From https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-last-saturday-soliloquyNo proven link.
the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy around
housing, climate and poverty in the week to Saturday, December 21
(Gravy Day1) are:
1. Nicola Willis pledged this week to cut public spending even harder Excellent, may there be more of it.
to reduce public indebtedness after learning the first year of
austerity had already helped cause New Zealand’s worst recession since
Ruth Richardson’s Mother of All Budgets in 1991, and was making it
even harder to reduce debt/GDP because the strategy to cut debt to GDP
was increasing debt and reducing GDP;
2. Simeon Brown and Christopher Luxon doubled down on blaming councilsVirtually all councils oversepend our money. The change is well overdue.
for reckless spending on pet projects for double-digit rate increases,
even though councils rightly accuse the Government itself of causing
the rates increases by cutting capital grants;
3. This week’s recession news and the Treasury’s massive downgradingNot proven. Just rhetoric.
of its productivity forecasts reinforced the current Government’s lack
of a strategy to pivot to productivity;
4. The OECD and IMF have repeatedly advised New Zealand Governments ofNeither the OECD nor the IMF are universally right.
both flavours that a pivot to productivity would need to see capital
and wealth taxed in ways similar to other countries (as opposed to not
at all) and for an economic and legal restructuring to massively
increase competition;
5. MSD reported this week it is now rejecting around 220 pleas eachThat's what happens when a government spends 6 years achieving nothing except racist policies and overspending, you do remember that Labour led garbage don't you?
day for emergency food grants to save money, just as food banks
reported surges in demand and funding cuts by the Government.
Meanwhile, about 220 workers are emigrating each day because low wages
aren’t enough to cover high rents, electricity bills and food bills;
and,
6. Despite its self-professed ‘Going for Housing Growth’ strategy, weAnd?
learned this week the Government has blocked Kainga Ora was developing
land near Tauranga for over 30,000 houses and has reversed plans to
build over 1,000 new homes next year, event though they are consented
and land is available. Meanwhile, I understand Kainga Ora has decided
to dissolve its LEAD Alliance partnership with private builders,
engineers and lawyers in Auckland that was designed to build up to
$200 million worth of homes each year.
______________________
There is further analysis following those brief summaries, but sadly
more of the same sort of observations for:
December 23:
https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-picks-n-mixes-for-monday
December 24:
https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-pick-n-mix-for-tues-dec
Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:Of course there is - but why can you not see it, Tony?
From https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-last-saturday-soliloquyNo proven link.
the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy around >>housing, climate and poverty in the week to Saturday, December 21
(Gravy Day1) are:
1. Nicola Willis pledged this week to cut public spending even harder >Excellent, may there be more of it.
to reduce public indebtedness after learning the first year of
austerity had already helped cause New Zealand’s worst recession since
Ruth Richardson’s Mother of All Budgets in 1991, and was making it
even harder to reduce debt/GDP because the strategy to cut debt to GDP
was increasing debt and reducing GDP;
For years the conservative candidates for Councils preached "lowerVirtually all councils oversepend our money. The change is well overdue.
2. Simeon Brown and Christopher Luxon doubled down on blaming councils
for reckless spending on pet projects for double-digit rate increases,
even though councils rightly accuse the Government itself of causing
the rates increases by cutting capital grants;
It was an official report - the Half Year Economic Update! Are youNot proven. Just rhetoric.
3. This week’s recession news and the Treasury’s massive downgrading
of its productivity forecasts reinforced the current Government’s lack
of a strategy to pivot to productivity;
Do you think they were wrong this time? If so, why?Neither the OECD nor the IMF are universally right.
4. The OECD and IMF have repeatedly advised New Zealand Governments of
both flavours that a pivot to productivity would need to see capital
and wealth taxed in ways similar to other countries (as opposed to not
at all) and for an economic and legal restructuring to massively
increase competition;
Are you referring to the overspend on $2.9 billion to lower taxes for landlords? and the attack on the Treaty of Waitangi - just as much anThat's what happens when a government spends 6 years achieving nothing except >racist policies and overspending, you do remember that Labour led garbage don't
5. MSD reported this week it is now rejecting around 220 pleas each
day for emergency food grants to save money, just as food banks
reported surges in demand and funding cuts by the Government.
Meanwhile, about 220 workers are emigrating each day because low wages >>aren’t enough to cover high rents, electricity bills and food bills;
and,
you?
And you should read the rest of that articleAnd?
6. Despite its self-professed ‘Going for Housing Growth’ strategy, we >>learned this week the Government has blocked Kainga Ora was developing
land near Tauranga for over 30,000 houses and has reversed plans to
build over 1,000 new homes next year, event though they are consented
and land is available. Meanwhile, I understand Kainga Ora has decided
to dissolve its LEAD Alliance partnership with private builders,
engineers and lawyers in Auckland that was designed to build up to
$200 million worth of homes each year.
______________________
There is further analysis following those brief summaries, but sadly
more of the same sort of observations for:
December 23: >>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-picks-n-mixes-for-monday
December 24: >>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-pick-n-mix-for-tues-dec
On Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:53:22 -0000 (UTC), TonyNo that is incorrect. There is no link.
<lizandtony@orcon.net.nz> wrote:
Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:Of course there is - but why can you not see it, Tony?
From https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-last-saturday-soliloquyNo proven link.
the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy around >>>housing, climate and poverty in the week to Saturday, December 21
(Gravy Day1) are:
1. Nicola Willis pledged this week to cut public spending even harder >>Excellent, may there be more of it.
to reduce public indebtedness after learning the first year of
austerity had already helped cause New Zealand’s worst recession since >>>Ruth Richardson’s Mother of All Budgets in 1991, and was making it
even harder to reduce debt/GDP because the strategy to cut debt to GDP >>>was increasing debt and reducing GDP;
As I wrote, this is well overdue. Most councils are out of control. At least this government is prepared to reign them in. All power to them.For years the conservative candidates for Councils preached "lowerVirtually all councils oversepend our money. The change is well overdue.
2. Simeon Brown and Christopher Luxon doubled down on blaming councils >>>for reckless spending on pet projects for double-digit rate increases, >>>even though councils rightly accuse the Government itself of causing
the rates increases by cutting capital grants;
rates" - and hence there is near universal underspending on
infrastructure - now this government cancelled Three Waters and are
demanding that work be paid through rates - and some Councils cannot
borrow money as they are near their limit for borrowing - this
government believes they should be making local decisions . . .
I don't care what she used. It is rhetoric.It was an official report - the Half Year Economic Update! Are you >disagreeing with the numbers Nicola Willis was reporting?Not proven. Just rhetoric.
3. This week’s recession news and the Treasury’s massive downgrading
of its productivity forecasts reinforced the current Government’s lack
of a strategy to pivot to productivity;
I have stated my opinion. Don't you agree with it?Do you think they were wrong this time? If so, why?Neither the OECD nor the IMF are universally right.
4. The OECD and IMF have repeatedly advised New Zealand Governments of >>>both flavours that a pivot to productivity would need to see capital
and wealth taxed in ways similar to other countries (as opposed to not
at all) and for an economic and legal restructuring to massively
increase competition;
Nonsense.Are you referring to the overspend on $2.9 billion to lower taxes for >landlords? and the attack on the Treaty of Waitangi - just as much anThat's what happens when a government spends 6 years achieving nothing except >>racist policies and overspending, you do remember that Labour led garbage >>don't
5. MSD reported this week it is now rejecting around 220 pleas each
day for emergency food grants to save money, just as food banks
reported surges in demand and funding cuts by the Government.
Meanwhile, about 220 workers are emigrating each day because low wages >>>aren’t enough to cover high rents, electricity bills and food bills;
and,
you?
attack on the integrity of New Zealand's reputation as the
cancellation of a contract for two ferries. But the number of New
Zealanders in poverty has steadily increased under this government so
despite emigration we are paying more in social welfare payments
instead of having them pay taxes - no wonder the current government
are borrowing faster than the previous government.
I have, And?And you should read the rest of that articleAnd?
6. Despite its self-professed ‘Going for Housing Growth’ strategy, we >>>learned this week the Government has blocked Kainga Ora was developing >>>land near Tauranga for over 30,000 houses and has reversed plans to
build over 1,000 new homes next year, event though they are consented
and land is available. Meanwhile, I understand Kainga Ora has decided
to dissolve its LEAD Alliance partnership with private builders, >>>engineers and lawyers in Auckland that was designed to build up to
$200 million worth of homes each year.
Irrelevant off topic.______________________
There is further analysis following those brief summaries, but sadly
more of the same sort of observations for:
December 23: >>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-picks-n-mixes-for-monday
and to help Tony, here they are:
1. Rachel Helyer Donaldson’s scoop via RNZ last night of cuts to
maternity jobs in the health system;
2. Maddy Croad’s scoop via The Press-$ this morning on funding cuts
for Christchurch’s biggest food rescue charity;
3. Benedict Collins’ scoop last night via 1News on a last-minuteIrrelevant off topic.
cabinet decision to allow commercial fishing in a few new protected
areas of the Hauraki Gulf;
4. News via RNZ on Saturday morning the Government had to rewrite theIrrelevant off topic.
PPP for Transmission Gully and NZTA has taken back responsibility for
parts of it;
5. Annemarie Quill’s feature in Stuff yesterday about coastal erosionIrrelevant off topic.
in the West Coast town of Granity and how locals want a flood zone >designation blocked to avoid losing insurance; and,
6. News via the FT-$ this morning that Donald Trump’s transition teamIrrelevant off topic.
plans to pull the US out of the World Health Organisation on day one
of his presidency.
December 24: >>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-pick-n-mix-for-tues-dec
On Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:44:44 -0000 (UTC), TonyDo I care?
<lizandtony@orcon.net.nz> wrote:
Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:And I don't believe you.
On Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:53:22 -0000 (UTC), TonyNo that is incorrect. There is no link.
<lizandtony@orcon.net.nz> wrote:
Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:Of course there is - but why can you not see it, Tony?
From https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-last-saturday-soliloquyNo proven link.
the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy around >>>>>housing, climate and poverty in the week to Saturday, December 21 >>>>>(Gravy Day1) are:
1. Nicola Willis pledged this week to cut public spending even harder >>>>Excellent, may there be more of it.
to reduce public indebtedness after learning the first year of >>>>>austerity had already helped cause New Zealand’s worst recession since >>>>>Ruth Richardson’s Mother of All Budgets in 1991, and was making it >>>>>even harder to reduce debt/GDP because the strategy to cut debt to GDP >>>>>was increasing debt and reducing GDP;
As I wrote, this is well overdue. Most councils are out of control. At least >>this government is prepared to reign them in. All power to them.
rates" - and hence there is near universal underspending on >>>infrastructure - now this government cancelled Three Waters and are >>>demanding that work be paid through rates - and some Councils cannot >>>borrow money as they are near their limit for borrowing - thisVirtually all councils oversepend our money. The change is well overdue. >>>For years the conservative candidates for Councils preached "lower
2. Simeon Brown and Christopher Luxon doubled down on blaming councils >>>>>for reckless spending on pet projects for double-digit rate increases, >>>>>even though councils rightly accuse the Government itself of causing >>>>>the rates increases by cutting capital grants;
government believes they should be making local decisions . . .
I don't care what she used. It is rhetoric.
It was an official report - the Half Year Economic Update! Are you >>>disagreeing with the numbers Nicola Willis was reporting?Not proven. Just rhetoric.
3. This week’s recession news and the Treasury’s massive downgrading >>>>>of its productivity forecasts reinforced the current Government’s lack >>>>>of a strategy to pivot to productivity;
I have stated my opinion. Don't you agree with it?
Do you think they were wrong this time? If so, why?Neither the OECD nor the IMF are universally right.
4. The OECD and IMF have repeatedly advised New Zealand Governments of >>>>>both flavours that a pivot to productivity would need to see capital >>>>>and wealth taxed in ways similar to other countries (as opposed to not >>>>>at all) and for an economic and legal restructuring to massively >>>>>increase competition;
Nonsense.Are you referring to the overspend on $2.9 billion to lower taxes for >>>landlords? and the attack on the Treaty of Waitangi - just as much an >>>attack on the integrity of New Zealand's reputation as theThat's what happens when a government spends 6 years achieving nothing >>>>except
5. MSD reported this week it is now rejecting around 220 pleas each >>>>>day for emergency food grants to save money, just as food banks >>>>>reported surges in demand and funding cuts by the Government. >>>>>Meanwhile, about 220 workers are emigrating each day because low wages >>>>>aren’t enough to cover high rents, electricity bills and food bills; >>>>>and,
racist policies and overspending, you do remember that Labour led garbage >>>>don't
you?
cancellation of a contract for two ferries. But the number of New >>>Zealanders in poverty has steadily increased under this government so >>>despite emigration we are paying more in social welfare payments
instead of having them pay taxes - no wonder the current government
are borrowing faster than the previous government.
I have, And?And you should read the rest of that articleAnd?
6. Despite its self-professed ‘Going for Housing Growth’ strategy, we >>>>>learned this week the Government has blocked Kainga Ora was developing >>>>>land near Tauranga for over 30,000 houses and has reversed plans to >>>>>build over 1,000 new homes next year, event though they are consented >>>>>and land is available. Meanwhile, I understand Kainga Ora has decided >>>>>to dissolve its LEAD Alliance partnership with private builders, >>>>>engineers and lawyers in Auckland that was designed to build up to >>>>>$200 million worth of homes each year.
Very few in fact. The vast majority are back office jobs. Why do you lie?No comment Tony? Perhaps you are happy with so many front line roles >disappearing . . .______________________
There is further analysis following those brief summaries, but sadly >>>>>more of the same sort of observations for:
December 23: >>>>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-picks-n-mixes-for-monday
and to help Tony, here they are:
1. Rachel Helyer Donaldson’s scoop via RNZ last night of cuts to >>>maternity jobs in the health system;
That's not happening. Why do you lie?Irrelevant off topic.
2. Maddy Croad’s scoop via The Press-$ this morning on funding cuts
for Christchurch’s biggest food rescue charity;
When the government decides not to support the worst off in having
food over Christmas, while accepting for themselves a 10% pay rise,
does that seem fair to you, Tony?
You are an abusive little shit.No, it is paying off donors - but corruption is not a words you, orIrrelevant off topic.
3. Benedict Collins’ scoop last night via 1News on a last-minute
cabinet decision to allow commercial fishing in a few new protected
areas of the Hauraki Gulf;
they, seem to understand . . .
Wrong. Why do you lie?Yet another PPP proves bad for our country's finances - but they areIrrelevant off topic.
4. News via RNZ on Saturday morning the Government had to rewrite the
PPP for Transmission Gully and NZTA has taken back responsibility for >>>parts of it;
planning more!
Wrong. Why do you lie?A government that ignores the needs of just one community, they do not >deserve our supportIrrelevant off topic.
5. Annemarie Quill’s feature in Stuff yesterday about coastal erosion
in the West Coast town of Granity and how locals want a flood zone >>>designation blocked to avoid losing insurance; and,
You are deluded as well as a liar.Our government probably sees Trump as the sort of success they wouldIrrelevant off topic.
6. News via the FT-$ this morning that Donald Trump’s transition team >>>plans to pull the US out of the World Health Organisation on day one
of his presidency.
like to emulate . . .
WHat absolute drivel. Why do you lie?So here are the next lot:
December 24: >>>>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-pick-n-mix-for-tues-dec
This morning’s six standouts for me at 6.30 am include:
Kainga Ora is quietly planning to sell over $1 billion worth of
state-owned land under 300 state homes in Auckland’s wealthiest
suburbs, including around Bastion Point, to give the Government more
fiscal room to pay for tax cuts and reduce borrowing.
A new report on youth homelessness warns of more teens sleeping rough
over Christmas.
Kainga Ora has evicted more tenants for bad behaviour in the last four
months than in the previous 24 months.
There are no vape control officers along the entire East Coast of the
North Island.
The Government chose a lower minimum wage than that recommended by
MBIE for the second year running.
Donald Trump wants to take over Panama and Greenland.
Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:And I don't believe you.
On Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:53:22 -0000 (UTC), TonyNo that is incorrect. There is no link.
<lizandtony@orcon.net.nz> wrote:
Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:Of course there is - but why can you not see it, Tony?
From https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-last-saturday-soliloquyNo proven link.
the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy around >>>>housing, climate and poverty in the week to Saturday, December 21 >>>>(Gravy Day1) are:
1. Nicola Willis pledged this week to cut public spending even harder >>>Excellent, may there be more of it.
to reduce public indebtedness after learning the first year of >>>>austerity had already helped cause New Zealand’s worst recession since >>>>Ruth Richardson’s Mother of All Budgets in 1991, and was making it
even harder to reduce debt/GDP because the strategy to cut debt to GDP >>>>was increasing debt and reducing GDP;
As I wrote, this is well overdue. Most councils are out of control. At least >this government is prepared to reign them in. All power to them.
rates" - and hence there is near universal underspending onVirtually all councils oversepend our money. The change is well overdue. >>For years the conservative candidates for Councils preached "lower
2. Simeon Brown and Christopher Luxon doubled down on blaming councils >>>>for reckless spending on pet projects for double-digit rate increases, >>>>even though councils rightly accuse the Government itself of causing >>>>the rates increases by cutting capital grants;
infrastructure - now this government cancelled Three Waters and are >>demanding that work be paid through rates - and some Councils cannot
borrow money as they are near their limit for borrowing - this
government believes they should be making local decisions . . .
I don't care what she used. It is rhetoric.
It was an official report - the Half Year Economic Update! Are you >>disagreeing with the numbers Nicola Willis was reporting?Not proven. Just rhetoric.
3. This week’s recession news and the Treasury’s massive downgrading
of its productivity forecasts reinforced the current Government’s lack >>>>of a strategy to pivot to productivity;
I have stated my opinion. Don't you agree with it?
Do you think they were wrong this time? If so, why?Neither the OECD nor the IMF are universally right.
4. The OECD and IMF have repeatedly advised New Zealand Governments of >>>>both flavours that a pivot to productivity would need to see capital >>>>and wealth taxed in ways similar to other countries (as opposed to not >>>>at all) and for an economic and legal restructuring to massively >>>>increase competition;
Nonsense.Are you referring to the overspend on $2.9 billion to lower taxes for >>landlords? and the attack on the Treaty of Waitangi - just as much an >>attack on the integrity of New Zealand's reputation as theThat's what happens when a government spends 6 years achieving nothing except
5. MSD reported this week it is now rejecting around 220 pleas each
day for emergency food grants to save money, just as food banks >>>>reported surges in demand and funding cuts by the Government. >>>>Meanwhile, about 220 workers are emigrating each day because low wages >>>>aren’t enough to cover high rents, electricity bills and food bills; >>>>and,
racist policies and overspending, you do remember that Labour led garbage >>>don't
you?
cancellation of a contract for two ferries. But the number of New >>Zealanders in poverty has steadily increased under this government so >>despite emigration we are paying more in social welfare payments
instead of having them pay taxes - no wonder the current government
are borrowing faster than the previous government.
I have, And?And you should read the rest of that articleAnd?
6. Despite its self-professed ‘Going for Housing Growth’ strategy, we >>>>learned this week the Government has blocked Kainga Ora was developing >>>>land near Tauranga for over 30,000 houses and has reversed plans to >>>>build over 1,000 new homes next year, event though they are consented >>>>and land is available. Meanwhile, I understand Kainga Ora has decided >>>>to dissolve its LEAD Alliance partnership with private builders, >>>>engineers and lawyers in Auckland that was designed to build up to
$200 million worth of homes each year.
No comment Tony? Perhaps you are happy with so many front line roles disappearing . . .______________________
There is further analysis following those brief summaries, but sadly >>>>more of the same sort of observations for:
December 23: >>>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-picks-n-mixes-for-monday
and to help Tony, here they are:
1. Rachel Helyer Donaldson’s scoop via RNZ last night of cuts to
maternity jobs in the health system;
Irrelevant off topic.
2. Maddy Croad’s scoop via The Press-$ this morning on funding cuts
for Christchurch’s biggest food rescue charity;
No, it is paying off donors - but corruption is not a words you, orIrrelevant off topic.
3. Benedict Collins’ scoop last night via 1News on a last-minute
cabinet decision to allow commercial fishing in a few new protected
areas of the Hauraki Gulf;
Yet another PPP proves bad for our country's finances - but they areIrrelevant off topic.
4. News via RNZ on Saturday morning the Government had to rewrite the
PPP for Transmission Gully and NZTA has taken back responsibility for
parts of it;
A government that ignores the needs of just one community, they do notIrrelevant off topic.
5. Annemarie Quill’s feature in Stuff yesterday about coastal erosion
in the West Coast town of Granity and how locals want a flood zone >>designation blocked to avoid losing insurance; and,
Our government probably sees Trump as the sort of success they wouldIrrelevant off topic.
6. News via the FT-$ this morning that Donald Trump’s transition team
plans to pull the US out of the World Health Organisation on day one
of his presidency.
So here are the next lot:
December 24: >>>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-pick-n-mix-for-tues-dec
On Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:44:44 -0000 (UTC), Tony
<lizandtony@orcon.net.nz> wrote:
Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:And I don't believe you.
On Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:53:22 -0000 (UTC), TonyNo that is incorrect. There is no link.
<lizandtony@orcon.net.nz> wrote:
Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:Of course there is - but why can you not see it, Tony?
From https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-last-saturday-soliloquyNo proven link.
the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy around >>>>>housing, climate and poverty in the week to Saturday, December 21 >>>>>(Gravy Day1) are:
1. Nicola Willis pledged this week to cut public spending even harder >>>>Excellent, may there be more of it.
to reduce public indebtedness after learning the first year of >>>>>austerity had already helped cause New Zealand’s worst recession since >>>>>Ruth Richardson’s Mother of All Budgets in 1991, and was making it >>>>>even harder to reduce debt/GDP because the strategy to cut debt to GDP >>>>>was increasing debt and reducing GDP;
As I wrote, this is well overdue. Most councils are out of control. At least >>this government is prepared to reign them in. All power to them.
rates" - and hence there is near universal underspending on >>>infrastructure - now this government cancelled Three Waters and are >>>demanding that work be paid through rates - and some Councils cannot >>>borrow money as they are near their limit for borrowing - thisVirtually all councils oversepend our money. The change is well overdue. >>>For years the conservative candidates for Councils preached "lower
2. Simeon Brown and Christopher Luxon doubled down on blaming councils >>>>>for reckless spending on pet projects for double-digit rate increases, >>>>>even though councils rightly accuse the Government itself of causing >>>>>the rates increases by cutting capital grants;
government believes they should be making local decisions . . .
I don't care what she used. It is rhetoric.
It was an official report - the Half Year Economic Update! Are you >>>disagreeing with the numbers Nicola Willis was reporting?Not proven. Just rhetoric.
3. This week’s recession news and the Treasury’s massive downgrading >>>>>of its productivity forecasts reinforced the current Government’s lack >>>>>of a strategy to pivot to productivity;
I have stated my opinion. Don't you agree with it?
Do you think they were wrong this time? If so, why?Neither the OECD nor the IMF are universally right.
4. The OECD and IMF have repeatedly advised New Zealand Governments of >>>>>both flavours that a pivot to productivity would need to see capital >>>>>and wealth taxed in ways similar to other countries (as opposed to not >>>>>at all) and for an economic and legal restructuring to massively >>>>>increase competition;
Nonsense.Are you referring to the overspend on $2.9 billion to lower taxes for >>>landlords? and the attack on the Treaty of Waitangi - just as much an >>>attack on the integrity of New Zealand's reputation as theThat's what happens when a government spends 6 years achieving nothing except
5. MSD reported this week it is now rejecting around 220 pleas each >>>>>day for emergency food grants to save money, just as food banks >>>>>reported surges in demand and funding cuts by the Government. >>>>>Meanwhile, about 220 workers are emigrating each day because low wages >>>>>aren’t enough to cover high rents, electricity bills and food bills; >>>>>and,
racist policies and overspending, you do remember that Labour led garbage >>>>don't
you?
cancellation of a contract for two ferries. But the number of New >>>Zealanders in poverty has steadily increased under this government so >>>despite emigration we are paying more in social welfare payments
instead of having them pay taxes - no wonder the current government
are borrowing faster than the previous government.
I have, And?And you should read the rest of that articleAnd?
6. Despite its self-professed ‘Going for Housing Growth’ strategy, we >>>>>learned this week the Government has blocked Kainga Ora was developing >>>>>land near Tauranga for over 30,000 houses and has reversed plans to >>>>>build over 1,000 new homes next year, event though they are consented >>>>>and land is available. Meanwhile, I understand Kainga Ora has decided >>>>>to dissolve its LEAD Alliance partnership with private builders, >>>>>engineers and lawyers in Auckland that was designed to build up to >>>>>$200 million worth of homes each year.
No comment Tony? Perhaps you are happy with so many front line roles >disappearing . . .______________________
There is further analysis following those brief summaries, but sadly >>>>>more of the same sort of observations for:
December 23: >>>>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-picks-n-mixes-for-monday
and to help Tony, here they are:
1. Rachel Helyer Donaldson’s scoop via RNZ last night of cuts to >>>maternity jobs in the health system;
Irrelevant off topic.
2. Maddy Croad’s scoop via The Press-$ this morning on funding cuts
for Christchurch’s biggest food rescue charity;
When the government decides not to support the worst off in having
food over Christmas, while accepting for themselves a 10% pay rise,
does that seem fair to you, Tony?
No, it is paying off donors - but corruption is not a words you, orIrrelevant off topic.
3. Benedict Collins’ scoop last night via 1News on a last-minute
cabinet decision to allow commercial fishing in a few new protected
areas of the Hauraki Gulf;
they, seem to understand . . .
Yet another PPP proves bad for our country's finances - but they areIrrelevant off topic.
4. News via RNZ on Saturday morning the Government had to rewrite the
PPP for Transmission Gully and NZTA has taken back responsibility for >>>parts of it;
planning more!
A government that ignores the needs of just one community, they do not >deserve our supportIrrelevant off topic.
5. Annemarie Quill’s feature in Stuff yesterday about coastal erosion
in the West Coast town of Granity and how locals want a flood zone >>>designation blocked to avoid losing insurance; and,
Our government probably sees Trump as the sort of success they wouldIrrelevant off topic.
6. News via the FT-$ this morning that Donald Trump’s transition team >>>plans to pull the US out of the World Health Organisation on day one
of his presidency.
like to emulate . . .
So here are the next lot:
December 24: >>>>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-pick-n-mix-for-tues-dec
This morning’s six standouts for me at 6.30 am include:
Kainga Ora is quietly planning to sell over $1 billion worth of
state-owned land under 300 state homes in Auckland’s wealthiest
suburbs, including around Bastion Point, to give the Government more
fiscal room to pay for tax cuts and reduce borrowing.
A new report on youth homelessness warns of more teens sleeping rough
over Christmas.
Kainga Ora has evicted more tenants for bad behaviour in the last four
months than in the previous 24 months.
There are no vape control officers along the entire East Coast of the
North Island.
The Government chose a lower minimum wage than that recommended by
MBIE for the second year running.
Donald Trump wants to take over Panama and Greenland.
On Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:17:51 +1300, Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com>They are all direct quotes from Bernard Hickey - link immediately
wrote:
On Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:44:44 -0000 (UTC), TonyI am a bit late to respond to this thread Rich - but it 9s worth
<lizandtony@orcon.net.nz> wrote:
Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:And I don't believe you.
On Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:53:22 -0000 (UTC), Tony >>>><lizandtony@orcon.net.nz> wrote:No that is incorrect. There is no link.
Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:Of course there is - but why can you not see it, Tony?
From https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-last-saturday-soliloquy >>>>>>No proven link.
the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy around >>>>>>housing, climate and poverty in the week to Saturday, December 21 >>>>>>(Gravy Day1) are:
1. Nicola Willis pledged this week to cut public spending even harder >>>>>Excellent, may there be more of it.
to reduce public indebtedness after learning the first year of >>>>>>austerity had already helped cause New Zealand’s worst recession since >>>>>>Ruth Richardson’s Mother of All Budgets in 1991, and was making it >>>>>>even harder to reduce debt/GDP because the strategy to cut debt to GDP >>>>>>was increasing debt and reducing GDP;
As I wrote, this is well overdue. Most councils are out of control. At least >>>this government is prepared to reign them in. All power to them.
Virtually all councils oversepend our money. The change is well overdue. >>>>For years the conservative candidates for Councils preached "lower >>>>rates" - and hence there is near universal underspending on >>>>infrastructure - now this government cancelled Three Waters and are >>>>demanding that work be paid through rates - and some Councils cannot >>>>borrow money as they are near their limit for borrowing - this >>>>government believes they should be making local decisions . . .
2. Simeon Brown and Christopher Luxon doubled down on blaming councils >>>>>>for reckless spending on pet projects for double-digit rate increases, >>>>>>even though councils rightly accuse the Government itself of causing >>>>>>the rates increases by cutting capital grants;
I don't care what she used. It is rhetoric.
It was an official report - the Half Year Economic Update! Are you >>>>disagreeing with the numbers Nicola Willis was reporting?Not proven. Just rhetoric.
3. This week’s recession news and the Treasury’s massive downgrading >>>>>>of its productivity forecasts reinforced the current Government’s lack >>>>>>of a strategy to pivot to productivity;
I have stated my opinion. Don't you agree with it?
Do you think they were wrong this time? If so, why?Neither the OECD nor the IMF are universally right.
4. The OECD and IMF have repeatedly advised New Zealand Governments of >>>>>>both flavours that a pivot to productivity would need to see capital >>>>>>and wealth taxed in ways similar to other countries (as opposed to not >>>>>>at all) and for an economic and legal restructuring to massively >>>>>>increase competition;
Nonsense.Are you referring to the overspend on $2.9 billion to lower taxes for >>>>landlords? and the attack on the Treaty of Waitangi - just as much an >>>>attack on the integrity of New Zealand's reputation as theThat's what happens when a government spends 6 years achieving nothing except
5. MSD reported this week it is now rejecting around 220 pleas each >>>>>>day for emergency food grants to save money, just as food banks >>>>>>reported surges in demand and funding cuts by the Government. >>>>>>Meanwhile, about 220 workers are emigrating each day because low wages >>>>>>aren’t enough to cover high rents, electricity bills and food bills; >>>>>>and,
racist policies and overspending, you do remember that Labour led garbage >>>>>don't
you?
cancellation of a contract for two ferries. But the number of New >>>>Zealanders in poverty has steadily increased under this government so >>>>despite emigration we are paying more in social welfare payments >>>>instead of having them pay taxes - no wonder the current government
are borrowing faster than the previous government.
I have, And?And you should read the rest of that articleAnd?
6. Despite its self-professed ‘Going for Housing Growth’ strategy, we >>>>>>learned this week the Government has blocked Kainga Ora was developing >>>>>>land near Tauranga for over 30,000 houses and has reversed plans to >>>>>>build over 1,000 new homes next year, event though they are consented >>>>>>and land is available. Meanwhile, I understand Kainga Ora has decided >>>>>>to dissolve its LEAD Alliance partnership with private builders, >>>>>>engineers and lawyers in Auckland that was designed to build up to >>>>>>$200 million worth of homes each year.
noting that whatever you post is not motivated by the greater good but
is solely motivated by a desire to oppose anti-Government rhetoric.
There you go Rich. Posters who have a valid point of view differentNo comment Tony? Perhaps you are happy with so many front line roles >>disappearing . . .______________________
There is further analysis following those brief summaries, but sadly >>>>>>more of the same sort of observations for:
December 23: >>>>>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-picks-n-mixes-for-monday
and to help Tony, here they are:
1. Rachel Helyer Donaldson’s scoop via RNZ last night of cuts to >>>>maternity jobs in the health system;
to you don't have to respond to every point you (or others) make.
Irrelevant off topic.
2. Maddy Croad’s scoop via The Press-$ this morning on funding cuts
for Christchurch’s biggest food rescue charity;
When the government decides not to support the worst off in having
food over Christmas, while accepting for themselves a 10% pay rise,
does that seem fair to you, Tony?
No comment Rich. Don't misinterpret why I choose not to respond in
this post.
That is a total figment of your fevered anti-Government imaginationNo, it is paying off donors - but corruption is not a words you, orIrrelevant off topic.
3. Benedict Collins’ scoop last night via 1News on a last-minute >>>>cabinet decision to allow commercial fishing in a few new protected >>>>areas of the Hauraki Gulf;
they, seem to understand . . .
Rich. You make these sort of comments but can never cite reliable and >factual evidence.
Yet another PPP proves bad for our country's finances - but they are >>planning more!Irrelevant off topic.
4. News via RNZ on Saturday morning the Government had to rewrite the >>>>PPP for Transmission Gully and NZTA has taken back responsibility for >>>>parts of it;
A government that ignores the needs of just one community, they do not >>deserve our supportIrrelevant off topic.
5. Annemarie Quill’s feature in Stuff yesterday about coastal erosion >>>>in the West Coast town of Granity and how locals want a flood zone >>>>designation blocked to avoid losing insurance; and,
Our government probably sees Trump as the sort of success they wouldIrrelevant off topic.
6. News via the FT-$ this morning that Donald Trump’s transition team >>>>plans to pull the US out of the World Health Organisation on day one
of his presidency.
like to emulate . . .
What evidence do you have that our Government has any such wish?
Care to cite this Rich? My bet is you wont because this will involve >revealing significant financial impropriety on the part of KO.So here are the next lot:
December 24: >>>>>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-pick-n-mix-for-tues-dec
This morning’s six standouts for me at 6.30 am include:
Kainga Ora is quietly planning to sell over $1 billion worth of
state-owned land under 300 state homes in Auckland’s wealthiest
suburbs, including around Bastion Point, to give the Government more
fiscal room to pay for tax cuts and reduce borrowing.
Unlikely, don't you think?A new report on youth homelessness warns of more teens sleeping roughHow is this a bad reflection on the Government? How about the numbers
over Christmas.
Kainga Ora has evicted more tenants for bad behaviour in the last four >>months than in the previous 24 months.
of neighbours terrorised by KO tenants secure that they can threaten >neighbours without consequences?
There are no vape control officers along the entire East Coast of thePerhaps they cannot afford vapes?
North Island.
The Government chose a lower minimum wage than that recommended byCan you cite this? No reference in the MSM for this and if true they
MBIE for the second year running.
usually don't miss out.
Bernard Hickey made a similar "world" comment in other days - perhaps light-headed, but also a reminder that we operate in a world that isDonald Trump wants to take over Panama and Greenland.
How is that an issue with our Government?
On Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:53:22 -0000 (UTC), Tony
<lizandtony@orcon.net.nz> wrote:
Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:Of course there is - but why can you not see it, Tony?
From https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-last-saturday-soliloquyNo proven link.
the six things that mattered in AotearoaÂ’s political economy around >>>housing, climate and poverty in the week to Saturday, December 21
(Gravy Day1) are:
1. Nicola Willis pledged this week to cut public spending even harder >>Excellent, may there be more of it.
to reduce public indebtedness after learning the first year of
austerity had already helped cause New ZealandÂ’s worst recession since >>>Ruth RichardsonÂ’s Mother of All Budgets in 1991, and was making it
even harder to reduce debt/GDP because the strategy to cut debt to GDP >>>was increasing debt and reducing GDP;
Virtually all councils oversepend our money. The change is well overdue.
2. Simeon Brown and Christopher Luxon doubled down on blaming councils >>>for reckless spending on pet projects for double-digit rate increases, >>>even though councils rightly accuse the Government itself of causing
the rates increases by cutting capital grants;
For years the conservative candidates for Councils preached "lower
rates" - and hence there is near universal underspending on
infrastructure -
now this government cancelled Three Waters and are
demanding that work be paid through rates - and some Councils cannot
borrow money as they are near their limit for borrowing - this
government believes they should be making local decisions . . .
It was an official report - the Half Year Economic Update! Are you disagreeing with the numbers Nicola Willis was reporting?Not proven. Just rhetoric.
3. This weekÂ’s recession news and the TreasuryÂ’s massive downgrading
of its productivity forecasts reinforced the current GovernmentÂ’s lack >>>of a strategy to pivot to productivity;
Neither the OECD nor the IMF are universally right.
4. The OECD and IMF have repeatedly advised New Zealand Governments of >>>both flavours that a pivot to productivity would need to see capital
and wealth taxed in ways similar to other countries (as opposed to not
at all) and for an economic and legal restructuring to massively
increase competition;
Do you think they were wrong this time? If so, why?
Are you referring to the overspend on $2.9 billion to lower taxes for landlords?That's what happens when a government spends 6 years achieving nothing except >>racist policies and overspending, you do remember that Labour led garbage don't
5. MSD reported this week it is now rejecting around 220 pleas each
day for emergency food grants to save money, just as food banks
reported surges in demand and funding cuts by the Government.
Meanwhile, about 220 workers are emigrating each day because low wages >>>arenÂ’t enough to cover high rents, electricity bills and food bills; >>>and,
you?
and the attack on the Treaty of Waitangi - just as much an
attack on the integrity of New Zealand's reputation as the
cancellation of a contract for two ferries. But the number of New
Zealanders in poverty has steadily increased under this government so
despite emigration we are paying more in social welfare payments
instead of having them pay taxes - no wonder the current government
are borrowing faster than the previous government.
And you should read the rest of that articleAnd?
6. Despite its self-professed ‘Going for Housing Growth’ strategy, we >>>learned this week the Government has blocked Kainga Ora was developing >>>land near Tauranga for over 30,000 houses and has reversed plans to
build over 1,000 new homes next year, event though they are consented
and land is available. Meanwhile, I understand Kainga Ora has decided
to dissolve its LEAD Alliance partnership with private builders, >>>engineers and lawyers in Auckland that was designed to build up to
$200 million worth of homes each year.
______________________
There is further analysis following those brief summaries, but sadly
more of the same sort of observations for:
December 23: >>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-picks-n-mixes-for-monday
and to help Tony, here they are:
1. Rachel Helyer DonaldsonÂ’s scoop via RNZ last night of cuts to
maternity jobs in the health system;
2. Maddy CroadÂ’s scoop via The Press-$ this morning on funding cuts
for ChristchurchÂ’s biggest food rescue charity;
3. Benedict CollinsÂ’ scoop last night via 1News on a last-minute
cabinet decision to allow commercial fishing in a few new protected
areas of the Hauraki Gulf;
4. News via RNZ on Saturday morning the Government had to rewrite the
PPP for Transmission Gully and NZTA has taken back responsibility for
parts of it;
5. Annemarie QuillÂ’s feature in Stuff yesterday about coastal erosion
in the West Coast town of Granity and how locals want a flood zone designation blocked to avoid losing insurance; and,
6. News via the FT-$ this morning that Donald TrumpÂ’s transition team
plans to pull the US out of the World Health Organisation on day one
of his presidency.
December 24: >>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-pick-n-mix-for-tues-dec
On 2024-12-24, Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:
On Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:53:22 -0000 (UTC), Tony
<lizandtony@orcon.net.nz> wrote:
Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:Of course there is - but why can you not see it, Tony?
From https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-last-saturday-soliloquyNo proven link.
the six things that mattered in Aotearoa?s political economy around >>>>housing, climate and poverty in the week to Saturday, December 21 >>>>(Gravy Day1) are:
1. Nicola Willis pledged this week to cut public spending even harder >>>Excellent, may there be more of it.
to reduce public indebtedness after learning the first year of >>>>austerity had already helped cause New Zealand?s worst recession since >>>>Ruth Richardson?s Mother of All Budgets in 1991, and was making it
even harder to reduce debt/GDP because the strategy to cut debt to GDP >>>>was increasing debt and reducing GDP;
It appears not, so could you explain the link.
Virtually all councils oversepend our money. The change is well overdue.
2. Simeon Brown and Christopher Luxon doubled down on blaming councils >>>>for reckless spending on pet projects for double-digit rate increases, >>>>even though councils rightly accuse the Government itself of causing >>>>the rates increases by cutting capital grants;
More to the point the Councils have spent on the Nice to Have first and not >spent on maintainence of the intrastructure they have. Take Wellington's >potable water issues. Took a year to fix front total disaster to all fixed. >Not that hard to just maintain the network.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537439/wellington-water-s-changes-to-limit-water-wastage-this-summer
For years the conservative candidates for Councils preached "lower
rates" - and hence there is near universal underspending on
infrastructure -
See above. When has anyone saying the they are goint to have higher rates by >choice?
now this government cancelled Three Waters and areThe paying of water network through rates should be the way to go. Maybe
demanding that work be paid through rates - and some Councils cannot
borrow money as they are near their limit for borrowing - this
government believes they should be making local decisions . . .
some help for the country folk. However the Government is trying to force
the Councils to do as they should do. Core services first.
Another small point. It was the People who cancelled the The Waters, not the >coalition Government.
It was an official report - the Half Year Economic Update! Are youNot proven. Just rhetoric.
3. This week?s recession news and the Treasury?s massive downgrading
of its productivity forecasts reinforced the current Government?s lack >>>>of a strategy to pivot to productivity;
disagreeing with the numbers Nicola Willis was reporting?
Neither the OECD nor the IMF are universally right.
4. The OECD and IMF have repeatedly advised New Zealand Governments of >>>>both flavours that a pivot to productivity would need to see capital >>>>and wealth taxed in ways similar to other countries (as opposed to not >>>>at all) and for an economic and legal restructuring to massively >>>>increase competition;
Do you think they were wrong this time? If so, why?
They have a record of not being spot on? It is just the nature of the beast.
Are you referring to the overspend on $2.9 billion to lower taxes forThat's what happens when a government spends 6 years achieving nothing except
5. MSD reported this week it is now rejecting around 220 pleas each
day for emergency food grants to save money, just as food banks >>>>reported surges in demand and funding cuts by the Government. >>>>Meanwhile, about 220 workers are emigrating each day because low wages >>>>aren?t enough to cover high rents, electricity bills and food bills; >>>>and,
racist policies and overspending, you do remember that Labour led garbage don't
you?
landlords?
No we are Not. We are referring to the spending by the Labour Government. >I'll repeat, the Labour Government.
and the attack on the Treaty of Waitangi - just as much an
attack on the integrity of New Zealand's reputation as the
cancellation of a contract for two ferries. But the number of New
Zealanders in poverty has steadily increased under this government so
despite emigration we are paying more in social welfare payments
instead of having them pay taxes - no wonder the current government
are borrowing faster than the previous government.
And you should read the rest of that articleAnd?
6. Despite its self-professed ?Going for Housing Growth? strategy, we >>>>learned this week the Government has blocked Kainga Ora was developing >>>>land near Tauranga for over 30,000 houses and has reversed plans to >>>>build over 1,000 new homes next year, event though they are consented >>>>and land is available. Meanwhile, I understand Kainga Ora has decided >>>>to dissolve its LEAD Alliance partnership with private builders, >>>>engineers and lawyers in Auckland that was designed to build up to
$200 million worth of homes each year.
______________________
There is further analysis following those brief summaries, but sadly >>>>more of the same sort of observations for:
December 23: >>>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-picks-n-mixes-for-monday
and to help Tony, here they are:
1. Rachel Helyer Donaldson?s scoop via RNZ last night of cuts to
maternity jobs in the health system;
This is a reflection of how dire the state of the Country's finances are >caused by The Labour Government.
2. Maddy Croad?s scoop via The Press-$ this morning on funding cuts
for Christchurch?s biggest food rescue charity;
As above. As I have said if the NZ economy is not in good order the whole >state of the country can not supply all the things that are considered must >haves, or needed.
Government's are supposed to be caretakers.
3. Benedict Collins? scoop last night via 1News on a last-minute
cabinet decision to allow commercial fishing in a few new protected
areas of the Hauraki Gulf;
4. News via RNZ on Saturday morning the Government had to rewrite the
PPP for Transmission Gully and NZTA has taken back responsibility for
parts of it;
At least we have a working infrastructure.
5. Annemarie Quill?s feature in Stuff yesterday about coastal erosion
in the West Coast town of Granity and how locals want a flood zone
designation blocked to avoid losing insurance; and,
Book in a consultation with mother nature. Erosion is going on all over the >planet.
6. News via the FT-$ this morning that Donald Trump?s transition team
plans to pull the US out of the World Health Organisation on day one
of his presidency.
December 24: >>>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-pick-n-mix-for-tues-dec
On 24 Dec 2024 22:50:44 GMT, Gordon <Gordon@leaf.net.nz> wrote:What rubbish. Of course they are not.
On 2024-12-24, Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:
On Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:53:22 -0000 (UTC), Tony
<lizandtony@orcon.net.nz> wrote:
Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:Of course there is - but why can you not see it, Tony?
From https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-last-saturday-soliloquyNo proven link.
the six things that mattered in Aotearoa?s political economy around >>>>>housing, climate and poverty in the week to Saturday, December 21 >>>>>(Gravy Day1) are:
1. Nicola Willis pledged this week to cut public spending even harder >>>>Excellent, may there be more of it.
to reduce public indebtedness after learning the first year of >>>>>austerity had already helped cause New Zealand?s worst recession since >>>>>Ruth Richardson?s Mother of All Budgets in 1991, and was making it >>>>>even harder to reduce debt/GDP because the strategy to cut debt to GDP >>>>>was increasing debt and reducing GDP;
It appears not, so could you explain the link.
From that article: "Willis doubles down on austerity, despite GDP
slump & new forecast showing it actually cuts GDP & increases public >indebtedness"
and
"The Government ploughed ahead with an even more aggressive austerity >programme this week after being told its own spending cuts this year
and high interest rates had created the deepest recession since the
1991 Mother of All Budgets, which PM Christopher Luxon has referred to
as the lesson we needed to relearn from 35 years ago of ‘tightening
our belt’ and ‘living within our means’.
The results this week of that austerity programme included:
the cancellation of a pilot that allowed Maori and Pacific people to
access bowel cancer screening starting from the age of 50;
the collapse of obstetric services at Whakatane hospital;
the sacking of over 1,000 IT workers that hospital staff have warned
will lead to deaths;
the cutting of funds for food banks and tougher criteria for emergency
food grants from MSD;
the cancellation of over 1,000 new house builds by Kainga Ora next
year; and,
the cutting of funding for a successful immunisation programme for
Maori and Pacifica, just as doctors warned of a whooping cough
epidemic."
and:
"Where’s the strategy to revive productivity?
New Zealand’s GDP per capita suffered its worst recession since the
1991 recession in the June and September quarters, thanks in large
part to interest rates being higher and for longer than in other
countries and the Government arresting the development of new houses, >schools, local roads and hospitals in the March quarter and unleashed
10,000 job cuts in the public service.
Treasury also reported this week it had lowered its productivity
forecasts for years to come, which was reflected in its downgrading of
its forecast size of the economy out to 2029, a reduction in taxes and
a $20 billion increase in the Government’s borrowing requirements.
Yet there is no suggestion from the Government of it adopting any of
the recommendations of the likes of the Productivity Commission (which
it dismanted), the OECD, the IMF and countless tax working groups and >official inquiries that New Zealand’s Government needs:
to change incentives for savings and investment in more business
equipment and IP, infrastructure, training and R&D, both public and
private, and less savings and leveraged investment in residential
land; and,
to improve competition across major sectors of our economy that are
currently dominated by quadropolies (banking and electricity),
duopolies (supermarkets and building materials) and monopolies
(airlines and insurance).
The policy changes that actually address productivity
That pivot to productivity would involve policy changes by the
Government to:
tax residential land values, wealth in assets, deceased estates and
income from capital gains in some form, as is done in other countries;
incentivise household savings and investment in pension funds, as is
done in other countries; and,
aggressively increase public investment in infrastructure such as
public transport, health, education and housing, to trigger private >investment that often piggybacks on top of new public transport, new
housing, new hospitals and new schools.
The current Government has rejected all these policies and has pledged >instead to reduce the size of Government from over 34% of GDP to 30%,
while also reducing public debt from over 40% of GDP to closer to 30%.
The theory is that will reduce inflation and encourage households and >businesses to step forward to take on more debt to invest and spend in
the areas of the economy where the Government steps back.
The problem is the strategy has been tested many times over the last
30 years and the results have been studied by the IMF, World Bank and
OECD. Repeatedly, they have advised against austerity, especially in a >recession and especially to fund tax cuts for the wealthiest, given
that cash is often saved in bank accounts, rather than spent or
invest, or is used for yet-more leveraged investment in residential
land for tax-free income from capital gains."
and:
"This week it was reported MSD is now rejecting around 220 pleas for >emergency food grants each week because it has toughened its criteria
and processes for approvals to save just over $20 million a year.
Coincidentally, perhaps, that 220 rejections is the same number of New >Zealand residents emigrating permanently each day.
New Zealander Poreva Kirikava moved with his family of five to Sydney
a week ago. He paid A$380 for his first grocery shop, where he told
the Daily Mail Australia the same shopping trip would have cost
NZ$1,000. His case emerged after he sent out a TikTok saying how he
felt after realising the difference in living costs between Australia
and New Zealand. Here’s what he said:
“After we did the food shopping, I'm bawling my eyes out because in
New Zealand, there were moments where we thought we weren't going to
eat.”
‘Reflecting on one occasion, he remembered one of his kids looking for
snacks in the pantry cupboard, only to find nothing.
“'He'd say, "Daddy, there's nothing to eat... There's no snacks". And
I would go angry. Today, I realised I wasn't angry because he was
hungry or there were no snacks, it was because I felt that I wasn't
able to provide.” Poreva Kirikava via TikTok"
and
"This week we learned the Government had blocked a plan being led by
Kainga Ora in Tauranga to develop enough greenfields land for over
30,000 houses to be built over the next 20 years.
We also learned the Government had cancelled 60% of Kainga Ora’s new
builds next year, or over 1,000 new homes, even though the land for
them was already bought, the consents were consented and there are
builders unemployed all over the place.
I’m also reliably informed from sources in and around Kainga Ora that
it decided this week to shut down its LEAD Alliance that designs and
delivers large-scale housing projects in Auckland. It was created by
Kainga Ora in 2018 with construction firms Dempsey Wood, Hick Bros
Group, engineers Tonkin + Taylor and Woods, and law firm Harrison
Grierson to build $200 million worth of homes each year.
This memo was sent internally to staff this week from a senior
executive notifying that “we have made the decision to close down LEAD >Alliance,” adding:
Due to the programme of work reducing, and project delivery timeframes
moving out, there have been increases to costs that have reduced the
value of an alliance delivery model.
We know that there has been a lot of work in recent years (and
particularly around the reset and contract extension process in 2023)
to lift the performance of the alliance. This work has been successful
and the alliance is now running very well with consistent and
predictable programme, costs to complete, communications and interface
with Kainga Ora.
However, we have determined that LEAD Alliance will not be able to
deliver the flexibility and cost efficiencies we require in our
current operating context and no longer suits our needs.
Kainga Ora, as the Owner-Participant, will supply formal notice to the >alliance on Friday 31 January, and that notice will also include
confirmation of the work packages that will proceed in the existing
alliance model, and those that will either pause or change. Kainga Ora >internal memo.
The memo went on to say Kainga Ora would finish existing projects over
the next two years."
______________________
To summarise it for you, Gordon, closing a business does not make it
more profitable, and that is what the AT1stNat coalition is trying to
do to the country.
And if you read to the bottom of the article, there are a number ofPoltical rhetoric posted by a desparate follower of a failed political dream.
links to articles giving examples of how the austerity that has
nothing to do with reducing waste is harming New Zealand badly.
Virtually all councils oversepend our money. The change is well overdue.
2. Simeon Brown and Christopher Luxon doubled down on blaming councils >>>>>for reckless spending on pet projects for double-digit rate increases, >>>>>even though councils rightly accuse the Government itself of causing >>>>>the rates increases by cutting capital grants;
More to the point the Councils have spent on the Nice to Have first and not >>spent on maintainence of the intrastructure they have. Take Wellington's >>potable water issues. Took a year to fix front total disaster to all fixed. >>Not that hard to just maintain the network.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537439/wellington-water-s-changes-to-limit-water-wastage-this-summer
For years the conservative candidates for Councils preached "lower
rates" - and hence there is near universal underspending on
infrastructure -
See above. When has anyone saying the they are goint to have higher rates by >>choice?
now this government cancelled Three Waters and areThe paying of water network through rates should be the way to go. Maybe >>some help for the country folk. However the Government is trying to force >>the Councils to do as they should do. Core services first.
demanding that work be paid through rates - and some Councils cannot
borrow money as they are near their limit for borrowing - this
government believes they should be making local decisions . . .
Another small point. It was the People who cancelled the The Waters, not the >>coalition Government.
It was an official report - the Half Year Economic Update! Are youNot proven. Just rhetoric.
3. This week?s recession news and the Treasury?s massive downgrading >>>>>of its productivity forecasts reinforced the current Government?s lack >>>>>of a strategy to pivot to productivity;
disagreeing with the numbers Nicola Willis was reporting?
Neither the OECD nor the IMF are universally right.
4. The OECD and IMF have repeatedly advised New Zealand Governments of >>>>>both flavours that a pivot to productivity would need to see capital >>>>>and wealth taxed in ways similar to other countries (as opposed to not >>>>>at all) and for an economic and legal restructuring to massively >>>>>increase competition;
Do you think they were wrong this time? If so, why?
They have a record of not being spot on? It is just the nature of the beast. >>
Are you referring to the overspend on $2.9 billion to lower taxes forThat's what happens when a government spends 6 years achieving nothing >>>>except
5. MSD reported this week it is now rejecting around 220 pleas each >>>>>day for emergency food grants to save money, just as food banks >>>>>reported surges in demand and funding cuts by the Government. >>>>>Meanwhile, about 220 workers are emigrating each day because low wages >>>>>aren?t enough to cover high rents, electricity bills and food bills; >>>>>and,
racist policies and overspending, you do remember that Labour led garbage >>>>don't
you?
landlords?
No we are Not. We are referring to the spending by the Labour Government. >>I'll repeat, the Labour Government.
and the attack on the Treaty of Waitangi - just as much an
attack on the integrity of New Zealand's reputation as the
cancellation of a contract for two ferries. But the number of New
Zealanders in poverty has steadily increased under this government so
despite emigration we are paying more in social welfare payments
instead of having them pay taxes - no wonder the current government
are borrowing faster than the previous government.
And you should read the rest of that articleAnd?
6. Despite its self-professed ?Going for Housing Growth? strategy, we >>>>>learned this week the Government has blocked Kainga Ora was developing >>>>>land near Tauranga for over 30,000 houses and has reversed plans to >>>>>build over 1,000 new homes next year, event though they are consented >>>>>and land is available. Meanwhile, I understand Kainga Ora has decided >>>>>to dissolve its LEAD Alliance partnership with private builders, >>>>>engineers and lawyers in Auckland that was designed to build up to >>>>>$200 million worth of homes each year.
______________________
There is further analysis following those brief summaries, but sadly >>>>>more of the same sort of observations for:
December 23: >>>>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-picks-n-mixes-for-monday
and to help Tony, here they are:
1. Rachel Helyer Donaldson?s scoop via RNZ last night of cuts to
maternity jobs in the health system;
This is a reflection of how dire the state of the Country's finances are >>caused by The Labour Government.
2. Maddy Croad?s scoop via The Press-$ this morning on funding cuts
for Christchurch?s biggest food rescue charity;
As above. As I have said if the NZ economy is not in good order the whole >>state of the country can not supply all the things that are considered must >>haves, or needed.
Government's are supposed to be caretakers.
3. Benedict Collins? scoop last night via 1News on a last-minute
cabinet decision to allow commercial fishing in a few new protected
areas of the Hauraki Gulf;
4. News via RNZ on Saturday morning the Government had to rewrite the
PPP for Transmission Gully and NZTA has taken back responsibility for
parts of it;
At least we have a working infrastructure.
5. Annemarie Quill?s feature in Stuff yesterday about coastal erosion
in the West Coast town of Granity and how locals want a flood zone
designation blocked to avoid losing insurance; and,
Book in a consultation with mother nature. Erosion is going on all over the >>planet.
6. News via the FT-$ this morning that Donald Trump?s transition team
plans to pull the US out of the World Health Organisation on day one
of his presidency.
December 24: >>>>>https://thekaka.substack.com/p/bernards-pick-n-mix-for-tues-dec
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