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Why are our Politicians Auckland Toll Chickens?

Gareth MorganOctober 29, 2014Economics

Yesterday both the National Government and Green Party opposed the suggestion to place a toll on Auckland’s roads, but for completely different reasons. The Government opposes it because they see it as a new tax. The Greens because they would … Read More

Saving the Saddleback From Cats – Friend or Feral?

Gareth MorganOctober 28, 2014Environment

Is the tide turning in the battle against introduced predators? Over the weekend we heard that tieke (saddleback) are nesting outside the fenced sanctuary of Zealandia. This is a landmark moment for conservation in New Zealand, but also reinforces the … Read More

The crime is not being rich, the crime is we don’t tax all the income that wealth can earn

Geoff SimmonsOctober 22, 2014Economics

In our last blog we looked at whether the claims of ‘rock star’ economist Thomas Piketty held any water or not. Short answer is that some did, some didn’t. In this blog we turn to what we should do about … Read More

Labour and the Green Party are not the only ones who care about poverty

Gareth MorganOctober 5, 2014Tax and Welfare

Dear Lefties, despite your denial, most New Zealanders care about poverty – but not for your proposed solution. I do care about poverty Given my recent comments about the state of the Left in New Zealand, I have had many … Read More

Time for a Bluegreen Party

Gareth MorganSeptember 22, 2014Environment

Congratulations to the National Party. To increase your majority in your third term, reflects public confidence in the leadership team and an endorsement that one’s policies are more attuned to the preferences of voters than those offered up by any … Read More

National’s tax policy: Sit on your hands and do nothing whilst hard working kiwis struggle

Susan GuthrieSeptember 4, 2014Tax and Welfare

Let’s be clear – current tax policies do not tax everything they should. This is a huge problem for the economy, and for anyone but those with a lot of equity in housing. Sorting it is an urgent issue, but the policies … Read More

National’s $100m Plan Just Smoke (and Mirrors) on the Water

Geoff SimmonsSeptember 3, 2014Environment

National’s latest water plan to spend $100m on buying sensitive land next to rivers won’t have as much impact on our water quality as lower dairy prices will, and certainly not as much as decent regulation would. Their plan sets … Read More

New World wants to turn your kids into mindless zombie consumers

Geoff SimmonsAugust 28, 2014Health

Parents will know the pester power unleashed by offering collectables such as toys (or in the case of Countdown, cards). This tactic has long been used by fast food companies to lure in kids. Now it is being used as … Read More

Green’s Robin Hood Tax Misses Target on Wealth & Inequality

Geoff SimmonsAugust 18, 2014Tax and Welfare

The top tax rate on income continues to be a political football and is emerging as a key battleground in this election. Shame it is an outdated and inefficient way to raise extra cash for the Government. National’s first term … Read More

Ethics shouldn’t have to be the Election Issue

Gareth MorganAugust 18, 2014Politics

What an indictment of our democracy that it’s the behaviour of our political actors that has captured the imagination of the media rather than their policies. Whether this is because the media is so lightweight that it couldn’t do analysis … Read More