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More thoughts on the Labour-Greens Budget Responsibility Rules
Written By: - Date published: 8:39 am, March 25th, 2017 - 111 comments
The Labour-Green Budget Responsibility Rules announcement this week ought to dispel the notion that Labour and the Greens cannot work together.
Bloomberg warns world of New Zealand’s toxic trusts
Written By: - Date published: 7:56 am, February 12th, 2017 - 21 comments
Bloomberg magazine has highlighted how foreign trusts are damaging New Zealand’s reputation and are being used for criminal activity.
Foreign buyers estimated at 29%
Written By: - Date published: 7:03 am, August 25th, 2016 - 75 comments
Most of the media has reported the Government’s “3%” spin on the extent of residential property purchases in NZ going to foreign buyers pretty uncritically. There have been honourable exceptions, and yesterday property editor Anne Gibson in The Herald joined them.
Financial capital is crazy OP. Time to strip it back to basics.
Written By: - Date published: 12:08 pm, August 8th, 2016 - 72 comments
Financial capital is way over powered in our current political economic system. Every aspect of our lives has been financialised and securitised, from our homes to our educations. From our drinking water to our power supply.
Key’s Blind Trust vs Our Blind Faith
Written By: - Date published: 4:19 pm, April 29th, 2016 - 29 comments
So Key’s lawyer reckons the PM directly requested that trust industry leaders lobby the Revenue Minister. On the other hand, PM DunnoKeyo reckons he did no such thing. That leaves some really big questions …
Key’s land tax – too weak
Written By: - Date published: 7:11 am, April 28th, 2016 - 76 comments
Reaction to Key’s land tax has been luke warm at best, with strong calls for more effective action. Labour is promising “a ‘tidal wave’ of big housing reforms”…
Key prepares to backflip on Auckland housing
Written By: - Date published: 8:18 am, April 26th, 2016 - 126 comments
John Key is preparing the ground for a reversal on National’s refusal to do anything about Auckland’s housing crisis.
The problem with free market capitalism
Written By: - Date published: 11:16 am, January 9th, 2016 - 248 comments
This morning’s Herald contains a story about a young man who with a family gift has managed to purchase eleven houses over the past five years and can afford to pay World of Warcraft all day.
Parasite Drive; the NBR Rich List
Written By: - Date published: 10:50 am, July 31st, 2015 - 98 comments
The NBR’s annual list of the one percent is out. No surprises that the growing inequality in New Zealand is working well for the parasites at the top of the hill.
NRT: This is wrong
Written By: - Date published: 1:44 pm, July 13th, 2015 - 48 comments
“Auckland’s median house price rising a record 26 per cent to $755,000 over the past year..”. This is what a bubble looks like: when your house “earns” a top-end salary just by existing. And its a perfect example of why we need a capital gains tax.
Rushed policy is bad policy
Written By: - Date published: 7:10 am, May 19th, 2015 - 24 comments
National’s policy opens the door to more effective capital gains tax, thus irritating investors and their base, while probably not achieving anything in practice. The worst of both worlds. Bonus question – does this policy effectively underwrite losses when the property bubble bursts? Plus another bonus John Key lie!
Deborah Russell: Preliminary thoughts on the Government’s new tax
Written By: - Date published: 9:15 am, May 18th, 2015 - 46 comments
Deborah Russell is a senior lecturer in taxation at Massey University and was Labour’s candidate in Rangitīkei in the 2014 general election. In this post she sets out her preliminary views on National’s new tax.
CGT: the focus groups made Key do it
Written By: - Date published: 8:42 am, May 18th, 2015 - 37 comments
According to John Key the proposed tax on capital gains if a property is sold within two years of purchase is not a capital gains tax, there is no housing bubble in Auckland, and the proposed new tax does not represent a complete about face by the Government.
NRT: National’s hand-wringing on housing
Written By: - Date published: 4:12 pm, April 23rd, 2015 - 20 comments
Auckland house prices have exploded again. Houses get more capital gains than their inhabitants do in salaries. So what is the government doing about it? Nothing. They haven’t tried the economic basics.. Capital gains tax to decrease demand, or a building programme to increase supply. Meanwhile National’s landlord MPs laughing all the way to the bank…
Housing and capital gains tax
Written By: - Date published: 10:02 am, April 18th, 2015 - 89 comments
This week the Reserve Bank recommended adopting the Labour / Green capital gains tax, the National party denied and dithered, and Don Brash explained the truth about the property bubble.
(Image credit Foxy.)
Deborah Russell: does New Zealand actually have a capital gains tax?
Written By: - Date published: 2:00 pm, April 17th, 2015 - 61 comments
A guest post by Deborah Russell responding to Government claims that we already have a capital gains tax on the sale of land.
Thoughts from the crowd on Tuesday night’s debate
Written By: - Date published: 7:50 am, September 4th, 2014 - 51 comments
I was in the front row of the audience at the Press leader’s debate between David Cunliffe and John Key. While the media in Auckland and Wellington might have called it one way, the people in Christchurch were only presented with one leader who understands the issues in this city, and it wasn’t the Prime Minister.
Parker nails English on economic policy
Written By: - Date published: 2:25 pm, August 25th, 2014 - 32 comments
Labour has the bold set of policies to take New Zealand forward into the 21st century – National’s “same old same old” tinkering will see the Kiwi skiff swamped. That was the clear conclusion from the debate between David Parker and Bill English on National Radio this morning.
Polity: MSD dumps on National’s “net tax” nonsense
Written By: - Date published: 3:33 pm, July 10th, 2014 - 47 comments
Rob Salmond has been looking through the newly released Ministry of Social Development’s Household Incomes Report. It really is invaluable.
NRT: Who’d have thunk it?
Written By: - Date published: 2:23 pm, June 27th, 2014 - 60 comments
Capital gains tax is now accepted by a more people than who oppose it. But for a policy long considered a “third rail” of New Zealand politics, its a significant shift. It ought to put paid forever to the idea that parties must go with the flow of public opinion because they are unable to affect it. Weak parties are. But if Labour stops being scared of its own shadow and afraid of its left-wing heritage, it can actually change things, and build the majorities it needs to govern.
This is how it’s done
Written By: - Date published: 11:56 am, October 15th, 2013 - 37 comments
This morning Cunliffe shows how to front the media on current issues, and respond to journalists questions clearly and decisively while being informed on the issues. Questions about Kōhanga Reo National Trust, US government debt crisis, affordable housing, need better skills training, Euthanasia Bill.
Housing: the options, the new left narrative?
Written By: - Date published: 11:07 am, September 13th, 2013 - 75 comments
The response to Metiria Turei’s sttements about affordable housing on The Vote, raises questions about political narratives are told to the general electorate? The Greens, Mana and Cunliffe have stressed their “vision“. How to tell it so it reaches the hearts of New Zealanders?
Ode to Phil Twyford
Written By: - Date published: 6:08 am, June 6th, 2013 - 22 comments
I was impressed by Phil Twyford’s analysis of the Government’s housing policies announced in the budget. I thought his best point was that only this Government could announce a housing affordability policy with the eviction of 3000 state housing tenants as its centre piece!
It’s not us: it’s the big banks
Written By: - Date published: 10:01 am, April 29th, 2013 - 30 comments
MSM articles show the big Aussie banks are making record profits, Kiwis can save, and Adam Smith worshiping think tanks are not to be trusted. Cunliffe & Norman said it a while back – NAct policies and government spending cuts are not the answer.
Why Doug Heffernan wants you to keep paying too much for power
Written By: - Date published: 7:32 am, April 29th, 2013 - 49 comments
John Key has committed to giving up the National Party’s leadership if he loses the next election. That didn’t stop him from committing the next National Government from reversing NZ Power and putting up electricity prices whenever it comes to power . It got me thinking about the people who are so keen to kill NZ Power in its cradle and why. Today: MRP CEO Doug Heffernan.
Dumping on Dunne’s taxes
Written By: - Date published: 9:48 am, March 20th, 2013 - 13 comments
The Nats are in trouble with their budget deficits and looking to raise money via increased taxes. But they are tinkering at the edges of the problem, and were quick to chuck Peter Dunne under the bus when the latest proposals didn’t fly.
Akl Unitary Plan: the good, the bad & the debatable
Written By: - Date published: 10:44 am, March 17th, 2013 - 39 comments
The Draft Auckland Unitary Plan has much to commend it. It focuses on resource management, responds to the reality of climate change & aims for a more dense but ‘liveable’ city. It has weaknesses, embraces destructive “growth” and raises questions: e.g. about affordable housing & environmental management.
“Minister for Small Things”
Written By: - Date published: 9:37 am, March 1st, 2013 - 51 comments
Yesterday, David Cunliffe,on Peter Dunne’s Student Loan Amendment Bill, & the related inter-generational swindle, labelled Dunne as “Minister for Small Changes” & “for Small Things”. Dunne further showed his support of the “neoliberal” swindle, with a couple of tweets on non-residents buying NZ property, smearing the Greens as racist.
Hands on Labour
Written By: - Date published: 9:51 pm, August 16th, 2012 - 31 comments
Fresh ideas to grow a stronger manufacturing sector, on top of the major changes Labour has already signalled featured in a speech given today by David Parker to a union audience in Wellington. David Cunliffe was there too, and I particularly liked the discussion afterwards. The key players are receptive to good ideas and it looks like Labour will have a real alternative to offer at the next election.
CGT Now!
Written By: - Date published: 10:45 am, June 5th, 2012 - 32 comments
The “tradeable” sector is still shrinking. The property market is heating up again. We need a capital gains tax now.
House Price Inflation
Written By: - Date published: 10:58 am, May 6th, 2012 - 59 comments
Land prices rising much faster than wages. Shares, derivatives, hedge funds or other financial instruments are designed so that banks can gamble with our money. Win or lose they always get a cut. Loss comes out of our pensions and other savings. Or, if they really stuff it up, taxpayers are expected to borrow more from them to pay for it. Banks following their own self interest and are compounding economies to oblivion. The “invisible hand” has failed..
- MPs open hearings on new law that puts public tertiary education at risk
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- The Foreign Minister, the Zone and the Convention
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- DrawnA ballot for two Member's Bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Sentencing (Domestic Violence) Amendment Bill (Nanaia Mahuta) Education (Teaching Council of Aotearoa) Amendment Bill (Chris Hipkins) There were seventy bills in the ballot today, but ...4 hours ago
- Ministers must commit to properly funding Telford takeoverBefore signing-off on an agreement for Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre to take-over the Telford division of Lincoln University, Ministers must make sure a properly funded long-term plan is put in place to ensure continued provision of training opportunities in the region, the ...4 hours ago
- P houses worth more than people’s health
5 hours ago - Hard News: Meth Perception
According to a story by Kirsty Johnston on the Herald website today landlords are avoiding telling local authorities if their properties have tested positive for methamphetamine residue – because even if it is cleaned up, the fact of a positive ...6 hours ago - The Singles Life: The Fate of the Furious Gin Wigmore
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by Socialist Democracy The announcement by an Irish government minister that “significant quantities” of human remains had been discovered at the site of a former mother and baby home in Tuam, County Galway has brought official confirmation to claims ...11 hours ago - We have 3 years to sort out carbon emissions, according to these scientists
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John Campbell takes a tour of Awatahi Marae, which has been at the centre of a Labour party scandal. Its head Anthony Wilson tells Checkpoint they have been hurt by allegations of sub-standard accommodation. ...20 hours ago - How much food costs in NZ compared to Australia
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- The White Ferns and badass star Suzie Bates are worth celebrating
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1 day ago - Election issues: Student debtStudent loans have been with us for 25 years, and over that period ex-students have been burdened with billions of dollars of odious debt. Currently almost three-quarters of a million of us are carrying $15 billion of this unjust debt, ...1 day ago
- About timeHaving promised it for months, National has finally introduced its bill to wipe historic homosexual convictions:A bill to expunge the historical convictions of gay men charged with homosexual activity has been introduced to Parliament. The Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions ...1 day ago
- Member’s DayToday is a Member's day, and it marks the end of the run of first readings and ballots we've had recently. Firstly, because bills are coming back from select committee, and their later stages will eat House time. And secondly, ...1 day ago
- The importance PT hubs is starting to be understood in Auckland
As Auckland’s public transport has improved over the last 10-15 years, so too has the discussion around its value, both to transport and urban form. Nowhere is more representative of that change than Britomart. Both the station and surrounding development ...1 day ago - Barclay too wasted to speak
You’ve really got to wonder why Todd Barclay was selected in the first place and then protected by Bill English and the National party for over a year? He’s clearly unfit to be an MP.The kicker is that National party ...1 day ago - How much longer can we take our water for granted?
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The case for moderation is getting stronger by the day. We're hearing now that it's less than 100 days until the election, and until last week and the Todd Barclay story it had been a quiet build-up so far, with ...2 days ago - Shake your money-maker
Young New Zealanders are showing they care, by pushing for change at the companies they invest in and support. Susan Strongman reports. Students, staff and alumni of the University of Auckland are calling on the institution to divest ...2 days ago - The police were created to control working class and poor peopleWe’ve just added the US-based Labor and Working Class History Association to our list of links. Below is an article that gives a taste of the kind of material that appears on the LAWCHA site; while the article is from ...2 days ago
- We are heading for the warmest climate in half a billion years
Gavin Foster, Professor of Isotope Geochemistry, University of Southampton; Dana Royer, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Wesleyan University, and Dan Lunt, Professor of Climate Science, University of Bristol This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original ...2 days ago - What you should see at the NZ International Film Festival
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- Three Waters Infrastructure; What does Auckland need? – Part 2 – Water Supply
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- Todd Barclay timeline
The timeline of the Todd Barclay scandal is interesting, not just because it shows how long the National party was able to cover-up what looks like criminal behaviour by one of their MPs, but also because it shows just how ...2 days ago - Just say no to BroadspectrumNational wants to sell 2500 state houses in Christchurch,as part of its plan to exit the state housing sector and make government suck. And who do they want to sell them to? Broadspectrum:One of the consortiums shortlisted to buy Housing ...2 days ago
- Huge high country station risks going to overseas ownershipThe real estate advertisement is spot on in describing Mt White Station as an “iconic” South Island high country station. The 40,000 hectare property is adjacent to Arthur’s Pass National Park and the upper reaches of the Waimakariri River. Mt ...2 days ago
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Credit: RussiaFeed. Must edge my way back in into blogging after a period of mourning. So here is something provocative. Perhaps President Putin is “making Russia great again” in a way we haven’t thought of. Via Darwinian sexual selection? If this song ...2 days ago - Te Kuha, the Sacrificial Lamb
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- What the Team NZ win could mean for improving our city
2 days ago - Reflections on the Child Youth and Family Review: On evidence and prevention
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- Climate change: To the courts!There's an interesting case in court today: student Sarah Thomson is challenging the government's climate change target:Sarah Thomson, 26, will have her case against Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett for the perceived failure to set emissions targets that reflect the ...3 days ago
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3 days ago - Corbyn at Glastonbury
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- National Party Congress breakout: How to Deal with a Scandal
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- Sunday readsA few pieces that caught my eye this week. Bec Shaw: Fat of the Furious I couldn’t write about what happened at the time because I felt so despairing when Roxane Gay discussed how humiliated the incident made her feel. ...4 days ago
- Sunday reading 25 June 2017
Welcome back to Sunday reading. It’s been a pretty interesting week in New Zealand politics, if you’ve been reading. But that’s not what this is about, so we’re not going to talk about it. Here’s a thought-provoking factoid about technological ...4 days ago - 2017 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #25
A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook page during the past week. Editor's Pick From heatwaves to hurricanes, floods to famine: seven climate change hotspots Global warming will not affect everyone equally. Here we look ...4 days ago
- Teachers should elect their own professional representation
A new Bill introduced to Parliament today would give teachers the right to elect representatives to their own professional body, says Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins. ...3 hours ago - A fair deal for working people and good employersLabour will implement sensible changes to employment law to prevent the small number of bad employers undercutting good employers and driving a ‘race to the bottom’ on wages and conditions, says Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little. ...3 hours ago
- The Foreign Minister, the Zone and the Convention
Last month the relatively new foreign minister of our realm, Hon Gerry Brownlee, steered a wobbly diplomatic course on Israeli settlements, which became leveraged to a political level. In May, he described UN Security Council resolution 2334 of December ’16, ...4 hours ago - Pouring Government energy into avoiding energy leadershipEnergy Minister Judith Collins yesterday released the new New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy and it’s very disappointing. It’s unambitious, continues business as usual & won’t achieve much. It continues National’s well-worn tactic of playing tricks, rather than actually ...6 hours ago
- Māori Party’s waka up river without paddleThe Māori Party’s waka is up the river without a paddle over its Waka Oranga mobile health unit pilot programme, says Labour’s Māori Development spokesperson Kelvin Davis. ...24 hours ago
- English covering for Barclay to pass legislationThe Prime Minister has been relying on Todd Barclay’s vote to pass key legislation, explaining why English has covered up the Barclay scandal for so long and why he continues to refuse to answer questions, says Leader of the Opposition ...1 day ago
- Typhoid report shows health officials under the hammerA chaotic picture has emerged around the response of Auckland public health officials to this year’s typhoid outbreak, says Aupito William Sio Labour’s Pacific Island Affairs spokesman. “Our Pacific community was left exposed by the Auckland Regional Public Health Services’ ...2 days ago
- Huge high country station risks going to overseas ownershipThe real estate advertisement is spot on in describing Mt White Station as an “iconic” South Island high country station. The 40,000 hectare property is adjacent to Arthur’s Pass National Park and the upper reaches of the Waimakariri River. Mt ...2 days ago
- Bill English must be upfront about his involvement in Barclay scandalBill English’s explanations that he was on the periphery of the long running employment dispute involving Todd Barclay don’t stack up, says Labour Leader Andrew Little. “The Prime Minister claims to have been a bystander, but we know he was ...3 days ago
- Labour will not resile from royaltiesLabour believes cleaning up our rivers so that they are clean enough to swim in is the most important freshwater issue for this election, but that it is also fair that a royalty should be charged where public water is ...4 days ago
- With friends like Hone, who needs enemies?With less than three months until the election, Hone Harawira has delivered another blow to the Māori Party’s flagship policy of Te Ture Whenua Māori reform and the already unstable MANA-Maori Party alliance, says Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri. “On The ...4 days ago
- Shifty Bill jumps the sharkBill English's claim today that it has never been established that Todd Barclay's recordings of his staff took place is bizarre and shows a complete lack of honesty and leadership, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson. "Todd Barclay told Bill ...5 days ago
- Te Ture Whenua – gone by lunchtime?Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell has to front up about yesterday’s mysterious withdrawal of Te Ture Whenua Bill from Parliament’s order paper, says Labour’s Ikaroa Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri. “Has he lost his way and has decided to run ...6 days ago
- Bill English ignorance of law beggars beliefFor Bill English to claim he and others in the National Party didn’t realise the law may have been broken in the Todd Barclay taping scandal is simply not credible, says Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little. “The Prime Minister ...6 days ago
- Government ignored advice on Pacific people’s superannuationThe Government ignored advice from the Ministry of Pacific Peoples that raising the Superannuation age of eligibility would have a ‘disproportionately high impact’ on Pacific people, says Labour’s Pacific Island Affairs spokesperson Aupito William Sio. “The Ministry for Pacific ...6 days ago
- Bill English misleads Parliament on Police statementBill English's attempt to restore his damaged credibility over the Todd Barclay affair has backfired after his claim to have "reported" Mr Barclay's actions to Police has proven not to be true, says Labour MP for Wellington Central Grant Robertson. ...7 days ago
- Keep it PublicThe Green Party strongly supports the Tertiary Education Unions call to #KeepitPublic Keep what public? Out quality tertiary education system that National is trying to open up to more private for-profit providers with a new law change. The (Tertiary Education ...1 week ago
- This ‘technical error’ is hurting big timeJonathan Coleman cannot resort to his ongoing litany that the Ministry of Health’s $38 million budget blunder is an error on paper only, says Labour’s Health spokesperson David Clark. “He might keep saying it’s a ‘technical error’ but the reality ...1 week ago
- Labour to invest in public transport for Greater ChristchurchLabour will commit $100m in capital investment for public transport in Greater Christchurch, including commuter rail from Rolleston to the CBD, says Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little. “As the rebuild progresses, there are huge opportunities for Greater Christchurch, but ...1 week ago
- Green Party will repeal solar taxIt’s ridiculous for an electricity distribution monopoly to apply a charge on solar panels but worse than that, it’s harming our effort to tackle climate change. Hawke’s Bay lines company Unison last year announced a new solar charge for their ...1 week ago
- English fails the character test over BarclayBill English is hoping this scandal will go away, but he is still dodging important questions over his role in covering up for Todd Barclay, says Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little. ...1 week ago
- Government must apologise for Christchurch schools stuff-upThe Ombudsman’s findings that the Ministry of Education botched the reorganisation of Christchurch schools after the 2011 earthquake are damning for an under-fire National Government, says Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins. “The Ombudsman has found the reorganisation of schools in ...1 week ago
- Government’s multinational tax measures weakThe Government’s proposals to crack down on multinational tax avoidance, by its own admission only recovering one third of the missing money, means hardworking Kiwis will bear more of the tax burden, says Labour’s Revenue spokesperson Michael Wood. “The Government ...1 week ago
- World Refugee Day – we can do our bitI’m really proud that yesterday, on World Refugee Day, the Greens launched an ambitious plan to increase the refugee quota to 5000 over the next six years. Of those places, 4,000 will be directly resettled by the government and another ...1 week ago
- PM’s leadership in question over Barclay affairThe Prime Minister must belatedly show some leadership and compel Todd Barclay to front up to the Police, says Labour Leader Andrew Little. “Twice today Bill English has been found wanting in this matter. ...1 week ago
- Another memory lapse by Coleman?The Minister of Health ‘couldn’t recall’ whether the Director General of Health Chai Chuah offered his resignation over the Budget funding fiasco involving the country’s District Health Boards, says Labour’s Health spokesperson David Clark. “In the House today Jonathan Coleman ...1 week ago
- Bill English needs to come clean over BarclayBill English needs to explain why he failed to be upfront with the public over the actions of Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay, following revelations that he knew about the secretly recorded conversations in the MP’s electorate office, says Labour Leader ...1 week ago
- Minister, show some backbone and front up and debateRather than accusing critics of his Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill of telling ‘lies’, Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell should show some backbone and front up to a debate on the issue, says Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri. “Te ...1 week ago
- Equal pay for mental health workersToday, mental health workers are filing an equal pay claim through their unions. Mental health support workers do important and difficult work in our communities. But because the workforce is largely female, they are not paid enough. It’s wrong for ...1 week ago
- Nats’ HAM-fisted housing crisis denialNational’s decision to knowingly release a flawed Housing Affordability Measure that underestimates the cost of housing is the latest evidence of their housing crisis denial, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. ...1 week ago
- New Pike footage builds compelling case for mine re-entryNew footage of the Pike River Mine deep inside the operation, revealing no fire damage or signs of an inferno, provides a compelling reason to grant the families of Pike River’s victims their wish to re-enter the drift, says Labour ...1 week ago
- Labour will get tough on slum boarding housesThe next Labour-led Government will legislate a Warrant of Fitness based on tough minimum standards to clean out slum boarding houses, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. “It’s not acceptable for New Zealanders in the 21st Century to be living ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party tribute to Dame Nganeko Minhinnick
Haere ngā mate ki tua o paerau; te moenga roa o ngā mātua tupuna. Haere, haere, haere. It was with a huge sense of loss that we learned of the death of Dame Nganeko Minhinnick yesterday. The Green Party acknowledges ...2 weeks ago - Urgent answers needed on DHB fundingJonathan Coleman must come clean and answer questions about what actual funding DHBs received in Budget 2017, says Labour Health Spokesperson David Clark. ...2 weeks ago
- Treasury puts Māori Land Service on red alertA damning Treasury report raises serious questions about the delivery of Te Ururoa Flavell’s proposed Māori Land Service, giving it a ‘red’ rating which indicates major issues with the project, says Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri. “Treasury’s Interim Major Projects Monitoring ...2 weeks ago
- Economy stalling after nine years of National’s complacencyThe second successive quarterly fall in per person growth shows the need for a fresh approach to give all New Zealanders a fair share in prosperity, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson. ...2 weeks ago
- Kiwi kids deserve much moreAll Kiwi kids deserve so much more than the impoverished picture painted by the shameful rankings provided by the UNICEF Innocenti Report Card, says Labour’s children spokesperson Jacinda Ardern. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ Zone a precursor to a total nuclear weapon banNew Zealand’s nuclear-free zone, legislated by Parliament in 1987, is something we all take pride in. It’s important, however, that we don’t let it thwart its own ultimate purpose – a world free of nuclear weapons. That goal must be ...2 weeks ago
- English must confirm we still stand by our principles on UN resolutionBill English must tell New Zealand whether we remain in support of the UN Security Council resolution on Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, says Labour Leader Andrew Little. “After Foreign Affairs Minister Gerry Brownlee’s evasive answers to repeated questions on ...2 weeks ago
- Māori party drop the poi on Māori healthThe Māori Party have dropped the poi when it comes to supporting Ngati Whakaue and Māori interests in Bay of Plenty by allowing an iwi owned and operated service Te Hunga Manaaki to be brushed aside in favour of a ...2 weeks ago
- Labour to invest in Whanganui River infrastructureLabour will work in partnership with the Whanganui Council to repair and redevelop the city’s Port precinct in advance of planned economic development and expansion. To enable Whanganui’s plans, Labour will commit $3m in matching funding for repairing the Whanganui ...2 weeks ago
- Parihaka: an apology
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- Councils step up as Nats drop the ball on housing crisisPhil Goff’s Mayoral Housing Taskforce is another positive example of councils stepping up where National has failed on housing, says Labour Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. ...2 weeks ago
- Time for a breather on immigrationLabour will introduce moderate, sensible reforms to immigration to reduce the pressure on our cities, while ensuring we get the skilled workers our country needs, says Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little. “New Zealand is a country built on immigration. ...2 weeks ago
- Inaction puts Māui dolphins at riskConservation Minister Maggie Barry was at the United Nations Oceans Conference in New York last week, trying to convince the world that the New Zealand Government is doing a good job at protecting our marine environment. Yet last week after ...2 weeks ago
- National unprepared as immigration runs four times faster than forecastNational has been caught asleep at the wheel by record immigration that has outstripped Budget forecasts, says Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little. ...3 weeks ago
- First home buyers shouldn’t carry the can for National’s failed policiesThe introduction of tighter limits on lending to first home buyers would see them paying the price for the National Party’s failure to recognise or fix the housing crisis, Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson says. “Nine years of denial and ...3 weeks ago
- Bus drivers welcome Labour’s FPA policy
The Fair Pay Agreements proposed by Labour can’t come quick enough for bus drivers facing an average pay cut of $200 a week under the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s re-tendering of bus services. ...35 mins ago - Auditor-General’s Annual Plan 2017/18 publishedThe Auditor-General’s Annual Plan 2017/18 was presented to the House of Representatives today. It describes our 2017/18 work programme and signals our future work programmes for 2018/19 and 2019/20. Our work programme aligns well with our strategic intentions ...38 mins ago
- Small pokie venues disappoint in mystery shopper reportThis week the Department of Internal Affairs released the results of the "mystery shopper" audit of pokie venues. Casinos and smaller clubs and societies known as 'Class 4' venues were visited by actors trained to mimic problem gambling behaviour. ...55 mins ago
- Bishop Warden Releases White Paper on Debt Buying in NZA White Paper entitled ‘The Debt Buying Industry in NZ: Myth & Reality in the Age of Credit’ aims to change the way businesses view the evolving debt buying industry, said Bishop Warden’s Communications Director, Kirk MacGibbon. ...58 mins ago
- Support for SST increases exponentiallyThe Sensible Sentencing Trust says the response to its latest Newsletter has been phenomenal. Trust Founder, Garth McVicar said that the Newsletter headline article on the demise of the family seemed to have been the catalyst for the increased support. ...1 hour ago
- Immigration Symposium aims to take the heat out of debateNew Zealand’s first Immigration Symposium is being held in Dunedin this weekend to understand the real facts about immigration in New Zealand. ...2 hours ago
- Deep concerns around Labour’s workplace policyEMA has deep concerns about the Industrial Relations Policy released by the Labour Party today. ...2 hours ago
- Labour policy – missed opportunityLabour’s industrial relations policy would be a backward step for jobs and the economy, says BusinessNZ. ...2 hours ago
- E tū welcomes Labour’s new Workplace Relations PolicyWorking people in New Zealand will benefit significantly from Labour’s new Workplace Relations Policy announced today. ...2 hours ago
- TEDxWellington 2017 talks now onlineAll 13 talks from the sold-out TEDxWellington 2017 event, held on 18th June, are now available to watch online at tedxwellington.com . ...2 hours ago
- Labour’s new workplace relations policy focused on fairnessThe Labour Party’s new workplace relations policy demonstrates a fair and fresh approach that is good for workers and employers, with a firm eye on the challenges of the future, says the Public Service Association. ...2 hours ago
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- Labour’s Workplace Relations Policy celebratedLabour’s Workplace Relations Policy celebrated by working people Labour’s launch today of their Workplace Relations Policy is being celebrated by working people as innovative, future focused and fair. ...3 hours ago
- Business Association refuses to support our most in needMāori Party candidate for Tāmaki Makaurau Shane Taurima wants to know why the Manurewa Business Association is blocking a request from the community to support some of our most in need whānau. ...3 hours ago
- Bringing our firefighters togetherFire and Emergency New Zealand - which is bringing together New Zealand’s rural, urban, career and volunteer firefighters of 40 organisations into a new single organisation - comes into force on 1 July. ...3 hours ago
- Vic Crone “responds” to report she has not readCallaghan Innovation's head, Vic Crone, would be more authoritative in defending her corporate welfare empire if she bothered to actually read the reports she is giving interviews on in the media. ...3 hours ago
- Peter Thiel: OIAPeter Thiel: OIA DIA have received advice from the Ombudsman that a detail originally redacted from the citizenship file of Peter Thiel released in January for privacy reasons should be made available by 27 July. The Department has decided that ...4 hours ago
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- Ilam Labour Candidate on Chch HNZ salesIlam Labour Candidate Calls for the Sale of HNZ Properties in Christchurch to be Halted. ...4 hours ago
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- Advisory on Equal Pay under-funding misinformationIn recent weeks media have run stories claiming the Pay Equity Settlement for care and support workers in aged care will beggar many small rest homes, with some planning to reduce hours and cut staff to comply with the Settlement. ...5 hours ago
- Transparency International Weekly UpdateScoop is working with public engagement experts John Pennington and Simon Wright from PEP to design a process that is broadly inclusive of the widest variety of views and perspectives. Scoop's project on the housing affordability issue which is running ...5 hours ago
- Ministers Must Commit to Properly Funding Telford TakeoverBefore signing-off on an agreement for Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre to take-over the Telford division of Lincoln University, Ministers must make sure a properly funded long-term plan is put in place to ensure continued provision of training opportunities ...6 hours ago
- Wellington’s Housing Taskforce RecommendationsThe Mayor’s Housing Taskforce has unveiled a bold new plan for fixing Wellington’s housing issues. ...6 hours ago
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- New standard to target meth-contaminated propertiesStandards New Zealand has today released NZS 8510:2017 Testing and decontamination of methamphetamine-contaminated properties, which will provide industry guidance on good practice methods in the testing and clean-up of methamphetamine contamination ...7 hours ago
- Aucklanders denied say on Point England’s futureThe Mayor of Auckland and the Chair of the Maungakiekie- Tāmaki Local Board have expressed their concern about elements of the Point England Development Enabling Bill. The legislation passed by the House of Representatives last night, allows for ...22 hours ago
- Parliamentary Service should be covered by OIAThe Taxpayers’ Union is calling on MPs to shed the cloak of secrecy surrounding Parliamentary Services and for political parties to commit to bring it under the Official Information Act in the next Parliamentary term. “Taxpayers should be able ...22 hours ago
- The Opportunities Party Clearwater Action PlanTHE OPPORTUNITIES PARTY Clearwater Action Plan for Preserving And Enhancing New Zealand’s Water Ways ...22 hours ago
- Mana Party: No to P and No to ExecutionsNobody quite grabs the public attention like Hone” said MANA President Lisa McNab when asked about her party’s position regarding Hone’s comments about ‘executing Chinese drug smugglers. ...23 hours ago
- Southern Response ‘Strategy’ Back on TrialIn December 2016, the High court granted an application brought by a group of policyholders to proceed with representative action against government owned insurer, Southern Response. ...24 hours ago
- Mika Haka Reacts to Legislation to Wipe Gay Convictions“I come from the period where dozens of my friends faced convictions, police raids and harassment for having sex with another man. This is way overdue. ...1 day ago
- PSA congratulates WCC on commitment to Living WageThe Public Service Association is heartened to see significant progress made by Wellington City Council towards being New Zealand’s first Living Wage Council, and applauds campaigners and PSA members for their hard work over the years. ...1 day ago
- Phil Goff Speaks About Need For Plastic Bag RegulationOn 2 July, organisations throughout New Zealand will be banding together to educate and inspire other New Zealanders to think about how personal choice affects their world ...1 day ago
- A-G’s strategic intentions and Singapore Airlines responseWe’ve published two publications on our website today: The Auditor-General’s strategic intentions to 2025 was presented to the House of Representatives today. It sets out the objectives our Office will focus on for the next eight years. As ...1 day ago
- Fighting for the integrity of waterRāhui Papa, Māori Party Candidate for Hauraki Waikato paid tribute to the contribution of the late Dame Nganeko Minhinnick and the Huakina Development Trust in transforming water law and policy in Aotearoa New Zealand, and their fight for the integrity ...1 day ago
- New study prepares for RMA shake-upA major review of New Zealand’s environmental management system has been launched in anticipation of fundamental reform of the Resource Management Act. ...1 day ago
- New Netsafe grant funds eight projects to combat online abusNew Netsafe grant funds eight projects to combat online abuse, bullying and harassment in New Zealand ...1 day ago
- Breaking Through The Grass Ceiling In The Agriculture SectorINSIGHTS ABOUT THE NEWS - West Coast dairy farmer Katie Milne’s election as Federated Farmers president was notable for several reasons. Obviously, Milne became the first woman to win the job in the group’s 118-year history and emphasised the increasing ...1 day ago
- Wellington City Council signs off Annual BudgetWellington City Councillors have unanimously voted to pass this year’s annual plan, which delivers major investments while keeping rates well below forecast. ...1 day ago
- Living Wage Wellington CelebratesLiving Wage Wellington, an alliance of faith groups, community organisations and unions, is celebrating today after Wellington City Council moved closer towards becoming New Zealand's first Living Wage Council. ...1 day ago
- Homelessness: A View From The United StatesThere is a poem well known to UK baby boomers called The Naming of Parts . It’s by Henry Reed who was a conscript to the army in the Second World War and his famous poem describes learning to use ...1 day ago
- Mayor supports plastic bag levyGisborne District Council Mayor Meng Foon is supporting 13 Mayors across the country to lobby central government to implement a national levy on single-use plastic bags. ...1 day ago
- Corrections officers to carry pepper sprayFrontline Corrections officers will soon be able to carry pepper spray on their bodies to increase staff and prisoner safety, says Minister of Corrections Louise Upston. ...1 day ago
- Whanau Ora Model Argues Case for Change“Social Investment has to provide a meaningful measure to reduce disparity to create social and economic advantage for our most challenging whanau” said Labour Whanau Ora Spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta. ...1 day ago
- Executing Drug Smugglers not the Best Call“Executing Chinese drug smugglers will not stem abuse,” says Leighton Baker, Conservative Party Leader. ...1 day ago
- Govt rides roughshod over community, Council and environmentThe passing of the Point England Development Bill into law last evening is an example of arrogant, high handed behaviour from a third term government intent on riding roughshod over communities, micromanaging Councils and ignoring environmental concerns. ...1 day ago
- Green Party selects Taupō candidateThe Taupō branch of the Green Party has selected Julie Sandilands as Taupō candidate for the 2017 general election. ...2 days ago
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- New meth testing standards released
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Mainfreight founder Bruce Plested has used the company’s annual report to criticise the political response to the housing crisis, educational underachievement and the degradation of the environment. Here’s an edited version of what he wrote.Mainfreight’s 39th year saw a record ...4 hours ago - US billionaire spent 12 days in NZ before citizenshipPeter Thiel spent 12 days in New Zealand before being granted citizenship by the then Internal Affairs Minister in 2011. ...4 hours ago
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All week this week the Spinoff Review of Books looks at new Māori (and Pasifika) writing. Today: a personal essay by Kaipara novelist Kelly Ana Morey. ‘I can’t be the ‘Māori’ writer people want me to be,’ she writes, ‘all ...1 day ago - Sex, guilt and Catholic school
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- Goodnight, sweet prince: Pandora shuts down New Zealand operationsPandora – not the charm bracelets – has officially announced it’s the end of the line for their service in Australia and New Zealand, reports Don Rowe.After five years hard graft in the Australia/New Zealand market, Pandora is calling it ...1 day ago
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- Pacific exchange journalists begin NZ media ‘awareness’ internshipArticle by AsiaPacificReport.nz University of the South Pacific’s student journalists Linda Filiai (Tonga) and Shivika Mala (Fiji) at the Pacific Media Centre at Auckland University of Technology this week. Image: Del Abcede/PMC By Kendall Hutt, Pacific Media Watch ...1 day ago
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