Can We Prepare for 2023?
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7:48 am, November 20th, 2022 - 69 comments
Categories: Deep stuff, economy, kiwisaver, tourism, wages, workers' rights -
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2023 is going to hit New Zealanders hard.
Since the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes New Zealand has been beset by a new major crisis about once every two years. 2022 was our year off and get ready we are in for a strange and hard recession. It won’t likely be one in the usual form definition of two successive quarters of negative GDP growth, or even in a massive surge in unemployment. No, it will be in the price of everything.
Our Reserve Bank is set to deliver an unprecedented .75 raise in the base interest rate.
That is on top of the rises already pushing through into mortgages, rents, and everything else.
The United Kingdom government fresh into power has hiked tax rates and its public are facing an exceedingly fast corrosion of their spending power as inflation accelerates.
Central banks in Australia, United States, Europe and many others have also raised their base rates fast.
Deusche Bank has also forecast that Australia will enter recession next year.
This is an alarm bell for serious economic turbulence that New Zealand will not be able to shelter from. Deusche Bank’s analysis says that “We expect Australia’s unemployment rate to end 2023 at 4.5%, that is, one percentage point higher than the current unemployment rate at 3.5%.”
That diverges sharply from the Australian Reserve Bank’s forecast of 3.7% for end 2023.
Here is the first problem. When central bankers work this hard to slow the economy down, they often end up tipping into outright reverse.
The really bright stars on the New Zealand horizon are several. Our neighbour Indonesia is doing extremely well selling coal to the world and of course to power New Zealand.
The United States economy grew faster in the July-September quarter though we don’t yet know how bad the tech implosion in California will be. The United States economy, by some measure still the largest and most dynamic, is doing fine.
The other good news is that the entities this government taxes to make the money to redistribute to citizens in the form of subsidies and services, well they are fine. Employment is up. Bank profits are up. Energy company profits are up. Agricultural profits are up. Tourism related companies are up. Over the past three years New Zealand has relied more and more on its government to redistribute this awesome windfall tax income to keep people fed, employed, and otherwise functioning as a society. Minister Robertson is one of the safest pairs of hands in the world, and will continue to be so. There is no one in National or Act that gets close to understanding the scale of 2023’s impact.
The other good news is you can’t get a rental vehicle in Queenstown or Christchurch, all the flights are full, and there’s barely a bed to spare. Tourism is back. New Zealand’s core economic constraint is not enough workers, and that is our powerful protection against 2023’s global recession.
And now for the darkness. Which is pretty dark.
New Zealand’s primary private investment is in domestic real estate, and its average value has tanked 20% and continues to fall in the worst downhill roll since the 1990s and can’t yet see a floor to it. That’s most of our nest eggs, if one if fortunate enough to own one.
New Zealand’s savings in the form of Kiwisaver are tanking. Official advice on Sorted is “everyone keep calm, carry on with your long term investing.”
This year NZSuperFund lost $3.3 billion.
Our ACC fund lost a record $4.5 billion.
ACC suffers record $4.5 billion fall in the value of its investments | Stuff.co.nz
So there’s not a lot of calm evident in international share markets and not much “everyone keep calm” justified.
China’s economy is rapidly decelerating. Though our exports to China are remarkably recession-resilient it will be a test to see if our main exporters are nimble enough to switch markets. It’s just not going to be like it was pre-COVID.
The pressures on the New Zealand economy will continue from the Russian invasion of Ukraine which is set for at very least all of 2023. According to the NZ Treasury September 2022 analysis:
“…the invasion will reinforce a number of transitions in the global economy already underway from existing pressures on globalisation including China/US dynamics and the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside long-standing but increasingly time dependent challenges such as climate change and the need for a “green transition”.
New Zealand has no refining capacity and is one of the most car reliant countries on earth. About 40% of its energy in total comes from imported petroleum. We are only in the start of diesel-driven grocery price rises.
New Zealand’s government is getting to the limits of what it can do to shelter New Zealanders from the impacts of this impending hardship.
We are once again facing forces larger than the powers of our political order to cope with.
The question is not whether house price crashes, rent increases and food and fuel inflation will continue to hurt us.
The question for 2023 to prepare for is where else are we going to be hit and hit hard?
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- Release: Govt makes U-turn on Suicide Prevention OfficeLabour welcomes the Government’s U-turn on the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...1 week ago
- CCC issues warning over further climate delayToday’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon targets lame and lousy example of leadershipIf talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon targets are lousy example of leadershipIf talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Commitment to disability communities missing from Govt prioritiesMinister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...2 weeks ago
- Methane target review is dangerous duplicationThe Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Government must commit to school building project for disabled studentsThe Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National must take mental health seriouslyMental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...2 weeks ago
- Referendums for Māori wards a racist step backwardsThe Government's imposed referendum on Māori wards is a racist step backwards for Māori representation, and disregards Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Job losses at Health not worth it for tax cutsNew Zealand will feel the harm of the National Government’s reckless cuts to jobs at the health ministry for generations, says Ayesha Verrall. ...2 weeks ago
- Press release: No Māori initiatives in Government’s nothing planMāori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...2 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...2 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...2 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Social housing off Government’s to-do listThe Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Less money in most people’s pockets this AprilChanges to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...3 weeks ago
- Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...2 hours ago - Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the PhilippinesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...14 hours ago
- Government commits $20m to Westport flood protectionThe Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...19 hours ago
- Taupō takes pole positionThe Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...20 hours ago
- Cost of living support for low-income homeownersLocal Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...22 hours ago
- Government backing mussel spat projectThe Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...23 hours ago
- Government focused on getting people into workBenefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...1 day ago
- Clean energy key driver to reducing emissionsThe Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...1 day ago
- Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forwardThe Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...1 day ago
- Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic PartnershipPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...2 days ago
- Government consults on extending coastal permits for portsRMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...2 days ago
- Inflation coming down, but more work to doToday’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...2 days ago
- School attendance restored as a priority in health adviceRefreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...2 days ago
- Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sectorOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...2 days ago
- Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International CongressAssociate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...3 days ago
- Removing red tape to help early learners thriveThe Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...3 days ago
- RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tapeChanges to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...3 days ago
- McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationshipTrade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...3 days ago
- Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister LeePrime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...4 days ago
- PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ tiesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...4 days ago
- Antarctica New Zealand Board appointmentsForeign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...4 days ago
- Finance Minister travels to Washington DCFinance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...4 days ago
- Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlordsThe coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...4 days ago
- Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being consideredState Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...4 days ago
- New Zealand condemns Iranian strikesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...5 days ago
- Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plansHundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...7 days ago
- Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand ChairHealth Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...7 days ago
- Roads of National Significance planning underwayThe NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...7 days ago
- Navigating an unstable global environmentNew Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...1 week ago
- NZ welcomes Australian Governor-GeneralPrime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...1 week ago
- Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for WinterAssociate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...1 week ago
- NZ and the US: an ever closer partnershipNew Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...1 week ago
- Joint US and NZ declarationApril 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...1 week ago
- NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperationForeign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...1 week ago
- Government redress for Te Korowai o WainuiāruaThe Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...1 week ago
- Focus on outstanding minerals permit applicationsNew Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “While there are no set timeframes for ...1 week ago
- Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research CallThe New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...1 week ago
- Tenancy rules changes to improve rental marketThe coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...1 week ago
- Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with ChinaTrade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...1 week ago
- Freshwater farm plan systems to be improvedThe coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...1 week ago
- NZ and Philippines pledge defence cooperation amid rising tensions
The commitment came after a sit-down meeting between Christopher Luxon and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr overnight. ...1 hour ago - Fire engineering expertise may take a big hit with job cuts at MBIEThe public sector cuts are poised to take out a big chunk of expertise at the country's building regulator. ...2 hours ago
- “Fast-track Law To Kill Kiwi”: Students Say Fight Against Anti-democracy Legislation Is Only Jus...
Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...3 hours ago - ‘We have thousands of Modis’: the secret behind the BJP’s enduring success in India
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...3 hours ago - Online schooling is not just for lockdowns. Could it work for your child?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...3 hours ago
- Hear me out: You can shove your reusable period products
Yes, they’re better for the environment. No, that’s not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...3 hours ago - Rip It Up And Start Over – Fast-Track Approvals Bill Needs To Be Scrapped“It will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealanders’ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...3 hours ago
- Maori Authority Warns Government On Fast Track LegislationThe Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...3 hours ago
- Why the government’s haste in changing the health system could come back to haunt itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...3 hours ago
- Many suicides are related to gambling. How can we tackle this problem?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether you’re watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...3 hours ago
- Things that go buzz in the night – our global study found there really are more insects out after ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...3 hours ago
- Why don’t Australians talk about their salaries? Pay transparency and fairness go hand-in-handSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...3 hours ago
- ‘Character’ And Its Impact On Immigration StatusThe Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...4 hours ago
- 20,000 more on jobseeker benefits than this time last yearThe government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...5 hours ago
- All of the Raglan Roast cafes in Wellington, ranked from worst to bestRaglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. It’s consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...7 hours ago
- Auckland uni students threaten rent strike over rising accommodation feesResidents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously. The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...7 hours ago
- Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved
Shane Jones says people voted for change, but opponents say small cuts such as ending a special oceans secretariat are starting to add up The post Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago - Defence deal to counter Beijing’s aggression in South China SeaNew Zealand and the Philippines have signed a new maritime security agreement and stated their concerns over activity in the South China Sea, as Chinese vessels continue to flout international law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos committed to signing a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement by ...7 hours ago
- Wellington’s ebb and flow of public servantsThe thousands of government “back-office” job cuts are causing widespread pain in the capital city. In today’s episode of The Detail, we speak to three journalists and a think tank researcher, looking at the larger picture around the cuts and what effect it will have on Wellington, a city that’s ...7 hours ago
- New Zealand transport planning has gone off the railsOpinion: The famed American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood!” Burnham wouldn’t have been referring to the transport plans in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past five years; projects so big they hadn’t the credibility to ...7 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 19 AprilThe post Daily crossword, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slowsThe transport sector is currently in the slow lane The post Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slows appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 AprilLoading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Financial literacy should be on all of usOpinion: With maths understanding at 42 percent for Year 8 students, there’s no doubt something has to be done. But how? The post Financial literacy should be on all of us appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Missy rustles to stardom in CanadaHineaupounamu ‘Missy’ Nuku has been scaling mountains in Canada for her college basketball team, the Lakeland Rustlers. Alberta is currently home for the 20-year-old point guard, who is in her first year of a scholarship at Lakeland College, where she is studying for a business degree. She has certainly made ...7 hours ago
- Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the paceOfficial figures confirm New Zealand produced less climate pollution in 2022 than in any other year in the 21st century The post Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the pace appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: Ethnic tensions will complicate the Albanese government’s multicultural policy ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When ASIO boss Mike Burgess delivered his annual threat assessment earlier this year, he stressed the rising danger posed by espionage and foreign interference. “In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed ...13 hours ago
- Group plans work to improve safety of female MPsNew research shows harassment of elected officials - especially women - is on the rise. ...14 hours ago
- Ukraine warns of WW3 ahead of long-stalled Congress aid voteUkraine's Prime Minister says his country desperately needs the US to approve long-stalled security assistance. ...15 hours ago
- PSA astonished Education Minister expects hiring of contractors to review curriculumHiring contractors is an appalling solution when people who could do the work are losing their jobs, the PSA says. ...16 hours ago
- Crown lawyers attempt to block Waitangi Tribunal summons to Minister for ChildrenThe Tribunal had called on Minister for Children Karen Chhour to provide evidence at an urgent inquiry into the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. ...17 hours ago
- Luxon refuses to guarantee public consultation on AUKUS Pillar 2Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says it's "far too premature" to be confirming whether the public would be consulted on joining AUKUS Pillar 2. ...18 hours ago
- Visualising the 1800s or designing wedding invitations: 6 ways you can use AI beyond generating textSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University Midjourney image by T.J. Thomson As more than half of Australian office workers report using generative artificial intelligence (AI) for work, we’re starting to see this technology affect every ...19 hours ago
- Falls, fractures and self-harm: 4 charts on how kids’ injury risk changes over time and differs fo...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Nicole Sharwood, Injury epidemiologist | Expert Witness, UNSW Sydney Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock Injuries are the leading cause of disability and death among Australian children and adolescents. At least a quarter of all emergency department presentations during childhood are injury-related. Injuries can ...19 hours ago
- Choice and control: will NDIS reforms mean people with disability don’t get to decide who they liv...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Di Winkler, Adjunct Associate Professor, Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University Shutterstock/Ground Picture Many Australians with disability feel on the edge of a precipice right now. Recommendations from the disability royal commission and the NDIS review were released late ...19 hours ago
- Asbestos in playground mulch: how to avoid a repeat of this circular economy scandalSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Salman Shooshtarian, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Salman Shooshtarian Asbestos has been found in mulch used for playgrounds, schools, parks and gardens across Sydney and Melbourne. Local communities naturally fear for the health of their ...19 hours ago
- Could Albanese’s bet on homegrown green industries be the boost our regions deserve?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Madeline Taylor, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University Cloudy Designs/Shutterstock Right now, there’s a global race underway. The goal: bring back manufacturing and energy jobs as the energy transition speeds up. In 2022, America launched its mammoth Inflation Reduction Act and the ...19 hours ago
- Watch: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon won't say if government will consult public on joining ...Asked multiple times if the public will be consulted on joining the defence pact, Luxon repeatedly said that was yet to be worked through. ...20 hours ago
- Watch live: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks in PhilippinesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters on the third leg of his Southeast Asia trip, from Manila in the Philippines. ...20 hours ago
- Māori lawyers call Shane Jones' Waitangi Tribunal comments 'inappropriate'The Māori Law Society says his comments breach the principle of the separation of powers and the Cabinet Manual. ...20 hours ago
- Abortions Increase 25% Since Law ChangeFamily First says that the latest abortion statistics make grim and upsetting reading, with a 25% increase in abortions since the decriminalisation of abortion in March 2020. According to an Official Information Act request received by Right to Life ...21 hours ago
- Over Half Of New Zealanders Feel That The Country Is In Decline And That Our Society Is BrokenIpsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study on populism reveals a pervasive sense of societal and economic decline among New Zealanders. MORE DETAILS AND FULL REPORT HERE Ipsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study ...21 hours ago
- Australia’s new defence strategy is big on ideas, but lacks one key ingredient: well-trained soldi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Layton, Visiting Fellow, Strategic Studies, Griffith University There have been a lot of defence announcements recently about buying new equipment, building up Australia’s manufacturing capabilities, creating local jobs, new legislation to support AUKUS and even a new defence chief. In ...22 hours ago
- What does Steve Smith’s Stateside signing mean for cricket in the US – and Australia?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney Steve Smith, one of this generation’s finest batters, has conquered much of the cricketing world during his career, and he now has set his sights on a new frontier: the United ...22 hours ago
- A love letter to Wellington: when i open the shop by romesh dissanayake, reviewedMadeleine Ballard reviews the debut novel from romesh dissanayake. when I open the shop, the debut novel by Naarm-based Aotearoa writer romesh dissanayake (Sri Lankan, Koryo Saram), is a narrative of grief. Devendra loses his mother, opens a noodle shop on The Terrace, grieves, and emerges changed. But just as ...22 hours ago
- Minister Concedes Contractors Will Be Hired To Do Work Of Axed Ministry Of Education StaffThe PSA can’t believe that the Minister of Education is happy for her ministry to hire contractors at the same time it is dismissing 565 workers. ...22 hours ago
- Attempt to bar diplomat from Myanmar military junta failsMyanmar community members applied to the courts to bar the diplomat from attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ...22 hours ago
- LGNZ Welcomes Govt Earthquake-prone Buildings DecisionLGNZ has advocated for this decision as part of a remit led by Manawatū District Council. ...23 hours ago
- AUKUS Pillar 2 a 'fragrant, methane-wrapped bull***' – Bob CarrThe former Australian Foreign Minister has continued to warn New Zealand against joining the defence pact. ...23 hours ago
- Enforceable undertaking issued to abc accounting services limited after continued non-compliance.The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has accepted an enforceable undertaking agreement from ABC Accounting Services Limited (ABC) under section 81 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act). ...23 hours ago
- REVEALED: RNZ’s Hypocrisy Over Fair Digital News Bargaining BillThe Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Radio New Zealand (RNZ) spent $71,842.53 on Facebook advertising over the past 12 months, despite earlier this year coming out in support of the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill , which would force the likes ...24 hours ago
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The above speculations/predictions are exactly the reason the Aotearoa NZ working class, middle class, alienated and super annuitants (not an inconsequential bunch in receipt of Govt. transfers) need an urgent political campaign along the lines of “For the many not the few”.
This link shows some of the beneficiary numbers–“pensioners” usually detest being lumped in with dirty filthy bennies, but that is essentially what they are none the less.
https://figure.nz/chart/l8m4HeSfriXHYpQS
Contrary to the ADVANTAGE take, gouged corporate profits are not a positive for the majority of us. Particularly when they come from what should be publicly owned and controlled infrastructure.
But who is going to advance the necessary campaign? We the people have to step up. The NZCTU is essentially a neutered, class collaborationist organisation, the NZ Labour Party is in thrall still to neo Blairism, and the small but impactful Marxist parties that Muldoon once demonised, are mainly online entities now.
The shit is going to hit the fan but the hard reality has to be faced–it is time to retire the legacy of Rogernomics and Ruthanasia. ACT and Natzos will only support measures that ensure what loot there is keeps being shovelled “upstairs”. Ordinary people have to get involved in political organisation in their communities again. This includes extra Parliamentary politics which so many have never known in our era of Flybuys points and precarious employment and contracting out.
The major problem for the tories and NZ Labour is so obvious–residential property “owners” with thumping great mortgages will descend into negative equity territory. Green Party has put up some good initiatives lately and this is the in imo for the Greens.
There are obvious measures to take…
• Rent Freeze, Rent Control
• Mortgage freezes–use your bloated profits to tide you over banksters
• Basic Income for all citizens paid via IRD–abated as any significant income rises
• Retire MSD/WINZ, all transfer payments through IRD and a new agency for special needs groups
• Free Dental and universal fare free public transport
• Return power generation and supply to full public ownership and control
• Rebuild a public works Dept. send Fulton Hogan and the rest of the bludgers packing.
etc. etc.
Capitalism will not solve this current situation to state the obvious. People have to take collective responsibility again.
I don't know about your dentist but mine is a dodgy charger, $280 for a clean and exrays took 20 minutes max, wants to do 2 fillings for $780 , but am sure she just does cosmetic fixes at times that she wants to do and calls it fillings, have had at least one other customer tell me the find the same. the bill might be to big for the country.
Someone posted a link yesterday with the figure on $1 billion dollars a year for free dental treatment.
Grant Robertson has said he can't afford that, but they did afford $11 billion over four years for the new health authority………
Bureacracy before direct service provion never works for me.
are you suggesting they take $1B from the existing health budget?
No, I am suggesting the Health re-structure funding, is wasted money. Sure it may bring some benefits (although a contact I have pretty high up in Health NZ is deeply sceptical) but I would prefer money to go to front line services e.g dentistry, rather than a re structure, especially during a pandemic
are you aware of the mess that Southern DHB has been in?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/467473/budget-2022-11-point-1b-allocated-to-overhauling-the-health-system
RE the funding of our new health system $11 billion dollars allocated.
That would fund a 11 years of free dentistry.
I think if people had a choice they would go for free dentistry. IMO it is impossible to be certain of benefits steming from this re-structure.
The most essential thing in health delivery is having a well staffed well resourced health work force who can deliver services that are either free or affordable.
One of the costs Anker was getting to where systems were compatible.
During the pandemic it was discovered many Hospitals were separate silos, and General Practice was a lottery. Their computer systems were patchy.
We sling off at so many things, but the mobilisation of a workforce to vaccinate and test was remarkable.
Our maintenance of medical and medicine supplies well done, by propping up Air NZ.
Now we bring services back after a pandemic which is still having high costs in lives lost and ongoing services.
Improving systems, trying to get more equity into some areas means adjustments for some. Those who expected to privatise are not pleased.
Dental was a goal, but the goal posts moved.
I am not sure if this is what you are saying Patricia, but my impression was that the old DHBs stood up reasonable well during the pandemic. That would be another reason for me for pushing a very expensive re structure down the queue of must dos.
I far rather see 11 years of dentistry funding that a new health bureacracy. How about you?
Of course dental should be free (or cheap/scaled like GP visits). Here's the real politik argument for why Labour won't do that currently. Various threads from Lew's tweet.
https://twitter.com/LewSOS/status/1592372879399657472
The point being made is that between now and the election, there's little room to move. If Labour put out a free or subsidised dental policy and then can't deliver because of the pandemic and staff shortages, that risks them losing the election next year.
Is there a crisis in work force numbers in dentistry? I didn't think so.
What is the basis of your opinion?
Incognito, am assuming you mean the basis for my opinion about there not being a shortage of dentists?
I would stand corrected if someone showed me stats that we are short of dentists and this may well be the case. But I have never heard it mentioned, nor does there seem to be any difficulty accessing dentistry if you are able to afford it (may be different in different areas).
But funding dentistry is one thing. Having a shortage of dentists is another.
Ok, thanks for confirming that there is no basis, i.e., a “preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience”.
My actual experience is that I have never had trouble finding or booking to see a dentist.
Do you have any evidence to support that there is a shortage of dentists in NZ?
My comments weren’t really about the workforce in dentistry, but rather how imo the govt should have forgone the $11.1 billon dollars spend on a re structure and provided 11 years of free dental treatment. What do you think about that Incog?
I think that personal anecdotal evidence is of limited use in convos of this general nature and that drawing conclusions, connections, and (inferred) causations based on that is, at best, a fruitless exercise. Extrapolation based on one single point is not sound, not in mathematics & science, nor elsewhere. It is not my place to fill the gaps & blanks for you – you are free to do or not do this yourself, as you so choose.
I also think that comparing apples with oranges is not helpful. Also, reducing everything to alleged costs and dollars allocated/spent is oversimplification as it ignores crucial context. Weka already alluded to this (https://thestandard.org.nz/can-we-prepare-for-2023/#comment-1922088).
But then you perhaps don't live in my home town of Wairoa. Dental Services have been precarious for several years.
The last full time dentist is 3 years younger than me. He advertised and advertised over the years for someone interested in a partnership who could take over when he retired. With no luck. he had to retire from work and was not able to sell the practice.
The point about dentistry is that even with a local dentist the cost can be prohibitive.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/467119/dentist-coming-to-wairoa-after-two-year-void
The health sector is in need of reform. In the 1990s there was work done around the intense silos that had grown up around hospitals and hospital care. Although this showed promise, and some of its features are in the new system it was not continued. So I don't think there is an automatic case for saying the cost of the reforms $$$$$ should be allocated to dentistry or hips or prostates. Ultimately this money can be wasted by inefficient base services.
The creakiness of the system was shown during the pandemic and relied hugely on central controls/guidelines and the wonderful unselfish and unstinting work done by our health professionals. This is not sustainable.
The real bugbear is that health is political. Our three year term does health reform no favours. This is another reason to ensure that Labout/alliances are voted in in 2023. This will enable health reforms to bed in and people will see the difference and not be tempted, hopefully, to support a party that says it will turn health on its ear again.
Yes of course Shanreagh Wairoa is an a drastic state with health professionals. I understand there is no cardiologist there.
We disagree about what health money should be spent on.
No matter how much better the new health system operates, there will still need to be a. cardiologist found for Wairoa and more dentists and nurses.
I asked a question about the dental workforce. I never stated it as a fact.
I stand by what I am saying about funding dentistry over a health re structure.
Govt money is govt money and they are the one who spend it.
Apples oranges, bananas tomatos………who cares. I am talking about access to dental care for the population.
But you don't seem to interested in engaging any sort of discussion with me about any issues, but appear to be very interested in actively critiquing all I say on here.
What's up with that?
Yes there is a shortage of dentists in NZ. More critical in some areas than others – but a shortage overall.
ATM, this is largely managed by cost – i.e. dental treatment is expensive, so pretty much only the relatively well off, or those in acute pain, sign up for treatement.
Instituting universal free dental would open the flood-gates – and the existing dental workforce would be very rapidly overwhelmed by demand – and close their books to new patients.
There's little point in making something free, if you actually can't get it at all.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dentists-few-and-far-between/Y4CIHCQWLGP4PXB3IWQWVMWNVQ/
https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/129147342/southland-dentists-burnt-out-as-clinician-capacity-reached
@Belladonna, if dentists could be trusted dental work could very simply be triaged and only necessary work be done on the government tab, but you can guarantee it'll be rorted to hell
I think the shortage of dentist and making dental work free are two separate issues.
I wonder what Andrew Little and Health NZs plans are to increase the supply of dentists?
And as Bwagon pointed out, like with hospital services, things can be triaged.
I think it is clear enough and I made my point and it is pointless to spend more time & space on this under this Post.
Only if you ignore the real world practicalities. In Lew's thread there is a clear explanation for why Labour can't commit to free/subsidised dental services. If Labour say yes, we will do this, and they don't deliver because there is a staff shortage and there are too many difficult things going on from the pandemic, then Nact will be in next year and then we won't have free dental care. Labour don't have a magic wand.
What they could be doing is working towards it, and they could be sorting out their messaging. The whole 'you can get $ from WINZ' was idiotic, given how hard it is to get $ from WINZ for dental work. They could fix that system. But, like many other people and organisations, the government has been under a lot of stress in the past three years. They've got the same problems as everyone else with sickness and staffing and people doing jobs they're not trained for. Plus they have to run the country and win next year's election.
I'm not saying we should excuse them something, I'm saying it's time to adapt to the long term stress the country is under and start coming up with different solutions.
I can't speak for Incog, but from my pov, the sub thread was about real politik deriving from worker shortages. Making an argument that it's not a problem because you are not aware of the shortages is kind of fail here because we then end up having a conversation based in something that isn't true.
There has not been a cardiologist there for many years. In the 1950/60s my father needed cardiology care and he needed to go to Napier for it.
In those days specialties often had days per week there or month. I think they still do this. Wairoa had a hospital with a competent general surgery (with surgeons) programme in the olden days. Now it is a triaging and staging place and that is OK most of the time. As long as helicopters. ambulances can get in and out and they have enough on hand specialists to stabilise people.
I see the DHB is now providing dental care and this is a good move and could/should continue. Traditionally dental care for adults was provided through the private sector. This did not continue in Wairoa with one of the local Iwi stepping in to work with the HB DHB. As with everything provided by Iwi health-wise this will be available to all on the basis of need.
Again if you look at the saying that how the poorest in the population are cared for as a measure of the health/wealth of the country then the opportunity is there for improvement.
Bit hard to get a cardiologist anywhere here in NZ, not helped by not putting the role on the Green List.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/479077/plumbers-but-not-cardiologists-the-curious-case-of-the-immigration-green-list
And on a lighter note re your Apples and Oranges comment Incognito.
This
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/comparing-apples-and-oranges-37838381/#:~:text=The%20phrase%20%22comparing%20apples%20and,to%20make%20any%20comparison%20invalid.
re your comments below about free dental when Labour may not have the workforce to supply. I don't buy that rationale.
Labour promised big in mental health delivery. They didn't have the workforce, but they had the will. They signalled their intention and because they set that as their intention, they acted accordingly eg. the worked with NZAC to allow that workforce to work in DHBs. While there is an unmet need and a lot to do, there has been progress.
Labour also did it with the recent announcement about making early child care available and then low and behold there were people who worked in the industry saying "we don't have the staff".
So I don't think not having the staff really is a sufficient reason.
Setting dental care as a free service means that if National gets in, they have to deliberately roll it back. As it would likely be a very popular service, it would be one National would can at their peril.
It's not the reason. The reason is that this close to the election they can't take on an additional big policy and one that is likely to fail in the time frame.
You are assuming that it's possible to get free dental care in place and functioning before the election. It's not that National would roll it back, it's that it wouldn't be up and running in time. It's not going to happen before Christmas, which means that Labour have a couple of months to develop the policy and get Treasury to cost it so that they can include it in the 2023 budget. This isn't my area of knowledge, but I can't see how that is possible given all the things.
We should of course be calling for free dental care, and Labour should be making encouraging signals. I just think the real politik needs to be considered too in our discussion.
I didn't make a case that there was no dentist shortage. Someone else raised it and I asked a question "Is there a crisisin workforce numbers in dentistry? I didn't think so. It was a geniune question.
Incognito then said something like a preconceived idea that isn't based on anything including experience. So I replied that my experience was I could get to see a dentist pretty easily.
I wasn't denying there was a shortage of dentists.
And is it true they don't have staff?
When was the policy developed? Was it in this year's budget? Or will it be in next year's?
Free dental care is a much bigger policy shift.
I am reporting what I saw reported on the news re not enough staff, but it would make some sense wouldn't it, because the policy would increase access so more staff would be needed. I think the policy is due to kick in in April next year. So they will have to work out whether it is doable or not. Or at how much of it is doable.
Free dental care is a big policy shift, but we also have a workforce up and running, even if it doesn't have capacity (I would be interested to know how much of dentists case work is on cosmetic dentistry.
I don't think Labour have the will to implement the policy. their call.
I remain unconvinced that Heath NZ will make improvements of any significant nature (with the expection of anything they do to increase and support the health work force. But that's just my opinion
I haven't looked at HNZ closely, but it's very clear that there have been serious problems with inconsistency of services across the country arising out of the DHB system. And that some DHBs have been struggling. I'm not a fan of centralisation in many areas, but high tech and ambulance at the bottom of the cliff medicine does seem like an area that would do better with an overarching structure.
So, looking at the bit of the dental system which is already free – services to children.
This is already falling over because of lack of staff. And was in crisis even before Covid hit (my kid aged out of the school dental program before Covid – but was not seen by the school service for the last 3 years of his primary schooling. I had to make other arrangements.)
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/129928687/fear-more-children-may-end-up-in-hospital-amid-rise-in-delays-for-dental-checkups
Parents are being told to enrol their kids at dentists – if they want dental treatment. Many dentists won't take children and teens – as the government payment is much less than they can make from adults. And many parents can't arrange time off work, etc. to take their kids to routine dental appointments.
Announcing a huge policy (and free dental would be a significant change) – when they *know* there isn't the staffing to deliver on it – simply hands a huge political stick to the opposition. "Labour's failure to deliver, yet again"
I'm not opposed to free dental services – in fact, I think it's an excellent idea. But the country quite simply doesn't have the resources to deliver.
Not having the staff, is actually a sufficient reason.
Thanks Belladonna. I accept there is a dental shortage, although I wasn't aware of it prior to this thread. I have a close relative who is a dentist and he's never spoken of it, although again I guess it depends somewhat on where you are practicing.
One of the problems with Govt payments to dentists is if they are at a lower rate than they can charge, why would they prioritize subsidized work? People moan a lot about dental charges, but listening to my relative talk, the costs involve in denstry are significant. Filings, support staff, even the cost of the dental chair is huge. Dentists have horrific student loans, so given this why should the provide a subsidized service.
Govt has done this with funding counsellors as well (not this govt, but back around 2006 – 07). A scheme run through the PHOs really undercut counsellors wages. In this field, what that meant was that anyone who was a good therapist, wouldn't bother taking the subsidized clients. They didn't have to.
"when they know there isn't staffing to deliver on- certainly hands a big stick to the opposition. Indeed. This is what happened in mental health.
Labours likely failure is that there doesn't appear to be any sort of plan to increase the health workforce or make training in these valuable jobs very attractive and easy. Labour were told five years ago by Dr Ian Powell that there were three problems with the health service "workforce shortages, workforces shortages and workforce shortages". This has got considerably worse under their watch. Covid is no excuse. While we were covid free we had a golden opportunity to recruit all those burnt out staff who were nursing covid around the world.
IMO it is another case of the Professional Managerial Class (and their party of choice, Labour) thinking they were the most important part of the health system and that they knew best)
Consumer did this test once, they had the same person go to five different dentists. That person got five different diagnoses. Something like that (it was a while ago).
If dental was free and universal, people could get second opinions and go with the least invasive procedure. Who wants a root canal when a filling will be enough?
My nect nearest dentist is about 50 mins away, which makes it a half day operation, I'm time poor most of the time as it is
ae, country life. Thing is, with low cost dental care, other people can do the second opinion hunting and this will change the culture of over egging that exists in the dental sector.
Do you live in Auckland bwaghorn (1.2)? I ask because before hubby and I moved from suburban Auckland to Central Otago just over five years ago we were paying horrific prices for our dental services up there. I guess high overheads could be partially to blame,
Prices and (the dental work carried out) down here are pretty good in comparison to our previous Auckland dental experiences, particularly the cost.
For instance, last Wednesday I paid $130 for a # tooth filling plus an xray and a clean. Previous dental work done locally has cost about the same. Can’t complain about that.
no rural only one dentist for miles so they can charge what they like
Thanks TM (1) you got it in one there. Well put.
NZCTU neutered class collaborationist? FFS. Have you seen their FPA campaign going on right now from town to town? Have you ever met Tali Williams CTU Strategic Director ? Daughter of a militant Seafarer, FIRST Union activist and leader. Organiser in many campaigns. https://esra.nz/people-learn-using-power-interview-tali-williams/
[typo fixed in e-mail address – Incognito]
First, Unite, Etū and Maritime Unions and Meatworkers etc. are great unions–the dead weight on the CTU is the state sector, the PSA in particular. This partly arises out of the State Sector Act–an essential part of Rogernomics and the enduring neo liberal Parliamentary consensus.
FPAs are a great development–but no strikes–so it is a class peace trade off that will potentially assist thousands of non union members, like National awards catered for compulsory union members for decades, which is a different category from class left active members.
I work for the PSA with a fixed term role; you have this image of them as a union for the Wellington elite. I used to think that, but I was wrong. Right now we have just settled an agreement for our border security workers ; along with E Tu and NUPE. You know what they do eh? They stand for hours every day as you go through the airport and have to follow the Airport company and international instructions around airport security, They can't even get a proper 10 minute break. During COVID, many were sent off to MIQ. Then there are all those other PSA members who are there when you arrive ; from Customs and MPI. Some of our members start work at 2am or 3am to suit the incoming flights (and you could say the elitist demands from travellers). And the abuse is terrible. Can I ask you to have a look at the community membership of the PSA as well, including home care workers? There’s no doubt PSA, NZEI and NZNO are active members of the CTU, but they also have members who are struggling to earn Living Wage. And they work actively with other unions, PS I am a Life member of E Tu.
Most kiwi savers haven't lost a thing . my 12 year 0ld one is at 2.5% lifetime gain,(better than it would have got in the bank, as I can't access it for 14 years it'll probably do better than that, mines in growth mode, anyone one coming up to retirement should be in conservative so its just negative to beat the doom drum .
On the bright side (?), real estate is still vastly overpriced so there's room for more 'tanking' there.
“How do we get through 2023?”
The basic home garden will help if you plant silverbeet onions courgettes lettuce cherry tomatoes carrots cabbage and rhubarb.
Growing parsley mint and chives, rosemary and sage, all help.
If you don't have room try the bucket garden idea. The first 4 of these grow easily, and are able to be used in most dishes.
If that is not possible for you…
Look for wartime recipes. They made a great deal with limited ingredients.
Look up recipes like Empire meat loaf.
You get twice the product for the meat used. The recipe can be made into a variety of other products. (Chick peas and refried beans to replace meat.)
Look for their meatless recipes, eggless recipes, and ways to get sweetness when sugar was scarce.
Simple ginger loaf. (never fails) and can have fruit added to change it up.
Have a good supply of spices and herbs salt and pepper. Most are in the $2 to $3 range. Golden syrup to help with the egg costs when baking. Also I have discovered a small packet of dried coconut milk, great in stir fries and no waste.
Flour and derivatives may get scarce, so to have at least 5kg on hand in a sealed container. Plain is best, you can use it more ways. Yeast powder, baking soda and baking powder as rising agents are needed as well.
Lookup "In season fruit and vegetables" the look for recipes using them, as they are usuall cheaper.
Clean out your cupboard and use stored stuff first, freeze left overs for putting in stews casseroles soups or pies.
Others will have other useful ideas I am sure.
A good time for us all to make sure we are not wasting food (by buying to much perishable stuff) . We need to be doing this anyway for the plannet.
–Feed a whole street on 1kg of mince–as ACT MP Muriel Newman used to blather on about. But I get where you are coming from Patricia, practical measures to help us get by in these tough times are definitely required.
Solar panels and inverters should be installed all across the country, and rain water collection systems too–but with the likes of private/corporatised water companies, and power companies, they can actually penalise users for doing the above!
I have saved $80 per fortnight, using some of these recipes. If we still had a garden I could have saved more. It all helps.
Another thing we do is write a list of what we need from one weekly/fortnightly town visit using our small car. Often a loop to do 4 or 5 things to limit driving.
I am not one for austerity, and believe a little of what you like keeps life from being dull, so we plan our treats into each week.
We buy the coffee we like, but don't buy coffees out as we feel they are overpriced, and we have until lately had lunch at an outdoor verandah of a cafe with friends, though rising covid infections have stymied that.
We use price comparisons and have donated/sold anything we no longer use, and even a few items sold aids the budget in tighter times on a benefit or pension.
Many look for a "one off fix" in tight times, like selling a vehicle boat or other larger item to clear smaller debts, but a bit of careful planning does help keep up with price rises.
Those who lose work if a firm fails have different issues. A tightening economy affects employment sadly. We all need to help each other more than ever as a community, and not fall for the NACT dialogue and false premise of individual bootstrap politics.
Thanks for your replies Tiger Mountain and Anker.
Peter Zeihan on Twitter and the rising cost of capital. He accurately predicted all of this years ago:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNeGOzut6cs
Paul Krugman does not agree
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/opinion/interest-rates-fed.html
I am interested – but paywalled. What is the gist of his argument?
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/21/opinion/inflation-interest-rates-fed.html
The above is from the previous article he wrote on this.
“We’re still probably feeling the effects of pandemic spending: Households saved much of the aid they received, and consumer demand has stayed strong as they spend down those savings. But eventually, the boost to the economy from pandemic aid will fade away.
And once that happens, we’ll probably be back where we were before the pandemic, with weak private investment demand holding interest rates down.
Why will investment demand be weak? Last time I wrote about this I stressed demography — the drastic slowdown in growth of the working-age population — plus what looks like disappointing rates of technological progress. That’s still my story, but let me now put it a different way.
One well-known concept in macroeconomics is the accelerator effect. This says that investment spending generally reflects not the level of G.D.P. but the expected change in G.D.P. The logic is that investment spending is only high when businesses want to increase their capacity, which happens only when demand is growing.
This tells us that investment spending will only remain high if we expect rapid economic growth. And what we know now doesn’t support that expectation.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/opinion/interest-rates-fed.html
He goes on to add that growth is likely to be less in future. Partly because of USA demography (both lower fertility and immigration) and partly because the gain of what he calls a midlife crisis in technology. Saying the gain from computers and networks has been realised.
I might offer a negation – government demand for money to pay out make social security payments and an end to net savings inputs as baby boomers retire (thus his 2025ish forecast being countered with this other effect by 2030).
Thanks for this. Apologies for the late response.
I would enjoy seeing a debate between Krugman and Zeihan. Both are smart people and bring differing viewpoints to the argument. Krugman would be obviously more grounded in economics per se, but Zeihan brings a deeper set of drivers around geography, demography and security to the table, that I think conventional economists have overlooked for much of the post WW2 era.
Archived here:
https://archive.ph/shkWt
2022 was when the narrative changed with covid,and the government relaxed to a dying with Covid Policy,we have lost more to Covid then Soldiers in Gallipoli.
Reducing policy such as masks on planes,and vaccine requirements for international visitors was an over extension,that increased demand on primary health care,hospitals and delayed selective surgery,with all its concomitant problems.
The excess death toll this year in NZ, will be around 15%,and will most likely see the first decrease in life expectancy in 50 years.
The reserve funds (for covid resurgence) have been siphoned off for 3 waters,and this is all debt funded pork bone politics.
Government debt is already 9 billion ahead of budget,(in the first 3 months) difficulty with borrowing has meant housing corp debt will now come directly from government borrowing,interest rates will finish next year at around 6% ( margin over US fed 5-5.25%)
Not seeing anyone providing solutions to remove cost from the economy.
https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/8932307/?utm_source=showcase&utm_campaign=visualisation/8932307
https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/11164853/?utm_source=showcase&utm_campaign=visualisation/11164853
I think your doom and gloom on death toll is bullshit. You are confounding "with Covid "and OF Covid ". NZs life expectentcy has risen by approx 18 months since Covid struck and medical advances have cut the Covid toll dramaticly.
Most people, as we have been told for a while now who have or are dying WITH covid, already had co-morbidities and therefore don't shift the excess deaths ratio that much.
It is undereporting as excess deaths are running at around 15%
https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/excess-mortality-p-scores-average-baseline?country=NZL~AUS
Yes, under-reporting is an (known) issue but not all excess deaths have Covid-19 as contributing or even causative factor. There was an uptick in other respiratory viruses as well.
Other respiratory viruses including influenza,did not have the mortality rate that is apparent now,even due the 2017 influenza epidemic that saw over 800 deaths across Australasia and had significantly lower ED admissions.
https://twitter.com/OYCar/status/1593549661016854528?cxt=HHwWgMDUzai-tp0sAAAA
As we have similar population demographics,diet,climatology,we can use Australian data to map onto NZ.As deaths from Homicides,vehicles,and water are fairly stable,we can pose that deaths are either from other causes or that there is simply a reversion to the mean.
The excess death toll in Australia and NZ are similar and we will see a decrease in life expectancy in both Jurisdictions,which at present seems to be a neat acturial fact,
https://twitter.com/KarenCutter4/status/1590149045879996416?cxt=HHwWgIDUubuIrJEsAAAA
Thanks for that interesting info. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time to dig up the data but the excess deaths in NZ are much higher than explained by Covid-19 as contributing or causative factor. So, the other likely (!) causes of death are other respiratory illnesses such as the flu, which caused lower death rates in the previous couple of years, and possibly (!) other medical causes of death, e.g., because of postponed care in other health areas. I don’t think anybody really knows at this stage – the data are collected and undoubtedly being analysed. My main point is that excess death cannot all be contributed to Covid-19 in NZ (and elsewhere).
The UK death rate is also higher this year.
And more cases of long term illness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz6WwJDHeXo&t=138s