for overall ...
The Wellington-based Reserve Force soldier is now almost three years into his New Zealand Army career with 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. ...
"The Government needs to release the review immediately as this reckless approach to change risks disjointed decision making and creates more distress and uncertainty for staff," Fitzsimons said. ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Jeremiah Manele has been elected Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, polling 31 votes to 18 over rival candidate and former opposition leader Mathew Wale with one abstention. The final result of the election by secret ballot was announced by the Governor-General, Sir David Vunagi, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Priestley Habru, PhD candidate, public diplomacy, University of Adelaide Former foreign minister Jeremiah Manele has been elected the next prime minister of Solomon Islands, defeating the opposition leader, Matthew Wale, in a vote in parliament. The result is a mixed bag for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shaun Eaves, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Jamey Stutz, CC BY-SA How often do mountains collapse, volcanoes erupt or ice sheets melt? For Earth scientists, these are important questions as we try ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Flood, Professor of Sociology, Queensland University of Technology Shutterstock Most young adult men in Australia reject traditional ideas of masculinity that endorse aggression, stoicism and homophobia. Nonetheless, the ongoing influence of those ideas continues to harm men and the people ...
The NZQA proposal released to staff today would involve a net loss of 35 roles. There are 66 roles being disestablished with 13 of those currently vacant, and 31 new roles proposed, said Fleur Fitzsimons Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga ...
Alex Casey talks to Loren Taylor, the writer, director and star of new film The Moon is Upside Down, about assembling her dream ensemble cast, toilet paper pads and turning literal dreams into reality. There’s a moment in The Moon is Upside Down where frazzled anaesthetist Briar (Loren Taylor) gets ...
Renters and realtors are upset with a government decision to scrap a bill meant to regulate property managers over concerns about unethical and unlawful behaviours. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cassy Dittman, Senior Lecturer/Head of Course (Undergraduate Psychology), Research Fellow, Manna Institute, CQUniversity Australia With winter sports swinging into action, adults around the country have volunteered or been volunteered by others (humorously known as being “volun-told”) to coach junior sports teams. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karleen Gribble, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University richardernestyap/Shutterstock Parents are often advised to burp their babies after feeding them. Some people think burping after feeding is important to reduce or prevent discomfort crying, or to ...
Workers at a major ASB contact centre in Auckland have voted to take strike action and withdraw their labour following disappointing pay negotiations with the employer and an "offer" to workers that would leave them worse off than the previous year. ...
As the government tries to get the country back on track with a school phone ban, Tara Ward has an idea for where they should turn their attention to next.New Zealand students returned to school on Monday morning, but their cellphones did not. The government’s new phone ban began ...
The Labour Party is demanding Peters be stood down, saying "he's embarrassed the country" with a "totally unacceptable" attack on a prominent AUKUS critic. ...
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance, whose members were victims of a China-backed cyber attack, is discussing forming a standing committee to deal with foreign influence. ...
The PSA is concerned that the voluntary redundancies being offered to staff by Stats NZ will impact on the agency’s ability to deliver on its core functions. ...
Results ranged from surprisingly yum to soul-destroying. I love cooking. The kitchen is a hearth of culinary creation, of sensory delights, of gastronomic poetry. I also can’t afford anything nice. Why does a pack of instant noodles and some milk cost ten bucks? I love you, Aotearoa, but I miss ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Police in Solomon Islands are on high alert ahead of the election of the prime minister today. The two candidates for the top job are former foreign affairs minister Jeremiah Manele at the head of the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation, which is ...
He’s fine but it feels like I’m losing a friend and it’s making me bitter. How do I say ‘enough is enough’? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzHey Hera,I’ve recently moved in with a girlfriend, her partner Steve, and his friend. We all live in a lovely little house. ...
Why arnt people outraged that national wants to hock off houses to foreigners in a housing crisis??
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/bernard-hickey-economic-commentator-predicts-house-prices-will-rise-10-20-percent-under-national-act-government/#:~:text=Commentator%20Bernard%20Hickey%20says%20house,key%20policy%20changes%20are%20implemented.
Bernard Hickey predicts up 20% price rise
The short answer is if you already own a house price increases are good, that and a heap of people have given up. The massive increase over the last 6 years and the higher interest rates have essentially made home ownership impossible for huge swathes of people.
Pretty much getting told to fuck off around Queenstown. I haven't met many who think it's a good idea long term. A few who need it to save their sorry arses, 'cause they will have to sell very soon ( or now), but most are WTF.
Nicola got a hard time last night over it,
It's going to be a transformational policy for Queenstown and Central Otago, but obviously not in a good way.
Biggest criticism is that price changes will be supply side driven, everyone will want $2 million for their house leading to a huge gap in the market below that, effectively freezing the middle and below out of the market.
Queenstown under National government becomes the accelerated form of what New Zealand is becoming already: grossly unequal, foreigner dominated, and real estate obsessed – to the exclusion of all other values and all other people.
Queenstown's tourism and density strategies are going in the opposite direction to that.
Because they have decided that "Labour bad, National good" and don't want any inconvenient truths to unsettle them.
Boy, the real estate industry must be positively salivating at the thought of a NACT victory with the inevitable sky rocketing in house prices that will result.
Gurner climbs down
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66803279
Full mea culpa.
Meanwhile here we have David Seymour stating the intent to make 15,000 people redundant before Christmas.
Will people note who the unrepentant psychopath is?
Will Luxon say whether that is something National would enact?
Oh yea, I did reply on Daily Review….and yep IMO I see Gurner…and Seymour as Narcissists. Possessing Zero Empathy..but maybe if enough Public distaste served on them…and close media scrutiny they can be shown for what they are.
This is helpful, in seeing them coming.
https://www.simplypsychology.org/psychopathy-vs-sociopathy.html
Tim Gurner basically endorses the theories of Marxist economist Michel Kalecki…
Posing capitalism as dependent on neo-liberal policy settings – using monetary policy to cause unemployment to control inflation, welfare at poverty levels as a work incentive, preventing industry awards (Fair Pay Agreement), migration to sustain a surplus domestic workforce and of course, wages below levels to afford property … needing to work to pay rent
Has anyone asked Greypower if they have an opinion on Seymour wanting to take money out of their wallets/purses?
can you please expand on that?
Part of the ACT cost savings plan is to increase Super by the CPI permanently (not just when the CPI is higher than the increase due with the link to net average wage).
For quite some time NZ Super has been increased by CPI (see s15 of https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0084/latest/whole.html#DLM114216)
However, there is an override (s16 of above) which states the married rate must be between 66% and 72.5% of average wage (net of standard tax). Normally the lower bound bites so NZ Super increases by more than CPI. Except last year where it was just CPI (so the override didn't apply).
Oddly Labour took credit for increasing Super by more than wages even though they did nothing of the sort. Even odder was that National didn't call them out. They should have known as the Nats 2017 tax cuts meant the lower bound for Super went up and so would have given an increase to pensioners – the reversal of the tax cuts took that away so Labour effectively swapped it for the winter supplement.
So Act will repeal s16 so Super will increase by CPI (as now) but is very likely to fall as a percentage against the average wage over time. At some point too many pensioners will be struggling so an ad-hoc increase will be granted (or a party will reinstate s16 although not necessarily the same percentage upper and lower bounds).
Presumably because of custom for it to be at 66% of net average wage, and a CPI increase for the year taking it higher than that level (one of those rare occasions when this happens).
You'll love this
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/497750/election-2023-older-kiwis-will-be-better-off-under-national-nicola-willis-christopher-luxon-say
One can note the word intended, not promise, thus allows ACT to imagine they can make the savings from ….
fudged up the reply button
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/winston-peters-sounds-alarm-on-acts-proposed-changes-to-superannuation/IDBTQYV32RHXDL4ABVBCGIQVMY/
From the article
Switching to CPI indexation will also ensure that the cost of the pension does not continue to grow inexorably as the economy grows.”
Act’s budget said the switch would save $1.13 billion across the period to 2026/27. The CTU’s analysis found an additional $1.36b would be saved in the 2027/28 financial year, bringing the total savings to more than $2.8b using revised inflation data.
Billions of 'savings' to be achieved by reducing what Superannatants receive
Elder poverty is coming back. The 'strong economy' demands it. Climate change will turbocharge it. As the insurance industry walks away or hikes prices stratospherically, uninsured people will have whatever meagre assets they own wiped out in weather events.
Every trick in the…book..NZH-'
'In a day when National was accused of having a $2.1 billion hole in the costings of its tax policy, Willis came under pressure to release the modelling behind the plan, which National had not yet done.
Speaking to TVNZ’s Breakfast this morning, Willis said she would resign if a National Government couldn’t deliver on the tax cuts it’s promising.
”I would resign because we are making a commitment to the New Zealand people and we intend to keep it,” she said when pushed about whether the foreign buyers’ tax would work.'
Covered her arse.
[please supply a direct link for this quote. Please also read this post about moderation and let me know you have read and understood. https://thestandard.org.nz/moderation-notes-in-election-year/ – weka]
That's just evasion – they'll make the tax cuts one way or another, just not via the means they have described (a $750M pa contribution from the foreign buyers tax).
If she took personal responsibility seriously, she would say that she will resign if the foreign buyers tax does not deliver within (say) 15% of target. But as we know, Tories love to accuse other (usually poor) people of failing to show personal responsibility as a way of denying any obligations towards them. But they seldom exhibit any themselves.
It's just sound Tory economics B.
Promise them everything.*
Give them nothing**
And before they get it – Take it of them.***
* Tax cuts for all, **Oops the cupboard is bare, just tax cuts for those with over $250kpa income – therefore we keep our promise, *** Cuts to Education, medical, social welfare, etc, etc,
mod note. Please attend to this before commenting again.
Here…as quoted NZH…
Election 2023 live updates: Grant Robertson, Nicola Willis, David Seymour and James Shaw trade criticism in finance debate – NZ Herald.
I'll save your bloodlust and ban myself.
Yesterday you started with insult,then patronage…and here you are at it..again.
Be easy Blazer there ain't nothing worth stealin' in here
SoftBank owned Gannet media is hiring reporters/correspondents/social media gossip columnists to cover celebrities – for USA Today (Beyonce) and Tennessean (Swift).
I would have thought SoftBank (big in robotics etc) would have used AI and deep fake tech to do the coverage.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/us-news-site-hiring-dedicated-taylor-swift-beyonce-reporters/ZYX5UNLESVFRVAP2E5NL2NQXRQ/
Simeon Brown sent me an email today. Un-bloody-believable:
https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/09/15/national-targets-ministry-for-pacific-peoples-50k-breakfast-spending/
[news link added]
That's just lazy, getting his lines from ACT and the Taxpayers Union …
Meanwhile Luxon had a post budget breakfast with business …
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/490202/watch-national-party-leader-christopher-luxon-gives-post-budget-speech
Thing is if these spend ups are true we should be pissed,
Events in community centres to identify relevant budget initiatives, just basic comms,
Must be expensive halls to hire!!
$14,000 per event. I want to know the details too, especially because of this,
https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/09/15/national-targets-ministry-for-pacific-peoples-50k-breakfast-spending/
I want to know how those figures compare to other government department spends on similar events (ie is it normal) and I want details of the events (eg are they large, in which case the spend makes more sense).
Nat and Act are obviously double teaming an attack on the Ministry for Pasific Peoples, which is fucked up and needs addressing. To do that the left needs to be transparent about spending, not just casually excuse it.
Yip if mostly pakeha departments are doing it to ,
A; this is a racist beat up,
B; it does point to a culture of largesse that needs to be stopped,
Is it really that high in todays dollars?
These were community meetings to explain and answer questions about the budget to communities who do not normally get that well engaged with.
I would imagine hall hire, tea, coffee, light snack, facilitator, kitchen staff, etc would come to that sort of cost.
It sucks when we expect poor communities to meet those costs themselves as government agencies have done for so long – government should pay for meetings they organise.
It is the same with consultation – councils, government etc all expect iwi advice and support for free yet agree quite happy to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees to KPMG, etc.
This issue was highlighted in several places way back in 1988 in Puao Te Ata Tu. A document that should be more widely read.
https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/archive/1988-puaoteatatu.pdf
(d) That funds be allocated to Social Welfare district offices with a high Maori population to provide some remuneration to Maori people who provide assistance to Social Welfare staff in dealing with Maori clients;
“Get no recognition and or pay for performing special Maori duties.”
In the area of social work, there were many calls for Maori people to do the work of the “professional”workers. Whereas community workers saw themselves as being on call 24 hours a day, social workers were seen by some to work for only the prescribed hours. The complaint was strong that valuable skills were often used but not paid for when volunteers or community workers were used as a cultural resource for dealing with Maori people.
(c) District Executive Committees should be formed in each Social Welfare Department district. Each Committee shall consist of up to 9 persons appointed to represent the community on the nomination of the Maori tribal authorities and the nominations of other community interests. The Director of Social Welfare (in person) and the Director of Maori Affairs are to be members. The Chairperson should be one of the non-public service members. ‘Members are to be paid in the normal way.
It is also worth noting the home ownership levels in this report.
45% of Maori own their own houses (with or without a mortgage) and 50% are renting whereas for non-Maori the comparable figures are 73% owning and 24% renting.
No idea. I guess it comes down to how big the events were. I can't see any reason to automatically assume the amounts are excessive (although the $40K send off to an exec is raising my eyebrow). But I do think the issue should be managed transparently and MSM once again are failing us here. They could explain all that. We will see if they over the next few days.
My beef is that I remember in the 90s Treasurry spend $70,000 redecorating one of their offices. Later WINZ spent some godawful amount rebranding. I think when some people are used to having those kinds of budgets they see things differently.
It certainly jars against the CoL crisis. The left need a good way to respond to this that doesn't buy into the cut govt spending bullshit and that pushed back against the targeted racism.
I had the impression that the cost was high predominantly because of the gifts from each individual group that MPP represents. There are not too many agencies that cover off so many different but linked cultures with their own rivalries/sense of face.
The key in the the decision process I suspect was MPP's choice to fund the gifts as opposed to the groups funding them themselves. Once that call had been made the cost was always going to be high due to the number of gifts.
While I would have left it to the groups to fund their own gifts it is a bit like no school uniforms. The wealthier groups would have better gifts and the poorer group either lesser gifts or would have to sacrifice more. The Ministry paying would help ensure some evenness.
Again while personally I don't think much of the whole thing about well paid public servants getting gifts when leaving I accept others have a different view.
I just think there are nuances that need to be explored before drawing too many conclusions.
I am much more supportive of meeting with the community than CEO farewell's.
Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds told Newshub the post-budget breakfasts were community events and around 700 people attended in person across the country plus others attended online.
"Pacific communities have long been overlooked in post-budget communication and are not always aware of how initiatives in the Budget affect them," Edmonds said.
700 attended which catering wise comes to $35-00 a head. Haven't organised an event for a long time but that seems to me a little high but I'm clueless about current costs.
Much of the cost seems to be the three sets of AV equipment to presumably stream. I have done this recently and commercial equipment is expensive to hire.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/09/ministry-for-pacific-peoples-under-fire-for-spending-over-50-000-on-budget-breakfasts.html
What does seem obvious from the tone of the headlines is that it is primarily a racist attack with little investigation or even notice of what the Ministry actually said in response. Certainly ACT don't refer to it as a series of three community meetings – you get the impression it was the staff at MPP having a fancy shout in the office on government funds.
Why can't they just have a morning tea with cake and sausage rolls like we used to?
Have you provided both the Greens and Labour with a copy of his claims? There are so many outright lies I'm sure they could turn the tables on the weasel.
It might even be one of those “[insert MP’s name here]” electorate communications that the John Key Nat government was so keen on producing.
Another day another lie.
.
Deborah Russell MP 🐝
@BeeFaerie
Posted without comment
https://twitter.com/BeeFaerie/status/1702040255199854634
OMG. Wow soo blatant what a piece of shit lol.
I'm sure lynch,and obrain, will be headlining this forthwith
Just heard that Kim Hill is retiring – apart from some in depth interviews. Radio listening will never be the same. She is a real treasure.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/498069/host-kim-hill-leaves-rnz-s-saturday-morning-show-it-is-time-for-a-change-for-me
I've just heard that on the 5pm news.
I agree about being a treasure, from time to time the transistor got hollered at but more often than not Kim Hill made great radio.
Where would the National Party and Act be whithout their army of right wing
sycophants, toadies, stooges, poodles, lackeys, puppets, bootlickers, cronies, lapdogs,
and snipers, who infest and operate in the msm ??
Well the answer is, no fecking where, IMO
Well overtime the MSM's corrupt lack of balance is adding voters to the right wing parties. Looks like
Liars, thieves and politicians …..should be
Liars, thieves, politicians and reporters
/Shrug
What is the cost to run parliament? Tried to look, but nothing forthcoming?
God bless the UAW and lets help them in their Strike.