Category Archive

Last week the Ministry of Social Development annual reports on the incomes and material wellbeing of New Zealanders were released. The release happens at the same time every year and results in the same quibbling over the measures of poverty … Read More

Queenstown – 100% Purely full The focus and debate lately has been on Auckland, which is bursting at the seams with population growth and an average housing market topping $1m. However, there is one area of the country that is … Read More

Every fortnight Geoff Simmons talks with Jesse Mulligan on RNZ’s Afternoons programme about a variety of economic issues. This week they cover what is the number one thing driving up health care costs in New Zealand, and it’s not what you … Read More

The average price of a house in Auckland is predicted to pass $1m when official figures are released later this week. In an interview on TV3’s The Nation over the weekend the Housing Minister Nick Smith (dubbed by Paddy Gower … Read More

Last week a poll revealed majority support for decriminalising marijuana, and legalising its use for medicinal purposes. Prime Minister John Key responded that the law is enforced on a discretionary basis and he is ‘not a fan’ of law reform: … Read More

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

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

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

Metiria Turei dropped a bombshell on today’s Morning Report; the Green Party wants house prices to fall substantially to restore housing affordability. It is encouraging to hear a politician display the courage to tackle this issue. Whether or not the … Read More