From the Desk of a Male, Pale and Stale
What if the tariff strategy fails? (Trump tariff strategy, part three)
Economy
The All Talk NZ Treasury Secretary
Throw out his rubbish all-talk ‘Te Ara Mokopuna 2025 Consultation’.
How the Harvard Drama Continues to Escalate
Histrionics and hypocrisy. The craziness continues at the Crimson.
Regards Free Trade, Did NZ Get Conned by the European Union?
Our trade agreement with it cost our government $280 million a year.
Is This True Asylum or Backdoor Immigration
How New Zealand's loopholes are being exploited.
Trump vs the Meteor
Getting our house in order will almost certainly require real, painful sacrifice from taxpayers and beneficiaries of government programs. It is not clear if Trump has the will to do all that is necessary. If he does, history suggests that he will be punished instead of rewarded for this courage.
China, Throw Down your Wall
Give freedom to your people. Doing so will eliminate America’s trade deficit with your nation and end the tariffs.
Britain Has a State Addiction
It isn’t just direct, obvious welfare, but a web of indirect dependency through pointless jobs and services tied to government. And it isn’t just an economic millstone – it’s a cultural rot. The US risks the same fate unless it heeds the warning.
Māori Must Take Control
Children need stability, routine, security, and a mother and a father they can rely on. Welfare has robbed too many of these vital necessities. It isn’t the rest of New Zealand, the government, the public service, the Waitangi Tribunal, charities or academics who can fix this problem.
How Does NZ Labour Compare to National on State Size?
This graph makes National look like one of the most fiscally responsible governments in the world.
Luxon Needs to Button It: Winston Peters Is the Foreign Affairs Maestro
If Luxon keeps flapping his gums, he’s not just risking a tariff slap: he’s gambling with our economic future. A misstep with Trump, China or the EU could cost jobs, jack up prices and leave Kiwis cursing.
Face of the Day
Despite the 2023 loss, Jackson was confident Labour’s support was growing. “I think it’s coming back, I know it’s coming back, we’ve seen that and we’ll be putting some strong policies in place over the next 18 months to ensure that support and continue that support.”
Why Does Milei Need an IMF Bailout?
An IMF loan is generally indicative of fiscal calamity and, 22 times since 1958, Argentina has secured them for just that reason. However, this time they might even get their money back.
My War With the NZTA: Part Deux
If it seems from all the foregoing that I have become mildly obsessed with the NZTA and the traffic management racket, I plead guilty. I should get out more often. Oh, that’s right, I do get out often. It’s just that every time I try to go anywhere, road cones dog me every step of the way.