Should the government be concentrating on a huge expansion on affordable state rentals instead?
Harshal Chitale, Auckland Council senior economist, says their analysis shows middle-class income groups would now even be unable to afford a home at the Kiwibuild cap of $650,000.
A household would need to be earning $118,300 a year to afford a $650,000 home with a 10 per cent deposit, he said.
Unfortunately this govt needs kiwibuild as it allows them to fund any state housing development and keeping debt levels manageable. The land has no cash cost add a house and sell for $650k then use the $300k from the sale of the land on a kiwibuild to fund he build of a state house.
As some have stated this govt has sold itself to the reduced debt at the expense of what is best for nz 🤑
IMO build state houses then we will not need so many heavily subsidised landlords
Is Kiwibuild doomed? Yep, they need to lower the house prices or increase the wages substantially or decline the population. What is the point of Kiwibuild if they flood Auckland with low waged foreign workers undermining Labour’s so called Kiwi jobs and foreign buyers now even recommended in a report to be bought in the mix to buy up the land and profit from it.
The quasi private COO type companies are virtually given away free public land in secret deals that are not providing much affordable housing aka HCL and if the buyers end up being foreigners or new residents who then rent them out after the withholding period, and the renters need more accomodation supplement to pay for the rising rents in the aforementioned Kiwibuild houses, it is gonna be a joke.
The NZ way seems to be market forces needing government money propping it up in a Kind of quasi public money for private profits. Not a nice story.
If they want to get Kiwibuild to succeed they need to use local and resident builders even if they have to train them on mass themselves, use local land and probably not sell them at all, as the city needs cheap rentals the most. Then use the rents to make more, exactly how private developers do it, only the profit goes back to the state to make more rentals!
If a developer can borrow money on 10% deposit I’m not sure how the government can’t do it, with free land they already own and cheaper interest rates????
Of course that might lower the house prices and less profit to developers who will be screaming that their profits be guaranteed.
Gosh and I always thought I paid taxes for the hospitals and schools and public services, I had no idea it was more important to use the tax money to prop up the profits of foreign and local developers and banks and keep their wages workers down and lowering in real terms the amounts given to hospitals and schools.
Bubble deflating at last? Average asking price for Auckland homes down more than $82,000 (-8.3%), prices also down in BoP, Wellington & Canterbury https://t.co/tQiERbaLlg— John Johnston (@jjprojects) July 2, 2018
Prices apparently falling faster than expected say mainstream economists.. But if you want my 2c worth prices are TANKING!! These folks should do some in the field research. They might learn something pic.twitter.com/jKF1JHMffK— Lindsay David (@linzcom) July 3, 2018
Of course there was no mention of LandLords’ Addiction !
How could you ever imagine Low IQ Soper blast the poor into total struggle – while leaving the fat addicted landlords basking in wealth stolen via rent from the same poor ?
Where do we get nitwits like Soper from ? Who breeds them?
Newstalk ZB constantly displays the brain crisis that our Nation is suffering. Toxic.
Speaking of brainless nit wits in the media, Garner et al have lifted their ban on Winston Peters, but he’s not appearing on their show. Good on ya Winston. It’s the same entitled patronizing crap from garner et al…….these are the fools like sooner “we’ll show them”
We are all squarerly right behind Winston on this crappy media activity, as it has lost its way entirely.
Time to replace the useless Minister of Broadcasting and get a government Minister who can finally get what they promised us ‘a channel like “TVNZ 7” was’ with real investigative journalism to represent the truth finally as well as other views.
Trump is the living embodiment of a failing bloated corrupt American Empire. Key is a saint by comparison, also a hell of a lot more intelligent. Key has a genuine rags to riches story that fits well with American bootstrap mythology, Trump is a silver spoon spoiled rich kid.
But he’s unwittingly doing God’s work, exposing the true extent of villainy that has riddled the US political system. They can’t even impeach the fucker, he’s too useful to the corporate warmongers. His insanity is a great distraction from their war crimes in Yemen and Syria and Libya, and the atrocities in Iraq and Guantanamo and Palestine
No lover of Trump but oil retreat means a less integrated world economy, and so it’s remiss of us not to discuss how Trump dislocating and disconnecting is about pivoting into that new world. Break things, so leading to mending them in a new shape. I.E Trump is the crap leader for the crap times we are living through.
“Black says the crisis has been nine years in the making and believes MPI, who she says has muzzled scientists researching the disease, are partly to blame for its rapid spread.”
9 years? That’ll be throughout the Key-led years, when National was in Government and the issue was theirs, yes?
It’s irrelevant who did it, the sad thing is people stood by and let it happen and there does not seem to be much interest in saving this heritage more a fight about funding for money to save it and who did it, being more important an issue. -As any RMA environmental person will tell you, it’s just an old tree, plant another one. Today’s politicians and spokespeople have zero interest in history or culture or mana in any sense of the words. Everything is about funding and is a commodity. Who cares about that sick tree/person when you can just get another one.
Sadly even the Greens are coming across like this. Got some email about saving the oceans from bags from the Greens and give $3. For Fucks sake, what is $3 gonna do???? It’s not about the money it is about changing the policy. They are in government and paid by taxpayers to do their job which should be to put in a bill to ban plastic bags which costs nothing.
Labour are just as bad. But I mention the Greens because they used to know better, whoever they had advising them seems to be a neoliberal or someone who maybe worked at American Red Cross Haiti campaign?
Part of all the meet or greet seems to be to distract the politicians and take up their time instead of having them focus on the real stuff that ordinary people want. A house and job is part of it, but also emotional and spiritual stuff like trees and oceans, that just can’t be translated into money and therefore ignored in government policy.
According to Professor Keith Woodford who is an Honorary Professor at Lincoln University there is a very good chance that the disease was actually present in New Zealand as early as 2008.
He says
“Another industry person has come to me outlining a situation back in 2008 where there was a major outbreak of uncontrollable mastitis and lameness in a mob of cows that now, with hindsight, has all the distinctive characteristics of Mycoplasma bovis”.
He also says
“An American-trained vet with considerable experience with Mycoplasma bovis tells me that when he started practising in New Zealand some ten years ago he made a tentative diagnosis of Mycoplasma bovis in some New Zealand animals. However, there was no laboratory here with the expertise to confirm or deny that it was Mycoplasma bovis.” https://keithwoodford.wordpress.com/2018/07/01/mycoplasma-bovis-battle-fatigue-is-growing-but-government-claims-to-be-resolute/
I know nothing of the subject so can’t give an opinion but he would appear to be in a position to have an informed opinion.
About 15 minutes in the discussion turns to the possibility that Kauri dieback could be related to the disruption of seabird colonies, and their vast guano [phosphate] deposits, by human settlement.
If anyone here can perform agnihotra close enough so a resonance point can cover the area Tane resides in this can reverse the dieback, especially if a group of people performed it.
Info at agnihotra.com.au
I’m in Wellington and don’t think I can relocate easily. Don’t care if you think I’m nuts – it’s Tane!
Trade deals are so beneficial, even if we win, we lose with ISDS. But zero spine from government to just ban it.
Revealed: $39m cost of defending Australia’s tobacco plain packaging laws
Exclusive: Two years after an FOI claim was lodged, the price of the six-year fight with Philip Morris has been revealed
Bet NZ can’t ban plastic bags either or a million other things in the future when they are found to be having negative effects, but government have to ask the lawyers permission first.
Business trumps Social good because these trade deals are about profit for business as their primary goal and they reward their politician cheerleaders and provide for them afterwards with good jobs and benefits and donations to keep them in office as long as they serve them.
Trade deals are not good for Kiwis as we will be treatened by all parties now, including the new Mexican agreement being setup.
New President Lopez Obrador’’s government could usher in greater scrutiny of foreign investment and a less accommodating approach to the United States.
We hear today on RNZ that this new left wing leader of Mexico is now since being elected yesterday, as he is threatening USA, even as Mexico are members of a free trade deal already with USA/Canada in NAFTA.
Lopez Obrador’s nationalism, stubborn nature and put-downs of rivals have drawn comparisons to U.S. President Donald Trump.
David Seymour is thinking about what the euthanasia of his bill End of Life Choice Bill, could be called that referred to the practice in a way that was less clinical.
I suggest Managed Demise.
It is not as stark as suicide, and shouldn’t be like the usual idea of suicide – lonely, desperate, agonised, or despairing. It is actually hastened death that gives to the dying person the opportunity to choose for themselves when they want to die and then following some thoughtful rituals, to go in a resigned, peaceful way, with as little pain or sadness as is possible.
The future, $120k essential workers leaving town? If they can’t get competent doctors or even cleaners then even the rich will leave town! Society needs to be protected as a system not just about wealth. Society needs to value everyone!
“He said he knows plenty of stories about people not being able to get workers to move to Queenstown.
“I heard a story of a doctor who left town. She was earning probably $120,000 a year and she left because she couldn’t afford to buy a house and she’d never be able to.”
Yes i heard today on TV that a house outside Auckland is average price of $500.000 and is at a price that most will be able to afford.
So if in Gisborne the houses are at a low price of 150.000 to $250.000 which many curently are should be a boom town where many will flock to now?
My Dauger own tqwo houses in Gisborne and one was valued last week at $150.000 and the other at $250.0000 so we have seen these prices as proof of current cost.
Many Auckland folks are comming here buying three homes as theyn sell there own house up in Auckland for up to one million.
Yet another shot at Kelvin. Everyone who has an ear on the news knows that Labour has no intention of building Mega Prisons. It is all the same, determined to reduce the number of prisoners. That crucial fact has eluded Guyon.
Therefore, The reports put together way back in 2017 are not in play. Time has passed on. The Justice Dept and Corrections Dept are walking the same path.
Mr Bridges, Guyon and the lady spokesperson who accusatively opined some unknown stuff today – are an opposition working backwards.
Yes, Guyon and the Lady are RNZ staff. As such they are Ssupposed to be unbiased. Pigs will fly too.
What concerns me is that, The Maori Leader of the Opposition Mr Bridges, has not yet given any numbers of how many Maori persons he has understood to have been released from prison year to date.
Similarly, The Maori deputy Leader of the Opposition Ms Bennett, has not as yet mentioned the numbers of Maori persons she has have been released from prison year to date.
As Maoris as well as members of Parliament one would expect these two important politicians to advise New Zealand the numbers of Maori sent to Prison year to date. And the number of Maori released.
Simon Bridges is constantly ridiculing Labour and Pinkos. I think he should attend to his own duties before he slams others hell for leather.
Or does he wish to allow Maori to drift around like Browno logs in a lake ?
MSD prosecuting beneficiary claiming loans are income have lost their case in 2courts now.
Who ever brought this draconian prosecution it was illegal was it the minister or a over zealous employee
Paula Bennett was the minister at the time this is the type of behaviour is par for her.
No doubt Sniggering Gyno will ferret out the brilliant mind at MSD who decided the matter should be pursued upwards through the courts, and have him/her on to explain.
Its just a monthly meal to the Nat fat cats. Give Bill English a phone call – he has got ways and means too. He’s a capitalist through and through. Hates Kiwi Workers.
Good morning The AM Show I met a elderly man yesterday I took time out to talk to him he was concerned about his phone being down for a week he has been waiting to get it fixed I will go sort it out today.
Yes Duncan Human caused climate change is OUR reality its not the glaciers in Atoearoa that will cause a humanitarian crisis when they are gone we get Alot of our water from Tairawhiti the glaciers in the Himalayas and many others provide water for billions when those are gone that’s when water wars will start unless they come up with a solution for that problem maybe rain catching put in place we’re the glaciers we’re.?????????!???? Some people already use this in dry places. This is a serious subject.???????????????????????
I won’t say whom I’m backing to win the Russian football World Cup but one should be able to guess . I was busy doing voluntary work for my offspring yesterday to write my usual post as most of my voluntary work is for them I will do some today for the elderly gentleman.
45 K is not much pay for a teacher??????.
I like the warm coats Amanda and Nicky are wearing today Duncan. Ka kite ano
P.S the ECO MAORI – – – – – was at work yesterday.
The AM Show Duncan the houseing problem and the teachers pay problems are problem that the right wing national party deliberately engineed they starved OUR education sector of finance all in the farcical aim of saying that the state cannot run education let’s privatetise Our education so there wealthy m8 could cream it 1.
They did the same to our health sector with the same aim privatisation of health they like the Americans health system were if a common person breaks a leg they are stuffed so only the wealthy can afford proper health care.
With the houseing problems that was engineed to create there Golden economy condemn a lot of state housing with the farcical PEEEEE testing industry ignore the fact that they had 60.000 new imergrints who all need housing ignore the fact that they need to ramp up building houses and there you go the perfect environment for the price of housing to go through the roof and who cares about the common people under the Bridge Ana to kai Ka kite ano
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Labour welcomes Simeon Brown’s move to reinstate a board at Health New Zealand, bringing the destructive and secretive tenure of commissioner Lester Levy to an end. ...
This morning’s announcement by the Health Minister regarding a major overhaul of the public health sector levels yet another blow to the country’s essential services. ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that will ensure employment decisions in the public service are based on merit and not on forced woke ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’ targets. “This Bill would put an end to the woke left-wing social engineering and diversity targets in the public sector. ...
Police have referred 20 offenders to Destiny Church-affiliated programmes Man Up and Legacy as ‘wellness providers’ in the last year, raising concerns that those seeking help are being recruited into a harmful organisation. ...
Te Pāti Māori welcomes the resignation of Richard Prebble from the Waitangi Tribunal. His appointment in October 2024 was a disgrace- another example of this government undermining Te Tiriti o Waitangi by appointing a former ACT leader who has spent his career attacking Māori rights. “Regardless of the reason for ...
Police Minister Mark Mitchell is avoiding accountability by refusing to answer key questions in the House as his Government faces criticism over their dangerous citizen’s arrest policy, firearm reform, and broken promises to recruit more police. ...
The number of building consents issued under this Government continues to spiral, taking a toll on the infrastructure sector, tradies, and future generations of Kiwi homeowners. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Prime Minister to rule out joining the AUKUS military pact in any capacity following the scenes in the White House over the weekend. ...
The Green Party is appalled by the Government’s plan to disestablish Resource Teachers of Māori (RTM) roles, a move that takes another swing at kaupapa Māori education. ...
The Government’s levies announcement is a step in the right direction, but they must be upfront about who will pay its new infrastructure levies and ensure that first-home buyers are protected from hidden costs. ...
After months of mana whenua protecting their wāhi tapu, the Green Party welcomes the pause of works at Lake Rotokākahi and calls for the Rotorua Lakes Council to work constructively with Tūhourangi and Ngāti Tumatawera on the pathway forward. ...
New Zealand First continues to bring balance, experience, and commonsense to Government. This week we've made progress on many of our promises to New Zealand.Winston representing New ZealandWinston Peters is overseas this week, with stops across the Middle East and North Asia. Winston's stops include Saudi Arabia, the ...
Green Party Co-Leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick have announced the party’s plans to deliver a Green Budget this year to offer an alternative vision to the Government’s trickle-down economics and austerity politics. ...
At this year's State of the Planet address, Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick announced the party’s plans to deliver a Green Budget this year to offer an alternative vision to the Government’s trickle-down economics and austerity politics. ...
The Government has spent $3.6 million dollars on a retail crime advisory group, including paying its chair $920 a day, to come up with ideas already dismissed as dangerous by police. ...
The Green Party supports the peaceful occupation at Lake Rotokākahi and are calling for the controversial sewerage project on the lake to be stopped until the Environment Court has made a decision. ...
ActionStation’s Oral Healthcare report, released today, paints a dire picture of unmet need and inequality across the country, highlighting the urgency of free dental care for all New Zealanders. ...
The Golden Age There has been long-standing recognition that New Zealand First has an unrivalled reputation for delivering for our older New Zealanders. This remains true, and is reflected in our coalition agreement. While we know there is much that we can and will do in this space, it is ...
Labour Te Atatū MP Phil Twyford has written to the charities regulator asking that Destiny Church charities be struck off in the wake of last weekend’s violence by Destiny followers in his electorate. ...
Bills by Labour MPs to remove rules around sale of alcohol on public holidays, and for Crown entities to adopt Māori names have been drawn from the Members’ Bill Ballot. ...
The Government is falling even further behind its promised target of 500 new police officers, now with 72 fewer police officers than when National took office. ...
This morning’s Stats NZ child poverty statistics should act as a wake-up call for the government: with no movement in child poverty rates since June 2023, it’s time to make the wellbeing of our tamariki a political priority. ...
Green Party Co-Leader Marama Davidson’s Consumer Guarantees Right to Repair Amendment Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament this evening. ...
“The ACT Party can’t be bothered putting an MP on one of the Justice subcommittees hearing submissions on their own Treaty Principles Bill,” Labour Justice Spokesperson Duncan Webb said. ...
The Government’s newly announced funding for biodiversity and tourism of $30-million over three years is a small fraction of what is required for conservation in this country. ...
The Government's sudden cancellation of the tertiary education funding increase is a reckless move that risks widespread job losses and service reductions across New Zealand's universities. ...
As the world marks three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced additional sanctions on Russian entities and support for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. “Russia’s illegal invasion has brought three years of devastation to Ukraine’s people, environment, and infrastructure,” Mr Peters says. “These additional sanctions target 52 ...
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced the Government’s plan to reform the Overseas Investment Act and make it easier for New Zealand businesses to receive new investment, grow and pay higher wages. “New Zealand is one of the hardest countries in the developed world for overseas people to ...
Associate Health Minister Hon Casey Costello is traveling to Australia for meetings with the aged care sector in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney next week. “Australia is our closest partner, so as we consider the changes necessary to make our system more effective and sustainable it makes sense to learn from ...
The Government is boosting investment in the QEII National Trust to reinforce the protection of Aotearoa New Zealand's biodiversity on private land, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. The Government today announced an additional $4.5 million for conservation body QEII National Trust over three years. QEII Trust works with farmers and ...
The closure of the Ava Bridge walkway will be delayed so Hutt City Council have more time to develop options for a new footbridge, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Mayor of Lower Hutt, Campbell Barry. “The Hutt River paths are one of the Hutt’s most beloved features. Hutt locals ...
Good afternoon. Can I acknowledge Ngāti Whātua for their warm welcome, Simpson Grierson for hosting us here today, and of course the Committee for Auckland for putting on today’s event. I suspect some of you are sitting there wondering what a boy from the Hutt would know about Auckland, our ...
The Government will invest funding to remove the level crossings in Takanini and Glen Innes and replace them with grade-separated crossings, to maximise the City Rail Link’s ability to speed up journey times by rail and road and boost Auckland’s productivity, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown ...
The Government has made key decisions on a Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) framework to enable businesses to benefit from storing carbon underground, which will support New Zealand’s businesses to continue operating while reducing net carbon emissions, Energy and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Economic growth is a ...
Minister for Regulation David Seymour says that outdated and burdensome regulations surrounding industrial hemp (iHemp) production are set to be reviewed by the Ministry for Regulation. Industrial hemp is currently classified as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, despite containing minimal THC and posing little ...
The Ministerial Advisory Group on transnational and serious organised crime was appointed by Cabinet on Monday and met for the first time today, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello announced. “The group will provide independent advice to ensure we have a better cross-government response to fighting the increasing threat posed to ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Viet Nam next week, visiting both Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, accompanied by a delegation of senior New Zealand business leaders. “Viet Nam is a rising star of Southeast Asia with one of the fastest growing economies in the region. This ...
The coalition Government has passed legislation to support overseas investment in the Build-to-Rent housing sector, Associate Minister of Finance Chris Bishop says. “The Overseas Investment (Facilitating Build-to-Rent Developments) Amendment Bill has completed its third reading in Parliament, fulfilling another step in the Government’s plan to support an increase in New ...
The new Police marketing campaign starting today, recreating the ‘He Ain’t Heavy’ ad from the 1990s, has been welcomed by Associate Police Minister Casey Costello. “This isn’t just a great way to get the attention of more potential recruits, it’s a reminder to everyone about what policing is and the ...
No significant change to child poverty rates under successive governments reinforces that lifting children out of material hardship will be an ongoing challenge, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. Figures released by Stats NZ today show no change in child poverty rates for the year ended June 2024, reflecting ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden is pleased to announce the most common family names given to newborns in 2024. “For the seventh consecutive year, Singh is the most common registered family name, with over 680 babies given this name. Kaur follows closely in second place with 630 babies, while ...
A new $3 million fund from the International Conservation and Tourism Visitor Levy will be used to attract more international visitors to regional destinations this autumn and winter, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. “The Government has a clear priority to unleash economic growth and getting our visitor numbers ...
Good Evening Let us begin by acknowledging Professor David Capie and the PIPSA team for convening this important conference over the next few days. Whenever the Pacific Islands region comes together, we have a precious opportunity to share perspectives and learn from each other. That is especially true in our ...
The Reserve Bank’s positive outlook indicates the economy is growing and people can look forward to more jobs and opportunities, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Bank today reduced the Official Cash Rate by 50 basis points. It said it expected further reductions this year and employment to pick up ...
Agriculture Minister, Todd McClay and Minister for Māori Development, Tama Potaka today congratulated the finalists for this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy, celebrating excellence in Māori sheep and beef farming. The two finalists for 2025 are Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust and Tawapata South Māori Incorporation Onenui Station. "The Ahuwhenua Trophy is a prestigious ...
The Government is continuing to respond to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care by establishing a fund to honour those who died in care and are buried in unmarked graves, and strengthen survivor-led initiatives that support those in need. “The $2 million dual purpose fund will be ...
A busy intersection on SH5 will be made safer with the construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of SH28/Harwoods Road, as we deliver on our commitment to help improve road safety through building safer infrastructure, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Safety is one of the Government’s strategic priorities ...
The Government is turbo charging growth to return confidence to the primary sector through common sense policies that are driving productivity and farm-gate returns, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “The latest Federated Farmers Farm Confidence Survey highlights strong momentum across the sector and the Government’s firm commitment to back ...
Improving people’s experience with the Justice system is at the heart of a package of Bills which passed its first reading today Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “The 63 changes in these Bills will deliver real impacts for everyday New Zealanders. The changes will improve court timeliness and efficiency, ...
Returning the Ō-Rākau battle site to tūpuna ownership will help to recognise the past and safeguard their stories for the benefit of future generations, Minister for Māori Crown Relations Tama Potaka says. The Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passed its third reading at ...
A new university programme will help prepare PhD students for world-class careers in science by building stronger connections between research and industry, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “Our Government is laser focused on growing New Zealand’s economy and to do that, we must realise the potential ...
Health Minister Simeon Brown has today announced funding of more than $14 million to replace the main water supply and ring mains in the main building of Auckland City Hospital. “Addressing the domestic hot water system at the country’s largest hospital, which opened in 2003, is vitally important to ensure ...
The Government is investing $30 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy to fund more than a dozen projects to boost biodiversity and the tourist economy, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Tourism is a key economic driver, and nature is our biggest draw card for international tourists,” says ...
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters will travel to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, China, Mongolia, and the Republic of Korea later this week. “New Zealand enjoys long-standing and valued relationships with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, both highly influential actors in their region. The visit will focus on building ...
Minister for Rail Winston Peters has announced director appointments for Ferry Holdings Limited – the schedule 4a company charged with negotiating ferry procurement contracts for two new inter-island ferries. Mr Peters says Ferry Holdings Limited will be responsible for negotiating long-term port agreements on either side of the Cook Strait ...
Ophthalmology patients in Kaitaia are benefiting from being able to access the complete cataract care pathway closer to home, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Ensuring New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare is a priority for the Government. “Since 30 September 2024, Kaitaia Hospital has been providing cataract care ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Prema Arasu, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre, The University of Western Australia David Jara Boguñá / Instagram In February, researchers from conservation organisation Condrik Tenerife were about two kilometres off the coast of Tenerife Island, looking for sharks, when ...
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – ANALYSIS:By Jonathan Cook If there is one thing we can thank US President Donald Trump for, it is this: he has decisively stripped away the ridiculous notion, long cultivated by Western media, that the United States is a benign ...
A change of hands for some major portfolios and a subtle switch in focus suggest Labour desperately wants to rinse Auckland red.Where has the Labour Party been for the past year? Flying safely under the radar thanks to the endless controversies coming out of the coalition, and recently far ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University Youtube/Austvarchive Some 50 years ago, on March 1 1975, Australian television stations officially moved to colour. Networks celebrated the day, known as “C-Day”, with unique slogans such as “come to colour” (ABC ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina Boedker, Professor, Business School, University of Newcastle Floral Deco/Shutterstock The opposition wants to call time on letting public servants work from home. In a speech to the Menzies Research Institute this week, shadow public service minister Jane Hume said, if ...
A new poem by Maia Armistead. Mention of forest creatures I have never entered a forest. I have never sent stones careening and not heard them fall. I have never let a footprint fill with wild ants and seen it walk off without me. If there is a dark, tangled ...
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.AUCKLAND1 Understanding Te Tiriti by Roimata Smail (Wai Ako Press, $25) Author Kiri Lightfoot says Smail’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca McNaught, Research Fellow, University of Sydney It’s been three years since floods pummelled the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. Now, Cyclone Alfred is heading for the region, threatening devastation once more. On Thursday night and Friday morning, the NSW ...
"The Government’s privatisation agenda has been well and truly exposed in Minister Brown’s priorities," said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. ...
Analysis: Labour’s reshuffle reflects a more focussed party, but by returning to a diet of bread and butter issues the party risks leaving important issues behind.On Friday, Chris Hipkins delivered his state of the nation address to a business audience at the Auckland Business Chamber. At the same time, the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Western Australian state election will be held on Saturday, with polls closing at 9pm AEDT. A Newspoll, conducted February 27 to ...
Float, dance or run to see this spectacular show at the Auckland Arts Festival, but whatever you do, don’t miss it.A realisation of the very best of this country’s creative ambitionIt’s easy to forget the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre at the Aotea Centre, with its three tiers of ...
Featuring some of New Zealand’s acting greats, this confronting new Māori drama will resonate with those familiar with iwi politics.The opening scene of End of the Valley sets the mood for a tense, emotionally charged drama. A distraught Kaea Williams (Matia Mitai) stumbles through the forest at night, desperately ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Camilla Nelson, Associate Professor in Media and Journalism, University of Notre Dame Australia Owen Franken/Corbis via Getty ImagesIn our feminist classics series we revisit influential works. Shere Hite’s The Hite Report was quickly dubbed a “sexual revolution in 600 ...
OANZ has been consistent through its submission and articulating to all political parties and the Government that the best outcome would be to have food and environment exempt from the bill. ...
Analysis: Health Minister Simeon Brown is to bring an end to Lester Levy’s enormously vexed term as Commissioner of Health NZ, and take the first steps to reinstating a governing board.“I promise every New Zealander: we will not stop until our health system delivers timely, quality care to all,” Brown says.Brown ...
Yes, another creature-of-the-year competition – and there’s something fishy going on with this one.If birds and bugs get to have an annual popularity contest, why not fish? For the last few years, the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust run Fish of the Year competition has been a relatively niche ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tara Lind, PhD Candidate, La Trobe University The 2025 AFL season is just around the corner and fans are pondering the big questions: who will play finals? Who will finish in the top four? Who’s getting the wooden spoon? The start ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kai Riemer, Professor of Information Technology and Organisation, University of Sydney HAKINMHAN/Shutterstock What if we told you that artificial intelligence (AI) systems such as ChatGPT don’t actually learn? Many people we talk to are genuinely surprised to hear this. Even ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Hibbert, Honorary Professor, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University Pormezz/Shutterstock Over the past two weeks, the media has reported several cases of serious “adverse events”, where babies, children and an adult experienced harm and ultimately died while receiving care ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Perry, Professor of Education Policy and Comparative Education, Murdoch University Getty Images During the federal election campaign we can expect to hear candidates talk passionately about school funding. This is one of the most contentious areas of education policy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Allen-Franks, Senior Lecturer; Co-director of the New Zealand Centre for Human Rights Law, Policy and Practice and Co-director of the New Zealand Centre for Intellectual Property Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau drante/Getty Images Journalist Paddy Gower’s attempts to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Naomi Lightman, Associate Professor of Sociology, Toronto Metropolitan University As Canada prepares to close the book on the Justin Trudeau era, some will be happy to watch him go. But in Canada’s haste to see him out the door, let’s not forget ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Allison Stanger, Distinguished Endowed Professor, Middlebury Elon Musk has simultaneous control of DOGE and his AI company xAI.AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has secured unprecedented access to at least seven sensitive federal databases, including those ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Johnston, Associate Professor, China Studies Centre, University of Sydney Since taking office, US president Donald Trump has implemented policies that have been notably hostile towards China. They include trade restrictions. Most recently, a 20% tariff was added to all imports from ...
The former Auckland mayor’s momentary lapse in judgement has cost him his diplomatic career, writes Catherine McGregor in today’s extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Peters moves fast after comment comes to light It was only a brief question during a post-talk ...
They found the cave kids alive !!!!!
I saw that. A good news story!
Thank goodness!
Yes, wonderful news about the boys. Brave little guys. Here’s hoping they get them out ASAP. Poor kids
What an amazing bit of awesome news.
Its going to be difficult to get them out – but one of the best things I have read in a long time.
Landslide for Obrador….vows to eradicate corruption…. what chance success (or even life)?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/02/amlo-mexico-president-five-things
More strength to Obrador.
He sounds like a hero to me…mexico needs someone like this in charge
Generation Rent
Is Kiwibuild doomed?
Should the government be concentrating on a huge expansion on affordable state rentals instead?
Auckland’s middle class plummeting down property ladder
Neither.
IRRS (if we must have it) should be paired with an individual, not a building.
Unfortunately this govt needs kiwibuild as it allows them to fund any state housing development and keeping debt levels manageable. The land has no cash cost add a house and sell for $650k then use the $300k from the sale of the land on a kiwibuild to fund he build of a state house.
As some have stated this govt has sold itself to the reduced debt at the expense of what is best for nz 🤑
IMO build state houses then we will not need so many heavily subsidised landlords
Affordable housing is where the price of a house is three to four times the average wages.
$650,000 is about ten times the average wage.
Is Kiwibuild doomed? Yep, they need to lower the house prices or increase the wages substantially or decline the population. What is the point of Kiwibuild if they flood Auckland with low waged foreign workers undermining Labour’s so called Kiwi jobs and foreign buyers now even recommended in a report to be bought in the mix to buy up the land and profit from it.
The quasi private COO type companies are virtually given away free public land in secret deals that are not providing much affordable housing aka HCL and if the buyers end up being foreigners or new residents who then rent them out after the withholding period, and the renters need more accomodation supplement to pay for the rising rents in the aforementioned Kiwibuild houses, it is gonna be a joke.
The NZ way seems to be market forces needing government money propping it up in a Kind of quasi public money for private profits. Not a nice story.
If they want to get Kiwibuild to succeed they need to use local and resident builders even if they have to train them on mass themselves, use local land and probably not sell them at all, as the city needs cheap rentals the most. Then use the rents to make more, exactly how private developers do it, only the profit goes back to the state to make more rentals!
If a developer can borrow money on 10% deposit I’m not sure how the government can’t do it, with free land they already own and cheaper interest rates????
Of course that might lower the house prices and less profit to developers who will be screaming that their profits be guaranteed.
Gosh and I always thought I paid taxes for the hospitals and schools and public services, I had no idea it was more important to use the tax money to prop up the profits of foreign and local developers and banks and keep their wages workers down and lowering in real terms the amounts given to hospitals and schools.
Property market could be getting interesting
Also, the Australian bank inquiry is not finished, but it will be having a cooling effect on the banksters’ ability to splash debt around
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-22/how-outrage-over-australian-banks-sparked-inquiry-quicktake-q-a
Baby bonus breeds welfare dependency!
(No mention of landlord welfare addiction…)
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12081859
Nice One AWW !
Of course there was no mention of LandLords’ Addiction !
How could you ever imagine Low IQ Soper blast the poor into total struggle – while leaving the fat addicted landlords basking in wealth stolen via rent from the same poor ?
Where do we get nitwits like Soper from ? Who breeds them?
Newstalk ZB constantly displays the brain crisis that our Nation is suffering. Toxic.
Speaking of brainless nit wits in the media, Garner et al have lifted their ban on Winston Peters, but he’s not appearing on their show. Good on ya Winston. It’s the same entitled patronizing crap from garner et al…….these are the fools like sooner “we’ll show them”
100% Ankerrawshark,
We are all squarerly right behind Winston on this crappy media activity, as it has lost its way entirely.
Time to replace the useless Minister of Broadcasting and get a government Minister who can finally get what they promised us ‘a channel like “TVNZ 7” was’ with real investigative journalism to represent the truth finally as well as other views.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVNZ_7
We do not ever want to hear the corporate and carpetbaaggers views for their feeding their overbloated greed.
Get rid of Clare Curran put her on parking meter duty.
Great to hear Michael Cohen getting ready to turn against Trump:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/michael-cohen-good-morning-america_us_5b39c337e4b007aa2f81492f
Don’t hold your breath.
trump like key, is teflon – no shit is going to stick to the low life, lying ,society destroying, scumbag.
Trump is the living embodiment of a failing bloated corrupt American Empire. Key is a saint by comparison, also a hell of a lot more intelligent. Key has a genuine rags to riches story that fits well with American bootstrap mythology, Trump is a silver spoon spoiled rich kid.
But he’s unwittingly doing God’s work, exposing the true extent of villainy that has riddled the US political system. They can’t even impeach the fucker, he’s too useful to the corporate warmongers. His insanity is a great distraction from their war crimes in Yemen and Syria and Libya, and the atrocities in Iraq and Guantanamo and Palestine
No lover of Trump but oil retreat means a less integrated world economy, and so it’s remiss of us not to discuss how Trump dislocating and disconnecting is about pivoting into that new world. Break things, so leading to mending them in a new shape. I.E Trump is the crap leader for the crap times we are living through.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/justin-trudeau-addresses-groping-allegations-from-18-years-ago_us_5b3a6e8ee4b09e4a8b261ad8
Trudeau joins the #metoo movement. Just on the wrong side.
https://twitter.com/kinsellawarren/status/1004504658403119105/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1004504658403119105&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2Fentry%2Fjustin-trudeau-addresses-groping-allegations-from-18-years-ago_us_5b3a6e8ee4b09e4a8b261ad8
“Didnt he learn through his vast experiences in public life that groping a strange young woman isnt in the handbook …..”
From the original 2000 editorial.
Dead in a year – see your mana people? Your mana is in the tree and the tree is going.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/105184309/tne-mahuta-could-be-dead-within-a-year-from-kauri-dieback
That is terrible. Marty mars.
“Black says the crisis has been nine years in the making and believes MPI, who she says has muzzled scientists researching the disease, are partly to blame for its rapid spread.”
9 years? That’ll be throughout the Key-led years, when National was in Government and the issue was theirs, yes?
Also the Maori Party who enabled this bullshit for the sake of money (while spouting on about self reliance)
Spouting on? Blaming the MP? Thanks for nothing rob.
Nobody forced them to go into coalition with the party of wreckers
True rob – nice you’ve gone deep in your analysis.
It’s irrelevant who did it, the sad thing is people stood by and let it happen and there does not seem to be much interest in saving this heritage more a fight about funding for money to save it and who did it, being more important an issue. -As any RMA environmental person will tell you, it’s just an old tree, plant another one. Today’s politicians and spokespeople have zero interest in history or culture or mana in any sense of the words. Everything is about funding and is a commodity. Who cares about that sick tree/person when you can just get another one.
Sadly even the Greens are coming across like this. Got some email about saving the oceans from bags from the Greens and give $3. For Fucks sake, what is $3 gonna do???? It’s not about the money it is about changing the policy. They are in government and paid by taxpayers to do their job which should be to put in a bill to ban plastic bags which costs nothing.
Labour are just as bad. But I mention the Greens because they used to know better, whoever they had advising them seems to be a neoliberal or someone who maybe worked at American Red Cross Haiti campaign?
Part of all the meet or greet seems to be to distract the politicians and take up their time instead of having them focus on the real stuff that ordinary people want. A house and job is part of it, but also emotional and spiritual stuff like trees and oceans, that just can’t be translated into money and therefore ignored in government policy.
Talking to a farmer from Otago a month ago he said mycoplasma bovis had been around since 2012 ?
I hope he’s told MPI how he knows that.
According to Professor Keith Woodford who is an Honorary Professor at Lincoln University there is a very good chance that the disease was actually present in New Zealand as early as 2008.
He says
“Another industry person has come to me outlining a situation back in 2008 where there was a major outbreak of uncontrollable mastitis and lameness in a mob of cows that now, with hindsight, has all the distinctive characteristics of Mycoplasma bovis”.
He also says
“An American-trained vet with considerable experience with Mycoplasma bovis tells me that when he started practising in New Zealand some ten years ago he made a tentative diagnosis of Mycoplasma bovis in some New Zealand animals. However, there was no laboratory here with the expertise to confirm or deny that it was Mycoplasma bovis.”
https://keithwoodford.wordpress.com/2018/07/01/mycoplasma-bovis-battle-fatigue-is-growing-but-government-claims-to-be-resolute/
I know nothing of the subject so can’t give an opinion but he would appear to be in a position to have an informed opinion.
About 15 minutes in the discussion turns to the possibility that Kauri dieback could be related to the disruption of seabird colonies, and their vast guano [phosphate] deposits, by human settlement.
https://www.radiolive.co.nz/home/articles/weekend-variety-wireless/2018/05/kauri-set-to-be-listed-as-threatened-species.html
I’ll have a listen later ta.
We could have a pattern here…
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/africas-oldest-trees-are-dying-and-scientists-are-stumped/ar-AAyxesy
If you like trees as much as I do.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/201828427/the-hidden-life-of-trees
If anyone here can perform agnihotra close enough so a resonance point can cover the area Tane resides in this can reverse the dieback, especially if a group of people performed it.
Info at agnihotra.com.au
I’m in Wellington and don’t think I can relocate easily. Don’t care if you think I’m nuts – it’s Tane!
Trade deals are so beneficial, even if we win, we lose with ISDS. But zero spine from government to just ban it.
Revealed: $39m cost of defending Australia’s tobacco plain packaging laws
Exclusive: Two years after an FOI claim was lodged, the price of the six-year fight with Philip Morris has been revealed
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jul/02/revealed-39m-cost-of-defending-australias-tobacco-plain-packaging-laws
Bet NZ can’t ban plastic bags either or a million other things in the future when they are found to be having negative effects, but government have to ask the lawyers permission first.
Business trumps Social good because these trade deals are about profit for business as their primary goal and they reward their politician cheerleaders and provide for them afterwards with good jobs and benefits and donations to keep them in office as long as they serve them.
Trade deals are not good for Kiwis as we will be treatened by all parties now, including the new Mexican agreement being setup.
New President Lopez Obrador’’s government could usher in greater scrutiny of foreign investment and a less accommodating approach to the United States.
We hear today on RNZ that this new left wing leader of Mexico is now since being elected yesterday, as he is threatening USA, even as Mexico are members of a free trade deal already with USA/Canada in NAFTA.
Lopez Obrador’s nationalism, stubborn nature and put-downs of rivals have drawn comparisons to U.S. President Donald Trump.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-election/mexico-votes-for-new-president-leftist-rebel-favored-to-win-idUSKBN1JR15F
So as I say these are tough guys that will play hard and run all over our weaker Government.
This TPP11 is not going to be fair or good for us.
They can recoup that by bumping the baccy excise.
David Seymour is thinking about what the euthanasia of his bill End of Life Choice Bill, could be called that referred to the practice in a way that was less clinical.
I suggest Managed Demise.
It is not as stark as suicide, and shouldn’t be like the usual idea of suicide – lonely, desperate, agonised, or despairing. It is actually hastened death that gives to the dying person the opportunity to choose for themselves when they want to die and then following some thoughtful rituals, to go in a resigned, peaceful way, with as little pain or sadness as is possible.
I would like to see more talk of euthanasia as an option
I wouldn’t.
Anything Rimmer says is a joke. Like his dancing.
Rimmer knows what we say to Death – YouTube
you tube▶ 0:23
How about Tidying Up.
The future, $120k essential workers leaving town? If they can’t get competent doctors or even cleaners then even the rich will leave town! Society needs to be protected as a system not just about wealth. Society needs to value everyone!
“He said he knows plenty of stories about people not being able to get workers to move to Queenstown.
“I heard a story of a doctor who left town. She was earning probably $120,000 a year and she left because she couldn’t afford to buy a house and she’d never be able to.”
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/07/queenstown-struggling-to-find-renters-who-can-afford-the-city.html
Yes i heard today on TV that a house outside Auckland is average price of $500.000 and is at a price that most will be able to afford.
So if in Gisborne the houses are at a low price of 150.000 to $250.000 which many curently are should be a boom town where many will flock to now?
My Dauger own tqwo houses in Gisborne and one was valued last week at $150.000 and the other at $250.0000 so we have seen these prices as proof of current cost.
Many Auckland folks are comming here buying three homes as theyn sell there own house up in Auckland for up to one million.
Things are out of balance now here.
How are jobs looking in Gisborne now? Or are most of these new home-buyers retirees?
That Dr should move to ohakune. We got houses we can’t get Drs.
About half the people who “move to Queenstown” don’t last 2 years. Or put another way, the town turns over half it’s population every 2 years.
And it’s still go the highest growth rate in the country.
Which makes it a really different town socially.
Guyon and his reports
Yet another shot at Kelvin. Everyone who has an ear on the news knows that Labour has no intention of building Mega Prisons. It is all the same, determined to reduce the number of prisoners. That crucial fact has eluded Guyon.
Therefore, The reports put together way back in 2017 are not in play. Time has passed on. The Justice Dept and Corrections Dept are walking the same path.
Mr Bridges, Guyon and the lady spokesperson who accusatively opined some unknown stuff today – are an opposition working backwards.
Yes, Guyon and the Lady are RNZ staff. As such they are Ssupposed to be unbiased. Pigs will fly too.
What concerns me is that, The Maori Leader of the Opposition Mr Bridges, has not yet given any numbers of how many Maori persons he has understood to have been released from prison year to date.
Similarly, The Maori deputy Leader of the Opposition Ms Bennett, has not as yet mentioned the numbers of Maori persons she has have been released from prison year to date.
As Maoris as well as members of Parliament one would expect these two important politicians to advise New Zealand the numbers of Maori sent to Prison year to date. And the number of Maori released.
Simon Bridges is constantly ridiculing Labour and Pinkos. I think he should attend to his own duties before he slams others hell for leather.
Or does he wish to allow Maori to drift around like Browno logs in a lake ?
What’s the point you’re actually trying to get across?
MSD prosecuting beneficiary claiming loans are income have lost their case in 2courts now.
Who ever brought this draconian prosecution it was illegal was it the minister or a over zealous employee
Paula Bennett was the minister at the time this is the type of behaviour is par for her.
No doubt Sniggering Gyno will ferret out the brilliant mind at MSD who decided the matter should be pursued upwards through the courts, and have him/her on to explain.
The National Party having to pay $600,000 to Eminem over loose yourself copyright used illegally maybe Stephen Joyce should be extradited for theft
Per haps the Nats should have their Waitamata Trust assets confiscated for profiteering on proceeds of crime (stealing)
Don’t worry about the $600,000.
Just lift it off the Poor. Like you always do.
Its just a monthly meal to the Nat fat cats. Give Bill English a phone call – he has got ways and means too. He’s a capitalist through and through. Hates Kiwi Workers.
Sing a song of sixpence.
Good morning The AM Show I met a elderly man yesterday I took time out to talk to him he was concerned about his phone being down for a week he has been waiting to get it fixed I will go sort it out today.
Yes Duncan Human caused climate change is OUR reality its not the glaciers in Atoearoa that will cause a humanitarian crisis when they are gone we get Alot of our water from Tairawhiti the glaciers in the Himalayas and many others provide water for billions when those are gone that’s when water wars will start unless they come up with a solution for that problem maybe rain catching put in place we’re the glaciers we’re.?????????!???? Some people already use this in dry places. This is a serious subject.???????????????????????
I won’t say whom I’m backing to win the Russian football World Cup but one should be able to guess . I was busy doing voluntary work for my offspring yesterday to write my usual post as most of my voluntary work is for them I will do some today for the elderly gentleman.
45 K is not much pay for a teacher??????.
I like the warm coats Amanda and Nicky are wearing today Duncan. Ka kite ano
P.S the ECO MAORI – – – – – was at work yesterday.
The AM Show Duncan the houseing problem and the teachers pay problems are problem that the right wing national party deliberately engineed they starved OUR education sector of finance all in the farcical aim of saying that the state cannot run education let’s privatetise Our education so there wealthy m8 could cream it 1.
They did the same to our health sector with the same aim privatisation of health they like the Americans health system were if a common person breaks a leg they are stuffed so only the wealthy can afford proper health care.
With the houseing problems that was engineed to create there Golden economy condemn a lot of state housing with the farcical PEEEEE testing industry ignore the fact that they had 60.000 new imergrints who all need housing ignore the fact that they need to ramp up building houses and there you go the perfect environment for the price of housing to go through the roof and who cares about the common people under the Bridge Ana to kai Ka kite ano