Budget 2015 – A reactive budget

Written By: - Date published: 6:30 am, May 21st, 2015 - 161 comments
Categories: budget 2015, class war, economy - Tags: , , , ,

key-surplus-2014

For latest updates [feel free all] see below.

Morning edition

But what was probably supposed to be the centerpiece of the budget has apparently been scooped by details pre-released on a website: “‘Thousands’ of homes could be built on former Crown land in Auckland”. It’s like (ht Scott Milne) KiwiBuild with all the social justice elements removed, see also NRT: “A lot of devils in those details”.

[Update MS] – Looks like Scott Milne is right about Kiwibuild although we will need to see the details.  Labour’s 2012 Kiwibuild policy said this:

Much of the land will come from HNZC buying new land or building on existing developments. Labour will also use public land and look at reconfiguring and subdividing some existing state house land as opportunities arise.

The main difference seems to be that National will be supporting developers whereas Labour wanted to support first home owners.

Update2:  The information is now available from the budget website.

The deficit is $684 million and forecast to be a wafer thin $176 million next year.

There are measures to address child poverty including the following:

  • Strengthening work obligations for beneficiary parents (compulsory bene bashing).  Most sole parents, and partners of beneficiaries, will have to be available for part‐time work of 20 hours a week once their youngest child turns three.
  • ƒRaising benefit rates for families.  Benefit rates for families with children will rise by $25 a week after tax. This is the first time since 1972 that core benefit rates have been increased by more than inflation. Interesting …
  • ƒIncreasing Working for Families payments.  Lower-income working families not on a benefit will get up to $12.50 a week extra from Working for Families, and some very low‐income working families will get $24.50 extra.
  • ƒIncreasing Childcare Assistance.  The subsidy rate for low‐income families will increase from $4
    an hour to $5 an hour for up to 50 hours of childcare a week per child.

Update 3:

A good summary from The Herald: “Budget 2015: 10 things you need to know”.

See also: Budget 2015: How it affects you

But don’t bother with Armstrong’s pathetic: Budget 2015: The give-and-take Budget

Stuff has a breakdown by sector: Beehive Live: New Zealand Budget 2015

Summary

[r0b] So – a panicked response to the Auckland property crisis. A welcome (albeit inadequate) adjustment to benefit rates – credit where it’s due for that. In short, public pressure is forcing action on the Left’s political agenda. This is a reactive budget, trying to get bandaids on some of the worst crises, without delivering any kind of long term plan for the environment or the economy (the cuts to Kiwisaver incentives emphasise the short-term focus). There is no vision. As to the criteria that National has set for itself – still no surplus, and no one believes the projected one next year.

161 comments on “Budget 2015 – A reactive budget ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. millsy 1
    21 May 2015 at 7:11 am

    I am left in no doubt that this government is ideologically opposed to public sector ownership and provsion.

  2. Penny Bright 2
    21 May 2015 at 7:12 am

    The mantra that there are an extra million people coming to Auckland over the next 30 years is ‘bubble and fluff’ that has been pushed by Mayor Len Brown and Auckland Council’s Chief Planning Officer, Dr Roger Blakeley.

    Spatial planning is supposed to be ‘evidentially based’.

    The Dept of Statistics recommended ‘medium’ population growth projection (700,000 people) NOT ‘high’ population growth projection (1,000,000 people).

    How convenient that this manufactured ‘driver’ of an extra 300,000 people has helped to spawn the ‘Special Housing Areas’ – which is being used to help economically ‘cleanse’ State Housing tenants off prime Tamaki real estate, over which property developers have been licking their slobbering chops for years.

    ‘Democracy for developers’ ?

    Who is benefitting from this Auckland ‘$upercity’ (for the 1%)?

    Follow the dollar …..

    Auckland ‘housing crisis’?

    When, according to the 2013 census, there is a ‘ghost city’ in the Auckland region, of over 22,000 EMPTY private sector homes???

    Penny Bright

    http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz

    • Sacha 2.1
      21 May 2015 at 9:36 am

      “The mantra that there are an extra million people coming to Auckland over the next 30 years is ‘bubble and fluff’ ”

      You have been corrected on this same basic point here recently, Penny. Stop regurgitating lies.

  3. Tracey 3
    21 May 2015 at 7:46 am

    Nice little fluff piece in stuff about English and Key…

    Note that English is not quoted by the editorial, just Key… and if you ever wondered about Key’s priorities

    “it was in our best interests, and actually the party’s interests, for that to happen.”

    Key first
    National Party second
    Country… nowhere

    • Sable 3.1
      21 May 2015 at 9:09 am

      Yet another mess from this disaster of a government. But hey, don’t worry, the shifty MSM will assure the sheeples there is nothing to worry about. Either that or blame someone else.

  4. dukeofurl 4
    21 May 2015 at 10:10 am

    ” Some land zoned as reserves was currently being used as a construction yard, he said.”

    Could that be land set aside for the Onehunga – Avondale railway link.

    Some of the other land could be ‘reserves’ because its unstable.

    Most is likely to be defence land, such as around Whenuapai, Birkenhead ( a large area for a explosives storage mostly for navy ships) and in Army bay Whangaparoa

    • tracey 4.1
      21 May 2015 at 2:30 pm

      Could well be. Fletcher’s must be very excited, although not surprised at the announcement.

    • Heather Grimwood 4.2
      21 May 2015 at 5:00 pm

      When there was a danger from reserve land being used (sold) for housing by earlier national governments I lived in Whangaparaoa and our fears of that beauty of that immensely desirable defence land at end of peninsula being lost, we were assured that it was safe from such desecration because local Maori had first right to it . This same situation had saved the beauty of Bastion Point from developers a few years earlier. I know…taught nearby and supported the Maori stand.

  5. Enough is Enough 5
    21 May 2015 at 11:46 am

    I have been underwhelmed for the past 6 budgets.

    I didn’t really expect that to change today

  6. Grace Miller 6
    21 May 2015 at 1:09 pm

    Yeah, let’s see Bill ‘I cheated on my housing allowance until caught’ English spins this imaginary surplus.

    $80 billion in debt and rising – the surplus is just like their principles – non-existent!

    • linda 6.1
      21 May 2015 at 10:07 pm

      Jun-2003 39.33 billion
      Jun-2004 37.72
      Jun-2005 37.73
      Jun-2006 40.00
      Jun-2007 41.90
      Jun-2008 46.11
      Jun-2009 61.95
      Jun-2010 69.73
      Jun-2011 90.25
      Jun-2012 100.53 billion
      un-2013 100.087
      Mar-2014 104.086
      Jun-2014 104.354
      may-2015 108 billion government debt
      housing debt 200 billion
      farm debt 51 billion

      total NZ debt 510 billion

      frighting ! debt bomb
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXcLVDhS8fM

      • Grace Miller 6.1.1
        23 May 2015 at 8:08 am

        Holy fuck!

        Thanks for that… I was going on the NZ Debt Clock website.

        This is even more frightening.

  7. Richard@Down South 7
    21 May 2015 at 1:25 pm

    Got a link to a bigger version of that image?

  8. Sans Cle 8
    21 May 2015 at 1:34 pm

    Joseph Stiglitz is calling for a Rewriting the Rules of the American Economy , for more equality. Time to rewrite the rules in Aotearoa too. Similar problems the world over. Main message: neoliberalism is not working.
    (Not to mention effects of climate change)

    • Grace Miller 8.1
      21 May 2015 at 10:39 pm

      Yeah, the trickle-down theory is in reality, the rich pissing on the poor.

  9. Ovid 9
    21 May 2015 at 2:08 pm

    $1000 Kiwisaver kickstarter no longer available to new members of the scheme. Not great for household savings.

    • tracey 9.1
      21 May 2015 at 2:14 pm

      Funny that Nats pass themselves off as champions of the middle class and middle NZ but removed that…

    • millsy 9.2
      21 May 2015 at 2:24 pm

      No real incentive to join now…

      • Brutus Iscariot 9.2.1
        21 May 2015 at 2:28 pm

        You still get the 1000 dollar yearly tax credits. Anyway, the $1000 Kickstart was designed as an added sweetener to join up a scheme that they had no real idea of what demand would be.

        In reality, Kiwisaver enrolments have wildly exceeded forecasts and the need to spend taxpayer money on the extra carrot has diminished.

        • Grant 9.2.1.1
          21 May 2015 at 2:40 pm

          The yearly tax credit is now half what it was. Now approximately $500 + change

        • b waghorn 9.2.1.2
          21 May 2015 at 2:43 pm

          Pretty sure the max tax credit is $550 ish and only if $1200 is put in

        • tracey 9.2.1.3
          21 May 2015 at 3:02 pm

          No you don’t. Try and keep up It’s been $521 since 2011

          “The first change to take effect is to member tax credits, which are paid into members’ accounts in June each year. These will reduce from a current maximum of $20 a week (up to $1042 per annum), to $10 a week (up to $521 per annum). The reduced level will apply to all contributions made on or after 1 July 2011.
          ‘

          • Hayden 9.2.1.3.1
            21 May 2015 at 3:08 pm

            Anyone remember when they changed employer contributions from 2% to 3%, then immediately grabbed the increase as tax?

            • Craig H 9.2.1.3.1.1
              21 May 2015 at 10:39 pm

              I was working in the IRD contact centre at the time – it cost more to adminster ESCT than it brought in… Employers just didn’t get it, and mistakes were (and still are, apparently) rife.

    • Lanthanide 9.3
      21 May 2015 at 3:02 pm

      They should have made it $1,000 spread over 5 years, so $200 a year, and requiring a matching investment of the saver (either via compulsory savings or optional top-ups).

      That greatly lessens the impact on the crown will still giving the benefit.

      • tracey 9.3.1
        21 May 2015 at 3:47 pm

        you already have to make a minimum contribution to get the government tax credit.

        • Lanthanide 9.3.1.1
          21 May 2015 at 5:33 pm

          I know, I never said you didn’t.

          What I’m suggesting is to make the $1,000 kickstart have the same requirement.

          At the moment (well, until today), people were signing up for kiwisaver for their kids, they’d get the $1,000 kickstart and then not contribute anything.

          Under my suggestion, they’d have to contribute $1,000 over 5 years into order to get the $1,000 from the government.

          Note that people under the age of 18 are not eligible for the tax credit.

          • alwyn 9.3.1.1.1
            21 May 2015 at 6:25 pm

            ” signing up for kiwisaver for their kids, they’d get the $1,000 kickstart and then not contribute anything”
            How much do you think would be in the Kiwisaver account by the time a kid, signed up at one, reached 21 if they did this?
            A thousand dollars wouldn’t generate enough income to pay the fees for the organisation running the account and at the end of 20 years the account would be worth nothing. At worst I suppose it could have a negative value and the beneficiary would owe the organiser money.
            You wouldn’t be able to start a new account of course as you are only allowed to have a single Kiwisaver scheme. Would it be possible to get some other organisation to take over a zero balance account?

            • Colonial Rawshark 9.3.1.1.1.1
              21 May 2015 at 6:58 pm

              How much do you think would be in the Kiwisaver account by the time a kid, signed up at one, reached 21 if they did this?
              A thousand dollars wouldn’t generate enough income to pay the fees for the organisation running the account and at the end of 20 years the account would be worth nothing.

              That’s why you give every child born in NZ a $1000 in a KiwiBank account, accessible when they are 18 years old. You avoid these hedge fund pirates like the plague.

              • alwyn …
                21 May 2015 at 7:32 pm

                KiwiBank would have to change their policy then.
                I just looked and it appears that they charge the following

                “Investing Fees:
                Ranges from 0.45% up to 1% per year depending on the investment portfolio(s) chosen. Subject to a minimum fee ranging between $40 and $50 per year depending on the investment portfolio(s) chosen. ”

                A minimum of $50/year would very neatly wipe out the whole account wouldn’t it?

                • Colonial Rawshark …
                  21 May 2015 at 7:40 pm

                  What are you talking about, just lock it up in a rotating term deposit until the kid is 18. I told you, avoid these hedge fund arseholes. You know what their client account managers joke about right? “Where are the clients’ yachts? Where are the clients’ yachts? They don’t have any yachts! LOL”

                  • alwyn …
                    21 May 2015 at 8:00 pm

                    Sorry. I misread it.
                    I was thinking about KiwiSaver accounts and read your proposal as if it was to give each kid $1000 in a KiwiSaver account at KiwiBank.
                    Not what you said at all, so the KiwiSaver fees they charge aren’t relevant.

                • Lanthanide …
                  21 May 2015 at 8:41 pm

                  ““Investing Fees:
                  Ranges from 0.45% up to 1% per year depending on the investment portfolio(s) chosen. Subject to a minimum fee ranging between $40 and $50 per year depending on the investment portfolio(s) chosen. ”

                  A minimum of $50/year would very neatly wipe out the whole account wouldn’t it?”

                  Yes, if your Kiwisaver account is returning 0% interest for every single year your child is invested in it. I would suggest changing funds if that were the case.

                  Note: bank accounts will typically return 3-4% per year, at 4% return with 0% tax, you’d be losing $10/year in your account. After 20 years you’d still have $800. At a 0.45% fee annually for the Cash fund, minimum $50 vs 1% fee for the growth fund. As it’s entirely free money and your child has nothing to lose, you’d be stupid to put it in a cash fund.

                  In the last 12 month, my growth fund has had 21% return, AFTER fees and tax.

                  If you had the extraordinary luck for a consistent return like that, the $1,000 you start with would be worth $25,000 after 18 years. Not bad for ‘free’ money from the government.

                  • Ovid …
                    21 May 2015 at 10:18 pm

                    The Dow on 21 May last year was 16533 and at present it is 18285 – a 10% growth even without any fund management expertise. If the people managing your fund are beating that, you’re doing okay. The growth fund of my provider isn’t as spectacular as yours – returning 16% in the past year. The portion in the automatic fund – with a reducing risk profile as you age, is at 14.5%.

                    For people like us who can get by without that 3-8% of income, it’s a great thing. It’s how I saved my home deposit in the first place. Starting early is the very best thing, though. Compound interest when it works for you is amazing. It’s a real bastard if you’re working against it, though.

                  • Colonial Rawshark …
                    21 May 2015 at 10:24 pm

                    If you had the extraordinary luck for a consistent return like that, the $1,000 you start with would be worth $25,000 after 18 years. Not bad for ‘free’ money from the government.

                    One day before long QE xx and LTRO xx is going to end rather badly for everyone. This pumping up of financial asset prices in complete divergence from the real economy can only go so far (although that might be a bit further yet – but GFC 2 is already beckoning).

  10. millsy 10
    21 May 2015 at 2:13 pm

    $25 a week increase in benefits for families with kids.

    Nixon goes to China….

    • Chris 10.1
      21 May 2015 at 2:46 pm

      The poorest of the poor are those who receive the temporary additional support (or TAS) which used to be the old special benefit. The increases to the benefit and to the tax credit will do nothing for this group because both the benefit and the tax credit are regarded as income when assessing the level of the TAS. This means that any increase in the benefit and/or the tax credit reduces the TAS dollar for dollar. On top of this the accommodation supplement for people getting the benefit increase will reduce because it’s based on 25% of the person’s income. For those worse off i.e. those who receive the TAS benefit it’s give with one hand and take with the other. The only people in this group (the very poorest) who will get a better deal are those who are entitled to get the TAS benefit but weren’t receiving it (although that is a pretty big group).

      • weka 10.1.1
        21 May 2015 at 5:01 pm

        Holy shit, I didn’t know that about TAS and tax credits.

        And let’s not forget that $25, once adjusted for inflation is probably still less than the $20 they took off most benefits in 1990. It’s not really an increase, it’s resetting benefits to what they were in the 80s.

        • Colonial Rawshark 10.1.1.1
          21 May 2015 at 6:57 pm

          And let’s not forget that $25, once adjusted for inflation is probably still less than the $20 they took off most benefits in 1990. It’s not really an increase, it’s resetting benefits to what they were in the 80s.

          Key and English are willing to reset benefits closer to their pre-Ruthanasia levels in a deficit year. Labour were never ever willing to do that reset with benefits throughout all their years of surpluses, year after year.

          • Lanthanide 10.1.1.1.1
            21 May 2015 at 8:45 pm

            But as demonstrated above, it’s simply a shell game, because very few people will actually receive an increase in their pocket due to the new money being offset by other benefits.

            • Colonial Rawshark 10.1.1.1.1.1
              21 May 2015 at 9:22 pm

              I’d like to see what the numbers of beneficiaries are; hopefully that will become clearer in the next day or two.

              • weka …
                21 May 2015 at 9:57 pm

                Yes to you both, but my point was that National are simply reversing their benefit cuts of 25 years ago. I guess it depends on whether you think that benefit rates in 1990 were liveable on or not, and yay NACT and boo Labour, but let’s not clap National on the back just yet. They’re not doing something substantial for beneficiaries, they’re partially undoing damage from the early 90s. It should have happened a long time ago, and it will take a lot more than this to really undo that damage.

                • Colonial Rawshark …
                  21 May 2015 at 10:18 pm

                  Sure. But credit where credit is due. Both in terms of doing the right thing by beneficiaries, not using the excuse of a deficit to implement slash and burn austerity, and also completely trumping Labour in political positioning in this pre election campaign period.

                  • weka …
                    21 May 2015 at 11:16 pm

                    They’re not doing right by beneficiaries, that’s the point. You can admire National for some strange reason, but if Labour did this lame shit they’d be getting slammed for it and rightly so.

                    • Colonial Rawshark …
                      22 May 2015 at 10:23 am

                      Yep. And let’s not forget all the “lame shit” Labour did against beneficiaries when they were in power including the various social welfare legislation reforms, work testing, cutting the special benefit etc.

                    • weka …
                      22 May 2015 at 10:36 am

                      Don’t know what your point is.

                    • Colonial Rawshark …
                      22 May 2015 at 10:48 am

                      It’s pretty obvious my point – National have helped beneficiaries during a deficit year in a way that Labour could not bring itself to help beneficiaries after 9 long years of surpluses.

                    • Chris …
                      22 May 2015 at 12:12 pm

                      Labour are even doing it when in Opposition by supporting government attacks on the poor. Just bastards plain and simple.

            • Saarbo 10.1.1.1.1.2
              21 May 2015 at 9:52 pm

              Well if that is the case Lanth, then its typical slippery National stuff, and politically a brilliant move.

              Also, If what you are saying is correct, could it be that Labour did in fact increase benefits via accommodation/special benefits by stealth?

              • Colonial Rawshark …
                21 May 2015 at 10:21 pm

                Pretty sure previous commentators in the know about the benefit system slammed Labour for several revisions of the system which took beneficiaries backwards, not forwards.

          • Chris 10.1.1.1.2
            22 May 2015 at 12:08 pm

            And that’s just one reason I’m sick in the stomach when I hear anyone from Labour talking about welfare benefits.

    • McFlock 10.2
      21 May 2015 at 4:03 pm

      I suspect that they’ve done the crunching and figured that the increase will be offset by the benefits they will be able to cancel due to the increased hoops beneficiaries will have to jump through.

      Their ideal would be to set benefits at a living wage so they look good, but with almost nobody in need qualifying to recieve the benefit…

      • tracey 10.2.1
        21 May 2015 at 4:06 pm

        3 year olds are old enough to start learning to take personal responsibility for their lives. I mean if John Banks can… oops

      • Chris 10.2.2
        21 May 2015 at 4:35 pm

        Yes, there’s that, too. The big decrease in benefit numbers started after the last set of attacks on the poor and since then neither Bennett nor Tolley have been able to show precisely where these people have gone. Willful blindness at its worst. Leaves absolutely no way to monitor effects of policies on people.

        • Shedila 10.2.2.1
          21 May 2015 at 7:13 pm

          The single mothers have decreased quite a bit!

          • Molly 10.2.2.1.1
            21 May 2015 at 8:52 pm

            Link to source to show what you mean: ie. is the number receiving income from MSD decreased and why, or has there been a change in the actual number of single parents in NZ?

            And by the way, you probably mean “the custodial parent”. The continued use of the “single mother” term ignores the biological involvement of another adult – male – who remains the father even if not looking after or visiting his offspring. (Yes, ignoring the smaller percentage of alternate family groups and origins for the purpose of addressing “single mothers”).

      • millsy 10.2.3
        21 May 2015 at 4:42 pm

        Credit where credit is due though. An extra $25 can go a long way in a poor household. Not too keen about the work requirements, given the state of ECE in this country, but nothing that Labour cant clear up though (if they have the guts).

        It goes to show that benefit levels can be increased without the world coming to an end, though as I said before, the Waitakere men will be fuming. David Farrar is, in his good cop way.

  11. tracey 11
    21 May 2015 at 2:27 pm

    A new levy (like a tax) on those leaving NZ and returning. Residents and non residents.

    “An extra $4.7 million over four years will fund more Customs officers to screen departing passengers for threats such as terrorism and drugs.”

  12. The Real Matthew 12
    21 May 2015 at 2:32 pm

    I imagine you fulla’s on the left will be in love with this budget

    It’s the sort of Budget Helen Clarke would deliver

    • Matthew Hooton 12.1
      21 May 2015 at 2:36 pm

      It is more left wing that Norman Kirk and Wallace Rowling’s efforts.

      • Jester 12.1.1
        21 May 2015 at 2:40 pm

        So true Matthew. Next thing is we will be reading a Bill English guest post here at the Standard!

      • tracey 12.1.2
        21 May 2015 at 2:47 pm

        You’d think it and previous budgets would make ACT supporters not want to prop this government up… and yet they do… sort of (most of the ACT voters in Epsom are, of course, National supporters). ACT is a kind of Clayton’s party, don’t you think Matthew? The party you have when you don’t really have a party.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylH43Tcaj60

        • The Real Matthew 12.1.2.1
          21 May 2015 at 8:20 pm

          I must say I was surprised that David Seymour gave the budget a Standing Ovation whilst Peter Dunne didn’t. Thought it would have been the other way round.

          • tracey 12.1.2.1.1
            22 May 2015 at 8:10 am

            Yup. It seems ACT is no more than a Nat MP in disguise.

            And Peter Dunne probably couldn’t see what was in it for him 😉

    • millsy 12.2
      21 May 2015 at 2:43 pm

      Talkback would be ablaze with rednecks pissed off that thier beloved Key is giving money to poor people. All those Waitakere men pissed off that their hard earned taxes are going to support the booze habits of deadbeats will be regretting voting National…

    • tracey 12.3
      21 May 2015 at 2:45 pm

      Do you mean Helen Clark, who was a former Prime Minister of New Zealand? or someone else with a similar name?

  13. Ovid 13
    21 May 2015 at 2:44 pm

    I tried to consider what my reaction would be if a Labour government had delivered this budget.

    I’m pleased that benefit rates are increasing. I’m philosophical about the end of the Kiwisaver kickstarter if it means more help for the disadvantaged here and now. The departure and arrival tax isn’t huge and in fact is quite minor in the overall costs of international travel.

    Additional money for rail is a good thing and hopefully will relieve pressure on roads and improve commuting capacity.

    The jury’s out on using Crown lands for housing developments. I don’t think there’s enough there to address Auckland’s housing crisis.

    I object strongly to the more intense work-ready requirements for solo parents.

    If I were to grade this, I’d give it a B.

    • tracey 13.1
      21 May 2015 at 2:51 pm

      So far it should be really pissing off it’s supporters… so like you I consider some things are what I might expect from a Labour Government.

      I am reluctant to get excited about the money for rail given some of the 500 hectares to be opened up by decree in Auckland and given as a subsidy to Fletchers, includes transport land.

      • Colonial Rawshark 13.1.1
        22 May 2015 at 10:25 am

        National are good at playing politics and giving its different constituencies something. This budget is positioning for 2017, make no mistake.

    • Shedila 13.2
      21 May 2015 at 7:21 pm

      Yes, that’s hard. But since National have been in power the rate of single women having children has decreased significantly. This will surely help in further decreasing the number of children in poverty as single unemployed (or even employed) females might take more care in ensuring they do not get pregnant. Making people responsible for the consequences if their actions seems to be working rather than flinging more money at them.

      Win win for all!

      • RedBaronCV 13.2.1
        21 May 2015 at 10:40 pm

        or have they given up looking after them

      • RedBaronCV 13.2.2
        21 May 2015 at 10:43 pm

        And how do you know there are less children rather than mothers simply being unable to get the benefit. And why don’t you sledge the useless fathers who do nothing & pay nothing – they are responsible too.

      • tracey 13.2.3
        22 May 2015 at 8:12 am

        ” But since National have been in power the rate of single women having children has decreased significantly.”

        Source required. And to assist I have provided the definition of “significantly”:

        Mirriam Webster “: in a way that is large or important enough to be noticed or have an effect”

  14. tracey 14
    21 May 2015 at 2:54 pm

    “$25 a week after tax”

    Coincidentally the amount rents are going up in Auckland (where there is no housing crisis)

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/68697868/trade-me-says-rents-are-up-25-a-week

  15. Matthew Hooton 15
    21 May 2015 at 3:06 pm

    Oh dear. I think Labour is going to need a new leader, again. That was a dreadful effort, giving the rubbish the government just served up.

    • Clean_power 15.1
      21 May 2015 at 3:11 pm

      I would agree with M. Hooton: Mr Little’s performance today was well below par. What happpened to the promising Labour leader? Let us hope he had an off day.

    • millsy 15.2
      21 May 2015 at 3:17 pm

      Who would step up to the job though? Not a lot of candidates?

      Robertson? Nash? Oh god…

    • tracey 15.3
      21 May 2015 at 3:48 pm

      What did Seymour say?

    • tracey 15.4
      21 May 2015 at 4:08 pm

      Seymour must be LIVID… tax increases, rewards to beneficiaries… subsidies to Fletchers (do ACT people dislike subsidies to BIG corp sand incredibly wealthy people?) – Ive googled but can’t find is speech of outrage

  16. Puckish Rogue 16
    21 May 2015 at 3:53 pm

    Well theres another term for John Key so thats something, as for the rest well it none is really going to have too much of an effect on me so…meh

    • thatguynz 16.1
      21 May 2015 at 4:16 pm

      Well as long as you’re alright PR, that’s what matters eh..

      • Puckish Rogue 16.1.1
        21 May 2015 at 4:20 pm

        Seems all right for others as well

        •ƒRaising benefit rates for families. Benefit rates for families with children will rise by $25 a week after tax. This is the first time since 1972 that core benefit rates have been increased by more than inflation.

        Not bad for a National government, in fact any government

        •ƒIncreasing Working for Families payments. Lower-income working families not on a benefit will get up to $12.50 a week extra from Working for Families, and some very low‐income working families will get $24.50 extra.

        •ƒIncreasing Childcare Assistance. The subsidy rate for low‐income families will increase from $4
        an hour to $5 an hour for up to 50 hours of childcare a week per child.

        • millsy 16.1.1.1
          21 May 2015 at 4:43 pm

          But wont they spend all that money on booze and smokes?

        • Colonial Rawshark 16.1.1.2
          21 May 2015 at 4:48 pm

          These are good moves for Kiwis and I think National deserve kudos for these particular Budget decisions. I’ll single out Bill English as an FM who deserves particular credit for helping guide these social policies past the fiscal hawks in his caucus.

          Unlike Labour, National have decided that a technical “surplus” in the government’s book keeping is nowhere as important as helping the poor and vulnerable in our society with extra spending.

          • millsy 16.1.1.2.1
            21 May 2015 at 4:57 pm

            He did something that Cullen and Clark were prepared to die in a ditch not to.

            2 years in a row (last year was the doctors visits).

            • Colonial Rawshark 16.1.1.2.1.1
              21 May 2015 at 5:04 pm

              It’s very interesting, isn’t it.

              • tracey …
                22 May 2015 at 8:15 am

                It’s interesting because even millsy thinks they have already done the doctor’s visit change. As lprent states, they haven’t, but could ditch kiwisaver kickstart by 2pm yesterday.

                • Colonial Rawshark …
                  22 May 2015 at 10:18 am

                  Could the NATs have done much more sooner for beneficiaries and children. Sure. So could Labour. What impresses is that the NATs are willing to take these steps in a deficit year; LAB was never willing to take these steps even after years of surpluses.

                  • Tracey …
                    22 May 2015 at 10:52 am

                    Which is why I stopped voting for them…

                    It’s about time National’s cynical desire to have power at any cost had a slightly positive impact on those who suffer their policies.

            • lprent 16.1.1.2.1.2
              21 May 2015 at 6:00 pm

              …last year was the doctors visits.

              Which still hasn’t happened – starts July 1 (been listening to Brent Edwards on the way home), just as these benefit rises kick in when? Next year would be my bet. It means that they can be promised and not impact next years budget.

              • b waghorn …
                21 May 2015 at 6:06 pm

                And yet they managed to stop the kick start money for kiwi saver effective immediately.

                • lprent …
                  21 May 2015 at 7:11 pm

                  The big difference is what can be done by regulation vs requiring legislation. But many of the things that happen in budgets don’t require that.

                  But what they do require is prep time to get the code and systems in place for things going in. But they require virtually no time for things coming out where they aren’t subject to contracts. Turning off code and systems is a whole lot easier that turning it on.

                  But yes, governments to take a lot of advantage of that dichotomy

          • tracey 16.1.1.2.2
            22 May 2015 at 8:14 am

            I agree that the polling must be showing them that they actually need to do something for the people they claim they care about. This budget shows that you do not have to be in Government to have an impact.

            National have only “decided” that because they couldn’t do it and reverse some of the trends in the polling. The side-effect of that is this kind of budget, but I disagree their intent was turn their idedological back on the notion of a surplus.

    • Clean_power 16.2
      21 May 2015 at 4:28 pm

      Grant Robertson can now start his campaigning for the Labour leadership, aiming at the 2020 election.

    • millsy 16.3
      21 May 2015 at 4:36 pm

      But he gave money to poor people PR…POOR PEOPLE!! How you will sleep at night knowing that those on benefits with kids will have a bit more money?

  17. Colonial Rawshark 17
    21 May 2015 at 4:40 pm

    Let’s see what the next 2 Roy Morgans say. I think they will define the remainder of this pre-election campaign period.

    • millsy 17.1
      21 May 2015 at 4:45 pm

      Do you think Waitakere men would approve of the government increasing benefits?

      • Colonial Rawshark 17.1.1
        21 May 2015 at 4:50 pm

        Yes.

        • millsy 17.1.1.1
          21 May 2015 at 4:55 pm

          Why? It flies in the face of everything they have said on talkback over the past 15-20 years.

          • Colonial Rawshark 17.1.1.1.1
            21 May 2015 at 5:05 pm

            Oh, you mean the hundred or so mean spirited punters who inhabit talk back radio. Yeah they probably won’t like it. The average man in Waitakere will be fine with the Budget tho.

            • millsy 17.1.1.1.1.1
              21 May 2015 at 5:32 pm

              I actually thought they would do something like scrap school donations or something like that, something not too scary to the rednecks, but to blatantly go and partially reverse Ruth’s benefit cuts (which it what has effectively been done) is something else.

              • Colonial Rawshark …
                21 May 2015 at 5:44 pm

                Yeah its gobsmacking, I’m still gobsmacked. And its taken a National Govt to do it.

        • tracey 17.1.1.2
          22 May 2015 at 8:17 am

          Which ones? The Waitakere males I speak with (and I do so 3 times a week in Henderson) who are not beneficiaries are some of the most damning of beneficiaries as bludgers and no-hopers I come across.

          I accept that you are a Dunedin chap and so can’t go to Henderson weekly as I do.

  18. felix 18
    21 May 2015 at 4:54 pm

    Just heard Brownlee trying to pass off the new border security tax as a “user pays” measure. He said the cost of border security should be met by those who use it.

    FFS have you ever seen such a glaring example of idiotic right-wing thinking? If there is any public service, anything at all, that can truly be said to be “used” by everyone in the country, it’s border security.

    Fuckwits. Just absolute fuckwits.

    • Colonial Rawshark 18.1
      21 May 2015 at 5:07 pm

      Having said that, the top quintile of society do the bulk of international travelling; having them pay more for it is not bad at all.

      • millsy 18.1.1
        21 May 2015 at 5:18 pm

        If you can afford $800 for a plane ticket, $50 for travel insurance, etc you can afford $6 to leave…

      • felix 18.1.2
        21 May 2015 at 6:36 pm

        Oh I don’t give a monkey’s about the tax CV, just staggered that anyone could be so dense as to see border security as a “private good”.

        In NZ, FFS.

        • Shedila 18.1.2.1
          21 May 2015 at 7:24 pm

          Of course, nothing will ever happen in the little old land of the long white cloud!

          Until it does!

        • tracey 18.1.2.2
          22 May 2015 at 8:18 am

          border security and cyber security are a private good in the minds of this government, and the tax payers subsidises both insofar as it assists our largest businesses, their well paid management, directors and of course the shareholders.

  19. RRM 19
    21 May 2015 at 4:57 pm

    You simultaneously criticise them for not spending ENOUGH on benefit increases, AND for not getting back into surplus?

    Run that by me again? I’m confused. You can’t spend money AND save it.

    • r0b 19.1
      21 May 2015 at 5:00 pm

      Raise money – raise taxes. And the surplus is their fetish, not mine.

      • tracey 19.1.1
        22 May 2015 at 8:21 am

        It’s amazing how many supporters of the government are happy with this budget. No criticism, at all. It’s like they are all Labour voters in disguise. Or is it that they genuinely see the budget, our future, as a game and as long as the budget is seen as a “win” over the other guys it is by default a good thing?

        Matthew has obliquely criticised it by suggesting it will require Labour to change leaders. As an ACT supporter propping up this government he ought to be livid, but as long as he is winning the game….

    • One Anonymous Bloke 19.2
      21 May 2015 at 5:09 pm

      You can’t spend money AND save it.

      You can decide not to slash your own revenue because your invisible hand sky-fairy told you to.

    • lprent 19.3
      21 May 2015 at 6:07 pm

      Run that by me again? I’m confused. You can’t spend money AND save it.

      You are kidding right? Or you are a complete drooling idiot about understanding the difference between a analysis of what went on last year, compared to what shows up in the costs the year after next.

      The surplus was for last year which was a failure because BInglish announced a loss. The budget announced expenses will probably be in the expenses for the year after this coming fiscal year because they take time to go into usage. Usually a year or more.

      As an example for the your mindlessly incompetent stupidity. The doctors visits for children announced in last years budget (ie 2014 – you do remember last year right?) will not start significantly cost the government until July 1 this year (2015 right!). So those costs announced last year are only going into the coming year and will come out in the BInglish’s deficit report next year (ie that is May 2016 if you are having finger problems).

      So lazy troll, which part of your stupidity do you now not understand?

      But don’t hesitate to ask. I’m happy to help….. 😈

      • tracey 19.3.1
        22 May 2015 at 8:22 am

        And those who call supporters of this government stupid or unintelligent get lambasted and yet, as you have pointed out, some who are praising their Government’s management don’t actually unnderstand the figures they are reading.

  20. Michael 20
    21 May 2015 at 5:09 pm

    Increasing core benefit rates for the first time in nearly half a century makes “Labour” look increasingly illegitimate. I know the increases are inadequate and do not extend to far too many people (to say nothing of working testing sole parents of three year olds), but it’s better than anything Labour did (or promised to do) after 1984.

    • Mike the Savage One 20.1
      21 May 2015 at 5:57 pm

      Michael, please read my comment below, it is more perception that reality, what National promises.

    • Descendant Of Sssmith 20.2
      21 May 2015 at 6:16 pm

      Ha ha ha ha National running deficits increases benefit rates when Labour couldn’t bring themselves to do it while running surpluses. It’s not even part of Labour policy and nor was it at the last two elections.

      Kudos to Greens and Mana who did have it as part of their policy.

      That’s a big EFF YOU to Labour.

      Yeah it should happen now not 2016, yeah it should apply to all beneficiaries, no there shouldn’t be any increased obligations but Labour is left looking completely inept by such an announcement.

      Not only will this put more money it people’s pockets it will put more money into regional economies.

      Local shopkeepers should be happy as well.

      • Colonial Rawshark 20.2.1
        21 May 2015 at 6:46 pm

        Ha ha ha ha National running deficits increases benefit rates when Labour couldn’t bring themselves to do it while running surpluses. It’s not even part of Labour policy and nor was it at the last two elections.

        THIS

        Labour caught flat footed. English and Key hit a bullseye with this, and with centrist Kiwi voters. As I said elsewhere the next 2 Roy Morgans will define the rest of the pre-campaign period.

      • tracey 20.2.2
        22 May 2015 at 8:26 am

        Which is why it is wrong for people who visit this site to assume all commenters/authors vote Labour.

        I also accept that any such shift by National is probably due to the polling they have been getting (how much DO they spend?) and the polls are affected by public opinion.

        Labour has been churning out petition after petition on issues that many here consider important. Responses to the axing of CL also saw an increase in support for that show and by extension what it cares/focus about/on. ALL of those things, and more, have, imo, impacted the decisions made in this budget.

        So, we need to keep doing that stuff. Keep shouting about what matters to us and those around us. You do not have to be in Government to effect change (Greens = insulation). You have to be in Government to make the change faster (if LP wants anything faster) or to take credit for the change.

  21. mickysavage 21
    21 May 2015 at 5:23 pm

    There is a catch to the increased benefit payments., It abates if there are any other payments including the accommodation supplement …

    • One Anonymous Bloke 21.1
      21 May 2015 at 5:26 pm

      Shuffling money and calling it an increase.

      What a cunning plan 🙄

      We need better wingnuts.

    • Colonial Rawshark 21.2
      21 May 2015 at 5:48 pm

      There is a catch to the increased benefit payments., It abates if there are any other payments including the accommodation supplement …

      What English appears to have done in that case is lift the floor $25/wk or so higher for those on the very lowest level of benefit entitlements – including those beneficiaries who have been denied things like the accomodation supplement.

      • tracey 21.2.1
        22 May 2015 at 8:27 am

        for those on the very lowest level of benefit entitlements who have children

        FIFY

        • Colonial Rawshark 21.2.1.1
          22 May 2015 at 10:21 am

          Labour is the same. Treating ordinary working people with children as being special and deserving of lower tax rates than all other working people.

    • weka 21.3
      21 May 2015 at 6:47 pm

      Do u have a link to that bit Micky?

      • joe90 21.3.2
        21 May 2015 at 7:46 pm

        shitty bits tucked away

        As usual, however, the devil was tucked away in the detail. Although many low income families will benefit from the increases to Working for families tax credits (“WFTC”) from 1 April 2016 the sting in the tail is an 5.9% increase in abatement rates from 21.25 cents to 22.5 cents in the dollar.

        From 1 April 2016 WFTC will reduce by 22.5 cents for each dollar earned over $36,500 of gross income (a term which has itself been widely expanded in recent years). What this means is for families receiving WFTC their effective marginal tax rate (“EMTR”) will increase by a combination of tax and abatements.

        For a small group of about 4,000 families on low income their EMTR is 100% that is every extra dollar they earn will be lost in tax and abatements of WFTC and other benefits such as accommodation supplement. Until the interaction between the tax and social spending systems are overhauled this intractable problem will remain.

        http://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/75612/terry-baucher-finds-few-surprises-budget-2015-around-working-families-tax-credits

  22. SMILIN 22
    21 May 2015 at 5:31 pm

    Strange thing I got a bee in my bonnet about financial scams at the time the Budget was being read while I was working on fixing my planer
    now I will be able to adjust the table to an accurate measurement
    I sure it will be more accurate when it cuts wood to the right size consistently with out any humps and hollows unlike the budget which is inaccurate because of its tables
    Bill is a scammer

  23. Mike the Savage One 23
    21 May 2015 at 5:50 pm

    One thing stands out like a damned thick sore thumb, when it comes to this budget, why did Andrew Little no pick up on it, nor many others?

    So here we have English promise the “first benefit rise” for 30 or 40 years, as it was widely propagated, and the MSM, even Little and “Little Labour” sucked it up, possibly not having had anybody crush the numbers.

    The truth is, there will hardly be any extra money spent on beneficiaries, rather the opposite, given strict criteria for entitlement and other small print!

    So that supposed “increase” for sole parents is to be effective from 01 April next year, but the NEW criteria for sole parent beneficiaries to seek work once the youngest child is only 3 (rather than 5 so far), same as a minimum part time work expectation for working at least 20 hours a week, are taking effect RIGHT NOW!?

    Correct me if I am wrong, but that is what I heard Bill English say in his speech. Never mind the propaganda mad-hat Prime Minister, who lashed out at Andrew Little, once again, look at the damned facts, and let MSM and others not distract from it.

    I also just listened to Radio NZ National and Checkpoint, and an interview there raised these and other questions:

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201755317/bill-english-explains-benefict-increase-of-25-dollars-a-week

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201755318/not-much-for-poor-in-budget-family-centre-boss

    Bill English is BACK TRACKING faster than a lightning bolt, and welfare front line professionals discredit the government’s bold claims of supposed “benefit increases”. With the regime we have, where a few dollars a week extra will lead to abatement in other components of benefits, there will be damned few that will actually get ANYTHING extra at all.

    Here we have more smoke and mirrors, more lies and deception, and most on benefits, certainly also sole parent beneficiaries, are going to be WORSE off, not better, as the lying government tells us.

    Spin, spin, lies and deceit, smoke and mirrors is the agenda, they are liars and corrupt operators, it could never have been more obvious.

    Shame on so many in the amateur MSM to not pick this up, and to rather fall for all the shine and gloss on a corrupt, rotten budget, that will not do much at all, if anything, to alleviate poverty, for kids or adults!

    • mickysavage 23.1
      21 May 2015 at 5:55 pm

      There is always a delay. The opposition gets little notice of what the budget contains and it always takes time for the implications to be understood.

      • Mike the Savage One 23.1.1
        21 May 2015 at 5:58 pm

        I understand, but they have ample ammo to hit back now, and I hope they will.

    • Descendant Of Sssmith 23.2
      21 May 2015 at 6:27 pm

      I think peoples initial reactions about abatement likely ignore the fact that many people have limits on the assistance they are paid to regional cut-out points.

      This was a common mis-understanding when I was doing advocacy work even amongst some, at the time, Income Support, staff.

      For many people their high costs will mean they will still receive the maximum payable.

      The higher your costs the less likely you are to be abated.

      Still Labour aren’t known for their mathematical nous or understanding of the systems they hope to run if they ever get back into power eg Cunliffe announcing he would remove secondary tax and save people money. Muppets.

      • Colonial Rawshark 23.2.1
        21 May 2015 at 6:32 pm

        For many people their high costs will mean they will still receive the maximum payable.

        The higher your costs the less likely you are to be abated.

        Does that mean that beneficiaries in a high cost city like Auckland or Tauranga will tend to benefit from this extra money?

        • Descendant Of Sssmith 23.2.1.1
          21 May 2015 at 6:40 pm

          Depends if you look at the website for WINZ for accommodation supplement you’ll see the maximums payable for both that and other assistance.
          Somewhere will also be how to calculate the amount people can get.

          I’m going out so don’t have time to look it up and do some calculations but someone else might care to. Maybe someone from the Labour Party so they can get on top of how it actually works.

        • Mike the Savage One 23.2.1.2
          21 May 2015 at 6:51 pm

          This may answer your question:

          http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201755318/not-much-for-poor-in-budget-family-centre-boss

          In fact, I have a lot of experience with abatement regimes, been on benefit, once disability allowance went up a few dollars, next review I got kicked down again, with special benefit (lucky to still have it) or others on TAS being cut back. In the end most, even annual increases due to “inflation adjustments”, that get a few dollars more, get kicked back down the ladder, so no gain at all.

          The wider public do not understand the benefit system, and all the problems with it, so when the news on MSM report this kind of stuff, most people (wrongfully) think, hey, again the benes get “special perks”, which is rubbish.

          This is what Nats and Key know, and they are experts in misleading the public and their perception.

          Had Labour stuck to the gun in the past, and stuck to principles, and not gone to try and “win” the “middle ground” that anyway now vote Nats, we might have the million non voters slowly wake up and think about talking to Labour.

          Hunting the same ground of selfish middle class, self employed and otherwise better to do voters, that is a lost cause for Labour. I cannot believe they still want to gain in that territory, although the socially minded in those classes will always rather vote Labour or Greens anyway, out of principle.

          It is time for a huge rethink, within Labour, I dare to say again.

          • Colonial Rawshark 23.2.1.2.1
            21 May 2015 at 7:02 pm

            Hunting the same ground of selfish middle class, self employed and otherwise better to do voters, that is a lost cause for Labour. I cannot believe they still want to gain in that territory, although the socially minded in those classes will always rather vote Labour or Greens anyway, out of principle.

            Labour like appealing to the middle and upper middle class because that’s where the current Labour hierarchy and decision makers hail from.

            • Mike the Savage One 23.2.1.2.1.1
              21 May 2015 at 7:14 pm

              Time to change the “decision makers” then, and bring that back to ground level, workers and representatives of workers, and disowned workers, forced to act and work as “contractors”, perhaps.

              • Colonial Rawshark …
                21 May 2015 at 7:19 pm

                Indeed. Labour Parties worldwide entered the age of the “professional middle class politician” in the 80s and 90s. And that’s who they keep recruiting and self perpetuating.

        • tracey 23.2.1.3
          22 May 2015 at 8:29 am

          beneficiaries with children… and they must start going back to work when their youngest is 3.

    • Shedila 23.3
      21 May 2015 at 7:27 pm

      Mike, the savage one – Because he is a bit slow?

    • tracey 23.4
      22 May 2015 at 8:28 am

      Even on this site some of us have jumped to quick conclusions about the largesse.

  24. finbar 24
    21 May 2015 at 7:24 pm

    Cuts deep this comment,but has to be said.Our present corporation with its control is giving gifts with inclusions,$25 Per week extra for those disenfranchised solo parents,with a governing rider when your child reaches three years of age your D.P.B. ceases and you are required to seek employment at the rate of welfare support as a job seekers rate of entitlement.

    Seen the new Backbench show last night,talking all sorts about homes and their scarcity of affordable rent and chance ownership.Labours front man the chancing face of the future Mr whats his name,was asked about what homes does he own,he smart and supposed onto it said,i don!t own a home the bank manager does,cleaver answer until the questioner said what about the Apartment block you own.No reply did he have for that,and in serious care for the Labour understanding what hope us with his ilk in our ranks of representatives.

    • Colonial Rawshark 24.1
      21 May 2015 at 7:29 pm

      Mr whats his name,was asked about what homes does he own,he smart and supposed onto it said,i don!t own a home the bank manager does,cleaver answer until the questioner said what about the Apartment block you own.

      ouch

    • tracey 24.2
      22 May 2015 at 8:31 am

      yes and you watch the media let Nats perpetuate the notion all beneficiaries got a $25pw increase, without question

  25. Mike the Savage One 25
    21 May 2015 at 7:31 pm

    I do not wish to upset some dedicated activists and supporters here, but given the social and economic system and situation we have, I have come across some rather worrying developments. I know of persons who are so disillusioned with this society, with the whole system, they have seriously made inquiries re and with Islamic State. That is ISIS, and it scares me, what needs to happen next, with a society where the elite push things to extremes such as under Key and his government. It is certainly a sign of fear that they dared to even think of raising benefits, albeit under tight conditions, and while cutting back on entitlements for others. This government is hell scared, same as some others in the western democracies, as their neoliberal system is proved to be redundant and corrupt.

  26. Lanthanide 26
    21 May 2015 at 8:43 pm

    My sister and her newborn signed up for Kiwisaver yesterday. Lucky them.

    • tracey 26.1
      22 May 2015 at 8:32 am

      Yup, we live in a society where to get ahead you really need luck… and the richer your parents are, the luckier you get.

  27. Skinny 27
    21 May 2015 at 9:12 pm

    Let’s face the facts this budget was written by Crosby Textor.

  28. RedBaronCV 28
    21 May 2015 at 10:49 pm

    And I think they now susidise childcare at $5 per hour for up to 50 hours a week. FFS why should small children be in care that much of the week. Surely that money could be handed out elsewhere.That would be a hell of a lot longer than most MP working weeks.

  29. RedBaronCV 29
    21 May 2015 at 10:58 pm

    And the cops. The 22% decrease in crime (if it exists) hasn’t cut their budget by $280 million.They get a $50m increase must be expensive policing those NAct party functions. Or there will be fewer cops on higher salaries ready to do the NAct bidding.

    And the emissions trading costs have gone through the roof – S46m to $114m – time to get carbon serious that’s a big chunk of change

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    113 articles in 48 journals by 674 contributing authors Physical science of climate change, effects Diversity of Lagged Relationships in Global Means of Surface Temperatures and Radiative Budgets for CMIP6 piControl Simulations, Tsuchida et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-23-0045.1 Do abrupt cryosphere events in High Mountain Asia indicate earlier tipping ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Phone calls at Kia Kaha primary
    It is quiet reading time in Room 13! It is so quiet you can hear the Tui outside. It is so quiet you can hear the Fulton Hogan crew.It is so quiet you can hear old Mr Grant and old Mr Bradbury standing by the roadworks and counting the conesand going on ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • A question of confidence is raised by the Minister of Police, but he had to be questioned by RNZ to ...
    It looks like the new ministerial press secretaries have quickly learned the art of camouflaging exactly what their ministers are saying – or, at least, of keeping the hard news  out of the headlines and/or the opening sentences of the statements they post on the home page of the governments ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Xmas  good  cheer  for the dairy industry  as Fonterra lifts its forecast
    The big dairy co-op Fonterra  had  some Christmas  cheer to offer  its farmers this week, increasing its forecast farmgate milk price and earnings guidance for  the year after what it calls a strong start to the year. The forecast  midpoint for the 2023/24 season is up 25cs to $7.50 per ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • MICHAEL BASSETT: Modern Maori myths
    Michael Bassett writes – Many of the comments about the Coalition’s determination to wind back the dramatic Maorification of New Zealand of the last three years would have you believe the new government is engaged in a full-scale attack on Maori. In reality, all that is happening ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Dreams of eternal sunshine at a spotless COP28
    Mary Robinson asked Al Jaber a series of very simple, direct and highly pertinent questions and he responded with a high-octane public meltdown. Photos: Getty Images / montage: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR The hygiene effects of direct sunshine are making some inroads, perhaps for the very first time, on the normalised ‘deficit ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Oh, the irony
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Appointed by new Labour PM Jacinda Ardern in 2018, Cindy Kiro headed the Welfare Expert Advisory Group (WEAG) tasked with reviewing and recommending reforms to the welfare system. Kiro had been Children’s Commissioner during Helen Clark’s Labour government but returned to academia subsequently. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Transport Agencies don’t want Harbour Tunnels
    It seems even our transport agencies don’t want Labour’s harbour crossing plans. In August the previous government and Waka Kotahi announced their absurd preferred option the new harbour crossing that at the time was estimated to cost $35-45 billion. It included both road tunnels and a wiggly light rail tunnel ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    2 days ago

  • Webworm Presents: Jurassic Park on 35mm
    Hi,Paying Webworm members such as yourself keep this thing running, so as 2023 draws to close, I wanted to do two things to say a giant, loud “THANKS”. Firstly — I’m giving away 10 Mister Organ blu-rays in New Zealand, and another 10 in America. More details down below.Secondly — ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • The Prime Minister's Dream.
    Yesterday saw the State Opening of Parliament, the Speech from the Throne, and then Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s dream for Aotearoa in his first address. But first the pomp and ceremony, the arrival of the Governor General.Dame Cindy Kiro arrived on the forecourt outside of parliament to a Māori welcome. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • National’s new MP; the proud part-Maori boy raised in a state house
    Probably not since 1975 have we seen a government take office up against such a wall of protest and complaint. That was highlighted yesterday, the day that the new Parliament was sworn in, with news that King Tuheitia has called a national hui for late January to develop a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Climate Adam: Battlefield Earth – How War Fuels Climate Catastrophe
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). War, conflict and climate change are tearing apart lives across the world. But these aren't separate harms - they're intricately connected. ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • They do not speak for us, and they do not speak for the future
    These dire woeful and intolerant people have been so determinedly going about their small and petulant business, it’s hard to keep up. At the end of the new government’s first woeful week, Audrey Young took the time to count off its various acts of denigration of Te Ao Māori:Review the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Another attack on te reo
    The new white supremacist government made attacking te reo a key part of its platform, promising to rename government agencies and force them to "communicate primarily in English" (which they already do). But today they've gone further, by trying to cut the pay of public servants who speak te reo: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • For the record, the Beehive buzz can now be regarded as “official”
    Buzz from the Beehive The biggest buzz we bring you from the Beehive today is that the government’s official website is up and going after being out of action for more than a week. The latest press statement came  from  Education Minister  Eric Stanford, who seized on the 2022 PISA ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Failed again
    There was another ETS auction this morning. and like all the other ones this year, it failed to clear - meaning that 23 million tons of carbon (15 million ordinary units plus 8 million in the cost containment reserve) went up in smoke. Or rather, they didn't. Being unsold at ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On The Government’s Assault On Maori
    This isn’t news, but the National-led coalition is mounting a sustained assault on Treaty rights and obligations. Even so, Christopher Luxon has described yesterday’s nationwide protests by Maori as “pretty unfair.” Poor thing. In the NZ Herald, Audrey Young has compiled a useful list of the many, many ways that ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Rising costs hit farmers hard, but  there’s more  positive news  for  them this  week 
    New Zealand’s dairy industry, the mainstay of the country’s export trade, has  been under  pressure  from rising  costs. Down on the  farm, this  has  been  hitting  hard. But there  was more positive news this week,  first   from the latest Fonterra GDT auction where  prices  rose,  and  then from  a  report ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago

  • ROB MacCULLOCH:  Newshub and NZ Herald report misleading garbage about ACT’s van Veldon not follo...
    Rob MacCulloch writes –  In their rush to discredit the new government (which our MainStream Media regard as illegitimate and having no right to enact the democratic will of voters) the NZ Herald and Newshub are arguing ACT’s Deputy Leader Brooke van Veldon is not following Treasury advice ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Top 10 for Wednesday, December 6
    Even many young people who smoke support smokefree policies, fitting in with previous research showing the large majority of people who smoke regret starting and most want to quit. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere on the morning of Wednesday, December ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Eleven years of work.
    Well it didn’t take six months, but the leaks have begun. Yes the good ship Coalition has inadvertently released a confidential cabinet paper into the public domain, discussing their axing of Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs).Oops.Just when you were admiring how smoothly things were going for the new government, they’ve had ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Why we're missing out on sharply lower inflation
    A wave of new and higher fees, rates and charges will ripple out over the economy in the next 18 months as mayors, councillors, heads of department and price-setters for utilities such as gas, electricity, water and parking ramp up charges. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Just when most ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • How Did We Get Here?
    Hi,Kiwis — keep the evening of December 22nd free. I have a meetup planned, and will send out an invite over the next day or so. This sounds sort of crazy to write, but today will be Tony Stamp’s final Totally Normal column of 2023. Somehow we’ve made it to ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago

  • At a glance – Has the greenhouse effect been falsified?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • New Zealaders  have  high expectations of  new  government:  now let’s see if it can deliver?
    The electorate has high expectations of the  new  government.  The question is: can  it  deliver?    Some  might  say  the  signs are not  promising. Protestors   are  already marching in the streets. The  new  Prime Minister has had  little experience of managing  very diverse politicians  in coalition. The economy he  ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • You won't believe some of the numbers you have to pull when you're a Finance Minister
    Nicola of Marsden:Yo, normies! We will fix your cost of living worries by giving you a tax cut of 150 dollars. 150! Cash money! Vote National.Various people who can read and count:Actually that's 150 over a fortnight. Not a week, which is how you usually express these things.And actually, it looks ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Pushback
    When this government came to power, it did so on an explicitly white supremacist platform. Undermining the Waitangi Tribunal, removing Māori representation in local government, over-riding the courts which had tried to make their foreshore and seabed legislation work, eradicating te reo from public life, and ultimately trying to repudiate ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Defence ministerial meeting meant Collins missed the Maori Party’s mischief-making capers in Parli...
    Buzz from the Beehive Maybe this is not the best time for our Minister of Defence to have gone overseas. Not when the Maori Party is inviting (or should that be inciting?) its followers to join a revolution in a post which promoted its protest plans with a picture of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Threats of war have been followed by an invitation to join the revolution – now let’s see how th...
     A Maori Party post on Instagram invited party followers to ….  Tangata Whenua, Tangata Tiriti, Join the REVOLUTION! & make a stand!  Nationwide Action Day, All details in tiles swipe to see locations.  • This is our 1st hit out and tomorrow Tuesday the 5th is the opening ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Top 10 for Tuesday, December 4
    The RBNZ governor is citing high net migration and profit-led inflation as factors in the bank’s hawkish stance. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere on the morning of Tuesday, December 5, including:Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr says high net migration and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Nicola Willis' 'show me the money' moment
    Willis has accused labour of “economic vandalism’, while Robertson described her comments as a “desperate diversion from somebody who can't make their tax package add up”. There will now be an intense focus on December 20 to see whether her hyperbole is backed up by true surprises. Photo montage: Lynn ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • CRL costs money but also provides huge benefits
    The City Rail Link has been in the headlines a bit recently so I thought I’d look at some of them. First up, yesterday the NZ Herald ran this piece about the ongoing costs of the CRL. Auckland ratepayers will be saddled with an estimated bill of $220 million each ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • And I don't want the world to see us.
    Is this the most shambolic government in the history of New Zealand? Given that parliament hasn’t even opened they’ve managed quite a list of achievements to date.The Smokefree debacle trading lives for tax cuts, the Trumpian claims of bribery in the Media, an International award for indifference, and today the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Cooking the books
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis late yesterday stopped only slightly short of accusing her predecessor Grant Robertson of cooking the books. She complained that the Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU), due to be made public on December 20, would show “fiscal cliffs” that would amount to “billions of ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • Most people don’t realize how much progress we’ve made on climate change
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The year was 2015. ‘Uptown Funk’ with Bruno Mars was at the top of the music charts. Jurassic World was the most popular new movie in theaters. And decades of futility in international climate negotiations was about to come to an end in ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Of Parliamentary Oaths and Clive Boonham
    As a heads-up, I am not one of those people who stay awake at night thinking about weird Culture War nonsense. At least so far as the current Maori/Constitutional arrangements go. In fact, I actually consider it the least important issue facing the day to day lives of New ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago

  • Bearing True Allegiance?
    Strong Words: “We do not consent, we do not surrender, we do not cede, we do not submit; we, the indigenous, are rising. We do not buy into the colonial fictions this House is built upon. Te Pāti Māori pledges allegiance to our mokopuna, our whenua, and Te Tiriti o ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • You cannot be serious
    Some days it feels like the only thing to say is: Seriously? No, really. Seriously?OneSomeone has used their health department access to share data about vaccinations and patients, and inform the world that New Zealanders have been dying in their hundreds of thousands from the evil vaccine. This of course is pure ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • A promise kept: govt pulls the plug on Lake Onslow scheme – but this saving of $16bn is denounced...
    Buzz from the Beehive After $21.8 million was spent on investigations, the plug has been pulled on the Lake Onslow pumped-hydro electricity scheme, The scheme –  that technically could have solved New Zealand’s looming energy shortage, according to its champions – was a key part of the defeated Labour government’s ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER: The Maori Party and Oath of Allegiance
    If those elected to the Māori Seats refuse to take them, then what possible reason could the country have for retaining them?   Chris Trotter writes – Christmas is fast approaching, which, as it does every year, means gearing up for an abstruse general knowledge question. “Who was ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON:  Forward to 2017
    The coalition party agreements are mainly about returning to 2017 when National lost power. They show commonalities but also some serious divergencies. Brian Easton writes – The two coalition agreements – one National and ACT, the other National and New Zealand First – are more than policy documents. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Climate Change: Fossils
    When the new government promised to allow new offshore oil and gas exploration, they were warned that there would be international criticism and reputational damage. Naturally, they arrogantly denied any possibility that that would happen. And then they finally turned up at COP, to criticism from Palau, and a "fossil ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • GEOFFREY MILLER:  NZ’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    Geoffrey Miller writes – New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the government’s smokefree laws debacle
    The most charitable explanation for National’s behaviour over the smokefree legislation is that they have dutifully fulfilled the wishes of the Big Tobacco lobby and then cast around – incompetently, as it turns out – for excuses that might sell this health policy U-turn to the public. The less charitable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Top 10 links at 10 am for Monday, December 4
    As Deb Te Kawa writes in an op-ed, the new Government seems to have immediately bought itself fights with just about everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Monday December 4, including:Palau’s President ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Be Honest.
    Let’s begin today by thinking about job interviews.During my career in Software Development I must have interviewed hundreds of people, hired at least a hundred, but few stick in the memory.I remember one guy who was so laid back he was practically horizontal, leaning back in his chair until his ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he left off. Peters sought to align ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    6 days ago

  • Auckland rail tunnel the world’s most expensive
    Auckland’s city rail link is the most expensive rail project in the world per km, and the CRL boss has described the cost of infrastructure construction in Aotearoa as a crisis. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The 3.5 km City Rail Link (CRL) tunnel under Auckland’s CBD has cost ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • First big test coming
    The first big test of the new Government’s approach to Treaty matters is likely to be seen in the return of the Resource Management Act. RMA Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed that he intends to introduce legislation to repeal Labour’s recently passed Natural and Built Environments Act and its ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume III
    Time to revisit something I haven’t covered in a while: the D&D campaign, with Saqua the aquatic half-vampire. Last seen in July: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2023/07/27/the-song-of-saqua-volume-ii/ The delay is understandable, once one realises that the interim saw our DM come down with a life-threatening medical situation. They have since survived to make ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago

  • Chris Bishop: Smokin’
    Yes. Correct. It was an election result. And now we are the elected government. ...
    My ThinksBy boonman
    6 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #48
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 26, 2023 thru Dec 2, 2023. Story of the Week CO2 readings from Mauna Loa show failure to combat climate change Daily atmospheric carbon dioxide data from Hawaiian volcano more ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Affirmative Action.
    Affirmative Action was a key theme at this election, although I don’t recall anyone using those particular words during the campaign.They’re positive words, and the way the topic was talked about was anything but. It certainly wasn’t a campaign of saying that Affirmative Action was a good thing, but that, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • 100 days of something
    It was at the end of the Foxton straights, at the end of 1978, at 100km/h, that someone tried to grab me from behind on my Yamaha.They seemed to be yanking my backpack. My first thought was outrage. My second was: but how? Where have they come from? And my ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • Look who’s stepped up to champion Winston
    There’s no news to be gleaned from the government’s official website today  – it contains nothing more than the message about the site being under maintenance. The time this maintenance job is taking and the costs being incurred have us musing on the government’s commitment to an assault on inflation. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • What's The Story?
    Don’t you sometimes wish they’d just tell the truth? No matter how abhorrent or ugly, just straight up tell us the truth?C’mon guys, what you’re doing is bad enough anyway, pretending you’re not is only adding insult to injury.Instead of all this bollocks about the Smokefree changes being to do ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • The longest of weeks
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Friday Under New Management Week in review, quiz style1. Which of these best describes Aotearoa?a. Progressive nation, proud of its egalitarian spirit and belief in a fair go b. Best little country on the planet c. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Suggested sessions of EGU24 to submit abstracts to
    Like earlier this year, members from our team will be involved with next year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU). The conference will take place on premise in Vienna as well as online from April 14 to 19, 2024. The session catalog has been available since November 1 ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Under New Management
    1. Which of these best describes Aotearoa?a. Progressive nation, proud of its egalitarian spirit and belief in a fair go b. Best little country on the planet c. Under New Management 2. Which of these best describes the 100 days of action announced this week by the new government?a. Petulantb. Simplistic and wrongheaded c. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • While we wait patiently, our new Minister of Education is up and going with a 100-day action plan
    Sorry to say, the government’s official website is still out of action. When Point of Order paid its daily visit, the message was the same as it has been for the past week: Site under maintenance Beehive.govt.nz is currently under maintenance. We will be back shortly. Thank you for your ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • DAVID FARRAR: Hysterical bullshit
    Radio NZ reports: Te Pāti Māori’s co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has accused the new government of “deliberate .. systemic genocide” over its policies to roll back the smokefree policy and the Māori Health Authority. The left love hysterical language. If you oppose racial quotas in laws, you are a racist. And now if you sack ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Ministers visit Hawke’s Bay to grasp recovery needs
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Cyclone Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, to meet leaders of cyclone and flood-affected regions in the Hawke’s Bay. The visit reinforced the coalition Government’s commitment to support the region and better understand its ongoing requirements, Mr Mitchell says.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand condemns malicious cyber activity
    New Zealand has joined the UK and other partners in condemning malicious cyber activity conducted by the Russian Government, Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau Judith Collins says. The statement follows the UK’s attribution today of malicious cyber activity impacting its domestic democratic institutions and processes, as well ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Disestablishment of Te Pūkenga begins
    The Government has begun the process of disestablishing Te Pūkenga as part of its 100-day plan, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds says.  “I have started putting that plan into action and have met with the chair and chief Executive of Te Pūkenga to advise them of my ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change Minister to attend COP28 in Dubai
    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will be leaving for Dubai today to attend COP28, the 28th annual UN climate summit, this week. Simon Watts says he will push for accelerated action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, deliver New Zealand’s national statement and connect with partner countries, private sector leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand to host 2024 Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins yesterday announced New Zealand will host next year’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM). “Having just returned from this year’s meeting in Nouméa, I witnessed first-hand the value of meeting with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security and defence matters. I welcome the opportunity to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Study shows need to remove distractions in class
    The Government is committed to lifting school achievement in the basics and that starts with removing distractions so young people can focus on their learning, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.   The 2022 PISA results released this week found that Kiwi kids ranked 5th in the world for being distracted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Minister sets expectations of Commissioner
    Today I met with Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to set out my expectations, which he has agreed to, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. Under section 16(1) of the Policing Act 2008, the Minister can expect the Police Commissioner to deliver on the Government’s direction and priorities, as now outlined in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New Zealand needs a strong and stable ETS
    New Zealand needs a strong and stable Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) that is well placed for the future, after emission units failed to sell for the fourth and final auction of the year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  At today’s auction, 15 million New Zealand units (NZUs) – each ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PISA results show urgent need to teach the basics
    With 2022 PISA results showing a decline in achievement, Education Minister Erica Stanford is confident that the Coalition Government’s 100-day plan for education will improve outcomes for Kiwi kids.  The 2022 PISA results show a significant decline in the performance of 15-year-old students in maths compared to 2018 and confirms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Collins leaves for Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today departed for New Caledonia to attend the 8th annual South Pacific Defence Ministers’ meeting (SPDMM). “This meeting is an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security matters and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Pacific,” Judith Collins says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Working for Families gets cost of living boost
    Putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families is a priority of this Coalition Government, starting with an increase to Working for Families, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “We are starting our 100-day plan with a laser focus on bringing down the cost of living, because that is what ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Post-Cabinet press conference
    Most weeks, following Cabinet, the Prime Minister holds a press conference for members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery. This page contains the transcripts from those press conferences, which are supplied by Hansard to the Office of the Prime Minister. It is important to note that the transcripts have not been edited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme scrapped
    The Government has axed the $16 billion Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme championed by the previous government, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. “This hugely wasteful project was pouring money down the drain at a time when we need to be reining in spending and focussing on rebuilding the economy and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • NZ welcomes further pause in fighting in Gaza
    New Zealand welcomes the further one-day extension of the pause in fighting, which will allow the delivery of more urgently-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of more hostages, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. “The human cost of the conflict is horrific, and New Zealand wants to see the violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Condolences on passing of Henry Kissinger
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today expressed on behalf of the New Zealand Government his condolences to the family of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who has passed away at the age of 100 at his home in Connecticut. “While opinions on his legacy are varied, Secretary Kissinger was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Backing our kids to learn the basics
    Every child deserves a world-leading education, and the Coalition Government is making that a priority as part of its 100-day plan. Education Minister Erica Stanford says that will start with banning cellphone use at school and ensuring all primary students spend one hour on reading, writing, and maths each day. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • US Business Summit Speech – Regional stability through trade
    I would like to begin by echoing the Prime Minister’s thanks to the organisers of this Summit, Fran O’Sullivan and the Auckland Business Chamber.  I want to also acknowledge the many leading exporters, sector representatives, diplomats, and other leaders we have joining us in the room. In particular, I would like ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Keynote Address to the United States Business Summit, Auckland
    Good morning. Thank you, Rosemary, for your warm introduction, and to Fran and Simon for this opportunity to make some brief comments about New Zealand’s relationship with the United States.  This is also a chance to acknowledge my colleague, Minister for Trade Todd McClay, Ambassador Tom Udall, Secretary of Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • India New Zealand Business Council Speech, India as a Strategic Priority
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