Hickey on borrowing

Written By: r0b - Date published: 6:58 am, March 28th, 2011 - 91 comments
Categories: capitalism, economy, monetary policy - Tags: bernard hickey, borrowing, downwards spiral

The latest piece from recently enlightened Bernard Hickey is a despairing warning on the subject of borrowing:

We are borrowing ourselves into permanent poverty

New Zealanders learned this week that our output did not increase in the second half of last year. Yet our spending in total and our wages rose over that period, as did population and spending per capita. How did we spend more per person than we earned per person? Essentially, we borrowed from offshore or we sold assets to foreigners.

Other figures out this week showed we ran a current account deficit of 2.3 per cent in the December quarter. That’s much less than the 8.8 per cent hit in the December quarter of 2008, but it’s still a deficit and means we imported capital equivalent to 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product and spent it. Importing capital is another way of saying we borrowed money or sold assets. … Yet again, we engaged in a national delusion we could spend more than we earned.

New Zealand’s real GDP per capita is now below where it was in 2004. … Over the 10 years of the naughty oughties (2000s), New Zealand borrowed or sold off a total of $350.3 billion. That’s about two times GDP. We used that money to increase our wages and income. We didn’t use that money to reinvest in new equipment or skills to boost our ability to produce more in the future. …

Now, the government has taken over as the borrower-in-chief. On Thursday the Treasury’s Debt Management Office took advantage of a gap in the financial market turmoil to borrow $950 million in one week on international markets. … The upshot of all this borrowing is now whenever our economy looks like recovering, the benefits of any growth are shipped offshore as profits and dividends from now foreign-owned assets here and as interest payments on the debt incurred over the last decade.

Last year, New Zealand paid $15.5 billion in profits and interest payments to foreign investors and creditors. Only $3.3 billion was reinvested. That is the size of the drag on the New Zealand economy. It is unsustainable.

We have to stop spending money we aren’t earning. If we don’t, we will get poorer and poorer until either there is nothing left to sell or we can’t pay the interest on the debt. It’s time we stopped kidding ourselves.

I have some despair of my own to add. First, the economic policies of the current government (borrow to cover tax cuts to the already rich, sell more assets) are guaranteed to make the problem worse, not better. The longer the Nats are in power, the worse it will get.

Second, fixing the problems will require New Zealand to accept that the party is over, that changes are needed, and that some sectors are going to experience some short term economic pain (e.g. raising tax rates for the highest earners again).

Third, that’s a difficult message to sell to the voting public. National are part of the problem, so it’s up to Labour to lead the solution. Will they be bold enough to try?

Fourth, finally, and combining these points, unless the electorate clearly understands the downwards spiral that we’re in, they are likely to vote for the stuffed suit with the smile and wave, rather than the economic medicine. It’s hard to see where an electorate that is educated and informed on the economy is going to come from, especially as the media devotes most of its slobbering attention to sex, scandal and gossip, and spends so very little time on the issues that shape our lives and future.

It is time to think about radical alternatives. How can New Zealand break out of this downwards spiral?

All of my posts for March will finish with this note. While life goes on as usual outside Christchurch, let our thoughts be with those who are coping with the aftermath, with the sorrow of so many who were lost, and with the challenges ahead.

91 comments on “Hickey on borrowing ”

Comments are now closed

ghostwhowalksnz 1

28 March 2011 at 8:37 am

Since when has Hickey been an economist ?
However, he makes a lot more sense than most
- Jim Nald 1.1
  
  28 March 2011 at 9:05 am
  
  His analysis is better than that from self-proclaimed experts and glorified rorters who have been claiming to be economists.
  - Colonial Viper 1.1.1
    
    28 March 2011 at 9:11 am
    
    99.95% of economists ~= Tarot card readers and fortune tellers
Anthony C 2

28 March 2011 at 9:05 am

I wonder if a significant percentage of the $15.5 billion would be structured financial transactions for tax minimisation.
Shane Gallagher 3

28 March 2011 at 9:37 am

You know is seems to me the problem with Labour is that they don’t seem to have a coherent plan to get us out of this situation – I had a good look around their website and apart from things like increasing the minimum wage to $15 (another policy stolen “borrowed” from the Greens) there isn’t anything there. If they actually had a big economic plan/vision thing then maybe they would be able to articulate responses better?

Again it just reinforces the impression that they are not really planning to get back into power – just to hold on to their seats until 2014 when NACT have truly f***ed things up.
- Bored 3.1
  
  28 March 2011 at 10:40 am
  
  Getting “us” out of the problem…seems to me the international rich have taken advantage of the poor “us” and saddled “us” with their bad debts…such as the bail out in the USA. We, the “us” need to say to them forget asking our governments to pay for private debts (or public where the wealthy have had the benefit such as tax cuts)…and force the Wisdom of Solon upon them. Make it their problem, we might be deemed to “owe” but that should be “their” problem.
- ghostwhowalksnz 3.2
  
  28 March 2011 at 10:43 am
  
  Its election year, as they say more will be revealed.
  
  National waited till 2 months before the election before releasing their major tax policies and then claimed circumstances had changed 3 months after
  - Jim Nald 3.2.1
    
    28 March 2011 at 10:51 am
    
    One thing can be observed to be consistent – John Key and Bill English try to keep changing their lines and tricks.
  - Colonial Viper 3.2.2
    
    28 March 2011 at 12:06 pm
    
    Waiting until 2 months before the elections may be tactical to stop National copying policy (NB National is never going to copy true Left leaning policy anyway), but it is also not enough time to explain major direction changes and major new policies to voters.
    
    I agree that moving the minimum wage to $15/hr will be of help, but it will also do nothing to alter a capitalist system fundamentally set up to transfer and direct wealth upwards.
    - Shane Gallagher 3.2.2.1
      
      28 March 2011 at 12:59 pm
      
      CV- you bring up a very good point – if Labour have a radical new economy in mind then they need to signal that far ahead of the election so that voters get a chance to absorb those ideas and concepts .
      
      Addressing things like inequality for example needs a bit of lead in time for voters to absorb as an issue. Sure, leave details like tax rates etc. to the end, but if Labour’s idea is to move the country in a different direction with a different vision to NACT then that needs to be articulated well before the election and repeated again and again. I hope that I am both pleasantly surprised and wrong.
Afewknowthetruth 4

28 March 2011 at 10:21 am

NZ was set up as a colony in the early 1800s. The whole purpose of a colony is to extract wealth. Governments are installed to oversee the loooting exercise. It makes no difference whether they are Natioanl or Labour: the game remains exactly the same: keep the poulace dumbed down and keep transfering wealth upwards and overseas.

Nothing has changed in 200 years, though the amount of wealth left to extract has declined substantially; practically all the gold has gone, much of the oil and natural gas, fish, native forests etc. are gone. There are still a few pockets of oil and gas left … the global corporations are working hard to extract that wealth as quickly as possible.

The other way to extract wealth is via debt slavery, so governments implement policies that increase indebtedness of individuals, local communities and the nation.

The really clever move is to get ordinary folk to vote for the their own impoverishment. It is easily achieved at election times: just tell the proles you are offering a better, brighter future. That hoax works every time.
- Colonial Viper 4.1
  
  28 March 2011 at 12:08 pm
  
  The fact that you haven’t realised that things have changed substantially in the last 200 years, particularly the decline of nation states as effective economic agents, means that it is you who are behind the times.
  - Lanthanide 4.1.1
    
    28 March 2011 at 12:37 pm
    
    Yes, there are many companies in the world that have larger revenues and networths than many small countries.
    - dave brown 4.1.1.1
      
      28 March 2011 at 2:58 pm
      
      What’s your point CV and Lanth? The Bank of England was the biggest suckerouter in the late 19th century. Its always firms backed by states then and now. NZ was a colony then now a rapidly declining semi-colony. In essence nothing has changed over that period.
      The mistake most people make is to talk about NZ as ‘us’. Its not its ‘them’ and ‘us’. That comes from the so-called decolonisation of NZ under the 1st Lab Govt in the name of a united classless nation. We are still trapped in this myth when its obvious we never were and never will be classless while part of the capitalist global economy. NZs ruling class is made up of US/Aussie/China lackeys who profit from privatising what is left of NZ assets.
      Labour will continue to try to manage NZ semi-colonial capitalism going down the drain. And it will precede it with barely a wimper. It hopes to prop itself up by winning some middle class votes and to hell with low paid workers. But that middle class is in rapid decline and lots of pissed off workers who can borrow the fare from an Aussie bank are joining the Aussie middle class.
      We need a Socialist Party to socialise the key sectors of the economy under workers control, with no indemnification of banks, finance houses or pension funds. Socialise the F&S with non-alienable customary use rights to Maori. Plan the economy for use and not profit. Join forces with other countries going down the socialist road. Survival not servitude.
Bored 5

28 March 2011 at 10:23 am

It’s hard to see where an electorate that is educated and informed on the economy is going to come from, especially as the media devotes most of its slobbering attention to sex, scandal and gossip, and spends so very little time on the issues that shape our lives and future

R0B, thats a good summary BUT I think we have actually passed the point where our votes and “democratic” process will actually make any difference. Worldwide the neo lib concensus and their robber baron rule set are in the ascendant, despite more challenge. To expect the elected representatives to rck the boat …well 9 years of Laour might tell you something.
Lanthanide 6

28 March 2011 at 10:38 am

“We used that money to increase our wages and income.”

Most of it went to the already-rich.
randal 7

28 March 2011 at 11:12 am

hey dude it is my god given right to book up a hardly davison, leaf blower, angle grinder, orbital sander and trip to mongolia on the never never.
- mcflock 7.1
  
  28 March 2011 at 12:22 pm
  
  Would that we were buyng only luxuries on credit – lots of people are maxing out cards and personal loans in the hope that their personal lot improves before the debt collectors come calling.
Zaphod Beeblebrox 8

28 March 2011 at 11:46 am

All the money be sucked out by foreign companies such as the big four Aussie banks must have a lot to do with declining GDP.

The governments solution? Bring in overseas partners to part own our public assets and sell down the public share of our eseential SOEs so even more profit gets sucked out of NZ.

Talk about becoming serfs in our own country.
PeteG 9

28 March 2011 at 1:00 pm

It is time to think about radical alternatives. How can New Zealand break out of this downwards spiral?

I think it does need radical alternatives. National haven’t shown (yet) that they are in to considering radical, and voting back Tweedlecentreright is hardly going to make inroads into the borrowing levels, with or without tweaking the higher tax brackets.

It’s hard to see where an electorate that is educated and informed on the economy is going to come from

It’s hard to see where enough MPs that are educated and informed on the economy are going to come from. If we could fix the quality of MP problem we may then start to make headway on policies. Things like the Hughes debacle will hardly encourage people to join the fishbowl.
- pollywog 9.1
  
  28 March 2011 at 1:30 pm
  
  yeah…it doesn’t help when the ruling parties keep voting in patsies, careerists and celebrities as candidates with no life experience and no ideas on how to do much more than sit on their hands, nod and make the odd grunting noise of disapproval…
The Baron 10

28 March 2011 at 1:22 pm

So I think everyone agrees that this whole debt thing is a bit f*cked up. But hold on – Philly G wants to give away another $3b a year in tax cuts in terms of the tax free zone, right? So first off, that is going to make things far bloody worse.

Now maybe they’ll reverse the cuts on those “rich pricks” who earn over the whopping total of $70k a year (god, what a high life). But if my understanding of the maths is right, that won’t be enough to recover the new hole blown by Labour’s low end bribe.

So if debt is a problem, Rob, then surely you see that Labour is intent on making it worse.

Ah but then there is the last part – Labour will do better managing the economy, right? And how exactly will they do that, given that we have absolutely NO DETAIL about labour’s economic policy in the lead up to the election. So one has to assume that they don’t really have a plan yet either.

So which one out of “making things worse” or “we will tell you how to fix it later” do you think will be Labour’s campaign slogan? Or are you ready to admit that Labour getting us to a solution is probably a bridge too far?

Please enlighten me Rob, cos I am struggling to reconcile your politics of faith against the cold hard facts here.
- lprent 10.1
  
  28 March 2011 at 1:31 pm
  
  And how exactly will they do that, given that we have absolutely NO DETAIL about labour’s economic policy in the lead up to the election.
  
  I can’t recall you getting worried by that when National did exactly the same thing in 2008 6 months out from an election and authors here were pointing that out. In fact, I seem to recall, you seemed to think that tax cuts were all the economic policy that was required – even when authors here were saying that they’d cause a budget blowout.
  
  Perhaps you have a double standard? Perhaps you’d better clarify your position first on the last election so we can decide if your worry is credible.
  
  I’d say that you should start on your support for unaffordable taxcuts.
  - The Baron 10.1.1
    
    28 March 2011 at 1:35 pm
    
    Perhaps I’m not the one who is looking to win an election. Perhaps, therefore, those that are looking to win one are the ones that need to do this explaining. Which, might I add, is exactly the line that you and your fellow authors pull out whenever anyone asks you these questions, perhaps?
    
    Rob put a partisan posting up saying how this is all National’s fault. My response is that Labour will a) make that situation worse; and b) has not yet articulated any plan that will make that better.
    
    Whatever the f*ck that has to do with 2008 or my opinions of National’s previous policies is beyond me, Lynn. But nice try at an ad hominem misdirection.
    - lprent 10.1.1.1
      
      28 March 2011 at 1:45 pm
      
      Whatever the f*ck that has to do with 2008 or my opinions of National’s previous policies is beyond me
      
      It cuts directly to your credibility. You’re saying that Labour should follow a political path that National didn’t.
      
      National didn’t release any policy in 2008 that was much more than a few paragraphs per topic. Almost all of that got released within the campaign period just before the election. You seemed very happy with that at the time (would you like me to look some of those comments up?). Why exactly do you think that? Why do you think that Labour should do something different?
      
      Personally I think it is just a hypocritical stance to say it is ok for National to lie to the electorate by omission as they did all the way up to the election, and then castigate Labour for not releasing detailed policy more than 6 months from an election.
      
      If you think that is an ad hominem misdirection then you’re severely mistaken. That is me saying that you’re a hypocritical arsehole
      
      Update: Apologies – I was incorrect. http://thestandard.org.nz/hickey-on-borrowing/#comment-313631
      - The Baron 10.1.1.1.1
        
        28 March 2011 at 1:49 pm
        
        Lynn,
        
        You know that I am not the National party, right? So what does my credibility matter? And how does that at all influence the validity of these questions? What, it means I can’t ask them anymore? When did those rules enter your policy?
        
        But to move this on I will say I am a hypocrite, if in exchange you will then answer for me:
        
        A) How Labour’s borrowing plan for $3b in new tax cuts won’t make things worse;
        
        and
        
        B) Why you have faith in Labour’s completely invisible alternative economic strategy.
        
        Deal?
        
        lprent 10.1.1.1.1.1
        
        28 March 2011 at 2:01 pm
        
        Notice it was not moderation. Moderation has a pretty clear signature, bold, square brackets, moderator name etc. I guess that is you trying for a misdirection since you’ve seen it several times before.
        
        This is me expressing my personal opinion of your comment. Yeah I know you support neither National or Labour. But you’ve commented on both in the now and in past. What I’m pointing out is that you are using a double standard (one of your favorite statements in the past about this site as I recall)
        
        Your credibility matters when you say that
        So one has to assume that they don’t really have a plan yet either.
        
        You didn’t make that assessment of National when they did exactly the same thing in 2008. They didn’t release virtually any of their policy until just before the election
        
        I’ve postulated a reason why you have this difference in your standards – that you are a hypocritical arsehole. I haven’t seen you say why I should consider you to not be.
        
        In particular why you think that Labour should be different in political strategy from National.
        
        Update: Apologies – I was incorrect. http://thestandard.org.nz/hickey-on-borrowing/#comment-313631
        
        The Baron …
        
        28 March 2011 at 2:07 pm
        
        Actually Lynn, I am going to call you on that after all – I started commenting on this site in Feb 2009, if the search I just did is accurate, and if my memory serves me correctly.
        
        So goodbye hypocrisy, goodbye double standards, goodbye the substance of your response thus far.
        
        Wanna try answering my questions now?
        
        A) How does Labour’s $3B bribe make things better?
        B) Why do you have faith in a non-existent plan from Labour?
        
        Oh and any other faithful, please feel free to enlighten me too!
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        28 March 2011 at 2:16 pm
        
        Funny how the Right still think that the billions in tax cuts for the rich are still OK
        
        Fact of the matter is that taxes are going UP mate not down.
        
        The Baron …
        
        28 March 2011 at 2:23 pm
        
        Funny how you think $70k per year is “rich”.
        
        Sorry – which taxes are going up? GST has been put up by this Govt – but all Goff has committed to thus far is more tax cuts, not tax rises.
        
        Sooo unless you have some sort of psychic mind reading powers, you’re just HOPING that Labour has a plan that digs us out – whereas all we know for sure is that Goff will definitely throw us $3b further into a hole.
        
        Thanks for confirming that then. Wow, what a plan!
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:04 pm
        
        $70K p.a. is a pathetic income you are right I was on more than that when I was a wee blighter today its nothing
        
        Thing is that NZ is full of families trying to raise children on half that amount
        
        Taxes gotta go up big time on those earning 4x and 20x the median income, also those with net worths of over $1,000,000
        
        Things gotta change Baron
        
        I’m not HOPING that LABs got a plan to dig us out, I have SEEN the remits and the Policy Council documents, the plans are there, just up to caucus to ante up and swerve left to make it happen.
        
        The Baron …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:14 pm
        
        Righto then – last time I looked those tax plans exist only in your head.
        
        SO unless your dreams start turning into reality, which I highly doubt, it STILL looks like Labour’s alternative plan is to make things far worse by borrowing more.
        
        Maybe Rob knows something on the inside to justify his fanboi-ism then, and answer how Hickey won’t be even more worried once Goff starts borrowing even more for further tax cuts. Cos everyone else seems to be coming up short.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:38 pm
        
        Baron what ever it looks like to you, it’s just YOUR imagination
        
        Your mates Bill and John borrow and spend, that’s all they know how to do, oh yeah, and give big tax breaks to the wealthy of course
        
        National are making this country poorer and poorer by the day, under Labour the Government had negligible net debt, Bill and John come in and they start by being fiscally irresponsible from day one.
        
        The Baron …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:47 pm
        
        So borrowing another $3 billion for tax cuts would be even more irresponsible, wouldn’t it?
        
        KJT …
        
        28 March 2011 at 4:20 pm
        
        70k is the median family income. I agree it is hardly rich. Progressive taxation should start about 140k. Equivalent to 30k, about the level of the top rate in 1980. Cuts to the top rate plus leaving the tax on middle incomes to go up by bracket creep and user pays has resulted in a decreasing disposable income for 80% of New Zealanders.
        
        “The so called reforms in the 80′s and 90′s resulted in a drop in income for the majority, 80%, over the period”
        
        “Since there was little income growth, the net effect of the fiscal changes was to switch income from the poor and those on middle incomes to the rich”.
        
        http://www.eastonbh.ac.nz/?p=333
        .
        
        http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=120821&fm=psp,nwl
        
        “Weekly incomes have stagnated since 2008.”
        
        http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics/0135595.html
        
        “Incomes for most people, have dropped since the 70′s”.
        
        “Almost constantly apart from a brief slow down of the drop from 2000/2008”.
        
        “For the middle class in skilled jobs it has dropped 40%.”
        
        People are borrowing to live because NZ incomes have dropped below costs..
        
        A better option may be to simplify all welfare, tax and tax rebates into a minimum individual income administered through IRD. With a flat rate up to 200k after that. Those earning over 200K are benefiting the most from our society, so should pay the most towards it.
        The difference can be made up with FTT’s, a CGT on all but the family home (up to twice the mean house price) and pigonian capital control taxes.
        
        lprent …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:21 pm
        
        Damn. You’re correct – 26/02/2009. I profusely apologize.
        
        For some reason I had you confused with another commentator with “The” in their name who no longer comments here. Cancel the “hypocritical arsehole” statements because you do not deserve them (at least not for the reason I gave).
        
        The answer to your query is just the same though. Wait for the economic policy to be released. It is more than 6 months from the election. There is a budget that needs to be released first and which is likely to affect the available revenue and expenditure.
        
        If National didn’t feel it was necessary to release policy until just before the election, then I can’t see any reason for Labour to do it differently. If you can find a valid reason why Labour should release detailed policy early in the campaign – then please lets hear it?
        
        Then explain why you think that National are also guilty of the same sin.
        
        For that matter when did Act release their economic policy in 2008? Have they done so yet?
        
        The Baron …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:28 pm
        
        Lynn – apology isn’t really necessary, but appreciated all the same. Hell, I attribute things to other commenters all the time to help my argument, so I would indeed be a hypocrite if I got upset about you doing the same.
        
        PeteG …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:37 pm
        
        If you can find a valid reason why Labour should release detailed policy early in the campaign – then please lets hear it?
        
        Depends on how much risk Labour wants to take, especially considering how much ground they need to make up. They’re unlikely to win on leader’s charisma.
        
        If they put everything into policy to pull it off they need to hope that they get the formula just right (major turnaround needed), they need to hope voters will care to take notice of it, and hope like hell that at the vital time the news isn’t taken over by something major that won’t stop the election from taking place, like the Japan earthquake.
        
        The Baron …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:52 pm
        
        For the record, I’m not actually asking for Labour to do anything. I’m asking R0B to justify his fanboi-ism in terms of attacking National’s record of borrowing, when Labour wants to borrow another $3 billion a year for tax cuts, and has as yet articulated no plan for the economy.
        
        So to me, onus is on Rob and his fellow fanbois. Labour actually having a plan would help them justify their faith based politics in the face of more disasterously irresponsible borrowing from Labour.
        
        lprent …
        
        28 March 2011 at 4:13 pm
        
        Firstly: Labour isn’t proposing to borrow $3bn. If you’re talking about a Labour proposal then shouldn’t you use their figures rather than some made up crap? Perhaps you’d care to point out the Labour statement on how much it will cost and start from that as a basis? Quite simply if you don’t know what in the hell you’re talking about, then why should I argue with you? It’d be pointless.
        
        Secondly: The onus is on you as far as I’m concerned. You raised Labour’s policies in a post about Nationals debt creation. You haven’t linked to anything, and you haven’t bothered to show why a future possible policy is relevant to a post talking about debt being irresponsibly generated now by the wastrels in NAct. Why is Labours press release relevant to this post?
        
        The Baron …
        
        28 March 2011 at 4:34 pm
        
        Well look at that. Tax free zone will cost only $1.3 billion, according to this: http://www.3news.co.nz/Labour-proposes-5000-tax-free-zone/tabid/419/articleID/195788/Default.aspx
        
        But then again, Labour have already gone on the attack regarding a “0 increase being a cut”. So that’s $1.3 billion plus whatever else Goff wants to throw around.
        
        So yes, corrected. Labour only wants to put us $1.3b further into the debt hole through tax cuts, and another couple of hundred million at least in additional services that we can’t afford. Either way, debt grows irresponsibly larger under Labour – but then again, they have to keep their powder dry on their winning economic strategy that will make all this borrowing and hoping a-ok, right?
        
        Happy now? If anyone is a hypocrite, it is the Labour party – arguing how irresponsible borrowing is when they want to borrow more themselves. And again, you’re cheering them on? I don’t get it.
        
        r0b …
        
        28 March 2011 at 4:53 pm
        
        Sorry, in haste. But, umm – when did Labour say they would borrow for that? Did you read your own link? It will be paid for by progressive taxation and closing loopholes, not borrowing.
        
        Won’t be here again until late tonight…
        
        PeteG …
        
        28 March 2011 at 2:25 pm
        
        In particular why you think that Labour should be different in political strategy from National.
        
        2008 and 20011 are quite different situations.
        
        Some of the key National planks last time were what they wouldn’t do as opposed to what the would do. All they had to do was assure the electorate that they wouldn’t make drastic changes and let Labour fatigue do the rest.
        
        This time National could take the same approach (not scaring the horses) and maybe not disgruntle too many last time voters. Their task is not much more difficult than 2008.
        
        This time Labour need to convince the electorate that they have recovered and refreshed since they were rejected last time. Not putting forward significant policy and people changes means that they are not doing that. Far too risky and too soon to just sit back and rely on National fatigue.
        
        Greens+NZF could = Labour if they aren’t careful.
        
        RobC …
        
        28 March 2011 at 2:50 pm
        
        “Their task is not much more difficult than 2008.”
        
        Yes it is. At some point, they will need to mention two words:
        
        Asset Sales
        
        The Baron …
        
        28 March 2011 at 2:52 pm
        
        And the Labour alternative is an extra $3b per year in debt. Neither sound that flash, do they?
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        28 March 2011 at 2:59 pm
        
        Sorry pal the rich are gonna get soaked that’s it
        
        I hope LAB have the guts to bring in a CGT as well as an asset tax
        
        The Baron …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:16 pm
        
        Uhuh. The $70k+ rich that is, right?
        
        And still more faith based politicing huh CV. I’d rather wait and see whether Goff has plans to offset his $3billion in extra tax cuts, which will make things FAR WORSE in terms of what Hickey is talking about in this article.
        
        Lanthanide …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:34 pm
        
        For the record, under Labour’s tax cut policy, which National repealed, the top threshold would be $75k today, and $80k this Friday on April 1st.
        
        So if you want to bitch at anyone for considering “$70k” rich based on the tax threshold, blame National.
        
        Labour are proposing to raise the threshold, or introduce another one, up over $100k. National aren’t – they’re happy with the “rich” cutoff being $70k right now.
        
        Here’s my attempt to define ‘rich’, btw: http://thestandard.org.nz/crisis-but-tax-cuts-for-the-rich-keep-coming/#comment-311513
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:37 pm
        
        Hey Baron you moron I said $70K p.a. is a pathetic income
        
        And its doubly pathetic that so many NZ families are having to raise children on HALF that amount
        
        The Baron …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:49 pm
        
        Well you’ve got to set it at $70k or there abouts in order to make up for the $3 billion Goff wants to give away – otherwise you’re further down the hole.
        
        There isn’t enough people who are “really rich” to make it revenue neutral otherwise.
        
        So, ah, I guess it won’t be team Philly G leading us anywhere new any time soon – unless thats even further into the poor house.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        28 March 2011 at 4:01 pm
        
        Baron, income taxes for the most wealthy have to go up, and we have to introduce ASSET taxes. CGT etc. That will raise plenty.
        
        Herodotus …
        
        28 March 2011 at 4:18 pm
        
        CV hard for “… income taxes for the most wealthy have to go up, and we have to introduce ASSET taxes. CGT etc. That will raise plenty.”
        to raise plenty when we are not producing much. That just divides the existing pizza into smaller bits. Not opposed to CGT & increased taxes as PART of a comprehensive package, but no as the Final Solution which is how it appears to be marketed by the left. Just displays how little thought is going into it- just PR vote grabbing. How will this benefit Current Acct, ability for coys to grow ….etc No vision = no destiny = crap outcomes as the only question is how quickly or slowly do we sink.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        28 March 2011 at 5:30 pm
        
        Herod. you are quite correct.
        
        My response is that it boils down to investing monies obtained into productive technologies and infrastructure, moving capital out of the financialised game system into productive enterprises which can both export and employ.
        
        PeteG …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:12 pm
        
        A handful of part sales of assets is hardly going to signal the end of socialism. It is senseless to rule out ever evaluating whether assets are best retained by the state or not.
        
        But there are risks, for both main parties, as this is likely to get drowned out by a slanging with things like “selling the silver” dominating the “debate”.
        
        Do you think that op assets should ever be sold?
        Do you think asset sales seems like a viable wedge issue?
        
        RobC …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:24 pm
        
        What I think (and what you think) is beside the point. The lack of comprehension of economic matters that a significant part of the voting public has, mixed with the level of political debate we have, means such nuances are unimportant.
        
        PeteG …
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:41 pm
        
        Yep, sadly you’re right, hence our political PR parasites.
        
        Cheaper hamburgers with free upsizing would probably get more votes than dropping GST on fresh fruit and veg.
- Zaphod Beeblebrox 10.2
  
  28 March 2011 at 1:36 pm
  
  Your agrument that Goff has not produced anything so far to turn this problem around is fair enough. But what defence do you have of Key?
  
  I think Hickey’s argument establishes that neither the Clark or Key government’s did/are doing much to improve our productivity/GDP/national debt.
  
  We’ve seen Key’s plan and Goff’s plan is sketchy. Do you have any suggestions or do you simply want to see things go on as they are?
  - The Baron 10.2.1
    
    28 March 2011 at 2:54 pm
    
    Sorry pal, not what I’m here for. You may dislike that, but all I want to know is how Rob justifies his partisan fanboi-ism against $3b of making the problem worse, and a non-existent plan for a better economy.
    
    Apart from that, I have no idea. But then again, I’m not asking you for your vote either.
    - Colonial Viper 10.2.1.1
      
      28 March 2011 at 2:58 pm
      
      Hey mate sometimes you gotta borrow more to invest in society
      
      Unlike National who borrow more to give to the rich (I guess they see that as a kind of investment)
      - The Baron 10.2.1.1.1
        
        28 March 2011 at 3:18 pm
        
        Look, unless Labour is going to be buying into the CV/Draco “just print it” theory, that money has to be paid back. And Hickey’s article is about just how hard and stupid that is.
        
        Goff wants to put us $3 billion further into the paupers debt house because he wants some “me too” tax cuts. And you’re clapping him on?
        
        RedLogix 10.2.1.1.1.1
        
        28 March 2011 at 4:01 pm
        
        CV/Draco “just print it” theory,
        
        Well who do you think does it now?
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        28 March 2011 at 4:15 pm
        
        Exactly. The Baron has no idea about the “funny money” bank credit money supply system western economies have become reliant on, so I wouldn’t expect him to know.
        
        The Baron …
        
        28 March 2011 at 4:27 pm
        
        Exactly. Everyone else in the world, including every minister of finance and more relevantly to this post, Bernard Hickey, agrees with me.
        
        Talking about some sort of bizarro revolution in world economics is hardly relevant to this post is it? Well, either that or it is just as relevant as everywhere else you bring it up as a solution.
        
        RedLogix …
        
        28 March 2011 at 4:39 pm
        
        So who prints the money? If you can you answer that simple question we might be able to move onto ‘bizzarro revolutions in world economics’.
        
        Herodotus …
        
        28 March 2011 at 4:49 pm
        
        Those who create debt “print money” just look at the money supply note & coins are from memory 5% max of the supply.
        For those out there who think money is not made up out of thin air. Think of credit cards and the $5.4b outstanding any one month
        http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/research/bulletin/2007_2011/2008mar71_1lawrence.pdf
        http://www.johnpemberton.co.nz/html/money_supply.html
        http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics/monfin/c12/data.html
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        28 March 2011 at 5:32 pm
        
        Hey Baron, you asked the question on who is printing money and I told you, its happening right now under your very nose, and this is the same system that YOU support.
        
        Exactly. Everyone else in the world, including every minister of finance and more relevantly to this post, Bernard Hickey, agrees with me.
        
        What, all of a sudden world financial leaders every where agree with The Baron?
        
        Fuck off you’re deluded.
mikesh 11

28 March 2011 at 5:18 pm

Bernard doesn’t make clear how the 950 million is to be spent, but if it is to be spent locally it would surely be preferable to borrow interest free from the Reserve Bank. Both courses of action would be about equally inflatioary. And if Bollard won’t go along with this, repeal the Reserve Bank act and bring the bank back under ministerial control.
MrSmith 12

28 March 2011 at 5:29 pm

This might answer your earlier question Baron.

Goff said:

“The first area we’ll look at is how to crack down on tax evasion and avoidance. No one knows exactly how much is lost by people dodging their tax – but it’s been estimated in the billions.

The Tax Working Group pointed out that only about half of the wealthiest individuals in New Zealand are paying the top tax rate.

It said that many with wealth can restructure their affairs through trusts and companies to shelter income from taxes and even to receive social support they shouldn’t be entitled to.

The Tax Working Group points out that $200 billion worth of rental property doesn’t provide any net tax revenue – it actually generates tax losses.

The incoming Labour Government will immediately set up a highpowered Anti-Avoidance Tax Taskforce to close tax loopholes. A second source of funds to allow us to create a tax free zone will be to claim back some of the windfall tax cuts from the very top income earners. We haven’t yet set a new top tax rate.

Nor have we determined the level of income that it will apply to. But it will only affect incomes comfortably into six figures, the top few per cent of earners.

We will also make sure these very highest earners do not use trusts to avoid paying the top tax rate. We are waiting with interest to see the Law Commission ’s work in this area.

How big we can make the tax-free zone will depend on how much we get back by making the tax system fairer and closing the loopholes. I fully expect those who have arranged their affairs to avoid paying their fair share of tax to come after me”.
- RedLogix 12.1
  
  28 March 2011 at 5:48 pm
  
  Exactly.
  
  If all the wealth in the world actually paid it’s fair share of tax, governments everywhere would be rolling in so much money they really would be able to cut tax rates meaningfully.
- PeteG 12.2
  
  28 March 2011 at 6:57 pm
  
  I applaud any reasonable attempts to cut down on tax evasion and loopholes, but I’ve heard it all before, and it doesn’t seem anyone is able or willing to get on top of it.
  
  I wouldn’t rely on any substantial recovery claims. As quoted Goff says “No one knows exactly how much is lost by people dodging their tax” – and even less is known about how much can be prevented, nor what the flow on effects would be.
  - MrSmith 12.2.1
    
    28 March 2011 at 8:33 pm
    
    PeteG: Tax evasion in New Zealand is bigger than Rugby. The banks are a classic example.
    By the way they make about 3 billion profit every year. So you think they would leave if the profits where halved, well I doubt it.
    We give them the right to create money and loan it out at no risk (as we have just seen with the government guarantee) to themselves, so why would they cut that money tree down? they won’t will they.
    - Peter 12.2.1.1
      
      28 March 2011 at 9:04 pm
      
      Too right, did Bill English thank the IRD’s Civil Servants for winning back 2 billion from the Australian banks in 2009? Yes 2 billion, you can do a lot of re-building with that amount.
      
      Incredible that they take our money as deposits, which earns Kiwis a paltry amount after tax, create credit with it to earn profits and then they attempt to embezzle their collective customers by not paying tax.
      
      The total wage bill of all Government employees is some 18 billion. The IRD’s court success of 2 billion gives a 11% ROI. He should be employing more Civil Servants not less,
      
      Where would Bill be today without his employees? Borrowing even more to make up for his tax cuts!
Greg 13

28 March 2011 at 9:06 pm

On the very slight chance you want a serious answer for the long term, here’s one. Everyone will hate it for one reason or another, so it’s got Buckley’s chance of being implemented. But we really do need some reality in the discourse. If we want to keep the incomes we’ve got, let alone get ahead, these are the things we’ve got to do. The alternative is a health system worse than Bangladesh’s (no offence, but BD is undeniably short of money).

First, manage for a low exchange rate. This might mean capital controls, currency transaction taxes, whatever else as well as the standard tools. But get the exchange rate down. Tell the RBNZ to forget the … simplistic … (original adjective redacted) focus on inflation. It’s been ruinous.

Second, have a better industrial policy. Yes, pick winners, but do it cleverly. South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, etc. prove it can be done. But more importantly, pick losers. Discourage investment in real estate — especially residential. Have a land tax. Get rid of the abomination known as the LAQC, and trusts that are mainly about real estate capital gain. Tax holiday homes and absentee owners.

Third, encourage savings. Change the pension from being linked to the average wage to being inflation-adjusted, and raise the age of general eligibility. Tax capital gains, like the ~~rest of the~~ developed world does.

Fourth, grow Auckland. Improve its links to Hamilton and Tauranga. Change the rules in inner-city areas so people can build as tightly as they want subject to noise and traffic performance standards. Consider a “special economic zone”. People need to read Brian Easton’s “Globalization and the Wealth of Nations” to properly understand why this is crucial, but the basics are these: Auckland is one of the second-tier cities in Australasia, along with Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane — but smaller than Brizzie. The big money is made in the big cities, not the small ones; we need to encourage businesses to stay here when they get big. It will benefit the regions in the long run if the Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga triangle gets all the love for a couple of decades.

Fifth, change business culture. For the same reasons as we need Auckland to get big, we need our businesses to get big. We’ve got to work better in big teams. One part of this is improving the quality of our managers. I suggest a “manager’s license” system, analogous to the driver’s license.

Sixth, look to the future. Over the next few decades commodities are expected to rise in price, so our farmers, fishers, and foresters will do well (if we don’t stuff things up by letting our exchange rate rise too much, or letting all the gain flow to land prices). We need to plan how to make use of that.

Seventh, get out of the way of scientists and science entrepreneurs. Annual or per-project contestability of research funding has been extremely counterproductive. Fund for a decade at a time.

As I said, something for just about everyone to hate: things would get worse before they got better. And possibly they won’t get better, just not as bad as the alternative.

Buckley’s chance.
- rosy 13.1
  
  28 March 2011 at 9:14 pm
  
  “Everyone will hate it for one reason or another”….. nah, sounds good… add FTT and CGT and it’s a winner
  - Colonial Viper 13.1.1
    
    28 March 2011 at 9:46 pm
    
    And a basic asset tax. 1% p.a. on all net assets held over $1M.
    
    You own $5M in net assets, including property, stocks, bonds, etc. that’s $40,000 in tax per year thank you very much.
- Afewknowthetruth 13.2
  
  28 March 2011 at 11:41 pm
  
  Sorry Greg, you really are utterly deluded.
  
  We are living in a post peak oil world, which means the only growth there will be is growth of poverty. The Great Unravelling has commenced and it will pick up speed after 2012. As Richard Hienberg said several years ago, ‘The Party’s Over’. Petrol has gone from under $1 a litre to well over $2 a litre in a short time. And that’s just the start. Unfortunately most people still don’t ‘get it’ and still think we are living in the Age Of Entitlement.
  
  In view of the fact that every city in NZ is, to varying degrees, unsustainable, your suggestion of growing Auckland is completely insane.
  
  As for ‘Over the next few decades commodities are expected to rise in price’, sorry mate, there won’t even be an economy in a few decades because there won’t be any oil to run an economy, and humans will have rendered most of the Earth uninhabitable via abrupt climate change anyway.
logie97 14

28 March 2011 at 11:36 pm

Key slip-up on Breakfast this morning. Petra asked him about matters financial.

“Achully, government debt isn’t too serious…” or words to that effect
Quite sure that’s what he said – and he needs to be nailed on that, because for too long he and English have been lumping government and private debt together.

Anyone else hear it?
- logie97 14.1
  
  28 March 2011 at 11:53 pm
  
  Just replayed Breakfast and
  “… we don’t carry a lot of debt as government…” is precisely what Key said. Now that needs to be nailed home again, and again and again.
johnm 15

31 March 2011 at 10:26 am

The end of growth is here now! (Refer Richard Heinberg’s book coming out this year explaining why? titled “The End of Growth” and refer http://www.postcarbon.org). Borrowing is based on future growth(with increased income and wealth) which won’t happen therefore borrowing which entails paying back compound interest on top of principal must makes us POORER in the future. Rather we must tax the rich to help pay for CHCH. JKeyll could start by selling that house in Hawaii and chucking the proceeds in the kitty!

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The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
2 days ago

Ministers are not above the law
Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
2 days ago

What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
2 days ago

Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
Bryce Edwards writes – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
2 days ago

Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
Citizen Science writes – Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
2 days ago

A TikTok Prime Minister.
One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
2 days ago

Texas Lessons
This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
2 days ago

Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
2 days ago

Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
2 days ago

Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
3 days ago

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

Apposite Quotations.
How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
Bowalley Road
3 days ago

What’s a life worth now?
You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
3 days ago

Howling at the Moon
Karl du Fresne writes – There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
3 days ago

Newshub is Dead.
I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
3 days ago

Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
3 days ago

Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
3 days ago

Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
David Farrar writes – The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
3 days ago

PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
3 days ago

Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
3 days ago

Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
3 days ago

Long Tunnel or Long Con?
Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
Greater AucklandBy Matt L
3 days ago

Smoke And Mirrors.
You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
3 days ago

What is Mexico doing about climate change?
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
Skeptical Science
3 days ago

State of humanity, 2024
2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
4 days ago

Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
4 days ago

The case for cultural connectedness
A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
4 days ago

Useful context on public sector job cuts
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated. While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
4 days ago

Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
4 days ago

Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
4 days ago

True Blue.
True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
4 days ago

Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
4 days ago

2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
Skeptical Science
5 days ago

Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts
Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

Or is that just they want us to think?
Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
5 days ago

Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
Skeptical Science
6 days ago

Arguing over a moot point.
I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
6 days ago

No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
Bowalley Road
6 days ago

Release: Dark day for Kiwi kids as a third of Govt cuts affect them
News that 1000 jobs at the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki could go is devastating for future generations of New Zealanders. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: Alarm as Government signals further blow to school lunches
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: Quick, submit – stop Govt’s dodgy approvals bill
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Government throws coal on the climate crisis fire
The Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. ...
Greens
3 days ago

Release: Public transport costs to double as National looks at unaffordable roading project instead
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Release: Cost of living in Auckland still not a priority
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Greens look to fast-track submissions on harmful law
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Govt should stop making people’s lives harder and build more homes
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Melissa Lee missing in action on media
The action Melissa Lee promised to protect democracy and the media sector is missing, Media and Communications spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Landlord Government leaves little hope for renters
The Government’s announcement on tenancy rules prove that it does not care about renters. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Opportunity to build a more sustainable economy
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Significant step forward in fixing cruel and unjust past
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Missed opportunity but NZ will surely one day recognise the right to a sustainable environment
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Don’t cut our lunches – clear message sent to Government
Tens of thousands of people are demanding the Government commits to fully funding free and healthy school lunches. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Govt makes U-turn on Suicide Prevention Office
Labour welcomes the Government’s U-turn on the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

CCC issues warning over further climate delay
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Luxon targets lame and lousy example of leadership
If talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Luxon targets are lousy example of leadership
If talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Commitment to disability communities missing from Govt priorities
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Methane target review is dangerous duplication
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Government must commit to school building project for disabled students
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: National must take mental health seriously
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Referendums for Māori wards a racist step backwards
The Government's imposed referendum on Māori wards is a racist step backwards for Māori representation, and disregards Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Job losses at Health not worth it for tax cuts
New Zealand will feel the harm of the National Government’s reckless cuts to jobs at the health ministry for generations, says Ayesha Verrall. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Press release: No Māori initiatives in Government’s nothing plan
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Social housing off Government’s to-do list
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Less money in most people’s pockets this April
Changes to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks ago

Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 hours ago

Judicial appointments announced
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 hours ago

Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 hours ago

Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 hours ago

Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 hours ago

Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 hours ago

Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
17 hours ago

Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
23 hours ago

Taupō takes pole position
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Government backing mussel spat project
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Government focused on getting people into work
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Inflation coming down, but more work to do
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Roads of National Significance planning underway
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Navigating an unstable global environment
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Joint US and NZ declaration
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Are 2 mid-career AFL retirements a sign Australian athletes are taking brain health more seriously?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
42 mins ago

Luxon: Waitangi Tribunal comments from coalition parties 'ill considered'
Comments from ACT and NZ First ministers about the Tribunal were "ill considered" and "that message will be underscored" to them, the PM says. ...
Radio NZ – political
43 mins ago

Mental Health Foundation Facing Staff Cuts From Govt Funding Squeeze
The Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...
Scoop politics
1 hour ago

I wholeheartedly recommend The President: a brilliant revival of a play of decay, terror and revulsi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 hour ago

How the coolest little capital is shrinking
It's not the first time a government has targeted public servants for job cuts, but this time Wellington is really feeling it. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 hours ago

Many prisoners go years without touching a smartphone. It means they struggle to navigate life on th...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

Ministers accused of Cabinet Manual breach with threats to Waitangi Tribunal
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
2 hours ago

Good news: midlife health is about more than a waist measurement. Here’s why
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

The Friday Poem: ‘Mitochondrial Problem’ by Evangeline Riddiford Graham
A new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...
The SpinoffBy Evangeline Riddiford Graham
2 hours ago

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 18
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38) Hot off the press, this debut ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
2 hours ago

Department of Conservation closing Dunedin centre, but no jobs lost
Visitor habits are changing and DOC needs to adapt in a financially sustainable way, its operations director says. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 hours ago

Unions Collaborate With Thousands Of Job Cuts
With New Zealand officially in recession, a swathe of mass sackings is currently sending shockwaves through the entire working class. ...
Scoop politics
2 hours ago

Watch live: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in Manila
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters in Manila after pledging greater defence cooperation with the Philippines. Watch live. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 hours ago

Government sent please explain letter to Wellington City Council over transport disagreement
The contents were revealed in correspondence from Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop to Wellington's Mayor. ...
Radio NZ – political
3 hours ago

Some families push back against journalists who mine social media for photos – they have every rig...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
3 hours ago

Mental Health Foundation staff cuts loom, with funding falling behind rising costs
Chief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...
Radio NZ – political
3 hours ago

The ‘devil comet’ 12P/Pons-Brooks has finally become visible from Australia. What can we expect?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland Pons–Brooks visible from Utah, March 9 2024. James Peirce/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND If you’re a fan of all things space, you’ve doubtless heard about the “devil comet”, which has been captivating keen-eyed observers in the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
3 hours ago

Rugby stadiums are sold as an economic asset – but NZ needs to ask if they’re really worth it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Hamlin, Senior Lecturer in Marketing , University of Otago A multi-billion dollar stadium precinct has been proposed for Auckland, one of three proposals in front of Auckland Council for a new stadium in the city. The council is also considering revamping ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
3 hours ago

Auckland dog attacks: Callouts for attacks on other animals going up
Roaming dogs are responsible for more than a thousand attacks on animals each year, and the number is growing. ...
Radio NZ – political
4 hours ago

What access to puberty blockers means for trans young people and their whānau
The Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...
The SpinoffBy Julia de Bres
4 hours ago

NZ and Philippines pledge defence cooperation amid rising tensions
The commitment came after a sit-down meeting between Christopher Luxon and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr overnight. ...
Radio NZ – political
5 hours ago

How superblocks can help reimagine city life
Barcelona’s city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus: “You can reimagine streets, ...
The SpinoffBy Ellen Rykers
5 hours ago

Fire engineering expertise may take a big hit with job cuts at MBIE
The public sector cuts are poised to take out a big chunk of expertise at the country's building regulator. ...
Radio NZ – political
6 hours ago

“Fast-track Law To Kill Kiwi”: Students Say Fight Against Anti-democracy Legislation Is Only Jus...
Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...
Scoop politics
6 hours ago

‘We have thousands of Modis’: the secret behind the BJP’s enduring success in India
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Online schooling is not just for lockdowns. Could it work for your child?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Hear me out: You can shove your reusable period products
Yes, they’re better for the environment. No, that’s not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...
The SpinoffBy Kristin Kelly
7 hours ago

Rip It Up And Start Over – Fast-Track Approvals Bill Needs To Be Scrapped
“It will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealanders’ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...
Scoop politics
7 hours ago

Maori Authority Warns Government On Fast Track Legislation
The Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...
Scoop politics
7 hours ago

Why the government’s haste in changing the health system could come back to haunt it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Many suicides are related to gambling. How can we tackle this problem?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether you’re watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Things that go buzz in the night – our global study found there really are more insects out after ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Why don’t Australians talk about their salaries? Pay transparency and fairness go hand-in-hand
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

‘Character’ And Its Impact On Immigration Status
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...
Scoop politics
7 hours ago

20,000 more on jobseeker benefits than this time last year
The government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...
The SpinoffBy Catherine McGregor
9 hours ago

All of the Raglan Roast cafes in Wellington, ranked from worst to best
Raglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. It’s consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...
The SpinoffBy Zoë Mills
11 hours ago

Auckland uni students threaten rent strike over rising accommodation fees
Residents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously. The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
11 hours ago

Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the pace
Official figures confirm New Zealand produced less climate pollution in 2022 than in any other year in the 21st century The post Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the pace appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
11 hours ago

Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved
Shane Jones says people voted for change, but opponents say small cuts such as ending a special oceans secretariat are starting to add up The post Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Andrew Bevin
11 hours ago

Defence deal to counter Beijing’s aggression in South China Sea
New Zealand and the Philippines have signed a new maritime security agreement and stated their concerns over activity in the South China Sea, as Chinese vessels continue to flout international law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos committed to signing a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement by ...
NewsroomBy Laura Walters
11 hours ago

Wellington’s ebb and flow of public servants
The thousands of government “back-office” job cuts are causing widespread pain in the capital city. In today’s episode of The Detail, we speak to three journalists and a think tank researcher, looking at the larger picture around the cuts and what effect it will have on Wellington, a city that’s ...
NewsroomBy Tom Kitchin
11 hours ago

New Zealand transport planning has gone off the rails
Opinion: The famed American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood!” Burnham wouldn’t have been referring to the transport plans in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past five years; projects so big they hadn’t the credibility to ...
NewsroomBy Dr Timothy F Welch
11 hours ago

Daily crossword, Friday 19 April
The post Daily crossword, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
11 hours ago

Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slows
The transport sector is currently in the slow lane The post Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slows appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Emma Hatton
11 hours ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
11 hours ago

Financial literacy should be on all of us
Opinion: With maths understanding at 42 percent for Year 8 students, there’s no doubt something has to be done. But how? The post Financial literacy should be on all of us appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Bryce Marsden
11 hours ago

Missy rustles to stardom in Canada
Hineaupounamu ‘Missy’ Nuku has been scaling mountains in Canada for her college basketball team, the Lakeland Rustlers. Alberta is currently home for the 20-year-old point guard, who is in her first year of a scholarship at Lakeland College, where she is studying for a business degree. She has certainly made ...
NewsroomBy Aiden McLaughlin
11 hours ago

Grattan on Friday: Ethnic tensions will complicate the Albanese government’s multicultural policy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When ASIO boss Mike Burgess delivered his annual threat assessment earlier this year, he stressed the rising danger posed by espionage and foreign interference. “In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
16 hours ago

Group plans work to improve safety of female MPs
New research shows harassment of elected officials - especially women - is on the rise. ...
Radio NZ – political
18 hours ago

Ukraine warns of WW3 ahead of long-stalled Congress aid vote
Ukraine's Prime Minister says his country desperately needs the US to approve long-stalled security assistance. ...
Radio NZ – political
19 hours ago

PSA astonished Education Minister expects hiring of contractors to review curriculum
Hiring contractors is an appalling solution when people who could do the work are losing their jobs, the PSA says. ...
Radio NZ – political
20 hours ago

Crown lawyers attempt to block Waitangi Tribunal summons to Minister for Children
The Tribunal had called on Minister for Children Karen Chhour to provide evidence at an urgent inquiry into the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. ...
Radio NZ – political
21 hours ago

Luxon refuses to guarantee public consultation on AUKUS Pillar 2
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says it's "far too premature" to be confirming whether the public would be consulted on joining AUKUS Pillar 2. ...
Radio NZ – political
22 hours ago

Visualising the 1800s or designing wedding invitations: 6 ways you can use AI beyond generating text
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University Midjourney image by T.J. Thomson As more than half of Australian office workers report using generative artificial intelligence (AI) for work, we’re starting to see this technology affect every ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
22 hours ago

Falls, fractures and self-harm: 4 charts on how kids’ injury risk changes over time and differs fo...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Nicole Sharwood, Injury epidemiologist | Expert Witness, UNSW Sydney Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock Injuries are the leading cause of disability and death among Australian children and adolescents. At least a quarter of all emergency department presentations during childhood are injury-related. Injuries can ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
22 hours ago

Choice and control: will NDIS reforms mean people with disability don’t get to decide who they liv...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Di Winkler, Adjunct Associate Professor, Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University Shutterstock/Ground Picture Many Australians with disability feel on the edge of a precipice right now. Recommendations from the disability royal commission and the NDIS review were released late ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
23 hours ago

Asbestos in playground mulch: how to avoid a repeat of this circular economy scandal
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Salman Shooshtarian, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Salman Shooshtarian Asbestos has been found in mulch used for playgrounds, schools, parks and gardens across Sydney and Melbourne. Local communities naturally fear for the health of their ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
23 hours ago

Could Albanese’s bet on homegrown green industries be the boost our regions deserve?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Madeline Taylor, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University Cloudy Designs/Shutterstock Right now, there’s a global race underway. The goal: bring back manufacturing and energy jobs as the energy transition speeds up. In 2022, America launched its mammoth Inflation Reduction Act and the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
23 hours ago

Watch: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon won't say if government will consult public on joining ...
Asked multiple times if the public will be consulted on joining the defence pact, Luxon repeatedly said that was yet to be worked through. ...
Radio NZ – political
23 hours ago

Watch live: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks in Philippines
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters on the third leg of his Southeast Asia trip, from Manila in the Philippines. ...
Radio NZ – political
24 hours ago

Māori lawyers call Shane Jones' Waitangi Tribunal comments 'inappropriate'
The Māori Law Society says his comments breach the principle of the separation of powers and the Cabinet Manual. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Abortions Increase 25% Since Law Change
Family First says that the latest abortion statistics make grim and upsetting reading, with a 25% increase in abortions since the decriminalisation of abortion in March 2020. According to an Official Information Act request received by Right to Life ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Over Half Of New Zealanders Feel That The Country Is In Decline And That Our Society Is Broken
Ipsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study on populism reveals a pervasive sense of societal and economic decline among New Zealanders. MORE DETAILS AND FULL REPORT HERE Ipsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Australia’s new defence strategy is big on ideas, but lacks one key ingredient: well-trained soldi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Layton, Visiting Fellow, Strategic Studies, Griffith University There have been a lot of defence announcements recently about buying new equipment, building up Australia’s manufacturing capabilities, creating local jobs, new legislation to support AUKUS and even a new defence chief. In ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

What does Steve Smith’s Stateside signing mean for cricket in the US – and Australia?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney Steve Smith, one of this generation’s finest batters, has conquered much of the cricketing world during his career, and he now has set his sights on a new frontier: the United ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

A love letter to Wellington: when i open the shop by romesh dissanayake, reviewed
Madeleine Ballard reviews the debut novel from romesh dissanayake. when I open the shop, the debut novel by Naarm-based Aotearoa writer romesh dissanayake (Sri Lankan, Koryo Saram), is a narrative of grief. Devendra loses his mother, opens a noodle shop on The Terrace, grieves, and emerges changed. But just as ...
The SpinoffBy Madeleine Ballard
1 day ago

Minister Concedes Contractors Will Be Hired To Do Work Of Axed Ministry Of Education Staff
The PSA can’t believe that the Minister of Education is happy for her ministry to hire contractors at the same time it is dismissing 565 workers. ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Attempt to bar diplomat from Myanmar military junta fails
Myanmar community members applied to the courts to bar the diplomat from attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

LGNZ Welcomes Govt Earthquake-prone Buildings Decision
LGNZ has advocated for this decision as part of a remit led by Manawatū District Council. ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

AUKUS Pillar 2 a 'fragrant, methane-wrapped bull***' – Bob Carr
The former Australian Foreign Minister has continued to warn New Zealand against joining the defence pact. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Enforceable undertaking issued to abc accounting services limited after continued non-compliance.
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has accepted an enforceable undertaking agreement from ABC Accounting Services Limited (ABC) under section 81 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act). ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

REVEALED: RNZ’s Hypocrisy Over Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill
The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Radio New Zealand (RNZ) spent $71,842.53 on Facebook advertising over the past 12 months, despite earlier this year coming out in support of the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill , which would force the likes ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Police rejected 'very good offer' – Mark Mitchell
Police Minister Mark Mitchell says the pay offer rejected by police was the best the government could put forward under difficult financial circumstances. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

How can we have truth-telling without the Voice? Our research shows a way forward
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Heidi Norman, Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, Convenor: Indigenous Land & Justice Research Group, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock The Uluru Statement from the Heart set out the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for “Voice, Treaty, Truth”, in ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

NZ education scores must improve – but another polarising ideological pivot isn’t the answer
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bronwyn E Wood, Associate Professor in Education, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Getty Images You don’t need to look hard right now to see concerns about Aotearoa New Zealand’s education system. Declining performance in international testing has been ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

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