StatsNZ’s latest rental and food price index data is further proof of New Zealand’s rapidly overheating economy and the skyrocketing cost of living, National Shadow Treasurer Andrew Bayly says. “The rising cost of living was made abundantly clear when StatsNZ recently released data showing inflation was now at
Damien Smith ACT Associate Finance spokesperson The cost of living is falling fowl of New Zealanders with chicken prices a sign of what’s to come. “The egg-onomic impacts of this Government’s decisions have started to peck, but it’s no laughing matter for shoppers with Tegel putting prices
One of the most startling things — in hindsight — about economic collapses is not just how long the signs were ignored, but how quickly the inevitable collapse hits. In his memoirs, Groucho Marx recalls how he’d grown steadily uneasy with the giddiness of the stock market through 1929, but his
Nicole McKee ACT Conservation spokesperson A Government programme to carry out pest control of wallabies is costing taxpayers $685,000 per person hired. Budget documents released this week say the “cost is approximately $685,000 per job and considered low-value economic stimulus. Associated natural capital benefits should be investigated further
News that Refining New Zealand shareholders have voted to shift Marsden Point to an import only terminal adds further uncertainty to New Zealand’s energy future, National’s Energy and Resources spokesperson Barbara Kuriger says. “In four short years, Labour has upended New Zealand’s energy security and created an
Documents released to National reveal Treasury unambiguously told the Finance Minister the Car Tax shouldn’t be implemented, but the Government ploughed ahead with the policy anyway, National’s Transport spokesperson Michael Woodhouse. The documents outline a long list of concerns the Government’s lead economic and fiscal advisor had
I’ve come across a few ‘tax experts’ in my time. I’m sure there are a few good ones, but for most of them their expertise is concentrated in a very specific area, and their general tax knowledge is fairly average. But tax experts, particularly those who are partners
Dr James McDowall ACT Immigration spokesperson Labour’s inaction on immigration is creating a humanitarian and economic crisis. Families are being split at the border and being forced to choose between working in New Zealand to support their family or leaving so they can be together. Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi
With the latest labour market statistics confirming wages have only increased 2.1 per cent compared to 3.3 per cent annual inflation, New Zealanders’ pay packets are being eaten up by the rising cost of living, says National’s Shadow Treasurer Andrew Bayly. “The improving employment figures are welcome
The Government’s tinkering with monetary and financial stability policy is doing nothing to address rampant house price inflation, says National’s Shadow Treasurer Andrew Bayly. Instead, the Finance Minister Grant Robertson is using the Reserve Bank as a scapegoat for the Government’s failure to break down the barriers
I sometimes wonder if the Green-Left really are as stupid as they sound. Not just in their endless insistence that socialism will work next time, but for their apparent utter ignorance of even the most fundamental concepts of economics. Now, I don’t pretend to be an economic expert by
Well, here we are. After world governments have tried for a decade and failed to get inflation back to levels that are considered ‘healthy’ – 1% to 3% pa – suddenly, without warning, inflation rates have started to rise. I do not understand why, with constant cost increases, inflation has not been
Dr Bryce Edwards democracyproject.nz Dr Bryce Edwards is Political Analyst in Residence at Victoria University of Wellington. He is the director of the Democracy Project. Government policies have fuelled the wealth and inequality explosion, so is Labour planning to do anything about it? At this stage, the signs are
Dr Bryce Edwards democracyproject.nz Dr Bryce Edwards is Political Analyst in Residence at Victoria University of Wellington. He is the director of the Democracy Project. Jacinda Ardern’s household wealth increased by an estimated $290,000 over the last year. Although she earned nearly half a million dollars from
Sir Bob Jones nopunchespulled.com Professional gloomster Bernard Hickey, who it will be recalled spectacularly wrongly picked an imminent Auckland house price crash a decade back and sold up saying he would shift to Wellington, is at it again. He’s quoted (unsurprisingly) on the Stuff web-site saying “Past generations
Tiger Tiger, a tenacious, surprisingly well-educated animal, living and working in the real world. Having to come up with staff wages every week sharpens the senses. A favourite childhood book of mine is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It was made into a couple of movies, one with Gene Wilder,
