Written By:
- Date published:
12:01 pm, July 24th, 2025 - 11 comments
Categories: act, coalition of chaos, corruption, Dirty Politics, Donald Trump, International, national/act government, political parties, same old national, Steven Joyce -
Tags: Andrew Hoggard, climate, nz first, Regulatory Capture, winston peters
In politics, regulatory capture is a form of corruption of authority that occurs when a political entity, policymaker, or regulator is co-opted to serve the commercial, ideological, or political interests of a minor constituency.1
… As a rule, regulation is acquired by the industry and is designed and operated primarily for its benefit…
We propose the general hypothesis: every industry or occupation that has enough political power to utilize the state will seek to control entry.
George Stigler, The Theory of Economic Regulation (1971)
Last year, I observed that our government had been captured by corporate interests.
Don’t get me wrong here – there’s nothing wrong with businesses.
Every government serves constituents.
And businesses have always been an integral part of modern economics. The more benign governments generally try to govern for all – balancing interests across all legitimate groups for the betterment of society.
In our current system, businesses take risks, expend capital, and seek to gain returns for its owners. Some fail and some succeed.
They typically hire workers and workers take pay to buy from businesses and/or invest.
As capital grew though, over time, those“owners” became less and less the Mum and Pop shops.
They became international conglomerates – some directed by oligarchs, or those that worked for their interests, and some directly owned by them –
For example:
“Ownership” is also commonly shared by public shareholders and/or private equity investors who are not close to the “business”, but are all seeking maximum return.
You know because many people want their Kiwisaver to increase – and we laud those stocks that do.
It’s a simplified picture but enough to illustrate a point –
And that is:
Many of us co-created and bought into the system we are in to a large extent.
And while many of us now see the target as neoliberalism and the uber-wealthy, my view is that until it became difficult for more and more people, large segments of us didn’t really care too much.
Or to put it more accurately, we didn’t necessarily understand the issues – nor take time to pay attention.
And the issues are clear.
There is nothing wrong with success or wealth.
BUT when those who have reached significant levels of wealth use that capital to:
Then we have a real problem.
$1.1 million to Steve Joyce by Waikato University. Joyce advised Waikato on how to lobby for a new medical school
I argue that the American government was captured when Donald J Trump was elected.
Yes, to a large extent the first time.
But the second time was/is extraordinary.
Under the auspices of the “think/junk tank”, Heritage Foundation Project 2025, these vested interests set out a detailed playbook for how Trump, or indeed any Republican candidate, could take over the American government – and enact a corporate, Christo-fascist state.
Those measures include dismantling the Department of Education, directing aid in exchange for setting up “free market” paradises in third world countries, demolishing concepts around climate change, LGBTQ, firing any workers who don’t pledge complete loyalty etc.
Trump has happily complied – each of these has been done and continues now.
Trump has pushed for more fossil-fuel production, rhapsodized about “beautiful coal”, dubbed climate change a “hoax” and invoked his “drill, baby, drill” mantra.2
Experts allege Trump ‘invented’ a national energy crisis to justify expansion of coal, oil and gas’.
Does that sound familiar?
Because it is the precise same playbook New Zealand’s Coalition right wing have used to justify our own expansion of a dying, fossil fuel future -as Luxon does in this clip.
These governments are all regressive because they are pinned to a dialogue and narrative that they have been taught, and they then pass on this rhetoric from within a very powerful position.
In my own view, they are captured politicians who no longer seek the public interest, nor hold a strategic, evidence based way.
This morning, I watched Winston Peters call RNZ journalist Guyon Espinor a “sausage” for revealing details about NZ First’s connections to tobacco. He’s been using this supposed insult for a while now against various figures, including the opposition.
Peters had boasted about how his social media viewership surpasses3 RNZ’s, and mocked our public broadcaster for running the story.
As a recent media outlet reported, the minority parties in New Zealand (ACT and NZ First) now have their own social media teams to capture and put out footage for them.4
Some might call that propaganda, but it’s very effective.
Like the old system we co-existed within, many have now accepted this new way.
Trump’s “fake and biased” news propaganda has worked brilliantly, and some NZ politicians are simply delighted.
Barring significant electoral reform, donor transparency and the like, it will be very difficult to amend such elements — and you can be sure that any attempt to will be treated as another “must take down” by those pulling the strings.
Anyone who thinks it is easy isn’t paying attention – many of the people behind the scenes are wealthier than New Zealand by a mile – and governments are nothing compared to their awesome might and multi-pronged resources.
Still, it may be worth trying.
Excerpt from Mountain Tui Substack
New Zealand has one of the most concentrated corporate sectors in the world.
Every major sector price-regulated or otherwise is a near-oligopoly or near-monopsony or both.
And it's true of the public sector as well.
Guyon ought to have told Winston "I instantly thought of you as a hot-dog, then I realised a poodle would be more realistic."
we didn’t necessarily understand the issues – nor take time to pay attention.
Being a victim of the education system is not a terminal fate! One can always transcend such indoctrination. All it takes is intent and resolve.
Wising up to the corrosive effect of time pressure is harder. You are quite right to point to attention: the capitalist media was designed to distract you, and all of us. I had a professional career that required me to develop expertise around that.. I was just a hired gun in the labour market, naive enough to believe tv could be a force for good.
It does seem that our CoC govt is captured – bought and payed for – to a greater extent than previous administrations. Maybe the CoC isn't particularly bothered about hiding corruption anymore – it’s just their way of saying ‘NZ is open for business.’
My economic footprint is tiny – whenever possible, I give my custom to little and local.
It's been obvious for a long time now that some multi-nationals (or, if you prefer, trans-nationals) are more powerful than many actual governments. The only difference is that those orchestrating the current situation here are less subtle and more blatant about it than in the past.
Thanks again for the post.
What you say is true and I would add that a more nefarious, local actor has had their sway over many previous governments but particularly this one.
Namely the
denying people their own home and financial security'property investing industry'.I say nefarious because it seems to be acceptable, so acceptable that many MPs and regular folk partake in it.
The Real Estate industry was the single largest sector donor last election. They got their money's worth.
Great point
Aye MT, another great Post ! I spose you've read how slippery old Winnie has changed the message We have always been at war with
EastAsiaforeign buyers.…to ( never mind Newspeak, this is Winniespeak )huh?
Oh also, I hadn't seen the invite to Cam's party…..fucksake, what a rogues gallery ! And..old Chris Trotter…looks not uncomfortable either.
You might..or not, have read this? Danyl gives a bit of a early roasting of the sordid Slater creep. Prefer his take… Extra well done : )
Keep up the good work MT.
Thanks PsyclingLeft.Always !
As usual Mountain Tiu making connections and showing the back room.
Well Whale Oil's cousin Judith Collins is "giving back double" and dressing like a Cossack. She and Cam got Mark Mitchell selected, saying "More like us!!"
Judith fudged Police Stats, sold swamp Kauri logs with minimal carving, used her trip to Oravida to enhance her husband’s business, and even John Key stepped lightly. Hands Gloves money?
Some of this group of party goers spread salacious gossip about Wellington's Mayor Tori one Maurice Williamson. I bet they did that to Jacinda's partner and Jacinda as well.
Yes a horrid collection.!!
I reminded someone to read 'Dirty politics' the other day. Judith is enjoying her continuing work.
I look forward to Hager's next instalment