Decline in services a danger to N.Z. rural communities

A N.Z. Post store in Auckland. (Google Maps) This is a bit of a grumble about large businesses closing and the socio-economic devastation they leave behind, the trends and some local observations. It stems from the announcement by New Zealand Post that 140+ stores are closing (more on that later), and the apparent lack of … Continue reading Decline in services a danger to N.Z. rural communities

The National M.P. who wants to support Maori broadcasting

Last week was Scrutiny Week. It is a week where bosses of various public service agencies go to Parliament and explain what they are doing in their agencies and why the Government should support them. Meet Greg Fleming, National Party, Member for Maungakiekie and supporter of Te Mangai Paho (T.M.P.), the agency responsible for enabling … Continue reading The National M.P. who wants to support Maori broadcasting

New Zealand superannuation’s $625 billion mistake (and other consequences)

When National Party leader Robert Muldoon was elected Prime Minister in 1975, he made a decision (not Think Big - more on that another time) that should bother every economist in New Zealand to this day. He abolished the compulsory contributory New Zealand Superannuation scheme. 50 years later, the decision to abolish that scheme is … Continue reading New Zealand superannuation’s $625 billion mistake (and other consequences)

The New Zealand General Election is NOT “in the bag”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (David Unwin). A truly astonishing thing to have happen occurred earlier this week, when Prime Minister Christopher Luxon went on Newstalk Z.B. Whilst talking to host, Mike Hosking, an avowed National supporter, he made two incredible claims: That he is a better Prime Minister than he was at the start of … Continue reading The New Zealand General Election is NOT “in the bag”

N.Z. school rebellion over Treaty symptomatic of bigger problems

A lawyer named Tania Waikato has compiled a list of schools that have said that they will honour their Treaty of Waitangi obligations, despite National Party M.P. and Minister of Education, Erica Stanford removing them. Anti-Maori lobby group Hobsons Pledge called it a victory when Ms Stanford announced that the legal obligations that tie schools … Continue reading N.Z. school rebellion over Treaty symptomatic of bigger problems