Some numbers from the budget have been doing the rounds on social media, showing that high income earners pay the lion’s share of income tax. No surprises there. But does that mean rich people pay their fair share? The income … Read More
Today saw the release of the OECD report about Aotearoa New Zealand. As a part of being part of the rich countries club, we get a regular economic check up from the OECD doctor. So, everyone please pop on this … Read More
Budget 2015 has been touted as a package for the poor. And it certainly delivers them more money. However, it gives with one hand and takes away with the other, revealing the confusing and perverse nature of our welfare system. … Read More
This week Canterbury Community Law published some research on what it was like to be a beneficiary in the Canterbury region. While the research was not representative of all beneficiaries’ experiences in New Zealand, it does highlights the dehumanising, belittling, … Read More
The good thing about John Key’s announcement of a selective capital gains tax on Auckland housing is that he has responded to the Reserve Bank’s call to “do something” about the tax distortion around property ownership. There are two bad … Read More
For those not cashed up, buying a house may not be a good move and you may be better off renting. It’s a different story for those who are cashed up. This video explains why it makes sense for the … Read More
Auckland’s housing market is now almost certainly in bubble territory, the most certain sign being the irrational reaction to the Reserve Bank Deputy Governor’s comments two weeks ago. Bank economists and politicians alike have been flailing, claiming that taxing housing … Read More
The Productivity Commission has drafted a report on how to improve the efficiency of our social services. One of the most significant recommendations, at least the one the Government and media leapt upon, relates to the ‘empowerment’ of clients – … Read More
The Reserve Bank has reopened the debate on the housing crisis, and the responses from all three major parties have been notable for their impotency. Andrew Little appears to have ditched Labour’s brave but ultimately flawed capital gains tax, and … Read More
We’re almost starting to feel sorry for the Reserve Bank. They are caught between a rock and a hard place, with inflation tamed but house prices out of control. They have tried out some tools – the loan to value … Read More