The Minister of Finance’s Mini-Budget

Written By: - Date published: 8:59 am, December 14th, 2017 - 88 comments
Categories: grant robertson, labour, Politics - Tags:

Today is a great test for our Labour-led government.

It’s the release of a mini-budget set well in advance of the main budget set for May 2018.

This advanced timing sets the government into a much faster pace of delivery than otherwise.

You will all have your own priorities, but the government’s ones have been well forecast is in the 100-day agreement.

Though you may be familiar with most of them, here they are again and how they are tracking.

The House will be sitting under urgency to crack on with them.

Some highlights from the coalition deal itself to remind us.

This government has all the following winds it could hope for: bulging surplus, strong economy, no major international crises, and a list designed to be do-able.

Let’s see how fast they can bank these first set of promises, so that they can then set themselves even more challenging policy goals.

88 comments on “The Minister of Finance’s Mini-Budget ”

  1. mauī 1

    Things are developing much quicker than I thought they would with this Labour government. Ban on foreign home owners, min. rental standards, first year fees free for students – major stuff on housing and education all inside 50 days of Government!

    Here’s a comparison with what National did in it’s first 100 days in 2008, there’s a strong focus on crime and employment:
    http://salient.org.nz/2009/03/nationals-first-100-days/

    • dv 1.1

      Thats good to have Maui

    • red-blooded 1.2

      Hey we’re not even half way through the first 100 days of this government. There’s some really good stuff happening, and groundwork being laid for other good developments. Great to see Chris Hipkins announcing the review of NCEA, for example.

      And any financial holes seem to be taking the form of unbudgetted-for spending commitments made by the last government but not appearing in the PREFU because they hadn’t actually set aside the money. No wonder outside experts couldn’t see that hole, Messers Joyce and English!

      • cleangreen 1.2.1

        100% RB.

        yes labour coalition is just less than eight weeks into the 100 days so we were very happy to see them moving so quickly now, even though national’s ‘dirty politics’ npolicy of throwing over 6000 questions at the incominng government in an attempt to slow them down, failed to work for national in their attempt to slow labour coalition down but instead made them “energised ” to complete their 100 day pledge good for them they need our praise for this.

        national need a big greasy stick, and be tarred and ridiculed for their continual “dirty politics”

    • alwyn 1.3

      “major stuff on housing”
      What have they done on housing?
      They even seem to have abandoned the non-resident ownership principle for anyone from Australia or Singapore and don’t seem to have a plan for any other country either.

      • mauī 1.3.1

        Major stuff on housing like the two policies I mentioned.

        It obviously excludes Australians and Singaporeans due to existing agreements with those countries. Are they supposed to have renegotiated complex agreements with those countries inside 50 days too? Meanwhile they’ve got a housing a crisis to sort.

        • alwyn 1.3.1.1

          I don’t really think that “min rental standards”, is a major advance.
          The also haven’t banned ANY foreign buyers of houses yet.
          They are still just talking about it.

          • marty mars 1.3.1.1.1

            rwnj doesn’t like labour cos yawn.

          • tracey 1.3.1.1.2

            Your question was

            ” What have they done on housing? ”

            You were told and didnt like the answer.

            Gosh still drafting the legislation after 2 months. The bastards.

            Remember in GFC when the answer to job losses was a job summit which wasnt held til 2018. You must have been apoplectic about the slowness of it all.

    • + 1 yep all going well so far

  2. tracey 2

    How many “experts” will be interviewed for news bulletins versus English and Joyces reckons?

    • alwyn 2.1

      They might put some of the bank economists on the TV programs.
      They seemed to be almost unanimous that Labour would have to borrow much more than they had claimed.
      What would they know of course. They are merely professionals at the subject.
      https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/98870648/Economists-see-Government-debt-rising-billions-more-than-Labours-plan
      Stick to listening to Morning Report. Nothing will be said there.

      • Johan 2.1.1

        “They seemed to be almost unanimous that Labour would have to borrow much more than they had claimed.”
        A definite sign that National had been underfunding gov’t departments under its watch?

      • What would they know of course. They are merely professionals at the subject.

        Good question. These are the same people who caused the GFC while telling us that everything was hunky-dory.

        So, chances are, probably nothing worth knowing.

        • cleangreen 2.1.2.1

          Oh Draco we also heard national lying at the same time as they ‘grossly underfunded’ our ‘essential services’ while at the same time then they were saying “we have a rockstar economy” – bloody lairs all!!!!!

      • SpaceMonkey 2.1.3

        What would they know? They’re debt pimps… of course they’re going to talk about borrowing. Debt is the only game they know.

      • Macro 2.1.4

        “bank economists” lol
        know nothing idiots who talk ideology and live in a bubble completely devoid of reality.
        Definition of experts – x is the unknown quantity, and a spurt is a drip under pressure.

      • peterh 2.1.5

        Well who cares if they borrow more, just stick it on the end of the $80.000.000 the last bunch of wankers borrowed ,HELLO for what tax cuts

      • tracey 2.1.6

        Looks like Farrar is first off the rank for Tracy Watkins… at least she finally remembers Key and English ran 2 zero budgets which Joyce and English suddenly became scornful of during the election.

        “Compared with some recent budgets – like the infamous zero budgets under John Key and Bill English – that might seem like money to burn. “

      • tracey 2.1.7

        Riiiight after the holes National left were revealled. You angry about Nationals incompetence or deceit on that alwyn or reserving it all for the new Govt?

  3. cleangreen 3

    Yes thanks for the ‘refresher.’

    We have reminded government about the new importance of getting started on regional rail restoration after national party wrecking machine went in 9 yrs ago and ruined our rail system pushing most freight onto our roads which have now become so dangerous that every bloody day someone dies on them as did this morning again when there was a truck and car fatal collision in Otago again we have many cases of proof that freight cannot all be carried on our single lane narrow hilly winding roads so we say to the Labour coalition bring back rail soon and save lives on our roads please now ‘lets do this’.

    Public COMMUNITY letter;
    14th December 2017.

    TO; Ministers,

    At the ‘One Planet Climate Change Summit’ this week in Paris 12-15th December 2017.

    NZ is cited as investors in our ‘Superfund’ among big investors pressuring climate polluters.

    NZ Government must now use Rail freight as it will greatly reduce our use and dependence on fossil fuels that cause climate change, and will save our cost of paying for “carbon credits” also.

    http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/arctic-climate-change-report-sea-temperature-rise-melting-ice-caps-polar-environment-global-warming-a8106161.html
    1. Environment
    ‘Arctic climate ‘report card’ reveals ‘rapid and dramatic changes’ to the polar environment.’
    The latest warnings on this link above must be taken seriously now as time is short for saving our planet.

    Please respond to our request for rail freight transport coverage, as government is close to shutting down for two months shortly please

    • alwyn 3.1

      I suppose you will tell us that railways are totally safe.
      No-one ever gets killed there.
      https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/98560326/three-dead-after-separate-train-collisions-in-auckland-and-christchurch-in-one-night

      For your information there were a total of 65 deaths on New Zealand roads in 2016 for accidents involving a truck, (latest available).
      There were 111 in 1970 when rail was at its peak.
      Not really one a day is it?
      http://www.transport.govt.nz/research/roadcrashstatistics/motorvehiclecrashesinnewzealand/motor-vehicle-crashes-in-new-zealand-2016/

      • cleangreen 3.1.1

        We are not buying your national party bullshit any more Alwyn,

        Todays outburst shows you have clearly now shown that you hate rail.

        You seem to want trucks to take all freight on our roads, by the way you are attempting to run down all of the rail value, so come clean now and say it isn’t so now.

        Read the facts in the newly found rail report that labour found that national ordered and then when they read how important rail is hid it 18 months ago.

        http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1711/S00309/study-highlights-rails-value-to-new-zealand.htm

        “Rail also means heavy vehicles such as trucks are on the roads for 11 million fewer hours each year – the equivalent of 30,000 trucks driving for an hour every day.

        “Using rail cuts New Zealand’s carbon emissions by 488,000 tonnes a year. That is the equivalent of taking 87,000 cars off the road, saving millions of dollars. Rail freight has 66% fewer carbon emissions than heavy road freight which is useful for New Zealand reaching its ambitious climate change targets.

        “New Zealand has a road toll issue with deaths on the road rising markedly since 2013. Taking trucks and cars off the road makes for a safer New Zealand with EY estimating that because we have a rail network, there are 271 fewer fatalities and injuries on the roads.

        • alwyn 3.1.1.1

          “shown that you hate rail”.

          You really sound tired and emotional.
          I don’t “hate” trucks. As I have explained to you at length on previous occasions I approve of train travel where it makes economic sense.
          To repeat what I have told you before, since you don’t seemed to have read, or remembered it previously..
          Freight transport makes sense on the following routes. Auckland/Hamilton/Tauranga triangle. Main Trunk from Auckland to Wellington.
          Christchurch West Coast link. Possibly Picton/Christchurch line unless all the freight is really Auckland/Christchurch in which case use coastal shipping.
          The only passenger transport that makes any sense is the Wellington urban transport lines from Wellington to Waikanae and Wellington to Upper Hutt.

          Nothing else. I particular not the Napier Gisborne route that wouldn’t load a train a week and would require millions per year to maintain the line in unstable country.

          Trains made a lot of sense in New Zealand prior to about 1960. There is very little need for them now.

          • alwyn 3.1.1.1.1

            Bloody typo’s.
            Repeat 50 times. It shouldn’t be ‘I don’t “hate” trucks’
            Should say ‘I don’t “hate” trains’.
            Why do I always see these things after the 10 minutes is up?

            • One Anonymous Bloke 3.1.1.1.1.1

              Why do I always see these things after the 10 minutes is up?

              Sometimes it takes me that long to spot mine. I put it down to inattention. Coincidentally, “inattention” could be used as an excuse for your entire political philosophy 😛

            • dv 3.1.1.1.1.2

              You really sound tired and emotional Alwyn.

      • McFlock 3.1.2

        How many of those were the fault of the train?

        Probably zero. How many people do trains hit a year? What, a tenth or a hundreth of the number killed by trucks?

        Although your link definitely indicates that truck-related injuries are daily, anyway.

        • cleangreen 3.1.2.1

          Yes Mcflock,

          Rail is shown as safer for passengers and others than trucks are.

          When a truck hits someone no-one lives through it, and theere are 200 000 truck trips around the country every year while rail would be less than 7% of that figure.

          If one train carries 50 to 60 truck loads of freight that means only one vehicle is used on rail compared to 50 or 60 truck movements.

          Using a rail line is choosing to travel on another track to where trucks, cars and other vehicles travel.

          So it is a no brainer here; – Rail freight is safer than truck freight on roads for other vehicle users and pedestrians.

        • alwyn 3.1.2.2

          Quick Google search gives the following.

          Deaths at level crossings were 53 between 2000 and 2016. Average of about 3 per year.
          Deaths of people trespassing on the tracks. 204 between 1994 and 2012. Average of about 11/year.
          That is around 14/year which is a great deal more than the Hundredth you talk about.

          Why don’t you do a little research before you start sounding off with made up numbers? You just look silly at the moment with your rubbish claims.

          • Patricia 3.1.2.2.1

            Alwyn – do you expect trains to give way to all vehicles at level crossings ? And stop when trespassers thinking they are immortal wander across tracks ?

            Travel to smaller towns and see the poor condition the roads are in – unable to accommodate the huge trucks that now speed around the country.

            • alwyn 3.1.2.2.1.1

              Do I expect trains to give way?
              Of course not. The can’t stop the way a car, or a truck for that matter, can.
              I understand it takes about 1.5 kilometres to stop one.
              It isn’t surprising that so many people get killed at level crossings is it?
              The train can’t stop and can’t swerve to avoid you.

              What I was pointing out of course is not that the train should stop. I was pointing out that, in spite of some people her saying that trains are much safer than trucks it simply isn’t true.
              I’m afraid that “cleangreen” is simply living in his own little world where trains are like the little red engine of children’s books.
              Safe and friendly as all heck.

              I’m not surprised that ‘cleangreen’ and ‘McFlock’ have retired for the night.
              They can’t answer my arguments because my statements are true and theirs aren’t.

          • gsays 3.1.2.2.2

            Gotta say alwyn, in respect to rubbish claims, spouting off and looking silly, that would describe your contribution to the discussion.

            • alwyn 3.1.2.2.2.1

              I suggest you look at my reply to McFlock’s comment just below.
              Trucks are safer than trains you see.
              Now why don’t you just give up. You are simply making yourself look really, really dumb.

          • McFlock 3.1.2.2.3

            Right, so that’s 14 vs 65, and those 14 are almost exclusively the fault of carelessness or suicidal intent on the part of the people who died.

            Whereas those 65 include people who were simply cycling to work and died through no fault of their own. Do you include them in your calculations of “economic sense”?

            • alwyn 3.1.2.2.3.1

              I suggest you look at these numbers.
              They give the amount of freight carried by road and by rail.
              http://www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/tmif/freighttransportindustry/ft007/
              The number of ton-km carried on the road by trucks and trailers is, in a typical recent year about 5,3 times the number carried by rail.
              The deaths are about 4.6 times as many.
              On that basis the number of deaths in accidents involving trucks is LESS than the number of deaths in those involving trains when looked at as deaths per ton-km of freight.
              Thus trucks are SAFER than trains aren’t they?

              Any more foolish statements from you on the subject?
              Most people killed in accidents on the road are caused by carelessness, apart that is from people who grossly overindulge in alcohol and then drive.
              That is why I hope we get AVs promptly and cut down on all deaths involving road vehicles.

              • McFlock

                Keep polishing that trucking turd in glitter – the trains don’t cause the accidents. The drivers and pedestrians do. And in many cases the pedestrians have to deliberately go out of their way to have the collision (whether the collision was intended or not).

                Unlike trucks.

                BTW, when comparing freight levels you might want to read the wee notes about data quality. But I suppose you’d only do that when you don’t think the data supports your assumptions.

                • alwyn

                  ” the trains don’t cause the accidents”.
                  Wow, what a genius you are.
                  I suppose you would also tell us that the trucks don’t cause the accidents either?
                  And, as you are probably a member of the NRA you will tell us that the firearms don’t kill people either..

                  As for the freight levels. I presume you actually have some evidence, other than your fevered imagination, that backs up your own claims?
                  No? Why am I not surprised?

                  • cleangreen

                    Alwyn is either a truck driver or is part of the road freight industry we think Mc Flock.

                    Alwyn; – be a hero for a change and read this and learn the truth “for all our sakes”.

                    http://www.noted.co.nz/money/the-great-rail-revival-why-its-time-to-get-rail-back-on-track/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=LISTENER_newsletter_14-12-2017&utm_term=list_nzlistener_newsletter

                    The Roads of National Significance are built to the highest safety standards. But Sam Warburton, a research fellow with think tank the New Zealand Initiative and a former Ministry of Transport analyst, says they are “relatively lightly travelled compared to the cost incurred in constructing them”. With the road toll rising steadily since 2013, he says, some of the billions spent on these highways may have been better invested in targeted local improvements and risky black spots. He cites Ministry of Transport advice to this effect, which noted road safety improvements with high benefit-cost ratios were going unfunded.
                    At the same time as the funding hurdle was lowered for big highway projects, the Land Transport Management Act – the sector’s guiding legislation – was amended in 2013 to remove the explicit requirement for sustainability to be considered.
                    Rail advocates say these changes have effectively served as a subsidy for the trucking industry and added to the difficulties KiwiRail faces in competing for freight business even in the context of rising concern about climate change and an increasing awareness of the potential role of rail in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
                    Whereas the rail network carries 16% of freight (by tonne-kilometres), it generates only 0.2% of national emissions. In a 2016 report, the Royal Society of New Zealand noted that a tonne of freight moved by diesel-powered rail produces a third of the emissions the same tonnage going by truck would yield. It identified shifting more freight from road to rail or coastal shipping as a major opportunity for carbon dioxide reduction.

                    • alwyn

                      “Alwyn is either a truck driver or is part of the road freight industry we think “.
                      Neither actually, although I don’t suppose you will remember that any more than you remember previous occasions I have said it.
                      Do you suffer from repeated memory loss or do you simply ignore anything I say?
                      I have never had anything to do with the trucking industry.
                      I have also never had any licence except for a motor cycle in addition to one for a private car.
                      So stop speculating. You are no better at it than you are at economics.

                  • McFlock

                    Oh, trucks might cause some of the accidents. But trains can’t swerve across lanes, and always have right of way. So any collision between any person or vehicle cannot be the fault of the train driver, with pretty much the sole exception of ignoring signal lights and hitting another train.

                    But then you’ve never been riding a motorbike when the driver of a double trailer truck decides they decides want to change lanes, I guess.

                    • alwyn

                      I’ve never ridden a motorbike since one of my relatives was killed on one. A long, long, long time ago.
                      I gave up being a member of the “Break a leg instead of a fender” fraternity as our American cousins describe it.
                      I just kept the licence to ride one for nostalgic reasons.

                    • McFlock

                      Well, [insert vehicle here]. They can all be squashed by a heavy truck, through no fault of their own.

                      Whereas the only way to be hit by a train is to be on the tracks when you shouldn’t.

  4. Ad 4

    88,000 New Zealand children out of poverty by 2021:

    “Today we are announcing the full details of the Government’s Families Package. This is paid for by rejecting National’s tax cuts and instead targeting spending at those who need it most. It will lift 88,000 children out of poverty by 2021.*

    “Our priorities are different from the previous Government. We are targeting spending at the early years to invest at the time in life where the evidence shows it makes a difference.

    “Boosts to Working for Families, the introduction of Best Start and the Winter Energy Payment, reinstating the Independent Earner Tax Credit and continuing with the recent Accommodation Supplement changes will greatly help struggling families to access the basics which all New Zealanders should have.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1712/S00142/government-will-deliver-for-all-new-zealanders.htm

    • This is looking good. I like the increase in working for families – that will help. The focus on a clear target for the number of children lifted from poverty is also welcome – no matter how much we may quibble about the actual numbers or definitions. It is setting clear intentions – now the delivery of all this is next.

  5. Ad 5

    Changes occurring from July 1st 2018:

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1712/S00149/children-and-families-gain-under-governments-policies.htm

    “As part of improvements to Working for Families, the Family Tax Credit rates will be simplified to a single eldest child rate and a single subsequent child rate – with substantial increases,” says Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni.

    “The eldest child rate will increase to $5,878. At present it is $5,303 if the eldest child is aged 16-18, and $4,822 if the eldest child is aged 0-15.

    “The Orphan’s Benefit, Unsupported Child’s Benefit and Foster Care Allowance will also be increased by $20.31 a week. This means they receive the same increase as those getting the eldest child Family Tax Credit for children aged 0-15.

    “While Working for Families payments currently reduce once a family earns over $36,350 a year before tax, from 1 July 2018 a family can earn up to $42,700 before the payment begins to abate,” says Carmel Sepuloni.

    “The Government is also introducing a Best Start payment of $3,120 per child ($60 a week) for the first year, providing extra help to the parents of the estimated 65,000 newborns each year. For low- and middle-income earners, that support will continue until their child turns three,” says Tracey Martin.

    The changes will come into effect on 1 July 2018.

    “These are affordable because we have rejected National’s tax cuts, which would give $440 million a year to the top 10 per cent of income earners while children and their families missed out,” says Carmel Sepuloni.

  6. Kay 6

    Ok, this “Winter energy payment” for all people on core benefits sounds promising. I will believe it only when it happens, but $450 would remove the fear of turning on the heater over the worst of winter which can only be a good thing.

    Given Lab/NZ1 have no desire to increase benefit rates I suppose it’s better than nothing, but the cynic in me sees this as a “look at us we DO care about beneficiaries” gesture. Like hell they do. Now wait for the bashers to have a field day over this one, and completely ignore the bit about nearly all of the extra payments going to pensioners (but that’s ok, they’re DESERVING of heat….)

    • tracey 6.1

      Maybe it should go to people’s nominated energy company?

      • SPC 6.1.1

        Does not work well with people changing power companies based on better deals from time to time. Or those buying wood for their wood burner etc.

        • tracey 6.1.1.1

          Understood. Was kind of pre empting the “but how do we know they will spend it on power” brigade… who ignore that people wantvto be warm but for the financial means to get warm.

          • SPC 6.1.1.1.1

            If one looks at it as a temporary increase in income for when their (energy) costs are at their highest, it makes a lot of sense.

          • Kay 6.1.1.1.2

            Tracey, that’s the crowd I’m waiting for, so about to go on a media blackout for a while. Not up for supplementary bashing at the moment. But to throw them a bit of raw meat- maybe I’ll be really naughty and use some of it towards getting some desperately needed new glasses, or something luxurious like that….

      • Rosemary McDonald 6.1.2

        “Maybe it should go to people’s nominated energy company?”

        Or firewood supplier?

  7. millsy 7

    I hope the winter fuel payment is delivered by an agency other than WINZ.

    • Ad 7.1

      Straight from IRD would be better

      • millsy 7.1.1

        I would set up a new agency.

        • Ad 7.1.1.1

          In the 7 months to July 2018? Winter’s coming.

          IRD already has all their accounts.

          • tracey 7.1.1.1.1

            Does IRD have all the accounts of those not paying their child financial obligations? How well do they administer that?

            • Ad 7.1.1.1.1.1

              Yes.

              They are undergoing a full rebuild of their computer architecture and operations at the moment.

              I hear that this particular task is not going to be an issue.

              • tracey

                Good cos it has been since I first became involved in it in 1988. Low priority from all govts since then as opposed to hounding beneficiaries which in tge same time has developed into a national sport. Even half tgat fervour on deducting payments from tge wages would go a long way.

  8. SPC 8

    I have always preferred a funding mechanism for the Super Fund that did not require a budget surplus (or borrowing) to finance. Thus was constant and affordable.

    One option was/is to surtax the wages of older workers.

    That said, the government pays $4B pa (and rising) in super payments to those over 65 still working. Stop that and there is the $2.7B for the super fund contributions right there.

  9. McFlock 9

    Cautiously optimistic. I also hadn’t picked up that the govt has ruled out a ppp for the dunedin hospital rebuild, which is another big step.

    • cleangreen 9.1

      Good work labour coalition, 100%

      But the opposition National party is hoping mad that there windfall tax cut has gone up in smoke; oh gosh; – sorry didims.!!!!

    • tracey 9.2

      Especially as organising a PPP there seemed to be taking the last govt over 9 years…

  10. Bill 11

    Us undeserving don’t even get mentioned in the part of this mini-budget that might actually have an effect on us

    From Labour’s Fact Sheet.

    Superannuitants and students will also benefit. Approximately 710,000 superannuitants will benefit from the introduction of the Winter Energy Payment (WEP) in 2018. Approximately 41,000 students are expected to benefit from increases in the Accommodation Benefit.

    Says it all really.

    • tracey 11.1

      Those who have been taxed and those who will soon be taxed matter most Bill… for re election.

      • Bill 11.1.1

        And more on the undeserving poor front. (supposed increase to Accommodation Supplement)

        https://www.workingforfamilies.govt.nz/calculators/

        If you’re getting Temporary Additional Support, in most cases it will decrease if your Accommodation Supplement payments increase. The calculator doesn’t show the impact on Temporary Additional Support payments.

        Paper. Shuffling. Bastards.

        • red-blooded 11.1.1.1

          A quick look at the WINZ website suggests that Temporary Additional support has a lot of caveats around it – it seems to be a bit of a judgement call as to who might get it. If that’s the case, then surely an increase in the Accommodation Supplement (which is paid for as long as you need it and without so many hoops to jump through) is a good thing?

          • Bill 11.1.1.1.1

            More or less everyone I know claiming welfare entitlements receives some level of TAS.

            If you want to throw in the idea it’s kind of okay, because those not receiving TAS gain, then you have to also acknowledge that it’s the poorest of the poor –
            those struggling the most of all – who are gaining nothing at all.

            • red-blooded 11.1.1.1.1.1

              Have another look at what I actually said, Bill, rather than knocking down straw men.

              • Bill

                Seems you’re not aware that rent is a component of TAS.

                Giving with one hand (increased rent allowance) and taking away with the other (decreased TAS eligibility)

                Engage brain red-blooded. It’s just a renaming of labels with zero financial change (unless the person on TAS is already over the TAS limit).

      • Bill 11.1.2

        Last I looked, welfare entitlements were taxed tracey. Jist sayin’.

  11. Grey Area 12

    Meanwhile on Planet Key – the lead story on the Royal National Herald online edition is a car park in Auckland selling for $265,000. Trevett’s piece on the famillies package is currently item 20.

    They really are taking the proverbial.

  12. NZJester 13

    When the previous National Government came into power they could do all the spending on their promises thanks to the previous Labour Government who paid off our debts. The first thing they immediately did was borrow money to pay for a tax cut for the rich. Later on to help fund their tax cuts for the rich they did a tax swap of GST for PAYE putting a lot of the tax burden on the poor and working class as well as slowly under-funding essential services by failing to keep their budgets up to date with inflation.
    This Labour Govenment has inherited a country with all the essential services well under funded and a mountain of debt. They are having to do what they can with band aid solutions due to lack of money to try and fix the big problems left behind by National.
    Labour should seriously look at swapping the PAYE and GST taxes back around putting more buying power back in the average wage earners pocket.
    It would increase the tax intake while giving the average poor and working class people more buying power to put food on their table, cloths on their backs and some money to help keep their homes warm in the winter.

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    Bryce Edwards writes –  It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 hours ago
  • Promiscuous Empathy: Chris Trotter Replies To His Critics.
    Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played. “Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
    2 hours ago
  • Don’t run your business like a criminal enterprise
    The Detail this morning highlights the police's asset forfeiture case against convicted business criminal Ron Salter, who stands to have his business confiscated for systemic violations of health and safety law. Business are crying foul - but not for the reason you'd think. Instead of opposing the post-conviction punishment and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 hours ago
  • Misremembering Justinian’s Taxes.
    Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I - Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
    3 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 hours ago
  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 hours ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    8 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    8 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    8 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
    8 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
    10 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
    11 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
    13 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    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
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    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
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    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
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • 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

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour 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
    6 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
    8 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
    9 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
    22 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
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