The Economic Folly of a Carbon Tax
Placing high costs on consumers based on unsettled science and unpredictable economic impacts is not a prudent policy approach.
Economy
The Govt Wants to Give Local Bodies More Power
Jonathan Barrett, Victoria University of Wellington Where should real political power and authority reside in New Zealand? Since last year’s election, that’s been the central question behind a number of significant policy reversals. Water infrastructure, health, tertiary education and tax have all been affected by the political and
PM Is Jeopardizing New Zealand
Don Brash and Rt Hon Helen Clark Bassett, Brash & Hide “Just one month after the New Zealand Government hosted the Chinese Premier in New Zealand, and with no hint of a major change in New Zealand foreign policy in the National Party’s election campaign last year, the Prime
The Cost of Eating Healthy
Puneet Vatsa, Lincoln University, New Zealand and Alan Renwick, Lincoln University, New Zealand The rising price of food has been making headlines for the past decade. But prices have not been rising consistently across all food groups – and this has major health implications for New Zealanders. Last week Stats NZ
They’re Old and They Want It All
My readers know me only too well. As an astute BFD reader commented on my recent piece about the generationally divided, two-speed economy: I just said to my wife yesterday that it was about time for Lushy’s annual boomer baiting. Annual? I can and must do better than that.
NATO Calls China an Enabler
Dave Patterson Liberty Nation (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) A seminal outcome of the 2024 NATO Summit was the acknowledgment that the Alliance must confront China. It was a shot across Beijing’s bow, and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) did not miss it. Until this year’
China’s message to New Zealand
Geoffrey Miller Geoffrey Miller is the Democracy Project’s geopolitical analyst and writes on current New Zealand foreign policy and related geopolitical issues. He has lived in Germany and the Middle East and is a learner of Arabic and Russian. He is currently working on a PhD at the University
I Would Scrap Many of Wellington’s Cycleways
Gary Moller Gary Moller is a Health Practitioner who is focused on addressing the root causes of ill health or poor performance by making use of a key forensic tool – Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis – and administering healthy, natural and sustainable therapies. Having ridden Wellington’s streets almost daily for 50
It’s Time to Split Foodstuffs – Not Make It Stronger
Lisa Asher, University of Sydney and Catherine Sutton-Brady, University of Sydney The proposed merger of Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island raises the prospect of even less choice for New Zealanders in what is an already heavily concentrated market. But will regulators prevent it from happening? New Zealand currently
Another Outstanding Speech From Chris Bishop
Don Brash Don Brash was Reserve Bank Governor from 1988 to 2002, and National Party Leader from 2003 to 2006. Four months ago, I described a speech by Chris Bishop in his capacity as Minister of Housing as perhaps the most important speech given by any Government minister since the
India Is Going Gangbusters Building Coal
Joanne Nova A prize-winning science graduate in molecular biology. She has given keynotes about the medical revolution, gene technology and aging at conferences. The need for energy in India is so dire the Modi government just leaned on the power companies to get their act together. Instead of adding the
Govt Housing Deregulation Is ‘For Property Developers’
Bryce Edwards Political Analyst in Residence, Director of the Democracy Project, School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington. Last Thursday, Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced radical new plans to deregulate property development in New Zealand. He’s won praise for his efforts from across the political spectrum, including those on
Are Lower Birth Rates Bringing the West to the Brink?
David Thunder David Thunder is a researcher and lecturer of political philosophy at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain. We are living at a time when a large segment of the world – particularly societies in Europe, North America and Asia – no longer views having children as something desirable or
There Are Two Classes These Days
In the US, the Democrats and their lickspittles are bragging that the economy is doing just fine. In Australia, Treasurer Jim Chalmers claims that the government is keeping inflation in check and mainstream media seals hork a chorus of agreement. Just don’t you believe your lyin’ eyes about the
It Is a Nightmare on Grey Street
Tani Newton A near-continuous chorus of toots, cheers and waves greeted a gathering in central Gisborne last Wednesday. About 70 people met in Grey Street, holding signs, shouting messages and chalking on footpaths, to protest the controversial ‘upgrade’ of two blocks in the busy CBD. The project is being carried
Recent Experiences with NZ Banks Not Good
Alwyn Poole Founded and was the head of Mt Hobson Middle School in Auckland for 18 years. MH Academy is now an in person private school for Years 11–13. There is now a nationwide online provision called Mt Hobson Academy Connected for Years 1–13. Back in the day