Why We Need Universalism, Not Tax Cuts, To Solve The Cost-Of-Living Crisis

Written By: - Date published: 8:24 am, June 1st, 2023 - 64 comments
Categories: benefits, budget 2023, cost of living, equality, inequality, tax, welfare - Tags: , , ,


In recent years, many people in Aotearoa – New Zealand have been struggling with the rising costs of living, especially in areas such as housing, health care, education, and transport. These costs have outpaced the growth of wages and incomes, making it harder for people to afford their basic needs and aspirations and many of us are feeling the pinch. This has led to a widespread sense of frustration and dissatisfaction among the population, and to a demand for policy solutions that can address this crisis. Arguably, the Government has made only small steps towards this in Budget-2023 that will only alleviate the economic pressures for some but certainly not all people – there was not enough fiscal wriggle room to please everyone.

Some politicians and pundits say that tax cuts are the answer. They argue that tax cuts can stimulate economic growth, increase disposable income, and reduce government intervention. They claim that tax cuts can benefit everyone, especially the middle class who are feeling the squeeze of the cost-of-living crisis. Obviously, there is some truth in their claims.

But tax cuts may not be the best solution for this problem. In fact, tax cuts may have negative effects on two important values that underpin a fair and prosperous society: inequality and universalism.

Inequality is the gap between the rich and the poor, or how income and wealth are distributed in a society. Universalism is the extent to which social benefits are available to all citizens regardless of their income or other factors.

Sam Sachdeva wrote (https://www.newsroom.co.nz/8things/budget-2023-hipkins-pragmatic-push-puts-national-in-tight-spot) that Chris Hipkins is continuing with Labour’s inclination towards universalism in entitlements.

Inequality and universalism are closely related to each other, and they are influenced by the design and implementation of welfare policies. Welfare policies can be either universal or targeted. Universal welfare policies provide social benefits to all citizens regardless of their income or other criteria. Targeted welfare policies provide social benefits only to the poor or the neediest groups based on means testing or other criteria. One might think that targeted welfare policies are more effective and efficient in reducing poverty and inequality than universal welfare policies. After all, targeting the poor means that more resources are directed to those who need them the most, right?

Wrong!

This is where the paradox of redistribution comes in. The paradox of redistribution is a concept that was proposed by two Swedish scholars, Walter Korpi and Joakim Palme, in a famous paper published in 1998 (https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/160846/1/lis-wps-174.pdf).1 They argued that welfare states that target social benefits exclusively at the poor tend to achieve less redistribution and reduce less income inequality and poverty than welfare states that provide universal social benefits to all citizens.

This may seem counterintuitive, but Korpi and Palme explained that targeting the poor has several drawbacks that undermine its redistributive potential. For example:

  • Targeting the poor may reduce the size of the redistributive budget, as it may generate less public support and political legitimacy for social spending, especially among the middle and upper classes who do not benefit from it.
  • Targeting the poor may increase the administrative costs and complexity of delivering social benefits, as it may require more means testing, monitoring, and verification procedures to identify and reach the eligible recipients. This also puts a burden on the recipients to provide accurate and up-to-date data to the appropriate agencies & departments often with a threat of punitive measures.
  • Targeting the poor may create disincentives and stigma for the recipients of social benefits, as it may reduce their work incentives, erode their social rights, and expose them to social discrimination and exclusion. For example, the ‘social investment’ proposal by Bill English that was criticised for this (https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/launch-‘social-investment-new-zealand-policy-experiment’).

On the other hand, universal social benefits have several advantages that enhance their redistributive potential. For example:

  • Universal social benefits may increase the size of the redistributive budget, as they may generate more public support and political legitimacy for social spending, also among the middle and upper classes who also benefit from it.
  • Universal social benefits may reduce the administrative costs and complexity of delivering social benefits, as they may require less means testing, monitoring, and verification procedures.
  • Universal social benefits may create incentives and dignity for the recipients of social benefits, as they may increase their work incentives, strengthen their social rights, and promote their social integration and inclusion.

Based on these arguments, Korpi and Palme concluded that universalism is a more effective strategy of equality than targeting. However, there have been subsequent challenges of Korpi and Palme’s paradox, mostly in academic circles. It is a relevant and important topic that has implications for policy design and evaluation in New Zealand.

Indeed, as Sam Sachdeva wrote:

Helpfully, universal benefits are also easier to sell to the wider population, and more difficult to scrap.

There are examples, of course, that show that New Zealand’s version of universalism has not achieved equity of outcomes for all, and that targeting has often been associated with negative consequences. Moreover, New Zealand’s tax system has also been criticised for being regressive and favouring wealth accumulation over income generation. Thomas Piketty, a renowned economist who has been advocating reforms to combat inequality, argues that inequality is bad for economic prosperity, as it undermines social cohesion, democratic participation, and human development.

So, what does this mean for tax cuts?

Tax cuts are often seen as a way to stimulate economic growth, increase disposable income, and reduce government intervention & interference. However, tax cuts may also have negative effects on inequality and universalism, such as:

  • Tax cuts may reduce the revenue available for social spending, which may lead to lower coverage and generosity of social benefits, or higher public debt.
  • Tax cuts may benefit the rich more than the poor, as they may be based on income brackets, tax deductions, or tax credits that favour higher earners.
  • Tax cuts may undermine the public support and political legitimacy for universal social benefits, as they may create a perception that everyone should pay less and receive less from the government. This seems the core NACT reasoning and argument (or excuse?) for their political existence. (NB certainly ACT is cosying up in bed with The Taxpayers’ Union and National regularly joins them for a threesome)

Therefore, tax cuts may not be the best solution for addressing the cost-of-living crisis or improving the well-being of the population. Rather, it may be more effective and fair to invest in universal social benefits that can provide adequate and accessible support to all citizens, especially those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged.

Of course, this does not mean that universalism is always superior to targeting or that tax cuts are always negative. There may be situations where targeting or tax cuts are justified or necessary depending on context or specific objectives. However, the point is to recognise pros & cons, have a constructive debate about it, and make informed & balanced decisions based on evidence, values, and principles that we, or most of us, can subscribe to and get behind.

This is why universalism matters. Universalism is not only a moral principle or an ethical ideal. It is also a practical strategy or an effective tool for achieving greater equality & well-being in society. It is not a Utopian dream or an unrealistic goal but a realistic possibility and an achievable outcome.

Universalism is not only good for you; it is good for everyone!

1In footnote 30: “In New Zealand private savings for old age in the form of home ownership has been encouraged (Davidson 1994).”

64 comments on “Why We Need Universalism, Not Tax Cuts, To Solve The Cost-Of-Living Crisis ”

  1. mikesh 1

    In the 2020 election campaign TOP advocated a UBI of $250 p/w ($13,000 p/y), and a flat tax rate of 33c/dollar. Both measures seemed fair: the UBI because every adult would be receiving it, and the flat tax because it would have applied to all income from any source. However, such an arrangement would mean that anyone earning less than $39,000 in income would effectively have been on a negative tax rate – tax at 33c per dollar on $39,000 is exactly $13,000.

  2. Ad 2

    Australians pay no tax on their first $18,200 earned and it seems to work much more efficiently as a system than the government taking it as tax and then redistributing it.

    They also have GST set at 10% which is a whole bunch less regressive than our at 15%.

    Our most universally applied benefit is NZSuper. Any citizen can imagine how much better off they would be if their first NZSuper $18,000 were tax free, going to 1.4 million people.

  3. dv 3

    AND also a transaction tax of say somewhere around 0.1% on all bank transactions/ turnover.

    What would that raise?

  4. UncookedSelachimorpha 4

    Excellent post. More universalism please!

    Poorer people are the (vast) majority in unequal societies, so universalism will naturally move wealth towards the poor.

    I've noticed lately that the right wing are very keen on targeting and means testing. Sounds reasonable on the surface, but the main outcome is to allow the wealthy to not contribute to society.

    • tWiggle 4.1

      Reading a biography of our most astute and most moral politician, Joe Savage, he was adamant on the idea of universal benefit entitlement.

      As a swagman on the road in the 1880's Depression in Victoria, I think, when unemployement for men was 40%, he said he found means testing of benefits to give rise to terrible inequities. He gave the example of an old woman and her orphaned granddaughter having to sell their home and use that money to live, where a small benefit would have tided them over until the economic situation improved, and kept them in their own home.

      And he commented on the demeaning sense of applying continually for a handout from the State, having to prove you are one of the 'deserving poor'.

      He was also canny about universal benefits having universal electoral support. His government specifically dated the start of newer benefits to the April after the 1938 elections, to ensure a second Labour term.

      We need to keep reminding newer generations and newer migrants of Savage's legacy of universalist economics, and its societal value. I personally took my son to Savage’s fey mausoleum overlooking the Waitemata harbour and gave him the talk.

  5. roy cartland 5

    The Germans have a concept that roughly translates to "greed brake", that limits high incomes from getting ridiculous, where anything above the threshold is returned to the state. Yes just a tax bracket, but what an honest term for it.

  6. SPC 6

    It is the why of public education and health and the former policy of a property owning democracy (where most would be able to own before retirement) or the availability of income related housing*.

    We've yet to extend ACC to end poverty for those in sickness or with disability* (free prescriptions help as does improved Pharmac funding – which actually lowers subsequent health costs and makes employment possible).

    This also covers healthy food in low decile schools and use of home gardens to supply them and or community food banks.

    However in the neo-liberal economic society has emerged a class apart – home owners who holiday abroad, use private schools and have health insurance and income insurance and anticipate a rental and or air bnb holiday home once they get their next tax cut.

    There was a division between two income parent families and sole parent families on the DPB (now mitigated by the WFF tax credits and the support for those with children under 5). Further action would be to allow the non working partner to get access to the dole* – work tested as per the DPB (also allows those on benefits to develop relationships with those who are working). Afforded by making it means tested at first (and it would reduce demand on housing).

    There is also a need to reach out to the middle class with tax reform – tax revenue neutral changes (wealth tax and estate tax and higher top income tax rates). That would enable lowering the income tax on most and*(then bring in CGT and land taxes to sustain the public delivery of services and improve infrastructure).

  7. Craig H 7

    More progressive taxes and universal services is one model and flatter taxes and targeted services is another model. We're the latter, Scandinavian countries are mostly the former. I'm definitely keen to see NZ move away from our current model to a more universal service approach.

  8. Stuart Munro 8

    The arguments that underwrote the last thirty years of neoliberal fantasy were largely that 'lowering tax takes will grow the pie and increase society's wealth over all'. This has been comprehensively debunked in practice. It's time to try something that actually works.

    • PsyclingLeft.Always 8.1

      And that outright lie of the "trickle down effect" . Nact in NZ and the right wing world wide are still trying their utmost to spin it..

      However..

      five decades of tax cuts in 18 wealthy nations and found they consistently benefited the wealthy but had no meaningful effect on unemployment or economic growth.

      https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/12/23/tax-cuts-rich-trickle-down/

      • Stuart Munro 8.1.1

        Mmm – I have a feeling that the policy is not inherently impossible – but it requires governments that pursue it to be both scrupulous and rigorous in preventing the growth of inequality. They simply did not live up to the required standards.

        • PsyclingLeft.Always 8.1.1.1

          it requires governments that pursue it to be both scrupulous and rigorous in preventing the growth of inequality.

          Therein the flaw. And yes if only….but was never gonna happen.

          There is this?

          “The solution is taxing wealth and excess profits and using that money to help people. This makes the most sense in the context of the approximately trillion-dollar wealth transfer to the wealthiest throughout COVID-19.

          https://www.greens.org.nz/persistent_inflation_shows_urgent_need_to_tax_wealth

          Of course there are (apparently) so many reasons NOT to do that ?…..

          I do know that IMO Nact would screw NZ…..

      • Thinker 8.1.2

        Funny how the parties that advocate for less government don't seem to advocate for less politicians or cutting the cost of running parliament…

    • Ngungukai 8.2

      Neoliberal Con.

      • Stuart Munro 8.2.1

        Partly perhaps.

        But equally, a damning indictment of the weak and corruptible MPs that allowed the wholesale theft of public assets, and the weakening or removal of the prudent regulations that once constrained the incontinent greed of our lazy, parasitical, exploiter classes.

        Been in politics in the last few decades? Hang your head in shame.

  9. Mike the Lefty 9

    One of the measures we need is a Financial Activities Tax (FAT) so the banks that have been making obscene profits at the expense of New Zealanders have to pay some of it back.

  10. Corey 10

    I totally agree universalism is the answer, not just because it's extremely electorally popular (so the left should try it more) which means they almost never get rolled back, but also because they do the most good.

    Universal dental for example is a program NZ desperately needs, would ease so much suffering and disease in NZ, would be a hugely popular program and cement whoever innacted it's legacy up there with Savage and Fraser.

    It's relatively cheap, other nations health systems fund it and most kiwis wouldn't mind tax creep as much if the extra revenue was being used to fund things like universal dental, because it would really help everyone.

    We're never going to get programs like that under the modern Labour party which has long jettisoned social democracy for watered down, mild liberalism.

    Since Labour have no interest in universalism, I support tax cuts that benefit the poorest the most.

    Get rid of gst off food or at least cut it down to 10%, personally I favor getting rid of the goods and just having a services tax.

    Adjust the tax brackets for inflation, especially for minimum and lower to middle income earners.

    First $20 k tax free (if UK and Canada can do it)

    Allow beneficiaries to claim a tax return or remove the taxes from their benefits, if they are paying tax and can go on their mymsd app and see the tax deductions from their benefits, they deserve a tax return.

    • Descendant Of Smith 10.1

      Benefits were once tax free. Ruth and her ilk made them taxable so some of the cost could be clawed back through the higher tax brackets that would apply for those who worked for part of the year. In effect it made worse-off the most vulnerable eg seasonal workers.

      When tax rates are reduced though the net benefit stayed the same – unlike NZS whose gross super stayed the same – so those on benefits never ever benefited from tax cuts.

      Making benefits tax free again would help those in precarious employment like seasonal work.

      • Phillip ure 10.1.1

        Just one of the creators of the widespread poverty we have..created by douglas/richardson/shipley etc all..

        Poverty-creators that gutless neoliberal labour leaders/govts since then have failed to roll back…

        Labour and national:.. kicking the crap out of the weakest/poorest..ever since that glorious neolibral revolution of the 1980's..

        A pox on all of them…!

        • Descendant Of Smith 10.1.1.1

          Yeah Helen Clark took the opportunity to kick those on benefit when she put $20-00 back on super but not on benefits, Jacinda Adern kicked them even harder when she had the most popular support ever in this country to help our poorest and could have outright implemented the WEAG recommendations and chose not to.

          • Phillip ure 10.1.1.1.1

            Agree with the indictment of ardern…

            On how she utterly failed to do what she promised…

            When she had in her hands the (majority) power to make good on those promises..

            Around poverty/homelessness/child-poverty…the environment..

            An epic fail..that kind of defines her/that labour (in name only) government…

    • Incognito 10.2

      Children in New Zealand who meet the eligibility criteria for publicly funded health and disability services are entitled to free basic oral health services from birth to 17 years of age (until their 18th birthday).

      https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/visiting-dentist/publicly-funded-dental-care

      Which countries have universal free dental Care?

      How much would this cost in NZ?

      • miravox 10.2.1

        Yeah, a big problem for kids is access to routine dental care – just not enough dentists/dental nurses to go round.

        "Which countries have universal free dental Care?"

        Austria for starters, along with several other European social democractic countries. Although to be accurate I had to pay a 5 euro fee for x-rays when I had to get a total rebuild of a broken tooth when I lived there. I think that was on the grounds that in this case the x-ray wasn't medically necessary but the repair was.

        "How much would this cost in NZ?"

        I don't know – clearly not cheap (hence the 'medically necessary' rule)

        https://www.workinaustria.com/en/living-working/social-welfare-and-health-system-in-austria/

        Austria’s social services such as minimum benefits as well as social insurance and pension benefits contribute to a very high level of social security for the country’s inhabitants. Together with France, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy and Sweden, Austria ranks among the eight countries investing more than one quarter of their gross domestic product in social expenditures. This is clearly higher than the OECD average of 20.1 percent.

        The taxes (social insurance is collected in your wage taxes) are obviously higher than NZ, but as you argue in this post, help create a much more equitable society.

        Excellent post, by the way. Thanks for writing it.

        • Phillip ure 10.2.1.1

          What percentage of gdp does nz spend on social services..?

          • arkie 10.2.1.1.1

            The OECD reports as of 2022, New Zealand's public spending as a percentage of GDP is 20.8%, lower than the 2022 OECD average of 21.1%

            https://www.oecd.org/social/expenditure.htm

            • Incognito 10.2.1.1.1.1

              For NZ the reported figure is for 2021.

            • Phillip ure 10.2.1.1.1.2

              @ arkie..

              Thanks for that..

              So not much down on the oecd average…

              But those with the dignity of/afforded by strong social support for their citizens spend 25%..that is clearly where we should be…

        • Belladonna 10.2.1.2

          Robertson estimated over 1 billion p/a last time this came up.

          https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/478762/single-step-move-to-universal-dental-care-cost-prohibitive-grant-robertson

          Of course, it's only a wild estimate – we actually have no idea what the unmet dental need is….

          • miravox 10.2.1.2.1

            I can see the point about the cost of a one-step move to universal dental coverage, on the otherhand the reduction in inflammatory disease that is linked to poor dental health (peridontal inflammation in particular) could have a huge positive impact on the health system and disability and associated social costs.

            • Belladonna 10.2.1.2.1.1

              Oh, I agree. If (and it's a very big if) there were the dentists available. There aren't.
              Dental treatment at hospitals is free – but is only available for the very worst cases – and by that time you already have the associated health issues. It's also very, very hit and miss – and the first thing cancelled when hospitals are under stress – as they are now.

              The very best thing the government could do right now – is to triple the intake at the dental school at Otago University; and set up another one – somewhere in the North Island. I'm not particularly keen on it being in Auckland or Wellington – accommodation issues – but Waikato might be an option – they certainly seem to want some kind of medical facility. They could also do something about controlling the cost of qualification — IIRC dentistry is just about the most expensive qualification – more than med school. Which lessens the pressure for the dentists to charge more to pay back their student loans.

              Increasing the numbers of qualified dentists will exert some downwards pressure on fees, and increase the service in small town/remote areas.

              Once you have adequate numbers qualified (replacing the retirees) and in the training pipeline – then you can look at gradually extending the free or low cost provision.

              However, I'm not seeing this government do anything about increasing the numbers training in either med school or dentistry. I have no idea why….

              • joe90

                Dental treatment at hospitals is free

                As friend who's finally going to get a new knee found out at a recent pre-surgery dental appointment, hospitals do pain relief and extractions for free. That's it.

                • Belladonna

                  Yep, you are quite correct. I did mean emergency dental surgery (extractions, etc.) – not routine dental care or preventive treatment.

                  And, you'd be bloody lucky to even get that ATM.

              • miravox

                Completely agree with all of this. bonding is also an option for cutting the cost of training (student loan reductions) and improving smal town/rural supply. But that's not in vogue anymore.

                I'd be keen to see some analysis of the reduction in chronic inflammatory conditions (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis etc.) if oral health was significantly improved. But even then, the govt is running up against long-term benefit vs immediate high costs.

                We always discount the future.

          • Incognito 10.2.1.2.2

            As always, it depends on whom you ask. One billion dollars sounds like a nice round number aka a ‘Joyce number’.

            https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2211/S00030/on-the-case-for-universal-free-dental-care.htm

            • Belladonna 10.2.1.2.2.1

              The one billion came from Robertson – but he said it was only an estimate.

              As I said, I don't think we (as in NZ MoH) has any idea of what the unmet need actually is.

          • UncookedSelachimorpha 10.2.1.2.3

            "cost prohibitive". Misleading nonsense from Robertson. Only prohibitive if you are wedded to your current views on tax and economics.

            Universal dental care can be paid for by a miniscule 1.2% p.a. wealth tax on just the 311 wealthy families looked at in the recent IRD tax study. They can easily afford it and are currently paying lower effective tax rates than minimum-wage workers.

            • Belladonna 10.2.1.2.3.1

              And do you also have a magic wand to conjure up enough dentists to deliver the service?

      • joe90 10.2.2

        Which countries have universal free dental Care?

        Other than the much touted free Cuban dental, most countries I looked at seem to offer a free service for under 18s and than a mix of treatment options under medicare/insurance plans and co-payment/subsidy schemes.

        https://www.helsenorge.no/en/payment-for-health-services/who-pays-your-dental-bill/

        https://www.forsakringskassan.se/english/dental-care-subsidy

        https://www.fyidenmark.com/dentalcare.html

        https://www.infofinland.fi/en/health/dental-care

        • Belladonna 10.2.2.1

          I agree that the leading countries in 'free' dental provision offer much the same as NZ. Indeed NZ is often touted as a free-dental system to aspire to.

          While it might be nice to have (I certainly wince every time I pay the bill at the dentist) – it would be hugely expensive. And, more importantly, undeliverable.

          NZ currently has a massive shortage of dentists. We are not training anywhere near replacement numbers – and haven't been for at least the last 20 years. Dental nurses/hygenists also seem to be in short supply.

          While in theory, you have free dental for kids under 18 – you have to be a committed parent to make out of school hours appointments (the on site school dental service is overwhelmed, and sees only the most urgent of cases – IDK how they define it – but kids regularly go 3 years without a school dental appointment); and/or to find a dentist which will enrol teens (most established ones won't – they make more money from adults, than they do from the government payment).

          Throwing in theoretically free, but actually unavailable, dental service as an election promise – would expose Labour to ridicule. Both in how to pay, and how to deliver.

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  • 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 ...
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    6 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 ...
    6 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
    6 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

  • 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
    4 hours 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
    9 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
    11 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
    11 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
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
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