Geoff Simmons | Page 5 | The Morgan Foundation

Geoff Simmons legalising cannabis in New Zealand

Geoffonomics: Ghost houses

Geoff SimmonsMay 27, 2016Economics

Every fortnight Geoff Simmons talks with Jesse Mulligan on RNZ’s Afternoons programme about a variety of economic issues This week they cover the housing crisis and the impact of “ghost” houses. www.rnz.co.nz/jesse #geoffonomics Geoffonomics: Ghost houses was last modified: June … Read More

Budget 2016: Fingers in the Dyke

Geoff SimmonsMay 26, 2016Economics, Politics, Tax and Welfare

This year’s budget takes boring to a whole new level. It contains the bare minimum to keep the media wolves at the door and to set the Government up for election year. The only real surprises are some money for … Read More

Moving Freight to Rail and Shipping Makes Sense

Geoff SimmonsMay 25, 2016Economics

Yesterday the Greens announced a policy to shift road freight to rail and shipping, aiming to reduce accidents and pollution. To achieve this they propose funding rail from the same budget that currently goes to roads. Given this is a … Read More

NZ Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hit Record Levels

Geoff SimmonsMay 23, 2016Uncategorized

Over the weekend the Government released the latest greenhouse gas emissions figures, which show our emissions are at record levels. This is mostly thanks to more cars, more cows, more fertilizer, and fewer trees. We have committed to reduce emissions, … Read More

3 Questions we have to answer before abolishing Auckland’s city limit

Geoff SimmonsMay 19, 2016Property

As Auckland housing reaches a crisis point and homelessness rears its ugly head, our politicians seem to be slipping into silly season. Having refused to deal with investor demand for housing, they are forced to flog the dead horse of … Read More

Five Reasons why it is stupid to oppose new taxes

Geoff SimmonsMay 18, 2016Tax and Welfare, Uncategorized

Whenever the Morgan Foundation mentions a new tax (such as the Comprehensive Capital Income Tax, or water charges, or a junk food tax), the inevitable response appears – No New Taxes! This response tends to come from people who have … Read More

Taxing Tourists to Save Our Species

Geoff SimmonsMay 17, 2016Environment

It isn’t often that turkeys vote for Christmas, but the tourism industry has done just that, stating they are open to charging visitors to fund infrastructure. This is no doubt in the face of public pressure at the ever mounting … Read More

Buyer Data Shows We Need a Tax on All Housing

Geoff SimmonsMay 11, 2016Tax and Welfare

The data published yesterday by Land Information NZ (LINZ) was far from perfect, but what it did contain give some indications of what is happening in our housing market. Foreign buyers – at least using the definition of non-tax residents … Read More

More 1080, less paperwork. It’s a good thing!

Geoff SimmonsMay 10, 2016Environment, Uncategorized

Over the weekend the Conservation Minister Maggie Barry announced the largest ever 1080 drop in response to yet another looming rat plague. This is great news although it is only a one off – the Greens have called for an … Read More

Five Reasons to Put a Price on Water

Geoff SimmonsMay 5, 2016Environment

In recent days both Environment Minister Nick Smith and Prime Minister John Key have spoken extensively about fresh water. They continue to claim that nobody owns water, and that therefore commercial operators should not pay to use it. Regardless of … Read More