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 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. mikesh 1
    1 June 2023 at 9:15 am

    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
    1 June 2023 at 9:38 am

    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
    1 June 2023 at 9:56 am

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

    What would that raise?

  4. UncookedSelachimorpha 4
    1 June 2023 at 11:41 am

    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
      1 June 2023 at 8:03 pm

      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
    1 June 2023 at 11:45 am

    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
    1 June 2023 at 1:56 pm

    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
    1 June 2023 at 2:44 pm

    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
    1 June 2023 at 5:26 pm

    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
      1 June 2023 at 6:18 pm

      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
        1 June 2023 at 6:22 pm

        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
          1 June 2023 at 7:00 pm

          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
        1 June 2023 at 8:25 pm

        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
      1 June 2023 at 7:48 pm

      Neoliberal Con.

      • Stuart Munro 8.2.1
        1 June 2023 at 9:27 pm

        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
    2 June 2023 at 8:46 am

    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
    2 June 2023 at 11:10 am

    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
      2 June 2023 at 12:02 pm

      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
        2 June 2023 at 12:27 pm

        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
          2 June 2023 at 1:32 pm

          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
            2 June 2023 at 4:15 pm

            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
      2 June 2023 at 9:46 pm

      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
        2 June 2023 at 10:23 pm

        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
          3 June 2023 at 11:24 am

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

          • arkie 10.2.1.1.1
            3 June 2023 at 11:47 am

            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
              3 June 2023 at 12:24 pm

              For NZ the reported figure is for 2021.

            • Phillip ure 10.2.1.1.1.2
              3 June 2023 at 3:20 pm

              @ 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
          3 June 2023 at 1:12 pm

          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
            3 June 2023 at 2:23 pm

            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
              3 June 2023 at 2:36 pm

              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 …
                3 June 2023 at 2:50 pm

                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 …
                  3 June 2023 at 4:18 pm

                  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 …
                3 June 2023 at 8:07 pm

                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
            3 June 2023 at 5:21 pm

            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
              3 June 2023 at 5:35 pm

              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
            4 June 2023 at 2:36 pm

            "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
              5 June 2023 at 2:31 pm

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

      • joe90 10.2.2
        3 June 2023 at 12:50 pm

        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
          3 June 2023 at 1:07 pm

          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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    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    23 hours ago

  • Climate Emergency!
    It’s hard not to become a bit blasé towards climate change headlines. Flooding kills hundreds - blah. Catastrophic droughts - blah blah. One-in-a-hundred year events happening every year - blah blah blah.The earth had its highest temperature on record - again. Think we’ve read that one.So many articles telling us ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    23 hours ago

  • The Kākā Project: The economics of sufficiency
    The Kākā’s climate correspondent and had a chat with environmental historian and author Catherine Knight about why ‘feel good' actions like recycling and owning an electric car are unlikely to be enough to create a transition to zero emissions, let alone a just one. Knight says comments like ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Chippy misses a chance
    National leader Christopher Luxon has pulled out of any rescheduling of tonight’s Press debate, which has had to be cancelled because Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has Covid. The cancellation has given National an excuse to avoid a debate, which was always going to be a risk for Luxon. But ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago

  • The Angry Majority.
    The People's Champion vs The People's Prosecutor: It is the news media’s job to elicit information from politicians – not to prosecute them. Peters’ promise to sort out TVNZ should be believed. If he finds himself in a position to carry out his threat, then it will only be because ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Verrall is chuffed by govt’s latest push into pay equity while Woods enthuses about an $11m spend ...
    Buzz from the Beehive The headline on a ministerial press statement curiously expresses the government’s position when it declares:   Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers. Is it not enough to declare just one commitment? Or is the government’s commitment to pay equity being declared sector by ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • A very worthy coalition partner for Seymour and Luxon
    There have been 53 New Zealand Parliaments so far. The 39th of them was elected in 1978. It was a parliament of 92 MPs, most of them men. The New Zealand Music Awards that year named John Rowles Male Vocalist of the Year and — after a short twelve months ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Labour still protecting the status quo
    Aotearoa has a cost of living crisis. And one of the major drivers of this crisis is the supermarket duopoly, who gouge every dollar they can out of us. Last year, the Commerce Commission found that the duopoly was in fact anti-competititve, giving the government social licence to fix the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on National’s myths about the desolated state of the economy
    Familiarity breeds consent. If you repeat the line “six years of economic mis-management” about 10,000 times, it sounds like the received wisdom, whatever the evidence to the contrary. Yes, the global pandemic and the global surge in inflation that came in its wake occurred here as well – but if ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • MICHAEL BASSETT: Hapless Hipkins and his racism
    Michael Bassett writes – Without so much as batting an eyelid, Chris Hipkins told an audience on Saturday that there had been “more racism” in this election campaign than ever before. And he blamed it on the opposition parties, National, Act and New Zealand First. In those ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: The ‘recession’ has been called off, but some households are still struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates. Brian Easton writes – Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Monday’s Chorus: Richie Poulton's lament
    “You can't really undo what happens during childhood”, said the director of the Dunedin longitudinal study. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Richie Poulton, the director of the world-leading Dunedin longitudinal study showing how devastating poverty in early life is, died yesterday. With his final words, he lamented the lack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • North-western downgrades
    This is a guest post from reader Peter N As many of us know, Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi are well into progressing works on the northwestern interim “busway” with services to kick off in just over a month from now on Sunday 12th November 2023. Some of the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Has Webworm Found New Zealand’s Weirdest School?
    Hi,Before we talk about weird schools people choose to send their kids to, a few things on my mind. I adored the Ask Me Anything we did last week. Thanks for taking part. I love answering your weird and nosy questions, even questions about beans.I am excited and scared as Mister ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • Another mother of a budget
    A National government would make spending cuts on a scale not seen since the 1990 – 96 Bolger government.That much was confirmed with the release of their Fiscal Plan on Friday.Government spending is currently high as a percentage of GDP — as high as it was during the Muldoon ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • A crucial week starts as early voting opens in the NZ Elections … it’s been a ride so far. Are y...
    Chris Hipkins down with Covid, at least for 5 days isolation, National continue to obfuscate, ACT continues to double-down on the poor and Winston… well, he’s being Winston really. Voters beware: this week could be even more infuriating than the last. No Party is what they used to be ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #39
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 24, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 30, 2023. Story of the Week We’re not doomed yet’: climate scientist Michael Mann on our last chance to save human civilisation The renowned US ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Clusterf**ck of Chaos.
    On the 11th of April 1945 advancing US forces liberated the Nazi concentration camp of Buchenwald near Weimar in Germany. In the coming days, under the order of General Patton, a thousand nearby residents were forced to march to the camp to see the atrocities that had been committed in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • The party of business deals with the future by pretending it isn’t coming
    Years and years ago, when Helen Clark was Prime Minister and John Key was gunning for her job, I had a conversation with a mate, a trader who knew John Key well enough to paint a helpful picture.It was many drinks ago so it’s not a complete one. But there’s ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • 2023 More Reading: September (+ Old Phuul update)
    Completed reads for September: The Lost Continent, by C.J. Cutcliffe Hyne Flatland, by Edwin Abbott All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells The Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    4 days ago

  • Losing The Left.
    Descending Into The Dark: The ideological cadres currently controlling both Labour and the Greens are forcing “justice”, “participation” and “democracy” to make way for what is “appropriate” and “responsible”. But, where does that leave the people who, for most of their adult lives, have voted for left-wing parties, precisely to ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • The New “Emperor’s New Clothes”.
    “‘BUT HE HASN’T GOT ANYTHING ON,’ a little boy said ….. ‘But he hasn’t got anything on!’ the whole town cried out at last.”On this optimistic note, Hans Christian Andersen brings his cautionary tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to an end.Andersen’s children’s story was written nearly two centuries ago, ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS: The vested interests shaping National Party policies
      Bryce Edwards writes – As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: A conundrum for those pushing racist dogma
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – The heavily promoted narrative, which has ramped up over the last six years, is that Maori somehow have special vulnerabilities which arise from outside forces they cannot control; that contemporary society fails to meet their needs. They are not receptive to messages and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  The greater of two evils
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.   Chris Trotter writes – THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    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:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    6 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    7 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    1 week ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 week ago

  • Youth justice programme expands to break cycle of offending
    The successful ‘Circuit Breaker’ fast track programme designed to stop repeat youth offending was launched in two new locations today by Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis. The programme, first piloted in West and South Auckland in December last year, is aimed at children aged 10-13 who commit serious offending or continue ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Major milestone with 20,000 employers using Apprenticeship Boost
    The Government’s Apprenticeship Boost initiative has now supported 20,000 employers to help keep on and train up apprentices, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni announced in Christchurch today. Almost 62,000 apprentices have been supported to start and keep training for a trade since the initiative was introduced in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Government supporting wood processing jobs and more diverse industry
    The Government is supporting non-pine tree sawmilling and backing further job creation in sawmills in Rotorua and Whangarei, Forestry Minister Peeni Henare said.   “The Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan identified the need to add more diversity to our productions forests, wood products and markets,” Peeni Henare said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Government backing Canterbury’s future in aerospace industry
    The Government is helping Canterbury’s aerospace industry take off with further infrastructure support for the Tāwhaki Aerospace Centre at Kaitorete, Infrastructure Minister Dr Megan Woods has announced. “Today I can confirm we will provide a $5.4 million grant to the Tāwhaki Joint Venture to fund a sealed runway and hangar ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Updated forestry regulations increase council controls and require large slash removal
    Local councils will have more power to decide where new commercial forests – including carbon forests – are located, to reduce impacts on communities and the environment, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “New national standards give councils greater control over commercial forestry, including clear rules on harvesting practices and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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