The Useful Rich

Written By: - Date published: 9:03 am, December 31st, 2023 - 64 comments
Categories: class, class war, Deep stuff, Economy, uncategorized - Tags:

We need more useful rich.

New Zealand’s rich are endlessly fascinating, but as wealth concentrates ever tighter we are poorer.

The wealthiest New Zealand are about 40,000 people out of about 5.5 million of us. 70% of all the shares in our sharemarket are owned by that 1%, and 99% of us don’t. That’s about the same wealth concentration as in the United Kingdom in case we had any egalitarian pretentions.

As wealth concentrates more and more, there are fewer people able to alter important markets.

Let’s start with cars. The rich afford to buy new cars. New Zealand has one of the oldest car fleets in the developed world, but the “clean car rebate” of the Labour-led government saw a huge upsurge in people moving away from petrol cars.

The people buying new cars are rich people and fleet operators who need big numbers. Sure, there is a good second hand market for the Prius and the Leaf. But it is the rich that lead the market away from the combustion engine. The hard issue comes when the rich have achieved their Tesla and Polestar, and the rest of us who can only afford a second hand car have to start questioning whether to go for a reliable petrol car that we think one of our cousin or our dad can fix, or make the leap with the help of a $20-$30k loan.

Food shopping is class-driven. The rich who shop at Nosh or Moore Wilson or Raeward Fresh are small in number but very high in value. Even when the certifying labels are getting simpler and more effective, it is the rich that are more likely to have the time and mental space to allow considerations like food production ethics, ingredient precision, and nutrition density to feature higher than price in individual item choice decisionmaking.  Even better if you have the time and resource to do it all online and they deliver it to your door and you avoid the shit of being in a supermarket altogether. As a percentage of food spend, the lowest decile of household is cutting back hard on fruit and vegetables.

The rich change the recessions’ impact. We can see where that recession has bitten hardest. It’s in the areas where people are employed to bring shoppers the stuff they’ve bought or to transport you around. The rich kept piling their spending into construction, and i.t. media and telecommunications.

The rich are altering our house ownership. To see how fast home ownership is affecting the future wealth prospects of younger New Zealanders as against older New Zealanders, check out the steep decline in the brackets 15-39 years of people living in their own house.

Deloittes did this graph out of the NZStats series.

And who are these people that own houses worth a million or more? Aucklanders. This is one of the most regionally unbalanced concentrations of wealth in the developed world. This snip comes from a graphic from thespinoff.

Bluntly, there’s a set of older Aucklanders people owning multiple houses worth more than $1m holding onto their real estate wealth and that’s pulling up the ladder for everyone particularly the young.

Our rich alter the careers needed across society. The professions you need to protect that wealth are those that support new cars and real estate are: electronics mechanics, painters, plumbers, carpenters, construction engineers, architects, building material suppliers, window makers, drainlayers, door makers, lighting systems people, furniture importers and suppliers, landscapers, tree and plan suppliers, appliance and kitchen designers and installers, and all the people who repair those things. You also need conveyancing lawyers, surveyors, local public servants to measure up title and evaluate land, civil engineers and Geotech engineers.

Then you need the people that keep the main houses running for those great landed 1%. You need cooks, groundskeepers, organic produce suppliers, people to look after the children, people to arrange your holidays and conduct those holidays, hairdressers to do your hair, pet groomer and walkers, designers to tailor your clothes, mechanics to service your cars, etc etc.

So that’s the careers and businesses we have. 97% of businesses in New Zealand employ 20 people or less – over half a million little enterprises. Hundreds of thousands of little tradies doing your hair and your pets’ hair and your lawns and changing your tyres.

If you think that is markedly different from the vast estates of Pride and Prejudice or Downton Abbey, in reality that list of professions above is pretty much identical to what we have right now here in New Zealand.

Conversely, if there was lower wealth concentration in New Zealand, there would be more people able to move each one of those markets: more people able to buy new electric cars or electric bikes even, more people demanding higher quality food at reasonable process, more people demanding that holidays are organised and pets are looked after, more people demanding higher quality clothing, more wealth to share and distribute around.

This is where the insights of Max Rashbrooke’s work Too Much Money (2021) really kicks in. Possessing wealth opens up opportunities to live in certain areas, get certain kinds of education, make certain kinds of social connections, gain partners and marry into wealth, and exert certain kinds of power including market power and political power. When access to these opportunities becomes remarkably uneven, the implications are profound.

In the absence of longitudinal wealth data for New Zealand, we have to use snapshots. Between 2001 and 2018 total wealth increased, with older people gaining a lot more than younger people. NZ Treasury analysis is that this is mostly driven by proportionally it’s older people who own houses and they get the capital gains. Also, they are working longer beyond 65.

That is a very big and fast change in median wealth. I’d like to see if that’s continuing in future series.

Across so many fields, as more and more of New Zealand is owned by fewer and fewer people, we all find it harder to change anything for good.

The rich have their uses, but they are far less useful when they control more and more of us.

64 comments on “The Useful Rich ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Tony Veitch 1
    31 December 2023 at 10:20 am

    To sum up: we, NZ and the world, can't afford the rich!

    [Some of the graphs used are hard to read because the X and Y are not labelled!]

    • Tricledrown 1.1
      31 December 2023 at 6:18 pm

      The usefull rich employ useful idiots to do their Dirty Work. Look at bigus dickus Winston Shane Jones Seymour who wants everyone to see less ' Nick all' the poors money' will'keep' us 'poor.

  2. Pat 2
    31 December 2023 at 10:33 am

    Remembering that the wealth (generally) resides in assets that are market valued and consequently always at risk of revaluation…in either direction.

  3. Bearded Git 3
    31 December 2023 at 10:50 am

    Looks like a wealth tax is the only way we can redistribute wealth more fairly while at the same time funding our public health service properly.

    I like the Greens WT but would be interested in other WT proposals from TS readers. (Excluding a CGT which is likely to be both impractical and ineffective)

    • James Thrace 3.1
      31 December 2023 at 12:05 pm

      Wealth tax is rather hard to quantify effectively given that stores of wealth in shares, property, etc can be variable in nature. Add to that, the difficulties in finding the sources of wealth due to the various ownership structures of trusts, companies, etc.

      The simplest structure, and one that is difficult to avoid, is the imposition of an inheritance tax at around 15% for asset values over $2m.

      When a person dies, and their estate is finalised, the value of all assets crystallise at the time of distribution. Any deceased person who owns shares via a company or suchlike, is then captured. Estates must transfer the ownership of those shares out of the deceased persons name.

      When it comes to surviving partners living in the marital home, there are two options. The first is to give 1 marshmallow to the government now by paying the inheritance tax imposed on the value of the property being transferred. Given that this would nominally be 50%, unless the house is worth $4m, this would be avoided. However if all other assets including shares etc getting transferred from the deceased to the surviving partner, put it over the $2m threshold then tax would be payable.

      The second option would be to give the government two marshmallows later, by the tax only being paid when the surviving partner dies, sells the marital home, or goes into a new de facto relationship (as is common in many wills). At that point the value of the assets as owned by the surviving partner would be taxable, and as the value would likely have increased, more tax is payable. However, that also means the surviving partner could spend all the money to get it below $2m. For simplicitys sake, it would be easier to have the estate simply pay the inheritance tax on distribution.

      This also means that in the next 10-20 years as the boomers die off, all their rental properties will be captured so little Johnny and Susan don’t automatically get the feudalistic benefit of property wealth being passed down with no reduction.

      People die every day, and asset crystallisation on estate distribution is the most effective means of applying the inheritance tax. Given that where property is involved, lawyers and conveyancers can be the ones responsible for deducting the payment, with IRD given the power to seek penalties from estate executors if they try to hide the value of the crystallised estate.

      After all, inheritance/death taxes are common elsewhere, and its not a difficult proposition to put in place. NZ did have such until the facile Peter Dunne removed inheritance tax a couple of decades ago. Before the glaringly obvious problem we face now was even considered. If NZ doesn’t want to go down the route of inherited feudalism, then inheritance tax is the best way to go.

    • KJT 3.2
      3 January 2024 at 7:10 am

      On the contrary, tax on realisation such as CGT and inheritance is the easiest to implement, the value is much easier to quaintify on realisation. More importantly, the easiest to understand and "sell" politically.

      Taxes on unrealised wealth are a nightmare to implement and an accountants dream. Quantifying most forms of wealth, and taxing when there is no income to pay it is both hard to justify and impossible to implement fairly. The right wing would have a field day. It was bad enough their bullshit about "taxing widows and orphans" with inheritance taxes, without " pity the poor pensioner in their two million dollar house, who is being taxed without income". Wealth taxes such as rates are effectively an inheritance tax already when they are defferred. Simpler to just have inheritance taxes.

  4. joe90 4
    31 December 2023 at 11:00 am

    but they are far less useful when they control more and more of us.

    It's no accident that the rich control us all.

    This was not just a whim of the 1880's and 1890's -it went back to the founding fathers, who had learned their law in the era of Blackstone's Commentaries, which said: "So great is the regard of the law for private property, that it will not authorize the lest violation of it; no, not even for the common good of the whole community."

    Control in modern times requires more than force, more than law. It requires that a population dangerously concentrated in cities and factories, whose lives are filled with cause for rebellion, be taught that all is right as it is. And so, the schools, the churches, the popular literature taught that to be rich was a sign of superiority, to be poor a sign of personal failure, and that only way upward for a poor person was to climb into the ranks of the rich by extraordinary effort and extraordinary luck

    […]

    The rich, giving part of their enormous earnings in this way, became known as philanthropists. These educational institutions did not encourage dissent; they trained the middlemen in America system-the teachers, doctors, lawyers, adminisstrators, engineers, technicians, politicans-those who would be paid to keep the system going, to be loyal buffers against trouble.

    In the meantime, the spread of public school education enabled the learning of the writing, reading and arithmetic for a whole generation of workers, skilled and semiskilled, who would be the literate labor force of the new industrial age. It was important that these people learn obedience to authority.

    Howard Zin – A People's History of The United States – Robber Barons and Rebels

  5. UncookedSelachimorpha 5
    31 December 2023 at 11:56 am

    We are moving towards one of the great weaknesses of the British class system – most of the skills and abilities of most of the population are rendered useless and irrelevant because only the upper class (rich) are allowed to participate.

    Damages and weakens all of society.

    • Anne 5.1
      31 December 2023 at 4:45 pm

      And we only have to look at the steady decline of the UK (formally referred to as Britain) to see the evidence.

      Despite utterances to the contrary, NZ is not an egalitarian society and never has been. The truth is: it is not what you know that counts but who you know. It is also advantageous to have attended the 'right' (pun intended) schools.

      I saw it in action among a few people of my acquaintance over the years including a couple of members of my extended family. They both became lawyers – one a high flyer – yet their actual abilities were pretty ordinary. Ahh… but they went to one of NZ's most expensive private schools and the opportunities flowed their way.

      Sad when you think of the amazing talent that is out there in every field of endeavour, but few of them get the chance to prove their worth.

  6. Gordon 6
    31 December 2023 at 1:08 pm

    A wealth tax might be useful – although the devil is in the details. Avoidance would soon become a growth industry.

    A Financial Transactions Tax, while a bitch to implement, is less easily dodged.

    • Bearded Git 6.1
      31 December 2023 at 7:15 pm

      That has merit Gordon. But wouldn't people be screaming for exemptions.

      • Johnr 6.1.1
        1 January 2024 at 10:36 am

        Exemptions are the killer. So, don't have any.

        How about a revenue tax, just like wage and salary earners pay now.

        Thereby every dollar deposited is taxed with absolutely no exemptions by any entity, business, person or charity for costs.

        As a rough calculation, with gst abolished, it would be about 9 cents in the dollar.

        Sure the cash society would still exist but it's fairly small.

        Gst admin costs won't exist. 90% of accountants and 50% of lawyers could be released and able to pursue productive work. Tax returns would be redundant. Tax would automatically be forwarded to govt electronically with each transaction.

        Each election parties vying for the treasury benches could produce a budget for their plans saying what tax they would levy for the next three years.

    • Tricledrown 7.1
      31 December 2023 at 5:59 pm

      Countries ,states and municipalities within countries have much higher productivity and wealth because is reduces speculation like land banking and unprofitable use of land.

    • Bearded Git 7.2
      31 December 2023 at 7:18 pm

      A LT may be the simplest and easiest to implement….which makes it attractive.

  8. Tricledrown 8
    31 December 2023 at 5:39 pm

    Monopolization is what has happened since Roger Douglas opened the so called free market .This has allowed for unmitigated speculation and retail in the hands of a very few cartels.Who are bleeding the poor dryMainly in land but the latest trend speculation as well most of those trends flop leaving nothing. NZ's economy is built mainly on speculation and monopolization which is capital driven.While the productive sector limps from crisis to crisis.Farming is mainly for capital gain now farming profitability is marginal accross most sector's those with capital will buy up more land . Rather than trying to make a profitable return.

    Not enough people are willing to vote for wealth redistribution and controlling the market to allow real competition. maybe 10% of the population at best . With 20% not voting and those people would benefit most.So no change . Until enough people face real hardship from the robber barrons then things may change. But not likely as wealthy people have the resources to divide and conquer just like Trump in the US. Culture wars and Fake news,in NZ Maori vs Pakeha Womens rights gender rights conspiracy theorists all play into maintaining the monopoly. So no chance of change.

    • Pat 8.1
      31 December 2023 at 6:23 pm

      No chance for change is what the elites have historically reassured themselves with…and it works well until suddenly it dosnt, as history demonstrates.

      There is always someone else hungry to be the rule maker.

    • Bearded Git 8.2
      31 December 2023 at 7:27 pm

      I seem to remember the same thing being said about MMP, yet a clever campaign won the day.

      The Greens got 11.6% with a WT prominent in their manifesto. I'm sure many more people are pissed off about the top 5% holding so much wealth much of which is unearned.

      I think a WT or LT is entirely feasible if backed by a clever campaign.

  9. SPC 9
    31 December 2023 at 5:59 pm

    The positive is that the majority of those under 18 appear to be in homes owned by their parents. For how much longer?

  10. Tricledrown 10
    31 December 2023 at 6:10 pm

    NZ has had the free market for 30years but most people haven't adapted and can't adapt because you need to save enough to invest then invest wisely the sur fire way is leveraged investment borrowing to pay for investing the safest longterm investment being property so we have tenants building and paying for the interest and low supply creating a longterm continuous capital gains .The productive sector or homeowners don't get those breaks.

  11. Blazer 11
    31 December 2023 at 6:39 pm

    Instead of tip toeing down the middle with the 'lesser of 2 evils' strategy,Labour need to ..'embrace' the..rich.

    The rich are not all venal,selfish..pricks.They care about NZ and its future.They have no problem with paying extra tax,be it CGT or wealth tax.

    You know it..makes..sense.

    • Pat 11.1
      31 December 2023 at 6:47 pm

      "The rich are not all venal,selfish..pricks.They care about NZ and its future.They have no problem with paying extra tax,be it CGT or wealth tax."

      Like all generalisations therein is an element of truth….it is often an advantage to be a venal selfish prick if that is your world….however many wealthy are smart enough to understand that their wealth is dependent upon a functioning system built upon the acceptance of the masses and that it isnt in their best interests to push things too far.

      The question is do enough of them recognise this fact?

  12. SPC 12
    31 December 2023 at 9:34 pm

    The useful rich invest in companies (with their own builders they pay wages to) that build new homes on site and also factory built small builds they can move onto sections and or small villages.

    They also seek to partner regional councils (infrastructure partners), local iwi (land supply) and government to supply housing to aged Maori on their retirement.

    This because they want their wealth to do good for the community/nation they live in rather than just themselves.

    Blessed is the nation when the rich actually do good stuff.

    Cursed is the nation when the rich do not want to pay the tax required for Kainga Ora to do the above.

  13. Michael Scott 13
    31 December 2023 at 9:52 pm

    I think we need to ask how much more tax we need and have a clear plan for where it will be used.

    I read that the 3% of the wealthiest NZ'ers already pay about 25% of all income tax and that the bottom 50% of taxpayers paid no net tax at all.

    If we were to implement a wealth tax they might shift their assets to another country without a wealth tax.

    • Pat 13.1
      31 December 2023 at 10:27 pm

      "I read that the 3% of the wealthiest NZ'ers already pay about 25% of all income tax and that the bottom 50% of taxpayers paid no net tax at all."

      Those numbers may (or may not) reflect the tax paid by the nominated cohorts but are unimportant to the purpose(s) of taxation.

      There is ample evidence that the settings of the past 4 decades (including taxation) have grown inequality in our society to breaking point….taxation is the least disruptive and most effective method available to Government (of any hue) to begin to rectify that inequality.

      Or we can carry on until one of the less desirable options appears.

    • SPC 13.2
      31 December 2023 at 10:29 pm

      Any wealth they transferred off shore would be subject to a CGT (35/36 OECD nations have them – all the others) there.

      And property buy in means payment of a stamp duty. And profits returned here on offshore investments is not immune from IRD interest.

      And I am not so sure asset wealth held offshore by local citizens would be immune to such a tax.

      I read that the 3% of the wealthiest NZ'ers already pay about 25% of all income tax and that the bottom 50% of taxpayers paid no net tax at all.

      Is that what you remember? The people you mention pay a lower rate of tax on their income per dollar, despite progressive tax (because of realised CG not taxed). Which just goes to show how more income they have.

      And that does not include unrealised CG/rising wealth.

      And others do pay petrol taxes, GST, rates etc (regressive taxes).

      • SPC 13.2.1
        31 December 2023 at 10:32 pm

        It’s one reason why Key is not a fan of the recent IRD report, which showed that while wealthier New Zealanders pay more tax overall, they pay lower tax rates than other earners.

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/sir-john-key-talks-to-paula-bennett-about-politics-ambition-and-raising-kids-ask-me-anything/OY4J5KLGLJFYRLOKRVY7WDZZEQ/

      • Michael Scott 13.2.2
        31 December 2023 at 11:11 pm

        Why would wealth sent offshore be subject to CGT or stamp duty?

        NZ has neither. And stamp duty is paid on the purchase of a house not the sale.

        Our goal should be to create as much wealth as possible for as many as possible.

        The lower tax rate cited by Parker on rich people included their unrealised capital gains but not the gains made by the rest of us. So hardly apples with apples.

        • SPC 13.2.2.1
          31 December 2023 at 11:37 pm

          Why would wealth sent offshore be subject to CGT or stamp duty?

          Because overseas, they apply a stamp duty on the purchase of property and any CG on the asset wealth there is subject to a CGT.

          The lower tax rate cited by Parker on rich people included their unrealised capital gains but not the gains made by the rest of us.

          If it only includes gains from investments it does not include residential homes.

          Can you link to something saying unrealised gains from investments were included

          https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/ird-report-shows-wealthy-nzers-pay-much-lower-tax-rates-other-earners

          Our goal should be to create as much wealth as possible for as many as possible.

          A tax system that encourages speculation on existing property for untaxed CG is one reason for falling home ownership rates. This does not grow our collective wealth. Nor does it improve economic productivity or the standard of living (as more income goes to paying for ownership of existing property, or just rent without any ownership).

          • Michael Scott 13.2.2.1.1
            31 December 2023 at 11:52 pm

            The tax numbers that Parker was using were the effective tax rates paid by the wealthy if unrealised capital gains were added to their taxable incomes.

            He claimed that the average taxpayer payed around 20% while the wealthy paid half of that.

            The unrealised capital gains of the average taxpayer were not included in the 20 per cent figure so it made no sense.

            • SPC 13.2.2.1.1.1
              1 January 2024 at 12:05 am

              The link I provided said

              including capital gains on investments.

              It did not say unrealised gains. Can you confirm it includes unrealised gains.

              It also says

              Today’s IRD report release is accompanied by a new Treasury report setting out effective average tax rates across the population. It uses scenarios to show that effective tax rates paid by middle New Zealanders (including GST) are between 6.8 and 10.8 percentage points higher than for the wealthiest people.

              Confirmation of the result

              The unrealised capital gains of the average taxpayer were not included in the 20 per cent figure so it made no sense.

              Because it was based on a survey of a group of rich New Zealanders (not necessarily the richest either as Key mentioned) it did not include the CG made by the average taxpayer on their investments … barely half would own their own home and the others would only have a car and Kiwi Saver.

    • Bearded Git 13.3
      1 January 2024 at 8:11 pm

      You are conflating tax paid with wealth. This is a diversion and irrelevant to the issue. Whatever tax is being paid by whomever it is clear that there is a massive imbalance in wealth that can only be addressed by bringing in a serious WT.

      • SPC 13.3.1
        1 January 2024 at 8:24 pm

        I don't think he is, he is trying to contest the claim that the rich pay a lower tax rate on their income than others – he does this by questioning the methodology of one study.

        He is claiming that a WT would result in a transfer of wealth offshore (the cost of this in stamp duty and CGT liability on offshore investments – the other 35 OECD nations have CGT).

        I am not sure, 24/36 OECD nations have an estate tax – something similar in impact to a WT albeit a one off at a higher rate than an annual tax. And people fleeing nations in their old age is not that common.

        Offshore where CGT are applied at low rates – such as a flat 15% (without adjustment for inflation), it is below income tax rates. Here, if the assessment was restricted to realised CG (shares, sold businesses/farms, sold investment property outside "brightline") I suspect it would indicate the same they were paying no higher a tax rate than those who only earnt money from employment and had much lower levels of annual income.

        • Bearded Git 13.3.1.1
          2 January 2024 at 8:19 pm

          The 10 year bright line test was effectively a narrow property based CGT that was simple and seemed to work well and so should be reinstated on top of a WT or LT.

          • lprent 13.3.1.1.1
            4 January 2024 at 4:41 am

            It was also quite simple to track in the LINZ databases by the IRD. The only thing that they could have done better would have to been to force a withholding in property transfers where the status of the property might be in doubt. Make that part of the conveyancing legislation.

            A declaration being required by the property owner and/or the conveyancer (ie simple property records) being required before the transaction could finalize. That would make the liability for any subsequent collection by the IRD quite clear for the courts. Especially since making a false declaration in itself would be a criminal offence.

            That would remove any disincentive of long litigation for the IRD. They could simply start a criminal process against whoever tried to deceive them using the crown prosecutor for fraud. Part of the fraud process would have been to collect the proceeds of crime. Much simpler than a civil case

            After all we don’t want to increase size of the IRD. We just want to make the consequences of avoiding the tax extremely risky and throw the onus of making a false declaration on the perpetrator.

    • KJT 13.4
      3 January 2024 at 7:23 am

      "Income tax" 60% of all! tax is paid by middle income earners. Note whenever someone says the wealthy pay a major proportion of tax they carefully exclude the many other taxes such as GST. And another form of taxation, user pays fees for State services.

      Also leaving out the fact that the wealthy have benefited hugely by living in a tax funded functional society. The tax they pay is likely a fraction of the real cost of the State, tax, funded largess that their wealth depends on. For example, parks, roads, sewerage, water supplies, transport and all the other supplies from the commons, that underpin spiralling real estate prices.

  14. Robin The Goodfellow 14
    1 January 2024 at 7:12 am

    Raeward Fresh is for rich people?

    • Drowsy M. Kram 14.1
      1 January 2024 at 8:55 am

      https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/financial-help-for-your-family/

      The CATS Who Wanted MORE [no, that's not a misprint]
      A political satire relevant for today, dealing with capitalism, poverty and greed, with greedy cats and hungry rats, that teaches children about the impact of what happens when people take a great deal more than they need.

      What the Raeward Fresh team is making for New Years Eve this year!

      • Mel from the Deli is making A Baked Camembert – topped with fresh pomegranate, a drizzle of honey, rosemary and nuts!
      • Rebecca is serving up a classic From Pepper & Me – On yaaa Onion & Herb Dip Mix – with fresh cucumber, carrot & pepper sticks
      • Akiko will be making Salmon Blini with smoked salmon and crème fraiche & horseradish sauce.
      • Jess will be popping the bubbles with a delicious French Champagne chilled from our wine chiller ready to go!

      I'm partial to Brie, but wouldn't touch Whitestone's Mt Domet with a barge pole.

      Welcome to 2024 everyone.

      • Robin The Goodfellow 14.1.1
        1 January 2024 at 10:16 am

        Your point, assuming you do have one?

        • Drowsy M. Kram 14.1.1.1
          1 January 2024 at 11:37 am

          And a prosperous New Year to you too, Robin smiley

          Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed. ― Albert Einstein

  15. Thinker 15
    1 January 2024 at 11:43 am

    Can't remember the name of the song my grandmother used to sing, but I remember the line "The Rich get rich and the Poor get children".

    How prophetic…

    • Descendant Of Smith 15.1
      1 January 2024 at 8:22 pm

      Line in The Great Gatsby.

      A literal interpretation of Mathew 13:12 for the prosperity christians is what we are headed for.

      "For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

    • Tricledrown 15.2
      2 January 2024 at 12:40 am

      Otara Millionaires Club land of Plenty. Or there is no drepression in New Zealand.

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    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
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    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
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    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
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    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
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    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
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    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
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    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
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    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
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    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
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    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
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    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
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    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
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    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
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    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
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    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
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    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
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    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
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    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
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    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
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    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
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    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
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    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
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    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
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    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
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    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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