Privatisation and Plunder
Privatisation and Plunder is essential reading for those who want to work for a society where prosperity for all is the aim.
Economy
Posts on the economy, work, business, income, and labour
“National is Getting NZ Back on Track”?
That’s the headline of the pamphlet in the letterbox. But from their own measures is that true?
Why the next election will not be easy for Labour
This may be a one term National Government. But electoral law reform, the state of Labour’s coalition partners, a possible economic upturn and a change in National’s leader threaten this.
From In and Down to Outward-In: The Big Picture matters
The world is entering a generation of challenges not seen since the late 1930s. New Zealand is better placed than most states to weather this challenge if it prepares now.
Is National planning to welch on Paris Climate obligations?
It appears to be more and more inevitable that National will welch on the country’s Paris Accord obligations.
Wealth taxation as national self-interest
Is it only the uber wealthy and politicians that don’t want a wealth tax? Guyon Espiner talks with ex trader, now people’s economist Gary Stevenson.
Stand with Pike – preserve Health and Safety at Work
On the 15th anniversary of the Pike River disaster Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse will today be speaking to Brook van Velden about the need to preserve and strengthen safety at work laws.
76% of Kiwis rate National Coalition poor to neutral
Government hits a NEW low today after hitting a previous record low in February 2025
Why Is National Allowing Trans Tasman Resources to Destroy our Common Good?
This government is deliberately enabling private seabed mining in Taranaki to prevent New Zealand’s largest future renewable electricity supply.
The cult of reasonableness
Labour’s capital gains tax isn’t the end of the debate — it’s the beginning of a reckoning. The left’s real problem isn’t its policy. It’s the cult of reasonableness that’s made conviction sound impolite.
Mamdani
The New York City mayoral election results are expected later this afternoon NZT.
Tend Health re-brands as Aratataki – A “Charity” – And Lobbied Simeon Brown
Ryan Bridges fawns over Tend’s Telehealth corporate model which is subsidised by taxpayers, rewards private equity investors, and costs about $80 per consult
This Fonterra Failure is a New Zealand Failure
The vast majority of Fonterra shareholders have agreed to sell all its consumer brands to Lactalis, and it’s an economic crime against New Zealand.
CGT – The Empire strikes back
The usual voices have publicly attacked Labour’s proposed Capital Gains Tax using arguments that do not stack up.
Tax: the debate must continue
Today’s leak of Labour’s tax policy is unsurprising. The later Robertson and long-term Parker views are lost. And this position is at odds with much of the thinking in the Labour Party.
Is that it?
Labour’s Capital Gains Tax has been released in less than an optimal manner. And the policy is more modest than some would have liked.
Labour Day: the working class and civil emergencies
On this Labour Day, a massive shout out to all the workers in Southland, Otago and other areas affected by the storms last week. Paid and volunteer, obvious and those in the background doing support for the frontline workers.
More RONS!
National has announced it will be spending nearly three times as much on Roads of National Significance as it campaigned on and has justified dubious investment decisions by changing how benefits are calculated.
Stuff’s Lloyd Burr infers striking workers are puppets
Burr unironically asks: “Politics or pay – what’s really behind the mega strike?” without understanding all action is political, and that unions are made up of individual workers who vote
National’s $62 billion budget hole
National’s road plans are fraught with risks, with one of these projects will suck up $1 in every $10 of capital spending over 20 years. Plus: NZIER analysis has been called into question
Labour’s Future Fund is full of promise
Labour’s first cornerstone policy is a solid start
Labour’s Sub-Therapeutic Dose for Economic Sickness
Why is Labour proposing $200 million for a growth fund when New Zealand First got $3 billion?
Judith Collins’ Open Letter Is Dirty Politics
The senior National Party Cabinet Minister has penned an “Open letter to the people of New Zealand” on the New Zealand Government’s official website
Simeon Brown threatens doctors as mega strike looms
An exodus of professionals are leaving – with Kiwi citizens fleeing at levels we haven’t seen in 24 years. These incl. community GPs, doctors & nurses – and Simeon is going after those that remain
Hayek’s Acolytes and History’s Judgement
While we should acknowledge Jim Bolger’s life of service to New Zealand we should also recognise the critical and continuing damage done to New Zealand by his government.
Fiscal Choices: Scandinavia or America?
Brian Easton says we cannot attain a sustainable Scandinavian-type quality of life while keeping the existing tax system in place
New Zealand’s latest tourism promo just dropped
“The Government of New Zild has made a new tourism ad and it’s surprisingly honest and informative!”
Simeon Brown Cagey On Privatisation Meeting with Serco
The British multinational meeting was first reported by ODT. Plus: Physician Associates spell more danger for the health of our health system
Luxon’s bad faith stunt
Christopher Luxon recently wrote to Chris Hipkins seeking a bipartisan approach to gas drilling but then immediately turned this into a farce by leaking the letter to the Herald.
Kiwis are now dying in corridors & carparks
Christchurch joins Nelson ED to sound the alarm as Code Red rages across NZ departments
National announces reversal of School Building Project cuts
In the hope that it can address the Construction Industry crisis National has announced a partial reversal of cuts made to school building project made earlier in its term.
So much for the relentless focus on growth
National’s crashing of GDP growth figures makes a mockery of its claim earlier this year that the Government was relentlessly focussed on unleashing growth.
The infantilisation of Western Grand Strategy – and the rise of Eurasia.
The greatest threat Russia poses to Europe is not that it marches west but that it turns its back and builds a brighter future to the east. We may be witnessing the emergence of a Eurasian World Order.
Simeon Brown plays with Kiwi lives
Perhaps the biggest news from a jam packed news week is how, under National’s Health Ministers Shane Reti & Simeon Brown, Health NZ illegally hid staffing data for over a year to conceal their systemic understaffing of our public health.
Guest Post – Planning By Firing Squad
The Planning by Firing Squad approach is characterised by being very rushed, lacking in detail, an almost total lack of public consultation, non-existent local knowledge and consistently paying little heed to environmental effects. It is a classic Wellington Ivory Tower approach.
Adrian Orr Cover Up – A Quid Pro Quo?
Part 2 of the Adrian Orr / Neil Quigley cover up scandal. Nicola Willis knew and did not divulge the truth until the Ombudsman forced their hand last week.