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5:30 pm, July 16th, 2026 - 15 comments
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Daily review is also your post.
This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day.
The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).
Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
https://www.greens.org.nz/green_party_calls_for_union_membership_as_default_setting_for_new_employees
ACT is spitting fire over this policy because it gives workers a choice of opting out instead of opting in.
I’ll opt out of the ‘default’ membership of The Taxpayers’ Union.
Choice? CHOICE!! There will be no choice (unless we choose).
Public opinion
*Most want the age for super to stay at age 65 (58-35)
*Most support compulsory KiwiSaver contributions (70-20)
Greens support was lowest at 52%
*Most think Super should be means tested (46-40)
*Most opposed compulsory Kiwi Saver and an increased age to 67 (52-38)
This is a little moot as they could not govern without NZF Party support.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/723770/rnz-poll-most-voters-want-super-age-to-stay-at-65
I found it surprising most support compulsory KiwiSaver seeing as many are seeking hardship withdrawals.
Moreover, how many would still be so supportive when the rate of contributions increases is a question they should have asked. How high would the rate of contributions have to be before it lost majority support?
Working families are using food banks now (this explains the Green voters lower level of support).
Maybe there should be a means test to opt out.
In Oz all 12% comes from the employer.
https://employborderless.com/hiring-intelligence/employer-burden-index/
Or maybe just don't make it compulsory.
The Super Fund is a far better saving vehicle that should be better utilised.
But that debate/discussion seems to have disappeared.
A New Zealand academic is embarrassed by our governments inability to develop any policy for regulation of technology impost on the wider society – here data centres and the uptake of AI.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/725478/australia-s-move-to-set-up-ai-office-kick-up-the-bum-for-new-zealand-leaders-expert
Any Gary Stevenson fans here?
Yeah na.
He is very relevant here, given we have no CGT or estate tax/gift duty, but less so in the UK where they have these (and stamp duty).
I favour the Green policy (I see any wealth tax as a deposit on a more widespread estate tax liability, the wealth tax being targeted on the 1%)
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jul/08/how-to-get-filthy-rich-with-gary-stevenson-review-channel-4
This indicates the impact of estate tax and CGT on wealth inequality in the UK (they could focus on a higher rate stamp duty on foreigners buying into the London market).
https://quillette.com/2026/07/14/gary-stevenson-is-wrong-about-wealth-inequality/
(they could focus on a higher rate stamp duty on foreigners buying into the London market)A high stamp duty on foreigners buying property and a wealth tax as well – given they might avoid the estate tax.
Wow (from your Guardian link) the richest 56 people in the UK have as much wealth as the poorest 27 million.
Yes, life isn't fair but an economic system that creates vast disparity like this isn't helpful.
I've yet to fully view his new documentary. But agree with your Guardian link in regards to Stevenson not being an appealing presenter due to his adolescent bullishness that comes across badly on screen.
Much of this wealth is land ownership by England's artisos and the Royal family (which includes the Duchies of Cornwall and Landcaster). For example, the Five Great Duchies own £22 billion land value in Central London. Prince William pays income tax (after undeclared expenses) on his Duchy of Cornwall holdings.
https://whoownsengland.org/2017/10/28/who-owns-central-london/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duchy_of_Cornwall
The Sunday Times Rich List 2026
https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list?gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=21336839644&adgroupid=&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21334289028&gbraid=0AAAAADiwoSC7yZQZSE3oJ9H4IdIX7RQtp&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlfP33ZXYlQMVAoFLBR2AKRqmEAAYASAAEgIN0PD_BwE
The enemy of the indigenous people of this land is running National's election campaign.
Ignoring scientific method based health care under the brand of, no DEI, is the lazy ideology of Simeon Brown and the party and coalition government that he represents.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361006591/doctors-accuse-minister-and-government-silencing-scientists-and-threatening-patient-safety
'Casual' Māori-bashing is a NZ Aotearoa tradition – Hobson's Pledge feels Right.