A Deliberate Recession

Written By: - Date published: 1:00 pm, May 20th, 2024 - 51 comments
Categories: economy, elections, unemployment - Tags:

It is sickening to see how economic power is being used against ordinary New Zealanders right now.

After the deliberate planning and execution of a recession by the Reserve Bank in the last year of the Labour government and this year, and the deepening of that recession by the National government through mass layoffs this year, there are now forecasts of untold thousands further losing their jobs in the private sector. 

Anyone who thinks this is going to top out at 5.1% unemployed by the end of the year needs their head read. 

This deliberate recession for hiring is at least as acute at that around the GFC. 

It is disgusting that people in power are deliberately doing this to New Zealanders.

51 comments on “A Deliberate Recession ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Maurice 1
    20 May 2024 at 2:25 pm

    The inevitable response to excessive borrowing. Very ugly chooks coming home to roost.

    • Michael 1.1
      20 May 2024 at 4:04 pm

      Tax cuts for the rich are more important than public services.

    • KJT 1.2
      20 May 2024 at 8:29 pm

      Like NACT borrowing 15 billion for tax cuts for housing scalpers?

    • Nic the NZer 1.3
      20 May 2024 at 9:20 pm

      This kind of understanding is one of the mechanisms by which National gets away this their often terrible economic policy. The government doesn't rely on its borrowing for anything related to payments. It is entirely there so that the RBNZ can maintain higher interest rates.

      The recession is entirely voluntary and will likely worsen the budget in percent of GDP terms to the extent that the government budget position comes out further in deficit than if the country avoided the recession by boosting government spending to begin with. That is to state the well known (even in mainstream economics) concept that cutting into a recession is bad economic policy.

  2. bwaghorn 2
    20 May 2024 at 5:45 pm

    Exactly, we need politicians with enough intelligence to find another way of defeating inflation, of course it doesn't help that the coc hates wellington civil servants , poor people, the unemployed ,workers and tenants

  3. Mike the Lefty 3
    20 May 2024 at 6:52 pm

    Governments usually criticise opposition parties for talking the economy down.

    Perhaps for the first time in history we have a ruling government talking the economy down.

    My suspicious cynical little mind tells me that National are setting us up for a thumping black budget. Black for anyone who is not a landlord, or wealth speculator or is on the rich list – that is. They wouldn't be doing this for no reason.

    I predict that a GST rise will be announced in the budget.

    See if I'm wrong.

    • Traveller 3.1
      20 May 2024 at 7:21 pm

      The economy was in trouble well before the current government took over.

      According to the Swiss Institute for Management and Development (IMD) annual rankings of competitiveness, NZ has fallen from 16th in 2017 to 31st in 2022. Our economic performance has fallen from 22nd to 47th, government efficiency has fallen from 7th to 17th. New Zealand’s economy a shadow of its former self | The New Zealand Initiative (nzinitiative.org.nz)

      Our productivity has declined significantly since 2019 Geoff Simmons on X: "This graph is pretty striking: New Zealand's productivity performance is historically poor and now looks shocking h/t @dskilling https://t.co/eNZaPcQYF6" / X.

      And the previous government left a series of financial time bombs or failing policies, including one just announced around Kainga ora. Bombshell Kāinga Ora review finds agency 'not financially viable', new chair, board 'refreshed' (msn.com).

      One day the story of the last government will be written, and it won't be pretty.

      • SPC 3.1.1
        20 May 2024 at 7:47 pm

        Something like a low rate of death during the pandemic years and then a lot of people leaving New Zealand after the government fell behind in the polls in early 2023 – 50,000 leaving 2023-2024, then again 2024-2025 and onto 2025-2026. Because everyone could see there would no longer be an effort to match incomes (increases in MW FPA etc) and housing costs – less new homes being built, less secure tenancy and rents rising faster than incomes.

        • Traveller 3.1.1.1
          20 May 2024 at 7:56 pm

          Good story, however here's the migration outflow since 2001. Migration | Stats NZ. Outflows have not shifted much over the years, however they were on an upward trajectory from February 2021 (at least partly due to pent up demand during covid).

          • SPC 3.1.1.1.1
            20 May 2024 at 8:32 pm

            My figures are the net migration of citizens.

            A record loss in the year to Sept 2023 of 44,000. The previous record in 2012.

            https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/record-net-migration-loss-of-new-zealand-citizens/

            The story gets even more credible, when the figures rose to 50,000 in the year to March 2024.

            Most expect it to be 50,000 again by March 2025.

            https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/15/stratospheric-exodus-of-skilled-workers-huge-loss-for-nz-expert/

            • Traveller 3.1.1.1.1.1
              20 May 2024 at 8:41 pm

              Your comment was about 'a lot of people leaving', not net migration.

              Have a look at the same graph. The arrivals (which increased significantly from mid to late 2022) masked the full impact of the departures, which began to rise from early 2021.

              • SPC …
                20 May 2024 at 8:52 pm

                So you took nothing from the 50,000 leaving in the year to March 2024.

                It could and does relate to only one thing the net loss of 50,000 citizens.

                It has been news in past week or so.

                • Traveller …
                  20 May 2024 at 8:57 pm

                  What I take is a trend. You stated:

                  "a lot of people leaving New Zealand after the government fell behind in the polls in early 2023…" and…

                  Because everyone could see there would no longer be an effort to match incomes (increases in MW FPA etc) and housing costs – less new homes being built, less secure tenancy and rents rising faster than incomes.

                  What I'm pointing out to you is that the increase in departures began in 2021. Under the last government, and before any poll changes in 2023.

                  • SPC …
                    20 May 2024 at 9:18 pm

                    The previous departure trend was because of end of lockdown – and return to easier travel.

                    The one I referred to was more recent – and is one of citizens leaving to live overseas.

                    The largest net outflow of citizens ever, and the next largest was back in 2012.

                    And yet it is one which is expected to occur again in the year ahead because …

                    • Traveller …
                      20 May 2024 at 9:24 pm

                      I stated above the departure trend would have begun due to covid release. But the trend continued, and by late 2022 the rolling annual numbers were up at 100,000. The 2024 figures are just a continuation of that trend.

                    • SPC …
                      20 May 2024 at 10:42 pm

                      Others have noted three things

                      1.more locals coming and going since the end of lockdown, with travel back on

                      2.the large number of worker migrants 2022-2023

                      3.and most recently the large number of citizens leaving April 2023- March 2024 to live elsewhere, most ever in a year. More than the previous high in 2012.

      • KJT 3.1.2
        20 May 2024 at 8:36 pm

        No surprise that decades of neo-Liberal mis management has stuffed NZ.

        This lot doing more of the same, in spades, will inevitably make it even worse.

        I am not even taking satisfaction in"I told you so" because the consequences for so many will be dire.

        The NZ, comically named "Initiative" already tried and failed solutions, however are proven prescriptions for disaster, as the UK found with Trussonomics.

        • Traveller 3.1.2.1
          20 May 2024 at 8:45 pm

          The deterioration in NZ's economic position took place under the last Labour government. We are still finding out just how bad things got. There is nothing for you to say "I told you so" about.

          • KJT 3.1.2.1.1
            20 May 2024 at 9:02 pm

            Rubbish.

            Take the partisan blinkers off.

            Government measures under Covid left us better off than comparable countries.

            And improving by most measures, including the ones you quote.

            We can see Nationals engineered recession biting right now. Real business confidence is dropping, as shown by the lack of investment. Unemployed and low waged customers don't buy much.

            A return of borrowing, for tax cuts for the wealthy and house scalpers, with reduced spending on infrastructure, essential services and the future. The main cause of our ongoing issues.

            As usual we will see lack of State investment pulling us down. A return to selling houses to each other, which only overseas banks, and a few NACT cronies, really profit from. Along with a sugar fix of excessive immigration to keep wages low and house prices high. The selling off of income earning assets for short term gain for a few.

            Environmental and social vandalism which a few years of progressive Government will struggle, as usual, to fix.

            • Traveller 3.1.2.1.1.1
              20 May 2024 at 9:09 pm

              The material I posted consisted of comparisons with other countries who also faced covid. The productivity comparisons are particularly damaging, given the decline in NZ's productivity was continuing when others were recovering.

              As for Covid, we fared ok. At the time the stats stopped being collected (April 2024) we had the 94th highest deaths per capita out of 231. Not bad, not great.
              https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

      • KJT 3.1.3
        20 May 2024 at 9:11 pm

        The headline for Kāinga Ora should read.

        "National reacts with shock when they find house building, to replace the ones they flogged off, costs money!"

        • Traveller 3.1.3.1
          20 May 2024 at 9:21 pm

          Did you read the article?

          It found the social housing system is not socially or financially sustainable.

          A report by the Treasury and the Ministry for Housing and Urban Development found Kāinga Ora's level of debt had grown from $2.7 billion in 2018 to $12.3 billion in June 2023.

          Which is during the term of the last government.

          The review said the agency has been reporting operating deficits before tax over the past four years.

          Again, during the term of the last government.

          The review made two broad findings:

          "First, Kāinga Ora is underperforming and not financially viable without significant savings as well as funding and financing changes. Second, the wider social housing system is not delivering the results New Zealand needs, and is lacking in transparency and accountability, coupled with a poor understanding of tenant outcomes," Bishop said.

          Bombshell Kāinga Ora review finds agency 'not financially viable', new chair, board 'refreshed' (msn.com)

          • KJT 3.1.3.1.1
            20 May 2024 at 9:26 pm

            Why did I know you wouldn't get the irony.

          • Nic the NZer 3.1.3.1.2
            20 May 2024 at 9:31 pm

            What kind of psycho thinks social housing should be profitable?

            • Traveller 3.1.3.1.2.1
              20 May 2024 at 9:37 pm

              It’s not about being profitable, Nic, it’s about accountability for tax payers money allocated to the particular activity. This type of mismanagement became a bit of a habit under the last government.

              • KJT …
                20 May 2024 at 9:44 pm

                A narrative to persuade the gullable. Like you!

                An example is perfectly normal time limited funding, which NACT is also doing as we speak, characterised as “fiscal cliffs”.

                • Traveller …
                  20 May 2024 at 9:48 pm

                  A narrative of fiscal responsibility is not for the gullible. The past Chair and a number of Board members of KO are finding that out.

                  • KJT …
                    20 May 2024 at 10:43 pm

                    One of the persistant, well financed, propaganda memes, is the right wings "fiscal responsibility".

                    In reality, statistics over time show anything but!

                    But. Repeat bullshit often enough…

                  • KJT …
                    21 May 2024 at 8:10 am

                    This problem was the fault of Key's Government. Their stupidity in getting rid of public housing is why we now have the several billion dollar bill to fix it, that NACT have “discovered”. Obviously they havn't been paying attention while in opposition.
                    Now. This coalition of clowns is going down the same track. A short sighted track which will cost many more billions to fix in future. Denying reality is "sad and pathetic".

                    • Traveller …
                      21 May 2024 at 9:56 am

                      This has nothing to do with any previous National government. This is about a government entity being allocated budget monies over which its oversight has been abysmal. And this was a pattern of the Ardern government. Te Pukenga. 3 Waters. The InterIslander project.

                    • KJT …
                      21 May 2024 at 10:11 am

                      Bullshit.

                      This is spending on necessary infrastructure, which National is again. "kicking down the road".

                      Just like future proofing rail ferries and polytechnics which NACT has now abandoned.

                    • Traveller …
                      21 May 2024 at 11:59 am

                      "This is spending on necessary infrastructure…"

                      That was not managed appropriately within budget constraints.

                    • KJT …
                      26 May 2024 at 10:52 am

                      According to the arson who fucked up state housing during the previous National Government.

              • Nic the NZer …
                21 May 2024 at 12:17 pm

                So it turns out the correct answer to my question is "former Prime Minister Bill English". I'm pretty sure Chris Bishops public statements are already impossible to implement while having Kainga Ora return funds to the government (English previous policy on the budget for social housing) so he will soon be repeating his performance as minister for dancing on the head of a pin, but good on him for being willing to say he was "ruling things out".

                • Traveller …
                  21 May 2024 at 1:04 pm

                  The review was conducted by a panel, led by Bill English, alongside Ceinwen McNeil and Simon Allen. The panel uncovered issues of significant financial mismanagement, including a lack of financial sustainability, and a lack of transparency and efficiency in asset procurement. Here's one comment:

                  We found that Kāinga Ora is not financially viable, under current settings and this is further compounded by limited attention to value for money and opaque apportionment of costs and revenue within Kāinga Ora, making it difficult to identify the underlying drivers of financial results.

                  Independent Review of Kainga Ora.pdf (beehive.govt.nz)

                  • Nic the NZer …
                    21 May 2024 at 1:21 pm

                    I already put my finger on the issue. Bill English believes that Kainga Ora should be returning money to the central pool each budget. There is no other way for this department to be made compatible with the governments budget stance than shrinking social housing provision, because given its client base its not going to be made profitable based on the rents it can charge.

                    You can throw about words like financial miss-management all you like and claim this has a tangible meaning, by all means fool yourself all you want. The only thing which has changed here is the governments budget commitment to expanding the provision of social housing in line with social need for it (which has gone away).

                    • Traveller …
                      21 May 2024 at 1:38 pm

                      The review has nothing to do with what anyone 'believes'. The review was carried out by a panel of 3 and included consideration of formal and informal submissions. The scope of the review is set out on page 5 (Independent Review of Kainga Ora.pdf (beehive.govt.nz)).

                      And the oversight issues relate to monies voted in past budget allocations. I'll quote from pages 14 and 15:

                      "Budgets provided to the board are not sufficiently clear or detailed

                      For example, in the May 2023 board budget pack:

                      • there was no Statement of Financial Position

                      • the budget assumes that new lending of several billion dollars from the government will be approved (My emphasis added).

                      • the build pipeline includes a line entitled “Zero Net Growth” describing disposals of an indeterminate kind of over 3,000 homes per year

                      • does not provide a budget scenario where Kāinga Ora is limited to the funding agreed by the government

                      If you don't want to read the entire report, just read the Executive Summary.

          • bwaghorn 3.1.3.1.3
            21 May 2024 at 7:05 am

            So you're just blindly believing old double dipton when he turns up with a report the suits nationals narrative??

            • Traveller 3.1.3.1.3.1
              21 May 2024 at 9:56 am

              Well if you have an alternative analysis, you are welcome to present it.

              • bwaghorn …
                21 May 2024 at 12:25 pm

                Well if national had got someone independent rather than there last pm I might give it more weight than the paper I just flushed

                • Traveller …
                  21 May 2024 at 12:58 pm

                  The review was the work of a panel, led by Bull English with Simon Allen and Ceinwen McNeil. If you have any concerns about the quality of the review or the findings and recommendations, you can argue them.

      • Mike the Lefty 3.1.4
        21 May 2024 at 11:27 am

        One day the story of how many people would have died if National had been in power during the COVID crisis will be written, based on the opposition they voiced to so many of Labour's measures.

        That won't be pretty either.

    • SPC 3.2
      20 May 2024 at 7:48 pm

      No a GST would hold up inflation and mortgage rates – this lot want an increase in property values.

  4. Incognito 4
    20 May 2024 at 7:03 pm

    Yes, of course it’s deliberate to maximise mass misery in NZ. Because this will cause inflation (CPI) to fall and since this coalition government has indexed benefits to CPI this means that the Social Welfare cost to the government will drop significantly. Cui bono?

  5. Patricia Bremner 5
    20 May 2024 at 9:24 pm

    The narrative of "waste" has been sold to the electorate, as the cause of inflation. (Waste by Labour).sad

    The cure according to the current COC story tellers is austerity.

    Oh but wait, they self correct, what they are doing is not austerity, it is a recession, a necessary correction.

    Wait up… a recession is two quarters of negative growth.

    We are in the fourth quarter of negative growth according to published statements on interest.co.nz

    So yes it is deliberate calculated, and at the risk of being boring, Jane Kelsey has written books describing this type of economic manipulation, especially "The Fire Economy"

    PM Luxon to the converted "Labour are arsonists!! They are complaining we are putting the out fire they lit ".

    Hold on, "The Fire" started in Dec 2023 a quarter after Luxon gained office, and they have poured petrol on the recession with all the sackings and now we are heading for a depression.

    The Polls show a dawning recognition of the pattern, and a faltering belief in the "medicine" provided by the three COC members.

    Rates Insurance Transport and dare I say it, Water costs were not mentioned in the sales pitch. I think we know why.

    They have undermined our confidence security and futures, and they blame ordinary folk who are leaving in droves, voting with their feet.

    Why are we expected to believe this is "good" for our futures when it seems dystopian and gloomy.

    • dv 5.1
      20 May 2024 at 9:40 pm

      yesyes​​​​​​​yes​​​​​​​​​​​​​​yes​​​​​​​​​​​​​​yes​​​​​​​​​​​​​​yes​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

  6. Jono 6
    21 May 2024 at 3:05 pm

    Selling off a large volume of those houses (say 30000) would correct the books.

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  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

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