National’s big economic policy announcement

Written By: - Date published: 1:42 pm, February 17th, 2020 - 83 comments
Categories: Economy, Living Wage, national, same old national, Simon Bridges, tax, wages - Tags:

This will be a very short post.

The big economic policy announcement has been made by National leader Simon Bridges and it is, how do I put this, underwhelming.

There are five bulletpoint policies which I have summarised for you:

  • Platitiude
  • Platitiude
  • Platitiude
  • Platitiude
  • Platitiude

One of them involves cutting red tape!  Wow what genius thought that one up? They are even talking about a regulations bonfire. Of course every right wing party in English speaking nations in the world have not continuously used that phrase.

There is also this claim about someone on the average wage:

People on the average wage shouldn’t be paying almost 33 per cent in the dollar.

The claim has been thoroughly debunked by those who actually know something on the subject.

I can recall in 2014 David Cunliffe and Labour being attacked mercilessly because of a slight inaccuracy in the detail of a speech.  Yet this is the headline bullet point for National.

It will be interesting to see how our fact checkers handle this claim.  Because its inaccuracy is palpable.

83 comments on “National’s big economic policy announcement ”

  1. Wensleydale 1

    Never let the facts get in the way of scare-mongering and the dissemination of misinformation in the run-up to an election. Even if you don't know what you're talking about, chances are most average punters wouldn't know or care enough to check, so keep those hyperbolic statements and dodgy graphs coming, National. You're on to a winner.

  2. I am sorry if the following metaphor is crude but it is the only way I can simply describe what Simon is doing. He is a burlesque dancer playing to an media and public audience. Pulling in the audience with promises to reveal all but at the last second not. Meanwhile National continues their real campaign strategy of constant negativity towards the government.

    Look what they didn't reveal

    1. The size and nature of the tax cuts they will implement

    2. How they will pay for infrastructure (because they will be a government of infrastructure) like their promised roads when National also promise not to increase taxes and they promise to remove Auckland's regional fuel charge.

    3. Whether they will borrow money to fund tax cuts and therefore what they consider an acceptable level of debt to be.

    It is all BS but National successfully got good publicity which was their purpose…

    • Brendon Harre 2.1

      The media will not call out National. They will enjoy the show whilst never demanding the facts. Unlike with Labour policy announcements there will not be a moment where National is slammed because they did not 'show me the money'.

  3. Gosman 3

    That's it? Your big issue is the figure around who pays the 33% tax rate is wrong is it? Why don't you attack the concept of the tax cut rather than a throw away line used in promoting it?

    • McFlock 3.1

      lol

      Yeah, I hope you don't work in retail:

      "dear ASA, why aren't you attacking the car rather than the throw-away line (that doubled its fuel efficiency) we used in promoting it?"

      "dear ASA, why don't you criticise our product range, rather than the throw-away promotion line that we have the cheapest prices in town?"

      "dear coroner, our claim that the child car seats met safety standards was just a throw-away line used for promotional purposes, why are you focusing on it so much?"

    • Wensleydale 3.2

      Telling lies makes Baby Jebus cry.

    • Brendon Harre 3.3

      What tax cut? Simon didn’t give any details. He certainly didn’t cost it.

      • Incognito 3.3.1

        He doesn’t need to; the well-heeled have heard the whistle and you’ll recognise them by their drooling and heavy panting.

    • Incognito 3.4

      Stand by for Simon’s imminent correction; he’ll blame an emotional junior staffer.

    • I'm more worried about your easy listening chart @The Gozzzz

      stand by your man ching-a-linga-a-ching in perpetuum

    • What else in the speech was there to take issue with, Gosman? Glib platitudes aren't something you can argue with.

  4. AB 4

    My instinct is that there is one big reactionary change left in the NZ electorate. It will be like the final resistance to doing anything meaningful about climate change and the evident failure of neoliberal (globalised, financialised) capitalism to produce societies and economies that work for all citizens. It might last a decade or longer – and by the time it is over it will have made solving the CC problem closer to impossible. Simon Bridges is too unlikeable and preposterous to be its harbinger – whoever follows him might not be.

  5. mosa 5

    Ha and Bridges had the nerve too attack Adern in parliament over her lack of knowledge in economic matters after making a mistake in an interview.

    And he wants to govern the country.

    The amount of red tape that needs cutting is a highly convenient catchphrase too use when you want too appear economically literate.

    Except the National caucus and its leader aren't

  6. Ad 6

    I would frame it around:

    "Since the current government can't execute policy with your tax money, the next government should give it back."

    The onus on both teams must be about policy delivery for New Zealanders.

  7. Wayne 7

    Simon is right. He was not claiming that the average tax is nearly 33%. He was referring to the fact that the tax rate for income from $48,001 to $70,000 is taxed at 30%, only a little less than 33%.

    I am sure the people in the Beehive have understood what the Leader of the Opposition was saying.

    So people on average incomes of $53,000 have $5,000 of their income taxed at 30% and every wage increase is also taxed at that rate. All salaries of teachers, nurses, and police officers, even when starting out, are taxed at the 30% magical rate.

    We have a standard rate of 17.5% for income from $14,001 to $48,000, then a sharp jump to 30%, with a further quite modest jump to 33% at $70,000. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that this is not a smooth progression. If it was, the 30% rate would be more like 26%, being 7.5% above the 17.5% rate and 7% less than 33%.

    Obviously there is a fair bit of choice exactly how the pitch the change of the 30% rate, both in terms of the actual rate and also the thresholds where it kicks in and kicks out. Both in terms of the overall impact on the revenue of the state and the impact on wage ad salary earners.

    Rob Salmond on RNZ today said a $10 tax cut per week doesn't cut it. It has to be more.

    On the average wage of $53,000, a reduction from 30% to 25% is a only a $250 tax cut per year. At $60,000 it is $650 per year, which is more worthwhile. Lifting the threshold to $50,000 makes a further difference. Basically another $250 for everyone.

    You can obviously have a variety of options around a middle income tax cut to produce whatever outcome you want. But changing the 17.5% rate is expensive, since just about everyone pays it. However, if the rate was 15%, our average income earner would gain a further $850. That would be a total tax cut of $1,350 for the average earner on $53,000. That is definitely worth having, being over $25 per week.

    One could imagine a simple (and relatively smooth progression) tax system of 15% from $15,000 to $50,000, 25% from $50,000 to $70,000 and 35% above $70,000. So a slight increase for marginal income above $70,000, but significant reductions in the two lower rates, which would benefit everyone. I have not calculated the cost in reduction in government revenue, but I imagine this is around at least a $3 to $4 billion tax package. Five percent of government revenue.

    • tc 7.1

      Yes dear……you'll be a busy boy if that's your role in this campaign

      • Wayne 7.1.1

        tc,

        I have no role in the campaign.

        But I used to lecture on tax at university (same courses that were also taught by Deborah Russell) so I am reasonably across this issue. These are just my own thoughts, informed by my thinking about tax issues over the years.

        As you can see, I like easy to remember numbers, and smooth progressions (although when the rate changes to the next higher rate, it is obviously a jump). I see cricklewood liked the tax threshold at $15,000, though for a different reason. I reckon the public, including higher rate taxpayers would be OK with the top rate being increased to 35%, given the reduction in the two lower rates. Only once you got to around $200,000 plus would anyone be paying more tax.

        OnceWasTim,

        At home, shorts and a T shirt. Never owned a leisure suit, not having ever been a member of Social Credit.

        • Blazer 7.1.1.1

          I saw you on a JetStar flight to Wellington wearing a light blue or pale grey safari suit Wayne.

          Or was it someone who just looked like..you?laugh

        • Craig H 7.1.1.2

          I like a pleasant progression too, but it was National who introduced the current brackets in 2010, so it's not like they didn't have plenty of time to change them. A bit rich now to have their epiphany…

    • "Simon is right…………….."

      Christ! Ain't that the bloody truth.

      Forgive me @ Wayne, but a little google-oogle reminded me why I have a natural aversion to you – aside from your ability to be sage-like by stating the bleeding bloody obvious a few years after it'd become evident to most.

      It was the bit about His college. And thank Christ I managed to escape all that kaka or I'd be like you – stuck on the Ark somewhere dressed in a leisure suit, rehearsing talking points for my next appearance on The Panel, or Q+A

    • He was referring to the fact that the tax rate for income from $48,001 to $70,000 is taxed at 30%…

      It was his choice to disingenuously refer to that 30% as "almost 33%", which invites the casual listener to assume people on $53,000 are paying the top tax rate. Quite deliberate and quite untrue negative spin – in other words, exactly the level of integrity we've come to expect from the man.

    • Sacha 7.4

      are taxed at the 30% magical rate

      Yet he used a different number instead, didn't he. Shades of Steven Joyce and other sad characters prepared to sell their soul for power.

    • "He was referring to the fact that the tax rate for income from $48,001 to $70,000 is taxed at 30%, only a little less than 33%."

      I don't buy that. If he meant some is taxed at 30% he should have been precise. Why didn't he say nearly 32% or nearly 34%? Because he was trying to mislead by quoting an actual but irrelevant higher tax rate for higher earnings above the average or median wage.

      Saying 'nearly 33%' is a bit like saying Bridges was nearly competent on economic issues, or nearly honest.

    • Andre 7.6

      Aren't the tax rates and thresholds still the same as they were under the previous National government? So why are they unfair now? It's not like there's been rampant inflation since then.

      Is it because there has been a lot of income growth since then lifting a lot more people into that top bracket? But isn't income growth a good thing?

      I'm not aware of any credible evidence this (remarkably low by OECD standards) top tax rate is harming New Zealand's economy, but it's for sure there's a lot of things government should be ramping up activity in that need a lot more funding. Particularly after the deliberate strangulation and vandalism perpetrated on public services by the last National government.

      • Pete George 7.6.1

        "Aren't the tax rates and thresholds still the same as they were under the previous National government? So why are they unfair now? It's not like there's been rampant inflation since then. "

        But there has been wage inflation. It has long been considered an unfair tax increase by stealth.

        Michael Cullen got hammered over doing nothing (until too late) about bracket creep. It contributed possibly significantly to Labour losing the 2008 election.

        • Andre 7.6.1.1

          So if it's so unfair, why didn't the previous National government make changes when they were in power? It's not like they were short of time.

          • Pete George 7.6.1.1.1

            They did in 2009, but were partly offset by increasing GST.

            They eventually did later, scheduling tax cuts for the year after the 2017 election. The current Government cancelled them.

            • Andre 7.6.1.1.1.1

              If it was unfair, they could have done it well before the 2017 election. But it doesn't look like fairness they were concerned about, just something they could use as a tawdry election bribe.

              • Yes it could easily be seen as a tawdry election bribe. If it had been implemented a year earlier it would have been much more difficult for the current Government to undo.

                There may yet be something similar in this year's budget.

      • Psycho Milt 7.6.2

        So why are they unfair now?

        For the same reason they were terribly unfair in 2008 but not unfair at all in 2017. National only feels concern about "unfairness" of tax brackets when it's in Opposition.

        • Andre 7.6.2.1

          Is that kinda like how deficits are always really really bad and surpluses are meh when in opposition, but when in government, deficits are a necessary fiscal stimulus prudently applied to overcome external economic headwinds and surpluses are proof of the greatest governmental management ever?

          • Psycho Milt 7.6.2.1.1

            That's the one. They're not stupid, but they think we are. (And to be fair, they're not altogether wrong – half the population is of below-average IQ, for example)

      • Wayne 7.6.3

        Over the last ten years the cumulative wage inflation has been over 30%. So people on average incomes now have a much larger percentage of their income taxed at higher rates.

        At current wage and costs inflation rates, it is reasonable for there to be a substantial tax package, essentially to restore the balance between what a person pays in tax and what they keep.

        I reckon both major parties will have significant tax packages for this election because of the 30% wage inflation effect over the last 10 years. Obviously they will differ.

        I have set out what I think is a reasonable package based on rates of 15%, 25% and 35%, with simple threshold changes. Although I haven't done the detailed calculations as to the overall cost of my proposal, I have enough general knowledge to know it will be in the region of $3 or 4 billion. Around 5% of government revenue. It would cover just about all of the surplus, but fiscal drag effects would quickly restore a substantial surplus.

        I also reckon a package like I have proposed would have broad general appeal. The big reduction is to the middle rate, from 30% to 25%. There is a small increase in the top rate to 35%. So it meets multiple political objectives.

        Just about everyone gets a tax reduction. However for incomes above $200,000 there would be a modest tax increase. For instance someone on $300,000 would pay around $5,000 more in tax, and on $400,00, $10,000 more as a result of the 2% increase in the top rate.

        I also think it would be sustainable for a good 10 years. Over that time both major parties will be in government. I reckon they would both live with it.

        In ten years time it could be bought up to date by threshold changes to take account of inflation over that timeframe.

        • Kevin 7.6.3.1

          Since when has it become the Governments job to provide meaningful increases in people's income Wayne?

          All tax rate adjustments do is just reinforce NZ's 'low wage' economy and give employers another free pass.

          Landlords of course will love it as they will be able to schedule in rent rises.

          • Wayne 7.6.3.1.1

            Kevin

            Are you seriously suggesting that governments just ignore the cumulative effects of inflation on tax rate thresholds? Even if you don’t believe in automatic inflation adjustments, surely every ten years or so, the government should look at the impact of taxes on incomes, especially average incomes.

            And they should also look at the overall design of income taxes.

            My proposal is, I believe, fairer for the great majority of taxpayers, without being a radical distortion. Any party could take them up. They can be afforded within current overall fiscal settings.

            • Sacha 7.6.3.1.1.1

              Any thoughts on shifting the balance from taxing income towards taxing wealth?

              • Wayne

                Not really. As a general principle I am not a fan of wealth taxes. Usually they are too complicated (lots of exemptions) and hard to implement (shifting asset values).

                My focus here was income tax only. It does require wealthier New Zealanders to pay a bit more, but not dramatically so. That is why I believe that the three rates of 15%, 25% and 35% could be quite enduring. It doesn't impact on high income New Zealanders enough to build a campaign to reduce the 35% rate, but it gives a decent tax cut to virtually all lower and middle income New Zealanders. It does so without buggering up social service provision, that is, it is not a radical reduction.

                • Sacha

                  Thank you. It would be interesting to hear what other parties and organisations could do with 3 to 4 billion dollars each year rather than cutting state income by that amount.

            • Kevin 7.6.3.1.1.2

              Tax rate adjustments are the only meaningful increase in income a large proportion of wager earners get in this country, Wayne. I would be surprised if you were in denial of this. Like I said it provides many employers with free pass.

              We are not a highly taxed country yet it seems to be the National Party's mantra every election campaign.

              • Andre

                At low earned income levels, we levy high rates of tax compared to other developed countries. At high earned income levels we levy low rates of tax compared to other developed countries. At high levels of unearned or passive incomes, our tax rates are zero to very low compared to other countries.

    • aj 7.7

      I have not calculated the cost in reduction in government revenue

      So your comment is only half a story then. Come back with the other half sometime, the cost in revenue and where cuts will be made to pay for it.

    • mickysavage 7.8

      Wayne with the greatest of respect …

      Simon said "People on the average wage shouldn’t be paying almost 33 per cent in the dollar".

      They are not. They are paying half that.

      If he said "People on the average wage shouldn’t be paying almost 33 per cent in the dollar on the last dollar that they earned" he would still be wrong. They do not pay 33c in the dollar until they earn $70k pa.

      • Wayne 7.8.1

        Almost no-one uses the average percentage as the measure of tax they pay. They always look at their marginal rate, as being the one that matters. The reason being that the marginal rate is the one that impacts on any future wage increases. Most New Zealanders on average incomes do not expect to be taxed at a rate (30%) that is near the top marginal rate.

        Now I know that you know that, and that you also know that Simon was referring to the marginal rate.

        When the current thresholds were introduced in 2010, averages incomes were not affected by the 30% rate. That was deliberate. We wanted average income earners to only be affected by the standard rate of 17.5%, including likely wage increases in the next few years. But 10 years later, wage increases have put average incomes into the 30% rate.

        I would have thought that would concern Labour as much as it does National.

        • Sacha 7.8.1.1

          Most New Zealanders on average incomes do not expect to be taxed at a rate (30%) that is near the top marginal rate.

          Increasing the top marginal rate like most comparable nations do would address that.

          And 'average' is doing some hard work in this campaign of deliberately blurring language.

    • lprent 7.9

      Hey Wayne: Starting a tax policy with an outright lie which, even after reframing it to the mid-income tax bracket in your first paragraph, you have just pointed out that Simon Bridges is doing, isn’t exactly the way to inspire confidence.

      My question would be to ask if he will then proceed to carry on with all of the other daft economic myths, like tax cuts for the more affluent increase economic activity, something that has never been noticeable in my lifetime.

      What does increase it is putting in the infrastructure that helps increase it – which National hasn't been noticeable at doing in their 1990s and 2010s run at government. Instead they just made tax cuts, paid for it with way lower than required infrastructure investment that was way lower than even immigration rates, and generally screwed down the economy.

      It is no coincidence that periods of National government show strong decreases in per capita productivity.

      National is the political party of mindless economic morons mostly noticeable for their level of ineffectual economic management

    • Nic the NZer 7.10

      Quick exam style question for you Wayne. Given NZs present progressive taxation and tax rates, does anybody in NZ pay 33% of their income in income tax? (Yes or No).

      • Wayne 7.10.1

        As you well know even someone earning $1 million will have an average tax rate of less than 33% (not by much) since their first $70,000 benefits from the lower rates. But all their income above $70,000 is taxed at 33%. Not unsurprisingly that the 33% rate is the one they focus on.

  8. cricklewood 8

    Hmm since you end up spending every dollar you have on avg wage, factor in gst hes actually pretty close. Guess that's a happy accident.

  9. cricklewood 9

    I'm actually in favor of a massive tax cut. I'd make the first $15000 tax free and pay for it by a new rate over $100000.

    A simple swap that helps everyone on a low income, it also sucks the oxygen right out of Simon Bridges lungs.

    Win Win

  10. alwyn 10

    Can someone please explain what a "platitiude" is?

    MickySavage seems to be very fond of them.

    • Incognito 10.1

      Platitude is the attitude of a platypus. It looks like a duck but barks like a dog at every passing car. It rounds up to 33% but cuts $100k into 7 × $14k + spare change and thinks if itself a better manager of the economy. It prefers to live in billion-dollar holes of its own making.

    • McFlock 10.2

      A cut&paste typo for "platitude".

      Nice catch method for the thrown #chatbotSyntaxError, your programmers should be proud.

    • tc 10.3

      You've made it to the web so stretch a little further to Google…you may learn something.

  11. Anne 11

    One of them involves cutting red tape! …. They are even talking about a regulations bonfire.

    Oh dear. The last time they did that saw the start of the leaky home syndrome in the 1990s which cost billions of NZ dollars to fix. In fact its still in process of being fixed.

    • Ric 11.1

      Exactly!!

    • mosa 11.2

      Yes that kept a lot of cowboy builders in a job fixing the cut corners they were encouraged too cut in the first place.

      And then off course was the patch up jobs too thousands of quake affected homes in Christchurch which caused no end of anguish for the property owners.

      No wonder so many tradies vote National , they keep them in a ongoing guaranteed job

  12. Ed1 12

    The 'error' in the average wage may well be deliberate (in voice he said it was about $62,000 when he was last in government – has it really dropped that much? But there are a lot of other figures – perhaps having corrected one figure nobody will look at the others . . .

    In some countries political statements get fact-checked – it appears that will only happen in New Zealand if sites like the readers of The Standard take it on.

    https://www.national.org.nz/speech_national_s_economic_plan_for_2020

    and some commentary at

    https://www.interest.co.nz/news/103672/simon-bridges-promises-yet-be-detailed-tax-relief-if-nationals-elected-government-saying

    and the first two statements that perhaps needs checking:

    "But our growth has begun slowing before we even start with these international factors.

    "New Zealanders are doing it tougher, facing more tax, cost and red tape, our economy is slowing, and as a result New Zealanders are worse off.

    • Craig H 12.1

      Average (mean) wage was lower than currently. Median wage is $25.50/hr which is lower than $62000 if that's the trick they're playing.

  13. Sanctuary 13

    If you want proof the establishment media is basically shills for neoliberalism, look no further than how TVNZ reported this last night.

    First, it was the lead story. I assume it was because they were using the 6pm news to push their programming, a crass commercial decision setting the news agenda on the supposedly state TV channel. Bridges speech was reported in gushing terms with no critical analysis. The clear assumption was the public love tax cuts.

    But most tellingly, the news reader used the term "tax relief" to describe Bridge's empty promise – a piece of emotionally loaded language that frames the narrative and implies we are suffering under a great burden and taxes by definition are something we yearn to be free of.

    • Incognito 14.1

      More like a litany of lies.

      I think National’s Deputy Leader should renounce and denounce the lies by her Leader. It makes her look weak and it is a bad look for the Opposition.

      Eight days to go.

    • WeTheBleeple 14.2

      I'd love it if someone could source Bridges 33% claim from last year that Damian alludes to. Proof to spread about the interwebs to counter the nonsense.

  14. So Simon's "policy plank…". He is hopefully going to "walk it".

  15. No doubt Wayne and the Herald will continue to promote this bull dust.

    The Herald apologists are going to be busy spinning.

  16. Sacha 17

    Average means whatever I want it to, OK. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/409745/finance-minister-questions-national-s-tax-policy

    He said those on the average wage should not be paying 33 cents in the dollar. There are a few problems with that – only earnings over $70,000 are taxed at that rate.

    Speaking to reporters after his speech, Bridges said he was not actually talking about people earning that much, saying in his view an average wage would be around $65,000.

    "What I have been clear about today is I'm very focused on that average income earner, we think at $60,000, $65,000 a year in New Zealand, you're doing it tough at the moment."

    • Incognito 17.1

      The take-home message from Simon’s stunt today is that National will give all of us bigly tax cuts. That’s all we need to know. He’s very focussed on minimum wage earners, beneficiaries, and the homeless staying in cold windy motels too because they pay almost 33% income tax too and that’s not right either. The man has a heart of gold worth about $200k. How can the voters resist such generous offer?

  17. mikesh 18

    Tax is not just income tax. It also includes GST and other indirect taxes such as taxes on motor spirits, tobacco and alcohol.

  18. Andrea 19

    Why is everyone focused on PAYE?

    We all pay too much tax in other areas.

    If Mr Bridges is talking about returning us to parity with Australia's GST rate (10%) – a good start.

    And the excise taxes on fuel. That'd be handy. It isn't as if the money is being used to develop alternatives such as hydrogen and a dedicated electricity supply for electic vehicles, or better train systems for long haul.

    Or even diverting money away from 'highways of significance'. How about reservoirs and pipelines of significance to capture water instead of robbing aquifers and river systems.

    National never likes to forego income. If the tax rates for income from work and interest change down you can guarantee taxes will sneak up somewhere else.

  19. Sacha 20

    Nat tactic pretty clear – clobber the poorest while assuring the 'middle' it is being done to make their life easier, not the employers and owners who will actually benefit: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12309414

    National is considering scrapping the Government's planned minimum wage increase if it wins this year's election, the party's finance spokesman Paul Goldsmith says.

    "We are focused on making it easier for average wage earners, New Zealanders who are working hard every day and struggling to get ahead."

    Focused, hard-working, get ahead, yadda yadda..

  20. mac1 21

    In the House today at Question Time we learned that the tax paid on the mean NZ income is just under 17%. On the average NZ income tax paid is 19%.

    Here is the knockout blow to Bridges’ claim. In order to pay nearly 33% tax on one's income, you'd have to be earning $3,000,000 per annum, said Minister Nash.

    He was then asked by Dr Russell what the IRD would do if someone tried to divide their $100,000 income into eight parts for taxation purposes…….

    The laugh on Ian Lees-Galloway’s face was a delight to behold!

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  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    8 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    9 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    12 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 day ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
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