blog | Page 11 | The Morgan Foundation

Is a Financial Transaction Tax in New Zealand a silver bullet?

Geoff SimmonsAugust 9, 2016Tax and Welfare

Every time we discuss new taxes, people raise the possible alternative of a Financial Transaction Tax in New Zealand. Known by some as a Robin Hood Tax, or a Tobin Tax, the FTT would put a small charge on every … Read More

Guy Standing: How do we help those in risky, low paid jobs in New Zealand?

Geoff SimmonsAugust 8, 2016Tax and Welfare

Some workers in low paid jobs in New Zealand are eyeing up strike action in response to several years of low wage rises. Employers say they can’t afford to pay higher wages. Wage increases have been below 2% for the past four years, … Read More

Geoff Simmons legalising cannabis in New Zealand

Geoffonomics: The economics of legalising cannabis in New Zealand

Gareth MorganAugust 7, 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 economics of legalising cannabis in New Zealand. Which would be higher; the costs or the benefits? Would society … Read More

Fishing industry killing seabirds – Whiteboard Friday

Gareth MorganAugust 5, 2016Environment

It hasn’t been a good few weeks for the fishing industry. After the prosecution of a commercial fisher who killed 38 albatrosses on the West Coast, this week the impact of fishing industry on dolphins, seals, and seabirds was laid … Read More

Wellington City Council cat bylaw a win for the environment

Geoff SimmonsAugust 4, 2016Environment

It has been a bit of a soap opera, but today Wellington City Council agreed to include compulsory microchipping for cats as part of their animal bylaw. This is a massive step forward for both the welfare of cats and … Read More

How does the Comprehensive Capital Income Tax work?

Gareth MorganAugust 3, 2016Tax and Welfare

In June I released a report detailing my idea for a Comprehensive Capital Income Tax (CCIT). This reform would close the loopholes in the New Zealand tax system, eliminate speculation in the housing market and importantly improve the capital available … Read More

We already have a UBI: New Zealand Super

Gareth MorganAugust 2, 2016Tax and Welfare

Many countries around the world are looking at piloting an Unconditional Basic Income (UBI), and some are suggesting that New Zealand should follow suit. Actually we have been running a UBI pilot for many decades. It isn’t quite unconditional – … Read More

HomeStart Scheme will not fix houseing affordability

Why the Government’s HomeStart Scheme is Not a Solution to Housing Affordability

Geoff SimmonsAugust 1, 2016Economics

In response to questions about housing affordability on Sunday’s Q&A Nick Smith announced changes to the Kiwisaver HomeStart scheme. He is increasing the income and house price caps for people to qualify for the subsidy. This policy has failed to … Read More

NIMBY Backlash to The Auckland Unitary Plan

Geoff SimmonsJuly 29, 2016Uncategorized

With a residents association representing existing property owners in a leafy suburb threatening legal action, and wealthy residents in the coveted Paritai Drive expressing outrage, the battle lines for the Unitary Plan are drawn. The fact is that the Unitary … Read More

Towards an orderly and long term solution of the property bubble in Auckland

Gareth MorganJuly 28, 2016Economics

Auckland’s revised Unitary Plan looks good – realistically up and out is the only way the supply bottleneck can be addressed. But supply failing to keep up with demand is not the underlying cause of the property bubble in Auckland. … Read More