Covid-19 Gov’t Support; Live updates from 2pm

Written By: - Date published: 2:01 pm, March 17th, 2020 - 156 comments
Categories: class war, Economy, health and safety, welfare, workers' rights - Tags: ,

The coalition Government is going to commit to a 12 billion dollar support package. The details will come through from 2pm and will be live streamed at TVNZ here. Radio NZ’s coverage is here.

Update: The first details are through, via Radio NZ.

  • Beneficiaries and superannuitants will also get a cash bonus with a permanent increase to main benefit rates and a one-off doubling of the Winter Energy Payment this year.
  • The biggest boost is $5.1 billion towards wage subsidies for affected businesses in all sectors and regions, which kicks in today.
  • Beneficiaries will also get an immediate and permanent increase of $25 a week in the hand, and the Winter Energy Payment, which beneficiaries and superannuants receive, will be doubled this year.

Together that will cost $2.8 billion while another $2.8b is being invested in business tax changes to free up cashflow.

That will include a provisional tax threshold life, the reinstatement of building depreciation and writing off interest on the late payment of tax.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson said this package is about “cashflow and confidence” and is only the beginning of the support that will be rolled out to help New Zealanders through this crisis and to recover from it.

“We will fight this virus. We will cushion the blow for businesses and workers. We will position for recovery. We have been and we will be swift, decisive and compassionate.”

Update: The package represents 4 percent of GDP and is, according to Minister Robertson “more than the total of all three Budgets’ new operating spending in this term of Government put together.”

Robertson said latest Treasury forecasts show New Zealand’s fiscals will be impacted and there will be higher debt, deficits and unemployment. “This is the rainy day that we have been planning for,” he said.

Update:

  • Wage subsidies will be available for businesses in all parts of the country that can show they’ve had a 30 percent decline in revenue for any month between January and June 2020 compared to the year before.
  • For eligible businesses, employers will be paid $585.50 per week for full-time staff, and $350 for part-time staff.
  • Payments will be capped at $150,000 per business and will be paid in one lump sum for up to 12 weeks.
  • An increase of $25 a week for all main benefits starts on 1 April and the Ministry of Social Development estimates about 350,000 low-income families will benefit.

A support package estimated to cost $126 million will be made available for those people unable to work because they’re either in quarantine, sick from Covid-19, or caring for family in either of those situations.

These payments will be the same as the wage subsidy amounts but are only available for eight weeks and employers will be expected to meet all of their requirements in terms of sick leave.

An increase of $25 a week for all main benefits starts on 1 April and the Ministry of Social Development estimates about 350,000 low-income families will benefit.

Update:

  • A dedicated $500 million fund for health has been announced. This includes extra intensive care capacity and equipment for hospitals, support for GPs and primary care and improving video conferencing and e-consultations.
  • Healthline will also receive a $20 million boost for more staff.

Health Minister David Clark said so far the medical response has been world-leading. “We know we will see more cases of Covid-19 arrive here. So we must plan and prepare for that reality,” he said.

Update: Some quick responses from the business sector, who seem very supportive.

Employers and Manufacturers Association CEO Brett O’Riley said it was pleasing to see the government was trying to encourage spending.

“On the face of it, with limited time to digest it, it looks pretty comprehensive.”
 
O’Riley also said the biggest issue the EMA had been dealing with was leave.
 
“One of the things we had already seen is businesses responding as a community … and I think with the clarity we have got today … it will maximise our ability to get through this as a recession rather than a depression.”
 
Economist Shamubeel Equab call the package “absolutely extraordinary” and “fantastic”.
 
He said a recession was definitely going to happen, though he said package would go a long way towards preserving jobs and staving off business failures.
 
Final Update:
 
Thanks for reading the post and updates. Last word to the PM:
 
Be strong, be kind, we will be ok”

 

156 comments on “Covid-19 Gov’t Support; Live updates from 2pm ”

  1. lprent 1

    TRP: Hopefully bumping this to the top of the day won't have lost any edits.

  2. Sabine 2

    this is pathetic.

    • mickysavage 2.1

      Why? Huge increase to benefits as well as the winter payment. Wage subsidies to keep people in jobs. Redeployment and health budgets. What is there not to like?

      • Sabine 2.1.1

        huge increase? lol………25+ plus 10.44$ (3%) is 35.44 before tax. So a beneficiary that has had 20 to live after paying rent now has 55.44 to live after tax, but as explained below other benfits may suffer or get cancelled out by that mediocre increase.

        But then its poor people, and considering your comment you seem to not have any idea what poor in NZ actually means.

        secondly, Wage subsidies keep people in jobs?

        Good fucking grief, Mickey I expect better from you. Because if I loose my business because i can't meet lease, utilities, products because i don't have customers, etc then i don't need staff.

        But i am pleased to know that you can get free money form the govenrment to keep your people in a job. Well done. The same counts for all the other big hotels, tourism operations etc etc.

        Frankly the government could have set unemployment benefits at a decent level and simply let people apply online and send the cheque without fucking the unemployed about. At least the money would have gone directly to the poeple.

        Nothing, absolutly nothing in this budget for self employed or micro businesses. Nothing. No help with absolutly fucking anything. Oh, but if we can't pay our taxes because we can't do business then your party is waiving the late payment fees. What vultures they are.

        This is simply pathetic, and as of now i will never, ever in my life again give money to labour, give time to labour, or give any of these wankers a vote.

        This money is bailing out those that already don't need it. And hte rest of us small mom and pop businesses we can just take a few month worth of lease that we can't pay on the credit card or declare bankruptcy because your usless mates in the labour party did nothing.

        You truly have no idea, right?

        When we loose our premises, our customers, can't access our products we need to produce the last thing we need is wage subsidies because we then don't need no workers. Is that plain enough english?

        • te reo putake 2.1.1.1

          "Nothing, absolutly nothing in this budget for self employed or micro businesses. Nothing. No help with absolutly fucking anything."

          Ahem. The announcement includes $2.8 billion in business tax changes, including a provisional tax threshold increase, plus writing off interest on some late payments of tax. That affects thousands of SME's, who will now be able to defer tax payments. Additionally, sole traders and self-employed will be eligible for financial support if they are unable to work because they are in self-isolation, are sick from the virus or caring for dependants in these situations.

          • Muttonbird 2.1.1.1.1

            I'm assuming that sole traders count as businesses and qualify for the wage subsidy (to themselves) if they can show the 30% drop in revenue, whether in self-isolation or not.

          • Sabine 2.1.1.1.2

            tax changes

            we are not worried about taxes.

            you are writing of interest on late payments. Great! We have no income but we are waiving the late payment interest.

            defer tax payments. To when? a month? two month? three?

            Frankly, when the wave of bankruptcy is hitting starting about now, paying taxes will be the last worry so many of us have. But i do hope that all the big companies that are usually really good at avoiding taxes will be held to account and this time around will pay their fair share, lest there be anyone left over in this country to pay taxes and rates.

            I am sorry, TRP, but is falls under too little, too fucking late, and bullshittery.

          • SHG 2.1.1.1.3

            Awesome so when I go out of business and lay off all my staff next week we can all feel better because I can write off some interest on some tax payments in the next financial year.

            I see this as an absolute win

        • Craig H 2.1.1.2

          Tax on benefits is net, not gross.

  3. McFlock 3

    Well, I know of at least one small pcbu that will be eying that wage relief, because I suspect the next few months are going to be very lean indeed.

    • Sabine 3.1

      when us business loose all of our premises becasue we can't be keeping up with leases, utilities, insurance, compliance cost wages will be the last thing to worry about.

      I find it funny that i can get some money for my staff ,while we are worrying about meeting all the above. Good fucking grief, our red overlords are as fucking dumb as the blue ones.

      • Crikey, Sabine, if a massive wage subsidy isn't going to help your business, it's probably time to close it.

        You seem to be saying the Government should cover the usual costs of running a business, when this package is about dealing with a specific health crisis. If, in general, it's too expensive to run a business because of rent, insurances etc. don't blame the Government, blame capitalism.

        • Sabine 3.1.1.1

          TRP

          any business in town that i spoke to is worried. We pay monthly

          lease

          utilities

          rates

          taxes

          gst

          product to produce

          compliance costs

          wages

          the reason i put wages last is because it is the first thing to go and the last thing to come. Firstly.

          Secondly, if we don't have premises we don't work. Full stop there. Many of us small businesses do lease premises, and if you find residential leases expensive, have a look at commercial ones. It will blow your mind.

          third, if i have to lock up for several weeks because the country goes into lock down then i won't have any income at all. None, nada, zilch, nix, nothing.

          I sitll howeve have to pay rent, utlitity, rates, compliance costs and wages (if at that stage still have staff), and frankly it might be easier for staff to go unemployed in the case of a full shut down.

          Fourth, i have seen my income diminished since January compared to the previous years. While we are not a tourism operator we do benefit from th local people that work in the industry. And here in tourism land many of my customer have been on cut hours since January, cause the Chinese etc did not arrive in numbers they usually do.

          So while this for you is a new thing it is something that we – all of us tiny little businesses – have been watching this for a while now.

          And again, not all businesses are 'profit' driven. Some of us are small, sustainable, i.e. we make the money to cover all of our costs, pay our staff, pay ourself and that is it, especially in small to middle town NZ.

          As for blaming government or capitalism, i blame government. They are paid – handsomly i might add – to do what is best for their country,. And shoveling moeny down certain businesses while ignoring every single self employed, sole trader, micro business is on them.

          As for closing my business, i will. Luckily i don't have any debt, so i only have a lease to pay that i will ignore. Maybe i will sub rent it to some homeless family that will need a place to self isolate.

          But just in case that you don't want to eat your words and have to cough a few times …….when you are next in town, look at all the small businesses, the cafes, the butcher, the bakers, the cabinet makers and ask yourself if a 'wage subsidy' is what they need to survive. And also ask yourself, just how much small businesses you will be happy to just see go. And also ask yourself just how many people will be unemployed because of it.

          And oh, never ever whinge again about the big box businesses because they will be all that is left.

          • Tiger Mountain 3.1.1.1.1

            Owner ops, self employed, “Tradies”, small business owners, SME owners, and the NZ petit bourgeois generally, like to think bigly, and be aspirational. But the fact is you are under the thumb of finance capital. You are not big wheels or “captains of industry” in any sense apart from mindset and identification perhaps with the 1%ers.

            This is not the time perhaps to disparage the sector that in one sense holds this country back with its Bennie Bash, Māori Bash, no capital gains attitude. But the Govt. has made a good attempt with this package that will require honesty from businesses and all sorts of people actually working in together for a change. Sure it is nice to earn a living off your own efforts, I freelance in old school print production, and have not had a boss for years, but I know where I fit in the scheme of things!

            Look closer at the package perhaps at your leisure.

          • Kevin 3.1.1.1.2

            What are you after then?

            Just a big bag of free cash?

          • RedLogix 3.1.1.1.3

            Costs, costs and more cost. You are beginning to sound like one of those whining landlords ♥

          • Descendant Of Smith 3.1.1.1.4

            "the butcher"

            Haven't seen one in town for many, many years. Nearly all the shops in town are chains or franchises apart from the ludicrous number of cafes, a menswear store and some second hand dealers/bookshops.

            Many are fake competition i.e, different brands all owned by the same parent company as well just pretending to be competition.

            Many, as an Irish friend told me are the same brands that are all over the world. Ticky, tacky.

            That horse has little to do with corona virus – that horse bolted a long time ago.

        • woodart 3.1.1.2

          agree totally te reo. having had a business with staff and premises,and all the associated costs that sabine is whingeing about, plus some they obviously dont have (or they would be wanting a bailout for those ,as well), I fully agree that if you business is that dicey in the good times, what does sabine expect?

          • Sabine 3.1.1.2.1

            What i expect?

            Say this crisis is gonna last three month. A rent/mortgage/lease holiday for this time, so that people can go home, stay home and not worry about loosing the premise they need for work or life. And if it stops can go back to start up again without an arse full of debt, they previously did not have.

            A monthly payment equalling min wage to beneficiaries/unemployed so they can stay home and look after themselves and their loved ones rather then going out trying to hustle a few bucks here and there.

            If this crisis goes into 2021 – 22 or longer (something that i believe is more akin to reality then this idea we are back to normal by June) then of course other measures must be taken. But we are not there yet.

            As i said, i can close shop today. Might actually do, have been discussing this with my partner now for days and the only reason i am here in my business is because my partner things that we can't 'give up' that easily. I have no debt in my business. I build it low and slow over a few years. And at the end of hte day only have the premises lease to pay. That is me.

            Now have a look around, the garages, the panel beaters, the tire shops, the small ladies shops, the bakers, the butchers, all the self employed all the sole traders etc etc etc how happy are you to see them all go? And go fast i might like to add. And how many do you see come back to business in a years time or three month if they can't make their payments during this time? It is easier to simply go bankrupt and on the dole. Yei!

            Rent/Lease – residential or commercial are the biggest cost in most businesses. For many without that they can't do business. Rates, are paid by businesses, how long will our towns cope with the lack of businesses paying rates?

            Now if schools close, most families will lose an income if one stays at home. will that person go on unpaid leave? Or will it be easier to simply quit and go unemployed (was the 12 week stand down cancelled?). So how are you gonna cope with mortgage and the rest?

            I think its easy to just say, hey if you don't make mega bucks and screw everyone over your business ain't worth it and just go quit and die. But in saying that, my small business has employees, had them for many years, and non of them ever cost the government and the tax payer anything, because my small lowly business kept us in bread and butter. And so are many many others around me, and they have been waiting for this announcement. And while they hoped for some sort of help with staffing, they hoped for something more substaintial. Because a business that closed down, is a business that is not having staff issues anymore.

            • Sacha 3.1.1.2.1.1

              A rent/mortgage/lease holiday

              Do you mean the state pays those things for each business or person? Isn't that just transferring money to banks, etc?

      • McFlock 3.1.2

        Funnily enough, wages were the first thing I worried about. We have contingencies for the premises and rent, but folks gotta eat on a weekly basis.

        • Sacha 3.1.2.1

          Yes, businesses will still have to plan and perhaps negotiate with their financiers to cover other essentials.

          • McFlock 3.1.2.1.1

            We were working on a limit of a few weeks if we had a sudden revenue halt. This pushes back the clock again, which isn't how normal businesses run but is business as usual for theatre lol

  4. Well that was a surprise. Good speech by Grunt the Robertson – particularly at the end:

    basically investment over austerity. Good on him. Now keep it up

    Naturally enough, Soimun had to start barking – ruf ruff…..ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff while the queen of the Caci Clinic looked on doing facial gymnastuks.

    (Your) God I pray they have to go into self-isolation.

    And imagine the trans-tasman and trans-colonial phone traffic at the moment.looking for advoice on what next to do. Capacity must be nearing swampage

    But as for his commendations and kudos to all those publuk servants who've contributed – ask yourselves………..maybe this is how you should be working day to day.

    It's what you signed up for a life (or at least interlude) of martyrdom was meant to encompass.

    • Oh…….. but if you happened to be watching ONE News ("your news") rather than Parlyarmint TV, you'll have seen the interruption.

      What a crock. The proceedings interrupted by a commercial footsie jiggle. Me bunions are feeling SO much better, not too mention me wrinkles. Pretty sure it wasn't just down to the fek that Jack the Tame needded to go take puss

      Price Waterhouse (the keepers of the Chicken Cooper) are no doubt monitoring the problem in this space going forward.

    • peterh 4.2

      If some people don't get it, this is the package that will not be changed In the next 8 week, so people like Simon &Sabine should shut the f up, we are all in this together and complaining and crap not going to help anyone, everyone in NZ have to be on the same page

      • Sabine 4.2.1

        i will no more shut up then you.

        This is a crisis. And i, and my fellow small business owner are in the same fucking boat as you are.

        So yeah, nah.

        • peterh 4.2.1.1

          And what do you think the extra 5b of spending in the next 8 weeks is going to do for the small business owner that is how they are trying to help in that way

          • Sabine 4.2.1.1.1

            i have said many times what i had hoped for and nothing of that was outlandish or too costly.

            but then i never spoke about the need of bailing out some industry here or there, i was simply hoping that the government would bail out its citizenry.

            Oh well, i must be a dreamer.

        • RedLogix 4.2.1.2

          To be fair I do understand. Every business has a different capital, operating and wage structures. Many will be badly hit, others might be busier than ever. It's not easy to imagine a quick clean system to help everyone that doesn't have inequities built in.

          Actually I wish you the best with what is clearly going to be a tough and stressful time.

      • weka 4.2.2

        Peterh, I'm saying this a moderator, but don't want to get the bold pen out. Please don't tell people to stfu, especially in this context. Everyone is stressed, we're in a massive and fast social change. Some people are in more serious situations than others, everyone deals with stress in a different way. One thing we can do is try to not inflame the situation even more. Thanks.

  5. Chris 5

    All main benefits up by $25 a week. Great, but I wonder if the poorest of the poor are going to miss out again by the dollar-for-dollar reduction in temporary additional support payments? Governments over recent decades have never dealt with this issue. The accommodation supplement drops, too, because the subsidy is assessed on the basis of a percentage of the difference between accommodation costs and 25% of the main benefit rate. $25 a week sounds good but the built-in inequities of inceases like this are never addressed and ironically always hit the poorest the hardest.

    • weka 5.1

      Fuck.

      • OnceWasTim 5.1.1

        Is that an instruction? If it is, this could be the start of the next baby boom.

        In twenty years time we won't have to worry about all those bloody ummigrunts coming here and taking all our jobs. It might even solve academic pondering over the true meaning of colinisation and neo-colonisation (going forward).

        That's it @ weka. You've struck on the solution. Self-isolate with your partner and fuck

    • weka 5.2

      If the main benefit increases, does AS and TAS always drop? Does that happen for the annual inflation increase too?

      • Sabine 5.2.1

        one hand gives one hand takes and thus it was ever since.

        Gentler, kinder…..still the same bullshit.

      • Chris 5.2.2

        The mechanism whereby both benefit reduce when main benefits increase is built in so in principle everyone is affected. There are exceptions with the AS but they are dependent on factual scenarios, like people paying high rent in areas with relatively low AS maximums. Most people receiving TAS (i.e. the poorest of the poor) will see little increase if any because TS goes down by a dollar for every extra dollar of main benefit.

        Here's a basic outline of how that works. The accommodation supplement is calculated by taking 25% of the basic benefit rate away from the accommodation cost, and then 70% of the difference is the entitlement, subject to the caps according to area and family size. So any benefit increase means an increase to 25% of that rate, which lessens the difference between the accomodation cost and that increased 25% figure that has been increased by the benefit rate increase. Say a main benefit is $215 a week, 25% of that is $53.75 which is then rounded up to $54. Rent at $200 less $54 is $146 then 70% of that is $102.20, rounded up to $103 a week of accommodation supplement. (If the cap is lower than this the cap is paid, not the $103. For single people over 25 the caps for Areas 3 and 4 are $80 and $70.)

        So add $25 to the $215 comes to $240 a week. 25% of that is $60 so take that from rent of $200 leaves $140, and 70% of that is $98 a week of AS. This means the $25 increase takes $5 back of accommodation supplement. For people receiving a higher benefit rate, for example a supported living payment or a benefit for caring for children the differences are magnified significantly because we’re dealing with percentage increases of higher main benefit rates.

        For people receiving TAS the situation is more grave because it's a dollar-for-dollar reduction. That $20 net increase would be swallowed up if the person was receiving the TAS payment leaving no net increase. The insidiousness here is in the fact the TAS is meant to be for the poorest of the poor but any increase in main benefit is almost always 100% offset by a reduction in the TAS payment (if the person is lucky enough to receive it in the first place).

        The consequences in terms of the maths always occur because it's built in to the legislation, but some groups in practice avoid an actual change, for example those already subject to the statutory accommodation supplement cap i.e. already paying high accommodation costs therefore are subject to the cap, and/or living in areas where the cap is relatively low.

        • RedLogix 5.2.2.1

          Good explanation thanks. Now how much easier would an Emergency UBI be?

          • Janet 5.2.2.1.1

            How much easier would UBI be permanently? The social benefit systems have been extrapolated and exploited by some for so long now they are many headed monsters. UBI with no add on or deduct off ability.
            UBI would help cover Sabines situation too.

            • RedLogix 5.2.2.1.1.1

              Well I've argued for this many times over many years, but be warned the hard left here generally regards it as the work of the devil. It's safest not to mention it too often.

              • Chris

                Because the only thing the right properly understands about a UBI is that it's universal. For the right a basic income is also extremely basic, so much so that it's grossly inadequate. So yes, such a UBI could easily be the work of the devil.

                • RedLogix

                  My frustration is that many people here look at it through a solipsistic lens; how much money will I get with a UBI compared to now? Neglecting any consideration of how it would make increasing your total income a lot easier, and the wider social context you live in.

                  All the evidence suggests that the psychological positives of a UBI based system would reduce the impact of inequality, and reward personal agency. And that's before we talk about the even larger benefits of the major tax reform that would have to be part of the package.

                  At the present our welfare and tax system are so rickety and distorted that they drive behaviour into unproductive directions; the kind of systems TOP are promoting look to increase productivity (at which NZ sucks) and create a more prosperous society overall. All these are hard to quantify and but to my mind are the most important elements justifying such a radical move.

                  • Chris

                    So give everyone 200 bucks a week and watch the potential in everyone blossom. Great plan.

                    • RedLogix

                      Yes I do think it’s a ‘great plan’ 🙂

                      No UBI scheme is a silver bullet on it's own, but if it took us in a better direction and indeed we could "watch the potential in everyone blossom", exactly what objection would you have?

                      The welfare system we have at present is notoriously bureaucratic, intrusive, paternalistic and inhibits personal agency at every turn. Why is the left so very wedded to this system? I thought we stood for the eradication of poverty? I thought we wanted to see people do well, to thrive and find both joy and meaning in their lives, in spite of the limitations we all have.

                      Sneering at the $200pw is a narrow and materialistic view of the problem. I realised this some years ago when I imagined what would happen if tomorrow we made everyone equally wealthy, that we shared out all the world's money and assets on a purely equal basis, that we made all outcomes the same and eliminated inequality. And did nothing else.

                      Within a generation, probably less, the mass of people would be poor again, and a small number of people would be rich again. Inequality manifests itself in material terms, we measure it using dollar units, but the root of it lies elsewhere.

            • Craig H 5.2.2.1.1.2

              I'm in favour of UBI, but UBI still needs state housing and additional support for invalids and the like as it is underdone if rents are too high or people can't work at all or only a little.

    • AB 5.3

      Too much complexity in the system – put there by an underlying puritan/punitive mindset over decades.

      • Chris 5.3.1

        The 2018 Act introduced by the nats and embraced and passed by Ardern's government was meant to be about making thing less complex but instead it's far more complex than it's ever been. But of course we’re only talking about beneficiaries so who cares?

    • Incognito 5.4

      You were correct, it seems.

      Main benefit increase

      From 1 April 2020 all main benefits will increase by $25 per week.

      This increase to the after-tax rate will apply to:

      • Jobseeker Support
      • Sole Parent Support
      • Supported Living Payment
      • Young Parent Payment
      • Youth Payment

      This is in addition to the already announced 1 April rate changes.

      This increase in your benefit payment may affect some of your other payments such as Temporary Additional Support, Accommodation Supplement and Childcare Assistance – but generally people will be better off because of these changes.

      https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/emergencies/2020/coronavirus.html#null

      • Rosemary McDonald 5.4.1

        Blessed be the name of the lord.

        Amen.

      • Sabine 5.4.2

        but generally people will be better off because of these changes.

        unless they are not, but they are to shut up and die silently right?

  6. observer 6

    This is a staggeringly bad speech by Simon Bridges.

    He seems to think it's just another election debate.

    • Yep, Simon looked like he was dumbstruck by the announcement. I'm watching Jacinda and, well, she's the leader we need at this time.

    • Wensleydale 6.2

      He's flailing about trying to come up with some negatives without looking like a petulant ingrate… and failing. Story of his life really.

    • mac1 6.3

      Bridges did the same thing at the Grey Power AGM last year in Wellington. He misread the audience and the purpose of an after dinner speaker and ended up getting heckled, and a very pointed thanks but no thanks speech of thanks at the end. Some drummers can be very insensitive to the needs of the melody and the lyrics. Simon is one of those- all kick drum and heavy-handed on the off-beat.

  7. millsy 7

    Labour just won the next election.

    • Sacha 7.1

      And Bridges knows it. History will erase the dude yapping on the sidelines.

      • observer 7.1.1

        I know it's easy to be an echo-chamber, blinkered etc … but in all honesty I am amazed that Bridges misjudged it so badly.

        I thought he was going to "kill with kindness", play the patriot role, welcome the package but say "we will hold to account". That would have done him no harm.

        National MPs looked at their shoes a lot.

        • Sacha 7.1.1.1

          Without being partisan at all, he was just not good enough. Given it's a time of crisis, maybe there is cover for his party to knife him now rather than after the election?

    • Sabine 7.2

      i am going to have great fun voting for NZ First, or legalise Aotearoa, of even TOP.

      but i will not under no circumstance for for this posse of beige beings.

    • McFlock 7.3

      A fb bene friend is fecking ecstatic:

      i'm swooning, i am really excited about this

      it's the difference between a new bra or not.. or new shoes.. or not.

      or a waterproof jacket for winter or not.. oh my goodness

      But then, she's already a leftie lol

  8. Muttonbird 8

    Not sure why beneficiaries are getting more. They didn't have a job to lose.

    Although, there will be a lot more beneficiaries in the coming weeks so I suppose it makes sense for the newly unemployed.

    • Sabine 8.1

      they did say nothing about unemployment and the soon to be unemployed.

      So don't count on it.

      • observer 8.1.1

        I suppose it helps you to vent on here, but really it would be more helpful if you paused for a moment and digested the details.

    • The extra money beneficiaries get will be immediately spent, helping to boost the economy. That increased spending is also one of the reasons that increases in the minimum adult wage are so good for the economy.

      • Sabine 8.2.1

        actually no, my friend the beneficiary will spend her extra money on the $ 50 increase of rent that was advised to her will happen from April onwards.

        so there is always that. But then landlords in NZ always get their cut of meat. right?

        • Craig H 8.2.1.1

          That counts as spending, albeit probably not the spending the government had in mind.

    • Tiger Mountain 8.3

      The Govt. knows Beneficiaries will spend every cent, and contribute to the money go round, including small businesses. Tax cut recipients may or may not not spend it–and the rest of society gets cuts to social infrastructure regardless.

    • Rosemary McDonald 8.4

      I don't know why beneficiaries get anything from the Gummint.

      At all. Ever. Never mind a $25 per week increase.

      At least it is not the 47% increase the pesky WEAG recommended back then. Before.

      The good thing Muttonbird is that with any luck (and there is a god) then it will be the sick and the cripples and the old gits who can't afford private healthcare who will pop their clogs first.

      Leaving much more for the deserving of gummint largesse.

      As it should be.

      SNAFU.

    • woodart 8.5

      well, if you really think hard!, you will realize that the increase in benefits will be spent straight away, in NZ, not put in the bank to rot, so will be a direct supercharge to the countries economy. this money will go round many times in the economy. its way more effective than trickledown…

      • KJT 8.5.1

        Exactly.

      • peterh 8.5.2

        And it will not be spent on overseas trips

        [Can you please correct the typo in your user name? Thanks]

      • Gabby 8.5.3

        A good deal of it will go straight into debt repayment I should think. Ta v much says Mr ANZ.

      • Chris 8.5.4

        The poorest won't see it because it gets absorned into existing hardship provisions. If the government wanted to they could reinstate the assessment mechanism used to determine the rate of special benefit as at February 1991 as part of how the TAS benefit rate is calculated, including the discretionary aspect to paying outside of the formula. The government could do this by just changing the regulations. No oversight of Parliament needed. The change to regulations in 2004 was sold on the basis of the flexibility regulations bring when needs change. This government should put its money where the 5th Labour government's mouth was.

    • Nic the NZer 8.6

      I think it should be seen as an acknowledgement that the benefit regime is extremely stingy. Beneficiaries have very few resources to fall back on in a time of crisis (such as the present). If the regime was socially inclusive to begin with then you may have a point.

      • barry 8.6.1

        I think the benefit increase was planned for the budget and would have started on 1 July. they have brought it forward for the spending boost.

        Only National would suggest giving destitute people a bit extra in bad times and taking it away again when times improve.

  9. SPC 9

    They may not have covered the gig economy worker in multiple jobs (these being casual and or piece-rate).

    There was/is the case for a UI trial for those under 25 to cover the activity of those with such work patterns (the dole plus $100 before abatement at 90 cents in the dollar would be an administrative nightmare – reporting variable income each week etc). And no better time than now for it (given the risk of a sudden lockdown taking out their employment and puting them on the dole).

  10. Kevin 10

    Good to see some Disaster Socialism for a change. Interesting comment Robertson made towards the end about neoliberalism. Maybe this is what was needed to finally turn things around.

  11. SPC 11

    I am a little surprised given the cheapness of debt

    1. no offer of interest free loans to businesses struggling with overheads while revenues are down in this downturn.

    2. no offer to farmers of interest free loans for "farm standard" realisation – a set of standards (which some would have already met), to secure our farm grass'land standing with our export markets (the debt repaid on farmsale).

    • Sabine 11.1

      no as per the comments up thread, we – small business owner that doin't have years worth of risk 'debt' or risk 'capital' sitting in an account should just shut up and die iso as to not upset the nice polite society.

      but thanks for pointing out that this 'package' literally leaves a good half of the country to fend for themselves.

      • Adrian 11.1.1

        You obviously do fuck all work in this business of yours to spend all afternoon commenting on here.

        • woodart 11.1.1.1

          yes, I thought that adrian, obviously a very easy business to run, and STILL wants more of a handout!

  12. Rosemary McDonald 12

    Yay! The $NZ rises and the Sharemarket bounces back!

    The Well Off are clearly happy.

    Whew.

    For a moment there I thought perhaps the wee banner headline would be along the lines of….

    "Businesses say…' We'll ride this out for a few weeks and put more $$$ into an already starved public health system. Put the services at the front line of this battle first.' "

  13. Sacha 13

    There is also the Budget in May to come.

    • Rosemary McDonald 13.1

      Hoping for a Big Boost to Vote Health there Sacha?

      Don't hold your breath…there's already a shortage of respiratory support equipment.

      $500M is fuck all considering the decades of deliberate underfunding…they need the $$$ and the surety today.

      • Sacha 13.1.1

        I'm expecting they will again look at what's needed in the next phase.

        Someone on RNZ or TVNZ said that Robertson told them when questioned in the lockup that Health would get whatever money they ask for on this – the $500m is not a limit.

        Wondering if we could set up state-funded local manufacture fast enough for ventilators, masks, etc? Might cost more but guaranteed supply.

        • Rosemary McDonald 13.1.1.1

          I would say we're well able as a nation to do this.

          Considering a gift shop in Hamilton was selling thin, shitty paper masks for $4 each…the YouTube inspired 6ply jobbies we are experimenting with at the moment ( a couple of chemo patients as well as an aging crip or two on the whanau…figure it's up to us to look after our own) have got to be more effective and cheaper.

          As for the high tech stuff…we used to do this stuff here.

          We can do it again.

          Let's.

    • SPC 13.2

      Enough funding for Health

      1. so the Health Boards can move to fully staff the wards with nurses

      2. so resident doctors are not zombies by the end of their shifts

      3. and if staff have to wait till the next wage round for more pay, at least end of their repayment of TD – and instead move to write it off at 20% pa.

      And … Pharmac.

      • Sacha 13.2.1

        I suspect that was already being worked on for the 'election' Budget in May and being negotiated quietly with the DHBs.

  14. ianmac 14

    Seems funny that Sabine lashes out at the Government. For one who is so much against Big Government getting in the way instead of letting The Market rule, it seems hypocritical that she expects/demands that her business must be supported and propped up.

    • The Al1en 14.1

      A bit hypocritical. Sabine moans when the minimum wage rate goes up, like she doesn't want to support and prop up her lowest paid employees.

    • JanM 14.2

      Sounds like just lashing out to me. Having your business collapse around your ears is no fun – been there, got the badge; 😣

    • Sabine 14.3

      I don't expect, nor demand that my business is being supported or propped up. Silly you.

      I am asking that small businesses, sole traders, self employed people in this country get the same attention that large businesses get.

      Also i am aksing that you get help once your spouse or you should loose your jobs cause the business that you work for is going down because governmetn judged it too small and too inconsequential for propping up.

      See when i ask for a rent/lease/mortgage holiday i am not asking for myself only, i would like to see this applied to all.

      When i argue for government loans (no point going to the banks atm) so that small businesses, sole trader, self employed could apply for to get a few grand to tide them over then again i don't argue for myself but for a whole bunch of people.

      What i find interesting tho, is the amount of people here who give nary a shit about the small business people in their communities.

      This budget is bull. It can and chances are it will reduce in decreased benefits for most – see comments by others then me above in regards to the issue with Winz – while doing absolutly nothing for those that are in the gig economy, while doing nothing for you or me, or anyone else who is not Air NZ or a big tourist hotel / provider. Essentially we are now paying wages to those that very happily would avoid paying taxes at all costs. Ain't government grand? While the rest is left to bail themselves out by themselves.

      As for me being against government? Why on earth would you think so? Oh because i expect these suits to do the job the begged to get elected to?Nah, I am against incompetent flacks that over promise, under deliver and then beg to get elected again, so that next time they can do better. Which sadly is an affliction all of our parties seem to suffer from.

      • Sacha 14.3.1

        The package covers sole traders and contractors, not just employees. Please go and read the detail.

        • The Al1en 14.3.1.1

          And it's not even hidden in the small print.

        • Sabine 14.3.1.2

          when they are in isolation – would be invalids /illness benefit nothing new

          when they are sick – see above

          when they look after sick relatives. – carers benefit, i think Rosemary can tell you about that.

          To be honest, all i was hoping for was a credit line from Government to small businesses/sole trader/self employed that would be a intereest free thing that can be paid back at a later stage when things are normal.

          That would have been indeed proper help, but first i must get sick, and then i can apply for a Winz benefit that is already a regular benefit. Great.

          • Sacha 14.3.1.2.1

            There are other things for small businesses like deferral of provisional tax, increased thresholds for assets, etc. Details available from here: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/feature/covid-19-economic-response-package

          • te reo putake 14.3.1.2.2

            Or you can apply for business support right now, Sabine, including personal income protection. The package genuinely appears to cover your small business, so what are you waiting for? I get the feeling that there is something about your circumstances you are not telling us. Perhaps the business was failing well before Covid-19 became an issue?

            • Muttonbird 14.3.1.2.2.1

              A business doesn't have to be failing to find instant pressure from these ridiculously over-reactive times.

              It might be a good business but susceptible to sledgehammer clampdowns.

              • True, and that's why I asked. This package seems perfectly tailored to help small businesses survive, so I'm puzzled as to why Sabine is so negative about it. Her antipathy seems entirely based on her business's specific circumstances, which we don't know and which she absolutely does not have to share in this forum.

                I just have a feeling that Covid-19 is not the primary problem and that maybe excessive rents and other high costs of business are. If so, then the issue is the ruthless nature of capitalism.

                • Muttonbird

                  A lot of people, including me, are bewildered by the irrational pile-on by successive panicked governments into shutting the world down.

                  These measures ruin lives and this is where the negativity comes from.

                  A little compensation here and there is not going to replace permanently lost business and clients.

                  My position is that the reaction to this pandemic has been woefully hysterical the world over.

                  It's not as if we haven't had practice runs at this (SARS, etc) so when this occurs again and it will we need to be able to mitigate it without crushing everything people have worked for which is what's happening now.

                  • Sacha

                    bewildered by the irrational pile-on

                    If you believe it is not rational then it must sure seem bewildering, yes. Do you think it is possible that you have the wrong end of the stick on this?

                    • Muttonbird

                      It hasn't been coherent at all.

                      With each pandemic we appear to have learned absolutely nothing about minimising wider damage. It's just not possible to run society when you're locking it down because of the flu.

                • woodart

                  + 1 te reo

                  • Adrian

                    Agreed Muttonbird. A young french guy,is staying with us at the moments and I spoke with his mother today, the French are quite sanguine about the whole thing but obeying the restrictions generally. She lives in Toulouse, 1 million people no cases of C-19 yet full shut-down whereas a few days ago the Govt wasn't in panic mode BUT, no apparent action looks like Govt ( Macron ) doesn't care. So a lot of the big moves may be electorally driven.

                    Interestingly the problematic area is in the East of France, Colmar, Alsace etc, colder, wetter and foggier, lets hope we get a continuation of this Indian Summer.

                • Sabine

                  because while you tell me that if i don't have six month to twelve month capital lying around to help myself over the crisis i should just die.

                  however, Air New Zealand who also does not have six month to twelve month capital lying around needs to be bailed out.

                  some 70% of all New Zealand jobs are in businesses of 10 or less i was told.

                  that means that only 30% of employment is happening in really large firms.

                  most of the smaller businesses are cash flow dependent. If that cash flow drops for what ever reason we go bust. True that. However, in the case of just bad business years i might be able to look for other markets, expand, cut down etc etc to make sure i stay afloat and can continue.

                  this time it is somewhat different, and again i like to point out that I whinge for many businesses not only mine.

                  The business next to mine is a hair dresser. 10+ years at the same location. Tuesday is her 'night cuts ' day. Open till 10.30 pm – every tueday, she and two girls. Today it was her, she rocked up at 10 this morning and she left at 2.30 arvo. Non of the other girls showed up. She has no bookings. She was closed on Saturday. She had no bookings. She was closed on Sunday and on Monday. No bookings.

                  Now how long do you think she can manage, and how do you think she is going to pay her overheads without any cashflow.

                  Non of what this current government has done will do anything other then shovel money up the arses of companies that are known tax avoiders but are large enough to get most of the dosh, and the rest of us we will declare bankruptcy in a month or two and go on the dole. Because if you are locked in a lease, and you are looking at no income fro the next two to six month that is better tehn trying to pay the lease on the credit card.

                  So maybe you must take your own blinders of, and ask about all the tiny tiny businesses in NZ that faithfully provided decent employments in their area, and wonder how they will fair.

                  And if you want to blame capitalism then you must blame the Government, because if we are dealing with high business costs and rents (and oh btw, the increases in prices were already advised cause yeah, increasing wages will have that effect, and will start 1st may for many many businesses) because successive governments have done fuck all to curb these costs, and to protect their citizens and their buisnesses from it. Nothing exists in a vacuum, and while it may be nice and comfortable to blame capitalism it is also lazy thinking. Nothing the Clark gov ernment did curbed capitalism, and nothing that the Ardern government did today will curb capitalism.

                  Btw, the hairdresser is on a long term lease. I hope she has enough money somewhere stocked away to keep paying that monthly 3 grand that it costs her. But then, she too can just fold and die right? As the mechanics behind my shop, if those hard to come by spare parts go any higher in prices and there are less and less customers they too can just default on their payments and go on the dole. Because that is the only way for them to continue to have a live once this has passed us.

                  Luckily we did bail out Air NZ tho….right. Cause they are too big to fail. And the big tourist providers….Cause they too are too big to fail.

                  All you show TRP is that you have nothing learned from the GFC Vs.1 while we are running fullsteam ahead to GFC Vs. 2.

                  As for my business , I am a chocolatier. I am the chocolate fairy in a tiny business, with all my tools, benches, vitrines, etc paid for, Easter for me is usually a time to make money, followed by trade shows, and corporate orders and then full prep for Christmas. We did so well last year that we were planning to maybe open (together with another business – to share costs and have a higher foot traffic) a little retail space in town to get more exposure . As i said before, i will find it easy to stay home because i don't have loans. I only have my monthly overheads which come to about 5 grand. If i make 376.00 a day i break even. 🙂 I made 63$ today, usually at this time i make 500 – 800 on any day. So take that and do with it what you want. As for my staff….I don't have any left. I am preparing to shut down.

                  Personally i believe that had the governmetn just simply wrote a check to every household in NZ it would have been the best thing they could have done.

                  Sadly however it decided to a whole lot of nothing. And i am fairly happy to posit that the future will prove me correct.

                  • Sacha

                    Personally i believe that had the government just simply wrote a check to every household in NZ it would have been the best thing they could have done.

                    Let's see how that goes for Australia.

                  • Well, I'm sorry to hear the business is closing, Sabine. However, assuming you normally pay yourself a wage, you appear to be eligible for the wage subsidy. So that's not 'nothing'. And it might help save the business, so put your hand up.

                    The same applies for your hairdresser friend.

                    • Descendant Of Smith

                      Yeah I find it confusing when you say you won't get anything.

                      "Wage subsidies will be available for businesses if they can show a 30 per cent fall in their revenue for any month between January and June 2020, compared to the year before."

                      It seems pretty clear that you are saying you could meet this threshold. You've already talked about your loss of sales and that Easter is your busy time.

                      All the accountants I know advise their business owners to pay themselves a wage and also not to split it in half with their spouse to reduce taxes as you can easily come unstuck when things happen like having an accident and only getting 80% of half your earnings (not that some listen).

                      So it would seem on the surface that you should get assistance of up to $585-00 per week (that's an annual income of about $30,000 per year) which isn't high but you're not indicating you make large amounts of money anyway. Nor is the hairdresser most likely.

                      What I do wonder is why you are so angry at the state. You rightly say much of both your overheads is your lease costs – in these circumstances one would hope that the landlords would step in and relieve some of your pressure by excusing or reducing your leases. That to me is the real issue – that the rentier capitalist level above you still expects their pound of flesh. While the government is stepping in to provide you some support you have got angry at them but don't seem angry at all at those who extract your labour and wealth through high rents. They seem to be not your friend at all.

                      Maybe your anger needs to be a little redirected.

                      “some 70% of all New Zealand jobs are in businesses of 10 or less i was told.”

                      That’s a little misleading in some respects as many people who were employees were forced from Rogernomics onwards to become self employed contractors as the costs of doing business – equipment, vehicles, sick leave, annual leave, health and safety, etc – were moved to the employee from the employer. Think courier drivers as a good example.

                      While technically they are self-employed it was just an irresponsible cost-shift.

                      But you are right the government made it happen and the government lets it continue. Race to the bottom. Uber et al takes it to another level.

                  • SHG

                    Luckily we did bail out Air NZ tho….right. Cause they are too big to fail. And the big tourist providers….Cause they too are too big to fail.

                    Just wait for Rugby New Zealand to come with cap in hand. VITAL INDUSTRY, just you wait.

                  • Craig H

                    29% of jobs are in small businesses (less than 20 employees), 21% in medium businesses (20-99 employees) and 50% in large businesses (100+ employees).

          • bill 14.3.1.2.3

            To be honest, all i was hoping for was a credit line from Government to small businesses/sole trader/self employed that would be a intereest free thing that can be paid back at a later stage when things are normal.

            A deal like the criminal bankers got? Oh. No. You're suggesting you'd pay it back. My bad.

            Sorry, but unless you're scum, the idea is to sink you.

            • Sabine 14.3.1.2.3.1

              i know.

            • Sacha 14.3.1.2.3.2

              unless you’re scum, the idea is to sink you

              Can you be any more of a drama queen?

              [Sure can hon. Two week ban for pointless trolling and repeated attempts at derailing] – Bill

  15. SPC 15

    The wage subsidy gives confidence to employers that they do not need to rush to retrench staff to survive, they may now be able to bide their time and wait it out.

    The Winter Power Income Supplement is important – as a health matter. People in warm homes sleep better and this is important to the strength of the immune system. And people will be spending more time in their homes this winter – and that will bump up the bills.

    Maybe they will look at extending this to those on WFF tax credits eligible to the CSC because of their low income in the May budget? They are under pressure from rents and may find these bills increasingly difficult to make when due.

  16. Andre 16

    Things that make you go hmmm …

    In the US, the big coronavirus relief action by the Fed, consisting of dropping interest rates to zero, gave the result of dropping the sharemarket by 12%, the second biggest ever single day percent drop (after 1987). In New Zealand, the OCR was slashed yesterday, and the NZX dropped 5% at opening this morning.

    Then the NZ government announces a package putting actual money into actual people's hands to spend back into the economy and a commitment to help businesses to minimise the numbers that fall over, and the sharemarket bounces straight back up around 6%.

    Conclusions?

    • Sacha 16.1

      He really is a stable genius.

    • AB 16.2

      Conclusions?

      As interest rates get near to zero, everyone realises that the situation is dire and central banks are actually not in control. Also that lowering interest rates is a very crude instrument that doesn't result in what the theory/ideology says it should – heroic entrepreneurs hiring people, upping production and increasing aggregate demand. Hence panic.

  17. RedBaronCV 17

    Again before receiving wages subsidies I''d expect bigger businesses to have to drop large wages at the top and haul back on profits

  18. bill 18

    Hmm. So if I get ill (and most of us will), then I will likely be feeling cold due to a temperature and expected to keep myself warm on whatever $60 or $70 a week, minus whatever off-setting hits TAS payments and what not equals.

    But on top of that, I'm expected to have laid in 3 or 4 weeks of food, yes?

    All of the middle class wankers who are offering opinion on this thread – you all understand what living week to week and scraping by on a bare minimum of essential purchases is, right?

    I mean, you all understand we're not talking about how fucking hard times are because the $25 bottles of wine might have to be swapped out for cheaper ones and "bugger darling, we might have to forego some of that eating out that we do!"

    This bullshit of giving inadequate financial payments to NZ poorest on the one hand while gouging a percentage back because of "rules" around entitlements is enough to make me want to spit in a fucktarded politicians eye.

    I'll say this now (and I know I'm far from alone) – the wankers clambering in and around the red clown car, and the blue clown car, and the green clown car can all go and fuck themselves dead come election time. And all you comfortable middle class liberal wankers can jerk on all you like about "the lesser of two evils" – but you also get to wear the full responsibility of walking NZ into some stupid circus ring of careless ideological malevolence.

    • Sacha 18.1

      you all understand what living week to week and scraping by on a bare minimum of essential purchases is, right?

      Yes, but you had nothing to say for yourself about it when I asked yesterday.

    • Sabine 18.2

      I'll say this now (and I know I'm far from alone) – the wankers clambering in and around the red clown car, and the blue clown car, and the green clown car can all go and fuck themselves dead come election time. And all you comfortable middle class liberal wankers can jerk on all you like about "the lesser of two evils" – but you also get to wear the full responsibility of walking NZ into some stupid circus ring of careless ideological malevolence.

      this was so good it needed to be repeated.

      thank you, i could have never found the right vocabulary to explain myself so eloquently.

  19. Wayne 19

    I think there will be another package within a month, assuming the downturn is severe as I think it will be. The wage subsidy obviously helps, both directly and also in the way it allows businesses to cover other expenses. But it won’t help all businesses.

    It seems that some businesses have had a complete collapse of revenue, maybe virtually to zero. If they have no financial reserves, this package won't help them, since it assumes the business has some viability and some income. Businesses in a complete collapse will not be able to continue, unless they get access to capital to pay at least the essentials, rent, etc. If the business doesn't look like it has a future, the banks won't help them. Even 0% money is not worth letting out if it won't get repaid.

    Maybe the govt could provide emergency tide over finance, but even the govt would need to have some level of assurance that the business has a future.

    In the late 1980's farmers who were in a hopelessly insolvent situation were given exit packages by the government. To effectively start again, but not enough to save their farm. Maybe something like that will be required.

    • Sacha 19.1

      Yes, Robertson on RNZ right now is suggesting further packages before May especially for larger employers. This is just the beginning.

    • Barfly 19.2

      Wayne

      You are by far one of the more non-sensical right wing commentators…as one of the most experienced political operators in new zealand have you offered your expertise to the government??

    • Muttonbird 19.3

      It seems that some businesses have had a complete collapse of revenue, maybe virtually to zero. If they have no financial reserves, this package won't help them, since it assumes the business has some viability and some income.

      This is what Sabine is concerned about. And me too. As a sole trader I don't run with huge reserves in the bank because the work load fluctuates and I need to update gear when able.

      That doesn't mean I don't produce something important and worth keeping.

    • mike 19.4

      given the level of house hold debt i think the government my need to review the bankruptcy laws the virus is only the trigger for a real crash the melt down has been in the back ground since 2008 the spiral of debt papered over the cracks we couldn’t kick the can down road for ever stay well ever one and with bit luck we all get through 2020

    • pat 19.5

      "In the late 1980's farmers who were in a hopelessly insolvent situation were given exit packages by the government. To effectively start again, but not enough to save their farm. Maybe something like that will be required."

      The exit packages wernt designed to allow farmers to start again….it was to finance them out of the industry and repay the banks….the consequent halving of land values was what made the industry viable

      • mike 19.5.1

        the nations housing stock has been bid upwards and alot of people are going to themselves in hopeless unpayable debt may be extend the no asset procedure to home owners once only debtors should get a chance to start again with a clean slate also a moratorium on foreclosure to we get over the virus the reset we need is here its a chance to put society back in balance and weed out the excesses

      • Wayne 19.5.2

        Pat,

        Well, it was both. The banks usually had to take a haircut. As I recall, much of the payment was for the farmers and his/her family, and were not available for the bank. That is the bank could not claim it. They could only get what the farm was worth/sold for and couldn't further pursue the farmer. Usually it was enough to buy a house in a provincial city.

        It might seem generous of the taxpayer to effectively buy a house for the insolvent farmer. The advantage was that it got the farmer off the land without a mortgagee sale, and gave them a fresh start. There were lots of protests and blockades when mortgagee sales happened, and made them very difficult. Probably a good 10% of farmers took advantage of the package. It was one of the major drivers of farm amalgamation.

    • I think there will be another package within a month, assuming the downturn is severe as I think it will be.

      Shit yes. Pretty clear this $12 bil is just a down payment and the government's going to have to find plenty more where that came from. I'm busy right now thanking Christ that interest rates are on the floor and we paid down a lot of the debt from the GFC already, because borrowing is going to be essential.

  20. Wayne 20

    Barfly

    The government already has extremely good advisors. No doubt the "system" reads what I write here.

  21. Janet 21

    Is this statement true

    "NZ’s has just 176 intensive care hospital beds in total."

    If it is the border gates should have been shut 3 weeks ago.

    There are around 1000 ICU beds in Switzerland and they are saying now that it is not enough . Switzerland has a population of around 8 mil.

  22. Adrian 22

    They must be pretty bloody crook in Switzerland. NZ has about 2 to 3 times as many beds that can be quickly converted to close to ICU status but nowhere near the trained staff to woman them. ICU and Acute Care nursing is very, very highly specialised and usually has probably about 40% spare bed capacity. I would imagine short duration disasters are manageable by the existing workforce but longer term, serious problems would occur. My wife works 12 hour shifts in Acute Care, next level down, to maintain a greater degree of continuity of care but fatigue and burnout would be a big problem over weeks of stress and even longer hours.

  23. Herodotus 23

    I cannot see anything within the media releases, but I hope that these announcements are supported by adjustments in the abatement levels for those supporting themselves with additional family income, housing supplements etc. and that those with WFF also have an up lift to cover the increase of min wage and redundancy payments otherwise what was an amazing announcement will be tempered with taking by the govt with the other hand, reducing what a family receives in the hand.

  24. millsy 24

    The government is also going to have to look at 1) reversing National's prescription co-pay increase to $5 and 2) honouring it's promise to have CSC holders only pay $8 to see the doctor. This will also save money on hospital admissions.

  25. SPC 25

    SCENARIO

    There is a landlord with a tenant with a 6 month lease

    The tenant's business is not taking in revenue.

    Staff are hired in when there is work, but are not paid regular wages. Say they are casuals and otherwise operate in the gig economy (uber driving, scooter collection).

    The landlord will not be paid money but can bankrupt the business because of the unpaid rent. The landlord has no options for a new tenant.

    One option is for the landlord to charge 1/2 the rent, rather than get nothing after 6 months. Now how can this business pay even this this 1/2 rent for the 6 months?

    1. convince a bank that the business has a future after a period without revenue

    2. convince the government to provide the loan cover for the 6 months – and allow a repayment plan when normal revenues resume.

    Say the government only covers income support for the small business owners/self employed (as it covers business paying wages with wage subsidy) – this still leaves the issue of unpaid rent.

    So they pay out rent to qualify to be more than unemployed, but have little more than a benefit income to live on till business revenues improve.

    Or go on the dole and close the business – going bankrupt because of unpaid debt on the lease. (awhile before they can start a new one).

  26. Muttonbird 26

    I'm thinking of taking the $585/week self-isolation payment and going on a road trip.

  27. Craig H 27

    Credit to RBNZ for immediately acting with the OCR drop, and giving certainty by stating it would be at least 12 months, and also that they would use quantitative easing if necessary (aka printing money).

    Top work from Robertson, that finance package is a really strong answer to the immediate issues, and he has described it as phase 1 (so the Budget in May will have more). $12 billion so far for the first 12 weeks, and NZ can probably safely borrow another $120 billion if we must (our net Crown debt was a bit under $60 Billion/21% of GDP before this, so if 100% of GDP is seen as our preferred cap, we've got another $150 Billion or so).

    On that note, huge credit to Sir Bill English and Sir Michael Cullen before him for ensuring the government accounts were in good shape even despite the GFC and earthquake. Robertson gets some credit for the past two years, but he's got the leeway to pull out all the stops and keep the NZ economy going because the past 20 years has seen world-class economic management by Labour and National.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • At a glance – Does CO2 always correlate with temperature?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    5 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Tuesday, March 19:Kāinga Ora’s dry rot The Spinoff DailyBill McKibben on ‘Climate Superfunds’ making Big Oil pay for climate damage The Crucial YearsPreston Mui on returning to 1980s-style productivity growth NoahpinionAndy Boenau on NIMBYs needing unusual bedfellows Urbanism SpeakeasyNed Resnikoff's case ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 hours ago
  • Relentlessly negative
    Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    8 hours ago
  • Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    Bryce Edwards writes –  It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    8 hours ago
  • Promiscuous Empathy: Chris Trotter Replies To His Critics.
    Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played. “Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
    8 hours ago
  • Don’t run your business like a criminal enterprise
    The Detail this morning highlights the police's asset forfeiture case against convicted business criminal Ron Salter, who stands to have his business confiscated for systemic violations of health and safety law. Business are crying foul - but not for the reason you'd think. Instead of opposing the post-conviction punishment and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    9 hours ago
  • Misremembering Justinian’s Taxes.
    Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I - Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
    9 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    10 hours ago
  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    11 hours ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    14 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    14 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    14 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    14 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    16 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    17 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    19 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    2 days ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-19T11:36:31+00:00