housing
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Let it Be
Written By: - Date published: 8:44 am, December 12th, 2018 - 42 comments
Letting fees are a thing of the past. Labour’s Phil Twyford has outlawed the practice of charging tenants an upfront fee for a non existent service. It’s about fairness and it’s about time.
Twyford’s big announcement
Written By: - Date published: 12:46 pm, November 24th, 2018 - 71 comments
The government has just announced the creation of the most massive and powerful housing and land development agency that we have ever seen.
Bridges Billion dollar bungle
Written By: - Date published: 8:42 am, November 23rd, 2018 - 126 comments
Simon Bridges has claimed that Labour’s Kiwisaver fund is $18 billion short of the amount needed to meet the Government’s goals of constructing ten thousand Kiwibuild houses a year. The claim has as much credibility as National’s claim that Labour’s budget figures had an $11.5 billion hole in them.
What happens if housing prices really go down?
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, November 17th, 2018 - 164 comments
So what if Labour decides to go ahead with its capital gains tax? What happens to the equity of the remaining middle class? What happens to the equity of those who were brought in under KiwiBuild?
KiwiBuild doesn’t fly.
Written By: - Date published: 10:29 am, November 2nd, 2018 - 215 comments
More than that, it needs to be torn down before it makes a serious bid at flight.
National’s Judith problem
Written By: - Date published: 4:54 pm, October 30th, 2018 - 50 comments
Judith Collins has landed herself in trouble for publicising details of a young couple who just bought a Kiwibuild home.
National badly wants Kiwibuild to crash
Written By: - Date published: 8:34 am, October 30th, 2018 - 339 comments
National is complaining that Labour is not solving the National imposed housing crisis quickly enough.
Someone tell the business sector, Kiwis like this Government
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, September 18th, 2018 - 29 comments
A recent survey conducted by IPSOS shows New Zealanders are feeling more positive about the Labour-NZ First coalition government than they were the previous one.
Rental Rights Review
Written By: - Date published: 2:06 pm, August 27th, 2018 - 68 comments
The Labour led Government has announced a review into tenancy laws. It’s about time we balanced the rental market, which has for too long let renters down.
Let them fall
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, August 3rd, 2018 - 105 comments
We’ve seen a fair few construction companies go under or get close to it recently.
Redeveloping Public Housing
Written By: - Date published: 8:07 am, July 26th, 2018 - 116 comments
The Government is getting ready to battle the most rapacious economic force in this country, real estate capitalism, for the good of people.
The UN is shocked by NZ’s child poverty rates
Written By: - Date published: 11:40 am, July 22nd, 2018 - 89 comments
Earlier this year the United Nations expressed shock and concern at New Zealand’s rates of child poverty, homelessness, incarceration and violence. What is this Government doing to address these issues?
Property price decline
Written By: - Date published: 8:30 am, July 13th, 2018 - 61 comments
What would happen if the house prices of Auckland, Queenstown, and other centres of very high debt went into substantial and long term decline?
Nats indignant that Twyford is not fixing their housing crisis quickly enough
Written By: - Date published: 7:24 am, June 14th, 2018 - 95 comments
Judith Collins has criticised Phi Twyford because after eight months as Minister he has not fixed a crisis that took nine years to create.
Collins keeps Housing Corp P debacle in news cycle
Written By: - Date published: 7:53 am, June 7th, 2018 - 122 comments
Judith Collins has managed to keep the Housing Corp methamphetamine story alive for another news cycle by attacking poor people who take drugs.
Dud advice
Written By: - Date published: 1:21 pm, June 6th, 2018 - 84 comments
The methamphetamine debacle continues with questions raised about if the Auckland District Health Board provided confidential information to Housing New Zealand about its tenants. And Simon Bridges directly contradicts Bill English by claiming that the last Government had no idea the guidelines were not fit for purpose.
National’s strategy on the Housing Corp P fiasco
Written By: - Date published: 7:59 am, May 31st, 2018 - 83 comments
National is all over the place in its response to Peter Gluckman’s Housing Corp methamphetamine report with three different justifications being provided by three different senior MPs.
Housing Band Aids
Written By: - Date published: 9:54 am, May 26th, 2018 - 54 comments
What lies behind the homelessness crisis in Aotearoa New Zealand? Is it a housing crisis or are the homeless to blame? If the problem is a housing crisis, why is there an assumption that the homeless themselves need extra services to secure and maintain rental housing?
Why is Mark Richardson such a Nimby and …?
Written By: - Date published: 11:58 am, May 25th, 2018 - 46 comments
Being a nimby is the least of Mark Richardson’s problems. His disguised hate speech is harmful to his victims and anyone else in need of help who are left feeling the shame imposed upon them by such careless dialogue.
David Seymour blows the dog whistle, hard
Written By: - Date published: 8:56 am, May 22nd, 2018 - 34 comments
David Seymour has hit a new low by drumming up public opposition to a small social housing development planned by Housiung Corporation in Epsom by claiming some of the potential tenants may have mental health problems.
Fudget for Austerity
Written By: - Date published: 12:31 pm, May 19th, 2018 - 71 comments
Some proposals on why we just got the budget we did.
Everyone applauds Labour’s homelessness plan … except National
Written By: - Date published: 9:56 am, May 5th, 2018 - 133 comments
Labour’s announcement of $100 million spending on homelessness has attracted praise from everyone, except National.
Homeless families are living in cars … and tents
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, April 13th, 2018 - 84 comments
Remember how early on during his reign as National leader John Key talked about the underclass and how they were a blight on New Zealand society? Well over the past year WINZ has been giving grants to homeless families to live in tents.
We did not know it would be this bad
Written By: - Date published: 9:10 am, April 11th, 2018 - 173 comments
Marama Davidson’s question to Jacinda Ardern in Parliament yesterday allowed Jacinda to outline the enormous mess the last National Government has left the country in.
Mike Hosking reckons: Minimum wage increase will be terrible for everyone
Written By: - Date published: 9:55 am, April 9th, 2018 - 159 comments
Mike Hosking reckons that an increase in the minimum wage will increase housing unaffordability and cause job losses and business closures.
Labour ban letting fees
Written By: - Date published: 6:33 am, March 23rd, 2018 - 134 comments
A good start from Labour on rent reforms, but will their bigger plans be enough?
Collins: No one cares about National’s abject failure over housing
Written By: - Date published: 10:42 am, March 16th, 2018 - 111 comments
Judith Collins thinks that no one cares that National oversaw the creation of a significant housing crisis.
Housing needs a builder not a crusher
Written By: - Date published: 8:11 am, March 12th, 2018 - 82 comments
Phil Twyford has the perfect response to National’s claim that Judith Collins’ appointment as Housing Spokesperson would cause him to lose sleep.
Special laws for rich people
Written By: - Date published: 1:19 pm, February 24th, 2018 - 47 comments
Queenstown Lake District Council wants to protect the uber wealthy from Labour’s new overseas house buying ban.
Fletcher Chair resigns but directors retain huge fees despite staggering loss
Written By: - Date published: 4:34 pm, February 14th, 2018 - 123 comments
Fletcher announces more huge losses but directors still laughing all the way to the bank
The Housing Crisis.
Written By: - Date published: 10:43 am, February 11th, 2018 - 154 comments
Can politics deliver?
- A win for democracy
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- Changes To Marijuana Laws Should Now StopFamily First NZ says that with the cannabis medicine bill being passed today, it is now time for politicians to move on from the issue and not to make any further changes which liberalise the law or legitimise and normalise ...24 hours ago
- Overwhelming Opposition Confirmed On Assisted Suicide BillFamily First NZ says that the overwhelming opposition to David Seymour’s assisted suicide bill by submitters to the Select Committee is no surprise and was already indicated during the earlier Inquiry by the Health Select Committee. ...24 hours ago
- Medicinal Cannabis Bill a welcome step forward11 December 2018 - New Zealand medicinal cannabis-based products company NUBU Pharmaceuticals says the passing of The Misuse of Drugs (Medical Cannabis) Amendment Bill today is a welcome step forward in addressing patient need in New Zealand. ...24 hours ago
- Medicinal cannabis producer welcomes new law passed todayNew Zealand cannabis company Zeacann is welcoming the The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill which has just passed its third reading in parliament. ...24 hours ago
- Commissioner welcomes young voices talking about pornChildren’s Commissioner welcomes young voices talking about porn “Research released recently by the Chief Censor on young New Zealanders and porn, is a ground-breaking document,” says Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft. “This is not least ...24 hours ago
- Medicinal Cannabis bill passes final readingNew Zealand First welcomes the passing of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill today in Parliament. This legislation increases the availability and quality of medicinal cannabis for those suffering who desperately need other options. ...1 day ago
- TOP Leadership Election Winners AnnouncedThe winner of the Leader position is Geoff Simmons. Geoff has been acting as the interim leader and was formerly General Manager of the Morgan Foundation. He brings with him a rock-solid background in TOP’s policy as well as excellent ...1 day ago
- Charity Welcomes Paper on Preventing Family ViolenceSave the Children New Zealand (SCNZ) welcomes the release of the latest discussion paper from the Chief Science Advisor to the Justice Sector, Dr Ian Lambie, Every 4 Minutes’ . ...1 day ago
- Link MP’s Salaries to Average WageIt’s time to link parliamentary salaries to the average wage so that elected members are rewarded according to the benefit the country gains from their service. ...1 day ago
- ALRANZ Takes Case to Human Rights Review TribunalALRANZ announced the Office of Human Rights Proceedings (OHRP) has decided to provide ALRANZ with representation before the Human Rights Review Tribunal (HRRT). ...1 day ago
- Auditor-General’s report publishedThe Auditor-General’s report Central government: Results of the 2017/18 audits was presented to the House of Representatives today. ...1 day ago
- NZ First opposes increased pressure on primary schoolsNew Zealand First will oppose Nikki Kaye’s “Education (Strengthening Second Language Learning in Primary and Intermediate Schools) Amendment Bill. ...1 day ago
- Ministerial diary publication strengthens transparencyYesterday Minister for State Services (Open Government) Chris Hipkins announced that all Government Ministers will for the first time release details of their internal and external meetings, ...1 day ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – December 12 2018
Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – December 12 2018 Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. The Beehive and Parliament Buildings. ‘Every Four Minutes’ Report on ...2 hours ago - It’s bubbles season, darlings! How to choose the right fizz for any occasion
From beach outings to barbecues to battling feelings of festive stress, December is jam-packed with moments made for popping the cork on something sparkling. The first glass of Champagne in our house on Christmas day is a bit of a ritual. ...2 hours ago - Rakon boosts bank funding
Rakon has added $6 million to its cash working capital facility with ASB Bank, which it says will help meet the increased demands for telecommunications infrastructure. ...2 hours ago - Councils halt online voting trial for local body elections
Councils have been forced to halt a proposed trial of online voting in next year's local body elections due to costs. ...2 hours ago - Better know your brew: the concise guide to beer varieties
How much do you really know about the beer you’re holding – and how it’s different to the one your mate is drinking? Elevate your Christmas party chat with the Spinoff’s guide to beer varieties. Standing in the chilled beer fridge ...2 hours ago - Your drinking water could be saltier than you think (even if you live in a capital)
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Wright, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University As the drought drags on, small communities in eastern Australia are turning to emergency water supplies. Often, this means bore water, which ...2 hours ago - Four journalists, one newspaper: Time Magazine’s Person of the Year recognises the global assault ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Greste, Professor of Journalism and Communications, The University of Queensland Time Magazine has just announced its “Person of the Year” for 2018, and for once, it isn’t one person. This time ...2 hours ago
- An opt-out system isn’t the solution to Australia’s low rate of organ donationSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Neera Bhatia, Senior Lecturer in Law, Deakin University Organ transplantation relies on the generosity of a person to volunteer their organs for donation after death, or the generosity of the family to ...3 hours ago
- What the Victorian government’s decision not to sign on to the Gonski reforms means for schools in...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Olijnyk, Lecturer, Adelaide Law School, University of Adelaide Victorian schools could potentially be without federal funding after 31 December 2018 if the state government refuses to sign up to the Gonski ...3 hours ago
- RBNZ says it’s underfunded and understaffed
The Government has been told the Reserve Bank needs more staff to regulate the banks. ...3 hours ago - Thank you to The Strip, the TV show that inspired my teenage sexual awakening
The strip club-set New Zealand TV series The Strip ran for two seasons in the early-2000s and is now largely forgotten. But Emily Writes remembers it…We heard about The Strip before we saw it on TV. The advertising had been ...3 hours ago - Motor vehicle lending helps UDC lift annual profit 6%
The ANZ Bank-owned UDC Finance says an 18 percent increase in lending on motor vehicles helped it lift annual net profit 6 percent. ...3 hours ago - Orr says RBNZ still under-resourced
The Reserve Bank continues to be under-resourced, despite paying its third-biggest dividend this year, but the review of the Reserve Bank Act is currently looking at its funding model, governor Adrian Orr says. ...3 hours ago - Facts: These are the 20 best non-fiction books of 2018
All week this week we present the 20 best books of the year. Today: the 20 best books of non-fiction.Previously: The 20 best kids books of 2018The 20 best poetry books of 2018Māori Made Easy: For everyday learners of the Māori ...4 hours ago - QC appointed to head Maxwell bullying inquiry
An employment law specialist will investigate whether the Retirement Commissioner bullied her staff. ...4 hours ago - Dunne: Next year crucial for both Govt and Nats
Both Labour and National know that, given this year's performances, the 2020 election is still each of theirs to lose, says Peter Dunne. ...4 hours ago - Public service bosses get extra week annual leaveState Services Commissioner Peter Hughes has given public service chief executives an extra week's annual leave to make up for the financial hit they have taken as a result of losing their performance pay. ...5 hours ago
- Hallenstein Glasson wary of margin squeeze in second half
Hallenstein Glasson Holdings is wary of a margin squeeze in the second half of the year in what it describes as tough trading conditions in New Zealand and Australia. ...5 hours ago - Sydney house price downturn could dampen Auckland prices
The sharp fall in house prices in Sydney this year, down almost 10 percent from their peak in 2017, could have a dampening effect on Auckland's property market, although the shortage of local houses, lower mortgage rates and still elevated ...5 hours ago - Honouring the dead: Alex Seton’s stark, moving protest sculptures carved from marbleSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Mendelssohn, Honorary Associate Professor, Art & Design: UNSW Australia. Editor in Chief, Design and Art of Australia Online, UNSW Alex Seton’s sculpture A Durable Solution? is concentrating the minds of some ...5 hours ago
- Sky in 2018: the media monster we’ve all assumed will fail
It’s the biggest and by far the most profitable media company in New Zealand. In today’s instalment of his series on NZ media in 2018, Duncan Greive asks media executives why no one believes in Sky any more. When the ...6 hours ago - Curious Kids: How does the Moon, being so far away, affect the tides on Earth?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Hemer, Senior Research Scientist, Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO This is an article from Curious Kids, a series for children. You can send your question to curiouskids@theconversation.edu.au. You might also like the ...6 hours ago
- Shortland Street The Musical: A post-mortem
This week it was announced that Auckland Theatre Company’s Shortland Street: The Musical would be cancelling its planned 2019 tour. Sam Brooks asks why the show fell short of its ambitions – and what it says about the industry.Shortland Street: ...6 hours ago - Sincha Dimara: My mother, a West Papuan survivor of many hardships, spurred along by her faith
7 hours ago - Shaw: NZ’s not seeking easy way out
A recent stark report has “fundamentally shifted the conversation,” says Climate Change Minister James Shaw. ...7 hours ago - RBNZ governor denies central bank exerted influence over CBLI creditors
Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr batted away accusations that the central bank had exerted influence over CBL Insurance’s creditors to support them in its bid for liquidation. ...7 hours ago - Thompson & Clark inquiry out before Christmas
The findings of an inquiry into state use of private investigators will be released "imminently", SSC head says. ...8 hours ago - How ‘Snoopy’s Christmas’ became a classic in NZ (and nowhere else)Henry Oliver talks to Bruce Ward, the man who made ‘Snoopy’s Christmas’ a perennial hit single in New Zealand charts. It’s Christmastime! And Christmastime means Christmas music. And not just those fancy school choirs and buskers with violins, but a whole ...8 hours ago
- We won, sort of: A medicinal cannabis user at yesterday’s historic voteThe Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill passed its third reading in Parliament, ushering in the partial decriminalisation of medicinal cannabis use. Longtime user and activist Rebecca Reider was there. A few years ago, deep in the throes of ...8 hours ago
- NZ dollar holds near 15-month high vs pound
The New Zealand dollar held near a 15-month high against the British pound as UK Prime Minister Theresa May's inability to garner support for a Brexit deal threatens her leadership. ...10 hours ago - ‘Designer’ babies won’t be common anytime soon – despite recent CRISPR twinsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Merlin Crossley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Professor of Molecular Biology, UNSW This article is part of our occasional long read series Zoom Out, where authors explore key ideas in science and technology ...10 hours ago
- Law and order is no get-out-of-jail card for floundering politiciansSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke McNamara, Professor of Law, UNSW With confidence in politicians at an all-time low, it would be easy to assume criminal law-making is only ever about “law and order” bidding and winning ...10 hours ago
- What’s the most value for money way to tackle obesity? Increase taxes on alcoholSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jaithri Ananthapavan, Senior Research Fellow, Health Economics, Deakin University We don’t often equate the kilojoules we drink in our glass of wine or pint of beer with the weight that accumulates around ...10 hours ago
- Not wiped out. Why Whyalla, of all places, now has a sustainable futureSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael O’Neil, Executive Director, SA Centre for Economic Studies, University of Adelaide Whyalla will be wiped off the map by Julia Gillard’s carbon tax, Whyalla risks becoming a ghost town, an ...10 hours ago
- How cinema’s new Aquaman draws on the mythology of ancient sea godsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Turner, PhD student, University of Newcastle Muscular, bearded and trident-wielding, Jason Momoa’s portrayal of the titular Aquaman in the forthcoming DC film draws on ancient Greek and Roman iconography. Water gods ...10 hours ago
- Edwards: The sound of ideologies clashing
For the first time in decades, the ideological fault lines that lie beneath debates over our school system are about to be exposed. ...10 hours ago - NZ shares gain as defensive stocks find favour
New Zealand shares rose, led by Contact Energy and Meridian Energy as heightened uncertainty in global markets bolsters the attraction of defensive stocks offering stable dividends. ...11 hours ago - NZ dollar firm against greenback
The New Zealand dollar remained firm against the greenback after news that Chinese and US officials are still talking helped alleviate some fears of a global slowdown. ...11 hours ago - The Bulletin: Hurdles ahead for school second language teaching
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Second language in schools bill gets cross party support, overseas investment still thriving, and be on the lookout for scammers posing as the IRD.An opposition bill to teach primary school children ...12 hours ago - Time to change NZTA review
The Ministry of Transport is the wrong ministry to review the chaos at NZTA. ...12 hours ago - Letting fees come to an endRenters throughout the country are rejoicing at the official end of letting fees. ...12 hours ago
- Hareb on the cusp of a dream ride to Tokyo 2020
Paige Hareb’s childhood dream of being an Olympian wasn’t unique. Her path to finally achieving it, however, could be. ...13 hours ago - ‘Get over it!’ A Silicon Valley guru on why Kiwi businesses need to lose the humility
Kiwis need to get over their cultural bashfulness and start faking it until they make it, businesses were told at Australasia’s first ‘Startup Grind’.Guy Kawasaki looks at me as if I’m a bit simple.I have just asked the corporate ‘evangelist’, ...13 hours ago - The Spinoff Hot Take Advent Calendar: December 12
Every day in the leadup to Christmas, open the door to reveal a Spinoff writer’s short, sizzling commentary on a weighty subject. Our arbitrary and strictly enforced word limit: 365. Today: Duncan Greive on why churches (and other religious institutions) ...14 hours ago - Legalise (almost all of) it: What Spinoff readers reckon about drugs
The Spinoff partnered with UMR to survey the attitudes of our readers, and the nation as a whole. Today, what do we reckon about drug reform? And what lessons can politicians take from the answers? If you’re reading this right now, ...14 hours ago - Victorian upper house greatly distorted by group voting tickets; federal Labor still dominant in New...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne The November 24 Victorian election will result in an upper house of 18 Labor out of 40 (up four since ...21 hours ago
- The Great Kiwi Bake Off power rankings: A shocking twist, and not the apple kind
Where were you when the person you thought would get sent home from Great Kiwi Bake Off didn’t? Tara Ward was in her pantry, praising the chocolate gods for blessing us with the nicest show on television.“It’s all about the ...22 hours ago - Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – December 11 2018Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – December 11 2018 Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. The Beehive and Parliament Buildings.Education Carol Anderson (Stuff): How the ...22 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – December 11 2018Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – December 11 2018 Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. The Beehive and Parliament Buildings.Education Carol Anderson (Stuff): How the ...22 hours ago
- Yealands lied about adding sugar to wine
The founder of wine exporting powerhouse Yealands, has pleaded guilty to falsifying documents after adding sugar to wine for export to Europe. ...23 hours ago
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