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.

    • Patricia Bremner 4.2
      2 June 2023 at 9:25 am

      100% agree.smiley

  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…..

          • Ngungukai 8.1.1.1.1
            1 June 2023 at 7:47 pm

            We need a Government that is going to look at Tax logically, and aim at an equitable distribution of wealth.

      • 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.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 hour ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 hours ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    19 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    24 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T01:33:52+00:00