Defence: Army Re-Equips Its Transport Fleet
May 16th, 2013
The NZ Defence Force is taking delivery of its new fleet of MAN trucks, replacing the ageing Mercedes vehicles. Eventually the Army will have …
'Free Content' Archives
Critical By-Election For Both Labour And The Maori Party
May 13th, 2013
June 29 has been set as the date for the by-election in the Ikaroa-Rawhiti electorate, following the death of sitting MP Parekura Horomia. Nominations …
Construction Costs Face MBIE Scrutiny
May 2nd, 2013
Officials of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment have begun inquiries into building and construction industry materials markets before terms of reference for …
Media: Converged Standards Body Recommended
March 27th, 2013
The Law Commission is recommending a single new body be set up to provide NZers with a consistent set of news media standards and …
Health: Complex Project To Rebuild Christchurch Hospitals
March 21st, 2013
The Govt this week announced a $600m redevelopment of quake-damaged Christchurch hospitals, a project it claims will be the largest and most complex in …
Joyce Plugs NZ Education (and Cheese) In Malaysia
March 14th, 2013
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce was flying the NZ flag in Malaysia this week, attending a series of events to showcase education and trade …
NZ Household Savings Not So Puny, After All
February 28th, 2013
NZers are not poor savers after all. The Reserve Bank is understood to have completed work, leading to new figures which show household wealth …
New Director For NZ China Council
February 14th, 2013
NZ China Council chairman Sir Don McKinnon says Patrick English will be the council’s new executive director whose initial focus will be on preparing …
Agriculture: Welcome Lift For Dairy Incomes
December 13th, 2012
Fonterra’s decision to lift its 2012-13 payout forecast by 25c from $5.25kg of milksolids to $5.50 could pump an additional $400m into the dairy …
Social Policy: New Unit To Evaluate Performance
November 22nd, 2012
Ministers have long complained large sums allocated to social policy areas disappear into a black hole without ever getting any idea how useful the …
Crown Accounts For Quarter Put Surplus At Risk
November 8th, 2012
The Crown accounts for the first quarter of 2012-13 showed the deficit standing at $2.1bn, or $449m higher than forecast. Core Crown tax and …
Politics: Pressures On Coalition Unrelenting
November 8th, 2012
Pressures on John Key’s coalition have been unrelenting, and it’s beginning to show, in personal performance, if not in the polls. Key’s own misjudgements, …
Labour Law To Be Amended
November 1st, 2012
Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson copped predictable flak from union bosses, after Cabinet approved her paper to amend Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act. …
Politics: PM Keeps His Equanimity In Face Of Adversity
November 1st, 2012
John Key hasn’t lost his sense of humour, despite an ugly month for the Govt. He quipped to a Queenstown audience “that bloke (Kim …
Diplomacy: NZ Puts Valuable Paris Property Up For Sale
October 26th, 2012
Foreign Minister Murray McCully confirmed to Trans Tasman this week the Govt is exploring options for the sale of the NZ chancery and residence …
More Relief From New Set Of ACC Levies
October 11th, 2012
Another significant cut in accident compensation levies suggests ACC is getting something right. The corporation has been under the cosh for privacy breaches this …
Labour’s Shane Jones Hits Out At Greenpeace, And Greens
October 4th, 2012
Increasing restiveness in Labour ranks over Green Party comments on mining and other issues burst to the surface this week when Labour’s fiercely tribal …
NZ Economy Resilient In Face Of Adversity
September 27th, 2012
Ministers showed relief GDP growth in the June quarter was ahead of market expectations, and at 0.6% for the quarter lifted the annual rate …
Occupy Protest Not So bad For Auckland?
September 21st, 2012
Following outrage expressed by ratepayers, Auckland Council earlier this year used a security firm to remove dozens of “Occupy” protestors linked to the …
Defence: New Pay Deal For Defence Personnel
September 13th, 2012
A new pay deal for NZ’s armed forces is due to be announced next week, ending the pay freeze which has applied since 2008. …
Auckland Council HQ costs continue to balloon
September 6th, 2012
Drip feeding of cost information about the move by Auckland Council to a new headquarters building in central Auckland continues. As first disclosed in …
Economy: unwelcome surprise for dairy farmers
August 31st, 2012
Fonterra’s decision to shave 30c off its opening payout forecast came as an unwelcome surprise to dairy farmers who had seen prices firming in …
Fresh successes in onshore drilling programme
August 23rd, 2012
Fresh successes in high-return, lower risk drilling programme onshore in Taranaki underpin the buoyant mood among oil explorers. London-based Kea Petroleum is the latest …
Bulk purchasing upsets construction sector
August 16th, 2012
Unease is evident in the building and construction industry at plans of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MoBIE) to enter into bulk …
Play of the week: day after day
August 16th, 2012
Best news – genuine best news, as opposed to the manufactured stuff – this week was ValerieAdams getting her gold medal. Having been beaten …
Diplomacy: plum jobs for political appointees
August 2nd, 2012
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully this week confirmed the report in Trans Tasman (July 19) Mike Moore’s term as Ambassador to the US will …
Politics: Christchurch CBD blueprint test for Govt
August 2nd, 2012
The Govt has reached a couple of crunch points in this, its second term, beginning with the delivery of a blueprint for a new …
Lobbyists with access cards to parliament
July 26th, 2012
Speaker Lockwood Smith has released the names of 15 people, mainly lobbyists, who have access cards to Parliament. The list includes lawyers, PR executives, …
Diplomacy: politicians filling top posts
July 19th, 2012
Former Ministers have secured themselves top slots on the diplomatic circuit. Trans Tasman understands Mike Moore will be extended for three years as NZ’s …
Housing: affordability now a crucial issue for Govt
July 12th, 2012
High on the Govt’s agenda is the issue of affordable housing, made more acute in Christchurch by the quakes, and in Auckland by the …
Foreign affairs: McCully plugs Asian connectivity
July 5th, 2012
Foreign Minister Murray McCully heads to Cambodia next week to attend the East Asian Summit Foreign Ministers’ conference, part of the drive to build …
Challenge to repeat first quarter performance
June 28th, 2012
NZ’s economic performance in the first quarter was a shaft of light in the otherwise encircling gloom. The 1.1% increase in GDP in the …
Defence: NZ enters new era in US co-operation
June 21st, 2012
It’s not the rebirth of ANZUS, but the Washington Declaration signed this week by NZ Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman and US Defence Secretary Leon …
Treaty document moved to new home
June 15th, 2012
NZ’s founding document, the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, is to be relocated from its current home in the Archives NZ building to the newly …
Defence : Burgeoning Warmth In US-NZ Military Ties
June 7th, 2012
Confirming the burgeoning warmth of military ties between NZ and the US, Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last weekend …
National not so super as it sticks to pledge
May 31st, 2012
The Govt took a pounding from the commentariat over its failure to deal with the costs of superannuation, which will rise by 30% over …
Call for changes to tax structure
May 24th, 2012
Former Future Fund chairman David Murray, says Aust has nothing to show for its record terms of trade, because the tax structure is too …
Education: budget’s big winner
May 17th, 2012
Education is a big winner in this year’s budget, with an extra $511m earmarked for new initiatives over the next 4 years. An additional …
Talks to set timetable for NZ Afghan withdrawal
May 10th, 2012
Crucial decisions on the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan are expected to be framed at the ISAF conference in Chicago called by President Barack …
Economy: mixed signals in latest data
May 3rd, 2012
Economic data this week pointed to encouraging trends in some sectors, less favourable in others. The National Bank’s monthly survey reported business confidence has …
Peters tries to embellish super gold benefits
April 26th, 2012
Nice try, Winston. NZ First leader Winston Peters got himself a quick news bite with his call to the Govt to apply a 10% …
NZ experience duplicated in the UK
April 19th, 2012
Meanwhile, in Britain last week the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee has strongly criticised budget cuts to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. …
Is Sky City deal still on track?
April 19th, 2012
Is the Govt’s appetite for a deal with Sky City waning? When the proposal was first announced, John Key enthused about the jobs a …
Critical for NZ to seize Agri-Business opportunities
April 4th, 2012
NZ is world class in a number of facets along the agri-business supply chain, and in the delivery of perishable products in distant markets. …
NZ in joint US military exercise
March 29th, 2012
US military aircraft are exercising in NZ this week for the first time since the 1994 Anzus impasse. A USAF C-17 and a US …
China representation beefed up
March 22nd, 2012
The Govt has moved to beef up ailing parts of its official engagement with China by appointing former Deputy PM and Commonwealth Secretary-General Sir …
A land of opportunity for NZ
March 15th, 2012
With 60m people and regime-change gathering pace in Myanmar, NZ mustn’t be left behind as nations queue up to seize opportunities there. This is …
Diplomatic headache intensifies for McCully
March 8th, 2012
Foreign Minister Murray McCully faces an increasingly intractable problem on his return from Myanmar as MFAT CEO John Allen’s new business model is starting …
Orion’s surveillance mission on anti-whalers
March 2nd, 2012
The Govt has ordered a P3 Orion to carry out a patrol in NZ’s southern waters after reports anti-whaling activists Sea Shepherd has been …
Green Party flexes its muscle for “partnership”
February 23rd, 2012
The Green Party is sounding confident, not to say cocky, in the wake of the publicity coup it scored at the expense of Speaker …
Improving MMP: Will NZers respond?
February 16th, 2012
NZers have a chance to improve the MMP electoral system through the consultation process launched this week by the Electoral Commission, though 2 issues …
Funding gap for Auckland’s transport projects
February 9th, 2012
Transport briefing papers warn Auckland’s transport woes can’t be fixed by current road upgrades, and even with the completion of the city’s motorway system …
FTA with Russia on ambitious timetable
February 2nd, 2012
Negotiations for a Russia NZ FTA are expected to accelerate, in time for a deal to be signed up in Vladivostok in November. …
Dairy industry proving it’s an economic saviour
February 2nd, 2012
Huge volumes of dairy products are being shipped to markets abroad, suggesting the export boom is not yet topping out, despite some forecasts it …
Roll Call – How Our MPs Performed in 2011
December 14th, 2011
Trans Tasman’s Editors have once again run their rule over NZ’s MPs and rated their performance in 2011. Roll Call looks at how they’ve …
Staunching drift from the left
December 2nd, 2011
Phil Goff took the rap for Labour’s crushing defeat, and it’s clear the party needs to take a good hard look at itself. Apart …
Peters completes latest reincarnation
December 2nd, 2011
In his latest reincarnation (perhaps his last?), the great survivor in NZ politics Winston Peters is set to apply the blow-torch to Key’s coalition. …
The Main Report Group’s “Sacred Cows” Survey Reveals The Retirement Age Must Rise, No Support For MMP And Too Many Parliamentary Seats
October 17th, 2011
After 12 years on the front line in politics Simon Power concluded Parliament is too often afraid to tackle the “tough issues” for fear …
Capital talk: Buzz from the beehive
October 13th, 2011
The master of the container ship Rena celebrated his birthday on Wednesday last week, the day the ship ran aground on the Astrolabe …
Time to turn swing voters into loyalists
October 13th, 2011
National is so far ahead in the polls, conventional political wisdom says it will win the general election, if not by a country mile, …
Who’s to blame for the finance sector debacle?
October 7th, 2011
A row has broken out over the finance company debacle, with Auditor-General Lynn Provost criticising Treasury for failing to intervene early enough to lower …
Play of the Week: Don’t insult our intelligence
October 7th, 2011
Oh, come on now. Anyone who believes John Key’s appearance on RadioLive was not political needs a brain cell check, and perhaps a reality …
Currency volatility: Which way will the dollar go?
September 30th, 2011
The NZ dollar dipped sharply last week, falling from US82.2c on Wednesday to US78c on Friday, well down on its post-float high of US88.43c …
Welcome mat laid out for Chinese investors
September 30th, 2011
Visiting Chinese Deputy Premier Hui Liangyu got concrete proof Chinese investment in NZ will be officially welcomed, with the signing of a Memorandum of …
Sir Paul Callaghan bemoans NZ lowly position
September 23rd, 2011
Sir Paul Callaghan, who Trans Tasman believes rates up there among the greatest living NZers, drew 1400 people last week to Wellington’s Town Hall …
Play of the week: Politics, impure politics
September 23rd, 2011
Why might a Govt legitimately introduce retrospective legislation? The idea sends constitutional purists – who admittedly tend not to get much excitement in their …
In the lobby: News from the frontline
September 16th, 2011
The Govt’s Criminal Procedure (Reform and Modernisation) Bill is in trouble. ACT is opposed to some of its provisions and Justice Minister Simon Power …
Play of the week: Covering the waterfront
September 16th, 2011
It’s been a few days now since anyone last suggested the Rugby World Cup would create a kind of politics-free zone.
Stop laughing, now.
This was …
Economic debate: Are we better off under National?
September 9th, 2011
If the opinion polls are our guide, most of us feel sufficiently well off under National – or confident we will be – to …
Uphill struggle to secure post-Kyoto deal
September 9th, 2011
Tim Groser is back on the road attending a Ministerial meeting in Pretoria laying the groundwork for the UN climate change conference in Durban …
NZers waking up to impact of Rugby World Cup
August 26th, 2011
NZers are only just now waking up to the economic significance of the Rugby World Cup tournament, due to open in just 15 days’ …
Play of the week: Poll positions
August 26th, 2011
Three months out from the election, what do we see? National has sort of driven a juggernaut to the top of a hill and …
Economic debate: Are interest rates too low?
August 19th, 2011
National backbencher Peseta Sam Lotu-iiga had the job of tossing Finance Minister Bill English a patsy question about financial markets and the signals they …
Groser’s vision for Asia-Pacific trading bloc
August 19th, 2011
Speaking in Beijing this week, Trade Minister Tim Groser outlined how a trading bloc in the Asia-Pacific region could rival and even overshadow the …
Economic debate: Where to now for recovery?
August 12th, 2011
The European Commission this week advised it is premature to say the 27-country EU is entering a recession. The Commission’s economic forecasts (a spokesman …
Play of the week: Was there a man dismayed?
August 12th, 2011
National heads into its election year party conference this year looking like it is enjoying a kind of Charge of the Light Brigade in …
The MMP leg rope
August 8th, 2011
The criticism MMP means ‘the tail wagging the dog’ has never seemed quite right. In practice, smaller parties have not been able to wield …
Mana v Maori Party: It’s utu time
August 8th, 2011
Hone Harawira’s fledgling political party Mana is to hold its AGM on Sunday and amongst other things it will discuss whether to run for …
US visit appraisal: Bad timing hinders Key
July 29th, 2011
John Key has had confirmed in politics, timing is the essence. His call on the White House and President Barack Obama could not have …
Exclusive: Trans Tasman talks with David Parker
July 29th, 2011
He’s been tagged Labour’s policy guru and maestro, and David Parker is clearly a man on the move. After years of playing an influential …
Play of the week: Shock therapy
July 22nd, 2011
Be careful what you wish for. Commentators, and indeed the general public, often wish politicians would be more courageous, and more prepared to endorse …
Labour’s CGT proposal not so equitable
July 22nd, 2011
The starting point in justifying a CGT is a buck is buck and no matter where your income comes from you should pay tax. …
Parties target their message to exploit MMP
July 15th, 2011
As NZ voters have become increasingly sophisticated about MMP, so too have parties in pitching their messages to target audiences.
John Key has dominated …
ACC turnaround: Lower levies touted
July 15th, 2011
The Govt was flagging victory this week in its campaign to turn around the finances of ACC, after reversing the deficits of $2.4bn in …
NZ’s huge energy resource could be tapped by 2021
July 8th, 2011
NZ’s gas hydrate resources, at shallow depths below the seabed, are potentially among the largest in the world, with the most promising deposits being …
Play of the Week: Stop the shadow boxing
July 8th, 2011
The debate over the country’s electoral system is degenerating into a battle between left and right by other means. In the red corner, the …
Labour’s taxing options
July 4th, 2011
Some heavy duty analysis is likely to be going on behind the scenes in the Labour Caucus to work out what taxes need to …
Economic debate: Are women paid fairly?
July 4th, 2011
New Economist, a UK blog devoted to new research, data and analysis, a few years ago highlighted studies into the gender gap.
It cited …
Loan sharks: Election 2011′s moral panic?
June 27th, 2011
NZ has a habitual moral panic every three years, coinciding fairly closely with the electoral cycle. Usually this is in the area of crime, …
Capital talk: Buzz in the Beehive
June 27th, 2011
Might too many cooks spoil the broth of Christchurch recovery? Suspicions are on the rise in the capital that well meaning public sector chiefs …
Economic debate: Growth coming or bubble bursting?
June 20th, 2011
Finance Minister Bill English was among the bearers of good news this week, welcome stuff at the best of times, but especially so when …
India mission vital for NZ Inc
June 20th, 2011
John Key has three overseas missions pencilled into his schedule: to Australia , India from June 26 to July 1, and the US (if …
Play of the week: Green nuances
June 13th, 2011
The Greens seem to have tried a bit of political finesse this week. In a week when central bankers, both here and overseas, have …
Capital talk: Buzz in the Beehive
June 13th, 2011
Foreign Minister Murray McCully says NZ will back the bid of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon for a second term…….Sonny Bill Williams’ “contest” with a …
Economic debate: How to control the dollar?
June 7th, 2011
The Govt won’t be doing anything to bring down the exchange rate, we can be sure, even though it rose this week to its …
Play of the week: Gravity shift
June 7th, 2011
Ministers went on the offensive this week. It would be too easy to link the run of announcements on welfare, the public sector, and …
Economic debate: Is the Budget a “fiscal flop?”
May 30th, 2011
Bill English gave us an easy way of benchmarking the Budget back in January. It would focus on savings and investment with none of …
Minimum wage row pits unions against employers
May 30th, 2011
A good old fashioned “them and us” row is raging over Labour’s pledge to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
It’s a …
Pretigious diplomatic properties may be sold
May 23rd, 2011
Two of NZ’s prestigious diplomatic properties – NZ House in London and the NZ Embassy and residence in Paris – may be sold.
Foreign …
Govt monitors Fiji-Tonga spat
May 23rd, 2011
The Govt is taking a cautious approach to the dispute between Tonga and Fiji and John Key says he doesn’t intend doing anything which …
Offenders pay in victim support shake-up
May 16th, 2011
Justice Minister Simon Power is changing victim support rules to give families of victims of serious crime more government assistance. They’re currently ineligible for …
Budget Preview
May 11th, 2011
PricewaterhouseCoopers Chairman John Shewan has been looking at some other potential moves the Government might make in next weeks budget.
Balancing The KiwiSaver Books
The …
Play of the week: Spinning yourself silly
May 9th, 2011
Pakistani intelligence say they’re “embarrassed” they failed to notice Osama bin Laden was living in a fairly large compound in the middle of the …
Government department round-up
May 2nd, 2011
The State Services Commission is being kept busy as the exodus of public service CEOs continues unabated. It is currently actively recruiting for people …
Concern mounts at CRI merger
April 26th, 2011
Reports the Govt is planning to merge Crown Research Institutes are worrying the Association of Scientists who say they’re already suffering from previous budget …
Government business: Smoking and MUVs
April 26th, 2011
Tobacco Check. The Health Sponsorship Council requests proposals for a continuous monitoring of tobacco controls managed on behalf of the Ministry of Health. It …
Capital talk: Live from the Beehive
April 18th, 2011
Damien O’Connor’s unfortunate comment about a “gaggle of gays” running Labour’s list selection process is seeping into the debating chamber. National MPs, careful not …
Economic debate: How to rebuild a city
April 12th, 2011
A surprisingly generous 40% of taxpayers surveyed by UMR flagged their willingness to temporarily pay more taxes to help rebuild Christchurch.
They favour an …
Delicate diplomacy ahead for NZ
April 12th, 2011
Violence in Afghanistan, where UN workers were killed in Afghan protests over the burning of a Koran in the US, could make the task …
EU optimistic about Doha
April 12th, 2011
European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht paid a visit to NZ, representing the EU at the Christchurch Memorial Service and going on to Auckland …
Any bets on harbour crossing?
April 12th, 2011
Was it a coincidence the Govt released costings for another Waitemata Harbour crossing just as Ministers were emphasising the challenges they face in cutting …
Spending squeeze hits defence projects
April 12th, 2011
The squeeze on Govt spending has stalled two defence projects – a new pilot training programme for the RNZAF and new inshore maritime patrol …
Economic Debate – Minimum Wage Increase Positive?
February 17th, 2011
The critics were keen to say MPs were paid too much, when the Remuneration Authority recommended backbench MPs’ salaries rise from a base of …
Labour Party: Parker Shaping As Labour’s Next Michael Cullen
February 17th, 2011
In freshening up his shadow cabinet, Opposition Leader Phil Goff elevated first termer Grant Robertson to be health spokesman. He has been promptly labelled …
Economic Debate: How To Boost Savings Rates?
February 10th, 2011
Announcing its establishment in August last year, Finance Minister Bill English said the independent Savings Working Group had been given wide terms of reference. …
Productivity: Govt To Set The Pace
February 10th, 2011
The SWG argued vigorously the Govt should lead the way in making national savings. It recommended an urgent increase in national saving of 2%-3% …
Election Poll: PM Tests “Tell-The-People, Trust-The-People”
February 3rd, 2011
For the first time, John Key has gone on the offensive. He is putting the trust he believes his coalition has earned in sticking …
Economic Debate – When Will We See Real Growth?
January 27th, 2011
When we packed up for Christmas, NZ’s festive spirits had been dampened first by a Treasury report saying growth had been weaker than forecast …
Coal Mining: Southland Lignite – NZ’s “Peak Oil” Saviour?
January 27th, 2011
As 91 octane petrol hits $2 a litre at the pump, and the hard reality of “peak oil” moves closer, NZers have yet to …
Foreign Relations: Gillard To Infuse New Warmth Into ANZAC Relationship?
December 9th, 2010
Julia Gillard is expected to pay her first visit to NZ as Aust’s PM next February, and could infuse fresh warmth into the trans-Tasman …
Reform Agenda: PM Confirms Reform Agenda For Welfare And Savings
December 9th, 2010
As foreshadowed by Trans-Tasman last week, the PM this week confirmed moves to overhaul the welfare system and boost household savings will be on …
Growth Agenda: Fresh Challenges For Govt After Pike River
December 8th, 2010
Fresh challenges have emerged for the Govt in the aftermath of the Pike River coal mine disaster. While the West Coast grieves for the …
Economic Policy: Pressure On Govt To Get Fiscal House Into Order
December 1st, 2010
In dropping its outlook for NZ’s credit rating to negative from stable Standard & Poor’s has warned there could be a ratings downgrade if …
Roll Call 2010: Key Pipped Again As Trans Tasman’s Politician Of The Year
November 29th, 2010
Click Here to Download Roll Call 2010
Trans Tasman’s 2010 Roll Call has named Parliamentary power house Simon Power as its politician of the year …
Trade: Key Plans Moscow Trip As Russian FTA Takes Shape
November 24th, 2010
John Key is expected to visit Moscow next year with the ambitious aim of sealing a FTA with Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus by 2012. …
Election: Ministers Confident Of Electoral Future
November 18th, 2010
The present outlook is overcast, but Ministers are bubbling with confidence the electoral stars are coming into the appropriate alignment for National, as it …
Re-Election: Key Coalition Enters A Vital Phase
November 17th, 2010
The Key coalition is entering a vital phase in its 3-year term. Twelve months out from the next election, the Govt has been battling …
Politics: Tensions Still Bubbling Within Maori Party
November 11th, 2010
The Maori Party did not hide the tensions within the party over the Marine and Coastal Areas Bill when it held its annual conference …
Economic Debate – What Does A Productivity Commission Do?
November 11th, 2010
Business groups should welcome economist Murray Sherwin’s appointment to head our Productivity Commission, an outfit with a wide-ranging brief to inquire into productivity-related matters. …
By-Election: Why John Key Is Running Hard In Mana
November 10th, 2010
The Mana electorate has always been one of Labour’s strongholds, so why is National running such a high-profile campaign in the by-election, due on …
Economic Debate – Is Tourism Worth Subsidising?
November 4th, 2010
The tourist industry’s contribution to NZ’s economic well-being is shown in the just-published Tourism Satellite Account: 2010. The combined spending of domestic and international …
Hobbit Drama: Passions Run Deep Over Saving NZ”s Film Making Industry
November 3rd, 2010
Forget the economy, forget the earthquake, forget the teacher’s rolling strikes. The big, the only, issue this week has been can The Hobbit be …
NZ Defence: Decision Looms On Scaling Down Afghanistan Commitment
October 21st, 2010
Decisions on NZ’s military commitment in Afghanistan are looming, with the Govt expected to confirm the withdrawal of the SAS contingent at the end …
NZ Labour Party: Carter Takes Shine Off Party’s Conference
October 21st, 2010
Chris Carter’s expulsion from the Labour Party has taken the shine off the party’s annual conference, where “new thinking” debates were intended to signpost …
Economic Growth: Prospects Improve For 2011 Bounce Back
October 20th, 2010
Expectations of an easy recovery this year have been blunted. But the prospects the economy will bounce back vigorously next year are becoming stronger …
NZ Growth: Economy On Track, Credfit Agencies Reaffirm Ratings
October 14th, 2010
Credit rating agencies Moody’s and Fitch have reaffirmed their ratings for NZ. The former retains its “stable outlook” on its Aaa rating, while saying …
By-Election: Pointers From Mana For Next Year’s Campaign
October 14th, 2010
Mana, historically one of Labour’s strongholds, will almost certainly return Kris Faafoi as its new MP and so, on the surface, not much is …
Election: Speculation On Early Election – “Don’t Put Your House On It”
October 13th, 2010
Politics had to take a back seat this week to the nation’s preoccupation whether TVNZ’s breakfast programme’s presenter Paul Henry should be sacked. Henry …
Polls: Govt’s Popularity Risks Crowding Out Coalition partners
October 6th, 2010
Despite a struggling economy, National’s ratings have surged again, reaching 54% in the latest One News Colmar Brunton poll, 5 points higher than at …
Economic Debate – Is The Rebalancing Act Working?
September 30th, 2010
NZ’s current account deficit slipped back into deficit in the June quarter, pushing the annual deficit ($5.6bn) from 2.4% to 3% of GDP. Forecasters …
Petroleum Sector: An Action Plan For Petroleum – Is It Enough?
September 30th, 2010
Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee vigorously massaged his petroleum action plan back to life at the biennial Petroleum Conference, putting Govt muscle into exploring the …
NZ Foreign Relations: Hillary Clinton Schedules NZ Call
September 29th, 2010
The long awaited visit to NZ of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is now scheduled for November. This has been confirmed by the …
Economic Debate – Still A Troubling Trans Tasman Wage Gap
September 2nd, 2010
Two years ago, Bill English brandished data showing a widening of the gap in after-tax income between Aust and NZ since Labour had taken …
Law And Order: Key – “Kiwis Have A Right To Feel Safer”
September 2nd, 2010
John Key says law and order policy is a crucial part of his overall vision for NZ, “because I believe Kiwis have a right …
Politics: Key’s Pragmatic Search For Solutions To Society’s Problems
September 1st, 2010
Former Labour leader Mike Moore (now NZ’s ambassador in Washington) is quoted as saying “we in the Labour Party have a serious problem with …
Tax: Income Splitting Bill Has A Doubtful Future
August 26th, 2010
Peter Dunne has finally managed to get his income splitting Bill into Parliament but it’s far from a done deal and its future rests …
NZ Politics: ACT’s Home-Grown Demolition Job
August 26th, 2010
For a party just inside the margin of error, ACT isn’t handling itself too well right now. Leader Rodney Hide’s refusal to say anything …
Superannuation: Making People Save More – A Matter Of Time
August 25th, 2010
Compulsory superannuation is a policy whose time has come, and this time National and Labour aren’t tearing each other apart over it. As the …
Economic Debate – Why The Patchy Recovery?
August 19th, 2010
Finance Minister Bill English, buttressing business confidence in his policies, assured the NZ Council for Infrastructure Development yesterday the Govt remains focused on building …
Political Ideology: Key Shifts Right – Is It A Lurch Or A Plan?
August 19th, 2010
This more fertile ground for Labour has largely been gifted by the Govt itself. A flurry of recent developments in social policy – particularly …
NZ Politics: Government Stumbles As problems Mount
August 18th, 2010
With just over a year to go before the Govt faces an election it has a raft of problems to deal with and in …
Techonology: Joyce’s Broadband Gamble On Track For Xmas Result
August 12th, 2010
The rubber meets the road on the Govt’s ultra-fast broadband initiative now 15 revised bids have been lodged with Crown Fibre Holdings. The most …
Labour Party: Could Labour Face Another Left-Right Nightmare?
August 12th, 2010
Andrew Little is a union hard-liner and Carter’s assertion there would be a backlash against Goff’s attitude to the Govt’s proposal to allow workers …
Carter Saga: A Dangerous Volley From A Loose Cannon
August 11th, 2010
Labour MP Chris Carter’s bizarre attack on party leader Phil Goff has thrown the party into a crisis which isn’t going to be easy …
Economic Debate – Do We Raise The Super Age?
August 5th, 2010
The 1972-75 Labour Govt introduced a compulsory savings scheme which required people to provide for their own retirement income. The Muldoon Govt scrapped it …
Foreign Investment: Land Sales To Foreigners A Political Hot Potato
August 5th, 2010
The Govt has given the strongest indication so far the review of the overseas investment regime will consider ways to stop foreigners buying large …
Leadership: The Tough Decisions – Is Key Leading Or Being Led?
August 4th, 2010
The Govt’s obsession with “safety first” is raising questions about its willingness to make hard calls. Ministerial reluctance to do anything without demonstrable evidence …
Party Politics: ACT Looking For A Profile Boost
July 29th, 2010
The ACT party has been virtually invisible of late, with leader Rodney Hide slipping into the background. Hide’s Party has been overshadowed by John …
Political Leadership: Political Management Still A Concern For National
July 29th, 2010
John Key’s announcement of relatively minor, if right-leaning, changes to labour laws which provoked the most violent political demonstration seen for years in NZ, …
Employment Law: Government Buys A Fight With Unions
July 28th, 2010
There isn’t going to be any backdown on this one – the Govt is prepared to take on the unions and John Key is …
Elections: Labour Running Early Candidate Selections
July 22nd, 2010
Labour aims to have a full slate of confirmed election candidates by the end of the year as it moves quickly to get them …
Trade: Can NZ Double Trade With China In Five Years?
July 22nd, 2010
While the talks in Seoul and Hanoi were important diplomatic impact points, Key’s prime destination was Beijing where his relatively easy access to China’s …
NZ Trade: PM Talks Up Trade On Asia Jaunt
July 21st, 2010
John Key has swept through Korea, China and Vietnam with a mix of buoyant optimism, ambition for NZ and some tough talking along the …
Emissions: Could Methane Emissions Be “Parked” To Satisfy Farmers?
July 15th, 2010
The introduction of the ETS last week appeared relatively painless in political terms, but Govt MPs are still receiving the message it’s highly …
Economic Debate – How To Nurse The Recovery
July 15th, 2010
Business confidence is unlikely to be lifted by news of a June-quarter shrinkage of business optimism and its likely consequence of stalling a recovery …
NZ Politics: Key Govt Buoyant – Now Comes The Hard Part
July 14th, 2010
John Key’s team will go into the mid-term party conference next weekend (July 17, 18) in a positive, even buoyant mood. Under Key the …
Oil Exploration: Extent Of Oil Search Exposed
July 8th, 2010
Protests against the Govt’s award of an exploration permit to Brazilian oil giant Petrobras in the Raukumara Basin, backed by Ngati Porou’s influential leader …
Economic Debate – How Damaging Is Global Rebalancing?
July 8th, 2010
National MP Craig Foss’s patsy question on Tuesday provided Finance Minister Bill English with a pretext to rubbish the Clark Govt’s fiscal policy management. …
Economic Growth: English Tests Appetite For Next Economic Step
July 7th, 2010
Julia Gillard’s swift despatch last week of Kevin Rudd added a new dimension to the often brutal brand of politics practised in Canberra. If …
NZ Defence: Army, Air Force Likely Winners In Defence Review
July 1st, 2010
Officials have agreed on the initial outline of the Defence Review and this will go to Ministers shortly. With Finance Minister Bill English in …
Trans Tasman Relations: “Astonishing” Progress Towards Single Economic Market
July 1st, 2010
Trade Minister Tim Groser was claiming “astonishing” progress towards the single economic market between Aust and NZ out of the annual CER Ministerial Forum …
Political Leadership: Contrasting Fortunes Of Key And Goff
June 30th, 2010
While John Key was happily blowing a vuvuzela in South Africa in support of the All Whites and basking in reflected glory, Opposition leader …
Labour Reshuffle: Labour Reshuffle Goes Some Way, But More Needed
June 24th, 2010
Labour rookie MP Grant Robertson vaults up the party rankings and becomes spokesman for tertiary education in the wake of the demotion of Shane …
Diplomacy: Leader’s Visits Broaden Ties Binding Us To Aust & China
June 24th, 2010
Two of the most important visits to NZ by foreign leaders since the Key Govt took office are due this month. First, China’s Vice-President …
NZ Race Relations: Landmark Agreement Resolves Sensitive Foreshore Issue
June 23rd, 2010
The agreement reached this week by Cabinet with the Maori Party and the Iwi Leadership Group on the foreshore & seabed policy is rated …
State Owned Enterprise: Solid Energy Looks To Be The Right Model
June 17th, 2010
The Govt faces another difficult choice in allocating scarce capital. Should it back businesses which are being overtaken by new technologies (such as NZ …
Green Party – Rebels Without A Real Cause
June 17th, 2010
The Green Party has set itself the target of polling more than 10% at next year’s election, and has chosen 25-year-old Georgina Morrison as …
NZ Government: National Led Coalition Reaching Crunch Point?
June 16th, 2010
The National-led coalition may be reaching a crunch point with its junior partner, the Maori Party, over the issue on which the Maori Party …
Oil Exploration: Petrobras To Enter NZ Oil Hunt
June 10th, 2010
One of the biggest economic stories of the year didn’t make it on to the front pages of either of NZ’s largest newspapers, but …
Banking Sector: Financial Merger To Create “Heartland” Bank
June 10th, 2010
Three Canterbury-based financial institutions are taking up the challenge of forming a NZ-owned bank to compete vigorously as a full-service banking operation in the …
NZ Politics: NZ Govt Wades Into The Heavy Stuff
June 9th, 2010
The Govt was wading into the heavy stuff this week, an international crisis in the Middle East, renewed controversy over international whaling, initiating a …
Tax: Has Tax Reform Ended, Or Is It Just On Hold?
June 3rd, 2010
Does Budget 2010 represent the end point for tax cuts, at least in the short to medium term? PwC Chair John Shewan says he …
NZ Economy: Good News On The Financial Front- But Also A Warning
May 27th, 2010
The Govt had some good news to savour on the eve of the budget. First there was an indication the dairy payout in 2011 …
NZ Foreign Policy: NZ Gets Access To Top Level Intelligence
May 27th, 2010
Senior Ministers have confirmed the Key Govt has returned NZ to the top levels of the US and UK primary intelligence systems. Not for …
Political Leadership: Key Shows The Steel In His Leadership
May 26th, 2010
John Key has often baffled his opponents, and even commentators, with his style of leadership. Nothing ever seems to faze him. Critics who would …
Budget Special 2010
May 20th, 2010
Building the Recovery
Tax Reform Biggest In 25 Years
“We owe it to hard-working Kiwi families to provide them with the financial security, opportunities …
Govt Draws Line In Sand – Gets Broadside From Turia
May 19th, 2010
The Dominion Post’s warning “Key must allay Kiwis’ unease,” reverberated round the Beehive. It reinforced what National’s strategists have already been telling Ministers. Anxiety …
Closing Tax Loopholes Essential Element Of Reform
May 14th, 2010
Another salient issue is how Bill English will deliver on his undertaking to align taxation income more closely with economic income, and on the …
Budget Will Be A Litmus Test Of Government’s Commitment
May 14th, 2010
Budget 2010 will be a real litmus test of the Govt’s commitment to use the tax system to achieve some of its transformational objectives. …
International Turmoils Gives English A Fiscal Break
May 14th, 2010
The international turmoil triggered by Greece’s debt crisis has, in a sense, made Finance Minister Bill English’s task easier. The Govt has already proved …
Economic Debate – When To Lift Interest Rates
May 13th, 2010
The Reserve Bank of Australia again has raised its benchmark interest rate (this time to 4.5%), saying inflation will move into the top half …
NZ Foreign Policy: Key Cops Flak For Gulf Mission Miscue
May 13th, 2010
John Key’s decision to abandon his Gulf mission to return for the funerals of RNZAF personnel killed in the ANZAC Day helicopter tragedy is …
NZ Defence Policy: NZ’s Afghan Commitment To Wind Down Before Election
May 12th, 2010
NZ’s military commitment in Afghanistan will be wound down well before next year’s election. Cabinet is unlikely to deviate from this decision, despite pressure …
Hold Down Inflation, Or Choke Recovery?
May 10th, 2010
NZ’s economic recovery remains fragile, despite the commodity export boom (the ANZ says its NZD Commodity Price Index hit a new record high in …
Govt To Turn Around State Sector Spending
May 10th, 2010
The Budget is all but locked down, and Finance Minister Bill English concedes he is “happy” with the way major departments have buckled down …
English’s Budget To Tilt Economic Dynamics
May 10th, 2010
In the budget next month Bill English may have to exercise the skill of a Jeremy Clarkson in driving the economy, putting his foot …
Early Signs Economy Is Shifting Its Focus
May 10th, 2010
In the GDP figures for December, the Govt sees some early signs of the shift in the NZ economy it wants. A shift it …
Budget To Blow Away Economic Uncertainty
May 10th, 2010
AXA chief economist Bevan Graham says “we could look back on this year as the dawning of new age of prosperity, if the risks …
Tax Changes Fiscally Neutral – But Will It Damage Growth?
May 10th, 2010
The Govt is insisting its tax package will be fiscally “neutral,” and at the same time, taxpayers will be better off, even after GST …
Economic Debate – What’s Best For Drinkers?
May 6th, 2010
The Govt quickly ruled out the likelihood of raising liquor excises, a key Law Commission proposal for reducing the harm from alcohol. It thus …
NZ Economy: Key Govt Strides Towards Economic Transformation
May 6th, 2010
Without much fanfare, some significant progress is being chalked up in re-balancing the economy, turning it from debt-fuelled consumption excess to export-led expansion, and …
NZ Economy: Returns From Dairy, Log Exports Booming
May 5th, 2010
In boosting the milk payout to its second highest level on record, Fonterra told farmers to expect much the same again next year. In-hand …
NZ Political Party: Cold Shower For Labour In Latest Poll
April 29th, 2010
Labour leader Phil Goff grudgingly admitted this week John Key is a “slick operator.” In damning his opponent with faint praise Goff was seeking …
NZ Politics: Strategy To Hug Maori Party In Long-Term Embrace
April 29th, 2010
National is displaying a brutally realistic interpretation of realpolitik under MMP in seeking to consolidate the support of the Maori Party. By contrast ACT …
NZ Politics: Coalition Strained As key Plays With Fire
April 28th, 2010
Rodney Hide savaged National this week for breaching the spirit of the “no surprises” element of its coalition agreement with ACT. He attacked the …
NZ Politics: Coalition Strained As key Plays With Fire
April 28th, 2010
Rodney Hide savaged National this week for breaching the spirit of the “no surprises” element of its coalition agreement with ACT. He attacked the …
NZ Budget: English’s Budget To Tilt Economic Dynamics
April 22nd, 2010
In the budget next month Bill English may have to exercise the skill of a Jeremy Clarkson in driving the economy, putting his foot …
NZ Foreign Relations: Key Builds A Profile On The International Stage
April 22nd, 2010
The Govt will be looking to confirm John Key’s new-found status on the international stage when he gets a White House invitation for a …
Foreign Relations: NZ’s PM Rides Anti-Nuclear Wave Into Washington
April 22nd, 2010
NZ’s stocks with the Obama administration are on a new level. The US president told John Key NZ had “well and truly earned” a …
Economic Debate – Is Overseas Investment The Best Remedy?
April 15th, 2010
December quarter GDP (+0.8%) was the third consecutive quarter of growth. Finance Minister Bill English says this suggests the recession, which began in early …
NZ Economy: Early Signs Economy Is Shifting Its Focus
April 15th, 2010
In the GDP figures for December, the Govt sees some early signs of the shift in the NZ economy it wants. A shift it …
NZ Foreign Policy: Washington Visit Puts Key In Big League
April 14th, 2010
John Key’s Govt is marching into the Easter break confident it is back on top of the political agenda. The budget is practically locked …
Economic Debate – Have We Got It Right On Mines?
March 31st, 2010
Double standards are at work in Govt policy on resource development. When three companies proposed farming 18,000 cows in the Mackenzie Basin using European …
NZ Welfare Policy: Welfare Changes Play Well In National’s Heartlands
March 31st, 2010
Re-asserting its agenda to pick up momentum again, the Govt announced wide-ranging welfare changes, as well as its mining stocktake. Both issues played well …
NZ Resources: Brownlee Signals NZ Inc Is Open For Business
March 31st, 2010
The dawn of a new age of prosperity or an ecological disaster? The country appeared split down the middle as Energy and Resources …
Economic Debate – How Much Fiscal Consolidation Is Needed?
March 25th, 2010
Addressing a business audience late in January, RBNZ Governor Alan Bollard championed the country’s inflation-targeting monetary policy. He said it had proven flexible, durable …
NZ State Sector: Turnaround In Public Sector Performance Is The Key
March 25th, 2010
What the Key coalition is seeking to deliver out of the public sector is different from what any previous administration has done. Faced with …
NZ Politics: Ministers Scramble To Tidy Up – Opposition Exploits Flaws
March 24th, 2010
While last week we reported the Govt was finally shedding its “do nothing” image, its attempts to gain momentum have foundered somewhat. Ministers were …
Economic Debate – How To Measure Public Service Productivity
March 18th, 2010
The headline on a statement from Education Minister Anne Tolley qualifies for a place on a Tui billboard. Her Ministry is being spruced up …
NZ Politics: Opposition Gaining Traction, But Key’s Popularity Not Hurt
March 18th, 2010
The Labour Opposition sees itself getting real traction from its Axe-The-Tax campaign. MPs on the bus tour report they are getting a strong response. …
Key Govt Sheds Its “Do Nothing” Image
March 17th, 2010
Not so long ago the Govt was being accused of being a “do-nothing” outfit (not only by its critics but even by one of …
NZ Rail Sector: Parts Of The Rail Network May Be Axed
March 11th, 2010
The National Infrastructure Plan unveiled this week makes it plain much of KiwiRail’s network hangs in the balance. A huge investment including $250m for …
NZ Economy: Where Will Money For Superannuation Rise Come From?
March 11th, 2010
John Key sought to de-fang the political onslaught of Grey Power lobbyists against the Govt’s planned GST increase by promising superannuitants a “double whammy” …
NZ Politics: Heatley’s Demise – No Substitute For Political Experience
March 10th, 2010
When National campaigned in 2008 there was the usual emphasis on law and order issues. Almost all political parties compete to present themselves as …
Economic Debate – Which Inflation Target Is Best?
March 4th, 2010
The boffins at BERL were buoyant, when senior IMF researchers published their assessment of world macroeconomic policy over the past 20 years and found …
NZ Public Sector: Crucial Phase In Lifting Public Sector Performance
March 4th, 2010
A crucial phase in the process to lift public sector performance has been reached this week. As part of the budget process, state departments …
NZ Politics: NZ A Laboratory For Policy Development Again
March 3rd, 2010
Polling for the television channels appears to confirm the Govt will see its support base shrink rapidly when it increases GST in the May …
Layoffs Yet Another Embarrassment On Defence Project
February 25th, 2010
Air NZ forced the Govt into an embarrassing admission this week over the $234m project to update the RNZAF’s fleet of 45-year-old Hercules transport …
NZ Government: Steven Joyce’s Influence Keeps Getting Bigger
February 25th, 2010
Steven Joyce might rank at 14th in the Cabinet room, but he’s rapidly assuming a critical role in trouble-shooting in the Beehive, rather in …
NZ Politics: Buoyant John Key, And His Govt, Regain Political Momentum
February 24th, 2010
The Key Govt believes it has regained the momentum its critics claim it was losing. The PM himself is remarkably buoyant, despite having to …
NZ Politics: Defining The Difference Between National And Labour
February 18th, 2010
Opposition Leader Phil Goff saw the Key speech as a “step-back” and promised a stern fight against any increase in GST. Hyped up as …
NZ Budget: Approach To Finding New Revenue Sources Limited
February 18th, 2010
The PM’s statement to Parliament said only the Govt would “carefully consider” raising GST. It was a signal it has to get its coalition …
NZ Tax System: Tax Cuts Traded For GST Rise – Will It Stimulate Growth
February 17th, 2010
A new tax structure, with tax cuts worth $4bn, an increase of GST to 15%, and compensatory adjustments to benefits, unlocking NZ’s mineral wealth, …
NZ Foreign Policy: Ministers Shrug Off Afghan Exit Strategy Idea
February 11th, 2010
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp flew off to Istanbul this week for an ISAF Defence Ministers’ conference. This follows Foreign Minister Murray McCully going to …
NZ Education System: Standards – Essential Education Tool, Or “Tolley’s Folly”?
February 11th, 2010
In the first political scrap of the year, Labour’s Phil Goff called on the PM to sack Education Minister Anne Tolley over what he …
NZ Economy: Big Challenges In Fixing A Damaged Economy
February 10th, 2010
At Tuesday’s all-day session on working on this year’s political programme, National’s Caucus enthusiastically backed the overhaul of the tax structure the PM will …
Economic Debate – Psychology Or Market Forces?
February 4th, 2010
Better economic advice to the Govt will be one measure of the shake-up of Treasury’s leadership team. This wasn’t an exercise in staff-shedding. It …
NZ Tax Reform: Dynamic Transformation Depends ON Tax Reform
February 3rd, 2010
How macho will the Govt be is the question intriguing political circles in Wellington, as John Key’s administration lays the foundation for structural changes …
NZ Credit: Firms Hurting As Banks Tighten Credit
January 28th, 2010
NZ’s economic recovery is still very patchy: some sectors are quite confident, in others companies are stretched. Many are running into credit difficulties as …
NZ Defence Policy: Public Get Right To Know About SAS Activities
January 28th, 2010
Changing his tune about media publicity on SAS operations, the PM this week spelt out a new policy on informing the public about action …
Govt Planning: Defining Moment Looms For Govt, And John Key
January 27th, 2010
As it moves into what informed commentators see as a make-or break year, the Govt faces big challenges. Will John Key sail along as …
NZ Trade Policy: Maximising Opportunities For NZ Inc Abroad
January 21st, 2010
Cabinet’s External Relations and Defence Committee had its first look this week at the review of NZ’s offshore posts ordered by Murray McCully. Decisions …
NZ Foreign Policy: McCully Lobbies ForAn EU Partnership
January 21st, 2010
Foreign Minister Murray McCully is heading back to Scandinavia, and Russia. Sweden currently holds the EU Presidency, and McCully is pursuing the process agreed …
NZ Economy: Finding Incentives To Galvanise Productive Sector
January 21st, 2010
The beauty of the Tax Working Group’s proposals for reform is they cut the ground under the feet of those who claim the Govt …
NZ-Australian Relations: Canberra Sends A Clear Signal on Single Market Ambitions
December 10th, 2009
One of the clearest signals out of Canberra so far the Rudd Govt wants to accelerate work on the trans-Tasman single economic market came …
NZ Economic Growth: Ministers & Officials Working On “Economic Growth Agenda”
December 10th, 2009
Ministers and officials are beavering away on what Wellington insiders call the “EGA” (the Govt’s Economic Growth Agenda). Sectors identified are tax, public sector …
Roll Call 2009
December 7th, 2009
Trans Tasman Roll Call for 2009, our yearly ranking of the country’s MPs.
Download as a PDF
Trans Tasman’s 2009 Roll Call has elevated Speaker of …
NZ Emissions Strategy: Govt Takes A Hammering ON ETS Deal
November 27th, 2009
The Govt’s stellar poll ratings have taken a dip. In the latest Roy Morgan poll it is down from 55% to 51%, as it …
NZ Economy: Economic Debate – Is The ETS Really The Best Alternative?
November 26th, 2009
It’s of academic interest only now, in a week when the Govt has rushed to ram an extensively modified, highly contentious and economically bothersome …
NZ Foreign Relations: Next Task – Mending Relations With The EU
November 26th, 2009
After attending meetings with other Commonwealth Foreign Ministers in Trinidad Murray McCully, has scheduled an extensive tour of European capitals in an effort to …
NZ Trade Relations: TPP Trade Gains For NZ Could Be “Huge”
November 19th, 2009
Evidence relations with the US are deepening in a way which could not have been foreseen just months ago can be detected in different …
NZ Foreign Policy: NZ Swings Back Into Washington Favour
November 19th, 2009
NZ, which for so long was in Washington’s dog-box, is now top of the pops with the Obama administration. Ironically it’s because of NZ’s …
NZ Economic Planning: Govt Staunch On Economy, Resists Pressure To Be Radical
November 6th, 2009
With Sir Roger Douglas about to unveil his alternative budget, and business lobbyists demanding action on the Govt’s transformatory policies, fresh pressure is mounting …
NZ Economic Focus: What To Do About Future Spending
November 5th, 2009
Baby-boomers have much to fret about, despite signs of an economic improvement. Their prospects of enjoying the same Super deal as today’s over-65s have …
NZ Diplomatic Strategy: NZ Diplomacy Gets A New Focus
November 5th, 2009
After an intensive round of diplomacy in Asia, John Key and Foreign Minister Murray McCully are convinced NZ’s diplomacy should be re-engineered, with more …
NZ Economic Planning: NZ Pulling Out Of Its Economic Dive, But Where’s The Kicker?
October 30th, 2009
The NZ economy is regaining momentum, but only slowly, and there are still fears it could go bad again, very quickly. Indicators point to …
NZ Government Business: Centres Of Expertise To Negotiate Govt Contracts
October 29th, 2009
Reforms to Govt procurement, aimed at achieving significant cost savings, will set up specialist teams in new Centres of Expertise to negotiate all-of-Govt contracts. …
Economic Debate – Can We Ever Control The Dollar?
October 29th, 2009
Rejecting Federated Farmers’ calls for further public spending cuts to rein in the rising NZ dollar, Finance Minister Bill English said a considered approach …
NZ Economic Planning: So Does John Key Have A Plan?
October 22nd, 2009
So does John Key have A Plan? This is the question which business leaders have been asking. Or is the Govt just coasting, riding …
NZ Political Management: Govt Must Tighten Management, Tackle Big Issues
October 22nd, 2009
Bidding for free-to-air rights for televising the Rugby World Cup was a Govt “schemozzle,” the pundits said; the failure to win coalition support for …
NZ Political Management: Danger Signs As Govt Juggles Crucial Issues
October 16th, 2009
The Govt started the week working hard on its economic programme, with a full Cabinet session at Premier House on Monday plotting the forward …
NZ National Finances: NZ Can Climb Debt Mountain, But At High Cost
October 15th, 2009
Retail sales rose more strongly than expected in August. This could point to a more vigorous recovery than previously suspected.
But the Govt is taking …
NZ Political Strategy: Danger Signs As Govt Juggles Crucial Issues
October 15th, 2009
The Govt started the week working hard on its economic programme, with a full Cabinet session at Premier House on Monday plotting the forward …
Special Cabinet Meeting: Govt To Shape NZ Inc’s Growth Strategy
October 9th, 2009
As the economy reaches a turning point, the pending Cabinet review of NZ Inc assumes fresh importance. NZ has been in recession since the …
NZ-US Relations: Hard Sledding In Washington, But Hillary Is Coming
October 8th, 2009
Despite increasing goodwill being shown in Washington to NZ at the personal level, NZ faces an increasingly uphill task to persuade the US administration …
NZ Economic Planning: Govt Debates Steps Towards “Catching-Up” With Australia
October 8th, 2009
In a preliminary Cabinet debate to its major NZ Inc review, and the transformatory process which the Govt has said it will implement to …
NZ Monetary Policy: Changes Needed In Monetary Policy Direction
October 8th, 2009
In raising its key interest rate to 3.25%, the Reserve Bank of Australia is the first country to reverse the cycle of cuts triggered …
NZ International Relations: Tough Lobbying Campaign Likely To Get Seat At UN Top Table
October 1st, 2009
NZ’s re-commitment to multilateralism has been underlined not only through John Key’s impressive performance at the UN but by the decision to throw its …
NZ Foreign Policy: Will Key Get The Call For A White House Visit?
October 1st, 2009
Have John Key’s brief contacts with Barack Obama been sufficient to secure an invitation to the White House next year? Observers in New York …
NZ Economic Direction: Critical Decisions Loom On Govt’s Forward Strategy
October 1st, 2009
Critical decisions on the Govt’s forward strategy are expected to be shaped at a Cabinet meeting the PM has set down for this specific …
A Road Map For Transforming NZ Inc.
October 1st, 2009
Download the White Paper
The Trans Tasman Editors have released a White Paper on New Zealand’s long-term economic future, entitled A Road Map For Transforming …
What Is Motivating Bill English?
September 25th, 2009
Bill English celebrated a week of the best economic news for a year by telling public servants there will be no belt loosening.This looks …
NZ Economic Forecasts: Does The Good News On The Economy Outweigh The Bad?
September 24th, 2009
First, the good news: GDP inched up against expectations it would shrink in the June quarter, the external deficit shrank faster than expected, and …
NZ-United Nations Ambitions: Afghanistan, Nuclear Proliferation High On The PM’s Agenda
September 24th, 2009
Before he left for New York this week, the PM disclosed the 71-strong SAS detachment the Govt said would be deployed to Afghanistan had …
NZ-US Relations: Key Wins Air-Time In A Crowded New York Calendar
September 24th, 2009
As world leaders jostled for a headline in New York, John Key played a shrewd hand to win a bit of air-time in a …
Mapp Damps Down Defence Expectations
September 17th, 2009
Those diehard National Party supporters who were looking for the Govt’s Defence white paper, due for drafting early next year, to re-assert and expand …
Broadband Could Be The “Silver Bullet” For NZ’s Economy
September 17th, 2009
Communications Minister Steven Joyce has knocked back Telecom on its alternative plan for national broadband coverage, and says he is committed to partnering with …
Labour Left Hanging As Govt Goes With Maori Party On ETS
September 17th, 2009
The Key Govt made significant progress this week on two of the most politically controversial programmes it is implementing: the emissions trading scheme, and …
Key Deflates Media Excitement About Treasury Notebook
September 10th, 2009
Excitement in the media about the Govt undertaking a review of NZ’s intelligence services scaled considerable heights this week. A Treasury official dropped a …
Economic Debate – Where Now For Fonterra?
September 10th, 2009
None of the players in the unedifying debate over whether Fonterra should pursue a partial NZX listing have emerged with their reputations enhanced. The …
Govt Still Tops In Popularity, Labour Still Delusional
September 10th, 2009
The Govt is still riding high in the popularity stakes, with the Roy Morgan poll recording National up 3 points to 56.5%, and Labour …
Brownlee Whacked For Suggesting Conservation Land Mines
September 8th, 2009
In setting itself the goal of lifting NZ’s living standards up to the level of Aust’s, the Key Govt has to come up with …
Oil Exports Now NZ’s Fourth Economic Pillar
September 3rd, 2009
Oil production is becoming a fourth pillar of the NZ economy, behind dairy, meat and tourism. Latest figures show in 2008 oil export earnings …
Brownlee Whacked For Suggesting Conservation Land Mines
September 3rd, 2009
In setting itself the goal of lifting NZ’s living standards up to the level of Aust’s, the Key Govt has to come up with …
NZ Economy Starts Growing Again, But Will It Last?
September 3rd, 2009
Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard believes the recovery is beginning. NZ has come through the global financial crisis “reasonably well.” The crisis exposed vulnerabilities, …
Key, Rudd Take Single Economic Market To New Level…
September 1st, 2009
John Key’s almost insouciant style of political leadership masks an iron determination to “get things done.” In Aust last week, he achieved more in …
Why A Big Team Is Going To UN General Assembly
August 27th, 2009
NZ will mount its heaviest political presence in years at the opening of the UN General Assembly next month. John Key will lead the …
Orion Upgrade Extends Defence Capability
August 27th, 2009
The first of the RNZAF’s newly upgraded P-3K2 Orion aircraft has made its initial test flight at contractor L-3 Integrated Systems’ facility in Greenville, …
Economic Debate – Can We Ignore Innovation?
August 27th, 2009
Financial markets and media organisations around the world, including here at home, were quick this week to seize on Fed chairman Ben Bernanke’s prognosis …
Who Won In Auckland Super City Maori Seat Row?
August 27th, 2009
The row over Maori seats on Auckland’s super-city council, as some media saw it, signalled the imminent break-up of the National-led coalition. Opposition leader …
Economic Debate – Is Joining The Euro The Answer?
August 20th, 2009
Rakon chairman Bryan Mogridge’s complaint last Friday about the volatility of the NZ dollar was not, on balance, particularly helpful to the wider currency …
Can The Govt Get All Climate Change Objectives In Line?
August 20th, 2009
The Govt is struggling to get all its climate change objectives into a row. The forestry sector could ease pressures on NZ’s greenhouse gas …
Mapp Canvasses Future Defence Options
August 20th, 2009
The Cabinet strategy Committee this week reviewed the first draft of the proposed defence white paper, in time for Defence Minister Wayne Mapp to …
Economic Debate – How To Encourage R&D
August 13th, 2009
The Aust Govt is forging ahead with plans for a R&D tax credit while its NZ counterpart dithers over how to progress a similar …
Worries For Govt Despite Better “Feel-Good Factor”
August 13th, 2009
Economists say NZ is moving towards recovery and a better “feel-good factor” has developed. But the Govt is worried by unemployment rising faster than …
Economic Debate – How To Tackle Tax
August 6th, 2009
The media made much of the package of Govt assistance for young unemployed people announced at the National’s annual conference. But when it came …
Bid To Lift Economic Performance In Pacific
August 6th, 2009
Aust and NZ are determined to achieve better co-ordination in the delivery of assistance to the Pacific. This is because, as Foreign Murray McCully …
Key Govt Playing A Long-Term Strategic Game
August 6th, 2009
John Key has shown a dazzling talent as a political tactician. This, to some commentators, explains why he commands 51% support as preferred PM …
Economic Debate – How To Attract Investment?
July 30th, 2009
As the latest merchandise trade deficit reminds us, our balance of payments is in dire shape and we must desperately crank up our export …
Paula Bennett Takes No Prisoners
July 30th, 2009
As a politician Social Development Minister Paula Bennett takes no prisoners, even when she is at risk of being stranded in no-man’s land. This …
Recession In Death Throes, But For How Long?
July 30th, 2009
A key share market index has topped the 3000-mark the first time since October 2008, agricultural and horticulture exports are “skating through” the recession, …
Common Border With Aust Closer
July 25th, 2009
John Key is promising “a firm announcement” on the plan for a common border between Aust and NZ when he meets Aust’s PM Kevin …
Economic Debate – How To Cut Government Spending
July 23rd, 2009
State service bosses tend to shy from speaking publicly and forthrightly about their budgets and departmental workloads, observing the convention whereby Govts make policy …
Electricity Review Close To Cabinet Scrutiny
July 23rd, 2009
The electricity sector, a crucial element in NZ’s economy, faces a shake-up as Gerry Brownlee’s Ministerial review reaches Cabinet, probably on August 2. The …
Hide Scores A Goal With His Productivity Taskforce
July 23rd, 2009
Rodney Hide scored an important goal this week, naming Don Brash to head a taskforce advising the Govt on how it can close the …
Peters On The Comeback Trail?
July 16th, 2009
Winston Peters fired the first shot on what some commentators believe will be a political comeback campaign, in a letter this week emailed to …
Australia And NZ Stride Towards A Single Economic Market
July 16th, 2009
Giant strides towards the goal of a single economic market may be taken by NZ and Aust in the next few weeks. In prospect …
It’s Official: NZ Economic Recovery On The Way
July 16th, 2009
The first signs of recovery have emerged. NZ’s economic (though not climatic) winter is ending. Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard believes we have avoided …
Economic Debate – Can We Stem Unemployment?
June 25th, 2009
The numbers of jobless in the dole queues has climbed to around 1100 a week in the past two months as unemployment surges. But …
Key Backs Maori Party Initiatives
June 25th, 2009
One of the surprises of John Key’s Govt has been the evolution of the relationship with the Maori Party as a strong and expanding …
Economic Debate – How Long Will Interest Rates Stay Down?
June 18th, 2009
Labour’s Charles Chauvel is making a fuss about loan sharks charging interest at “only” 9% per week. When compounded this burgeons to around 2000% …
Boy Racers Versus “The Crusher”
June 18th, 2009
The Govt’s crackdown on illegal street racers, announced this week with a fanfare by an impressive line-up in the Beehive (the PM, Transport Minister …
Shrewd Politics Gets Govt On The Front Foot
June 18th, 2009
The Govt played shrewd politics this week to get back on the front foot, after the hiccups of the Melissa Lee performance in the …
Govt Reckons Queen’s Wharf Deal A Financial Coup
June 18th, 2009
The Govt reckons it scored a financial coup with its $20m contribution to the $40m purchase of Queen’s wharf in Auckland, which will serve …
Guy Strengthens Wellington’s Voice In The Ministry
June 18th, 2009
Nathan Guy’s elevation to the Ministerial ranks to fill the vacancy left by the departure of Richard Worth, followed by the promotion of Chris …
Dairy Sector’s Debt Bubble About To Burst?
June 18th, 2009
Labour and Green politicians have been calling for an inquiry into the Big Four banks’ profit and interest margins, arguing the banks have not …
Dairy Sector’s Debt Bubble About To Burst?
June 18th, 2009
Labour and Green politicians have been calling for an inquiry into the Big Four banks’ profit and interest margins, arguing the banks have not …
Lessons From The Mt Albert By-Election
June 18th, 2009
The Mt Albert by-election was a heavy defeat for National, and correspondingly a big victory for Labour. The advent of the highly credentialed David …
Dairy Sector’s Debt Bubble About To Burst?
June 18th, 2009
Labour and Green politicians have been calling for an inquiry into the Big Four banks’ profit and interest margins, arguing the banks have not …
Economic Debate – Where To For Water?
June 11th, 2009
The Govt at last is taking steps to better manage NZ’s fresh water, focusing on quality, quantity, allocation and infrastructure (including water storage). We …
KiwiRail A Financial Headache
June 11th, 2009
KiwiRail, bought last year for $690m and now valued at $388m by Treasury, is proving a headache for the Govt. Treasury papers show it …
Key – Ignore The Twitter, Get On With Governing
June 11th, 2009
John Key has been getting a lot of advice from the twittering classes lately. They say he should sharpen up his political management, he …
Kupe To Boost NZ’s Oil And Gas Output
June 4th, 2009
NZ’s oil production, with output building up from Maari (32,000 barrels a day) and Tui (19,000 barrels a day), will be boosted again when …
Growth Set To Return This Year
June 4th, 2009
The NZ Institute of Economic Research predicts the recession will continue through to September, with renewed growth coming in December. The Institute expects …
Cabinet Calls For New Thinking To Project “NZ Inc” Abroad
June 4th, 2009
Cabinet has issued a directive the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade should submit a paper to the Cabinet External Relations …
Dunne’s Pointers To Next Steps On Path To Recovery
June 4th, 2009
National Ministers have given few clues on the next phase in re-shaping the direction they want to take the economy. Their broad objectives are …
Economic Debate – Is Govt Spending The Issue?
May 21st, 2009
Giving business people insights into factors to be considered as the Govt prepared its 2009 Budget, Treasury Secretary John Whitehead said economic downturns don’t …
Importance Of Harmonising Climate Change Policies
May 21st, 2009
Climate change Minister Nick Smith is having talks this week with Aust’s Penny Wong on how NZ can harmonise its emissions trading scheme with …
Transport Minister Sets Road Funding Parameters
May 21st, 2009
In investing an extra billion dollars in the state highway network over the next 3 years, Transport Minister Steven Joyce says completion of major …
Brownlee Lists Benefits In Promoting Oil Exploration
May 14th, 2009
Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee, who has extracted an extra $20m for the seismic data acquisition programme run by Crown Minerals over the …
MSD Restructuring Saves Millions
May 14th, 2009
A restructuring at the Social Development Ministry will create 200 redundancies out of its 9500 staff. The Govt sees the restructuring as moving more …
Joyce Puts Kybosh On Road Network Access Fee
May 7th, 2009
Transport Minister Steven Joyce has put the kybosh on the recommendation for a road network access fee to replace the current vehicle licence fee, …
More Than Just A Seat At Stake In Mt Albert
May 7th, 2009
There’s more to the Mt Albert by-election than meets the public eye. The June 13 contest is generating a lot more political interest and …
Investment Stagnates – ETS Uncertainty Slows Development
May 7th, 2009
The Business Council for Sustainable Development has warned the Select Committee reviewing emissions trading delay in finalising the ETS is already hampering hundreds of …
NZ’s Need To Re-launch Itself – And Only 2 Years To Do It
April 30th, 2009
Independent think tank the NZ Institute, has warned the Govt if it does not change its policies, the Crown accounts will deteriorate rapidly, and …
Ministers Crank Up Their Departmental Machines
April 30th, 2009
The swine flu labelled in some reports as a “killer virus” may exert another contractionary squeeze on the economy. Yet despite the efforts of …
Can Govt Get Treaty Settlements Done By 2014?
April 23rd, 2009
In setting the ambitious target of completing Treaty settlements by 2014, the Govt believes all NZers will stand to gain from a faster completion …
Budget To Tackle Blow-Out In Crown Accounts
April 23rd, 2009
Finance Minister Bill English says the Govt came into office with a plan to lift NZ’s economic performance after a decade of under-performance and …
Mapp Seeks Bigger Bang For Defence Buck
April 23rd, 2009
In taking a fresh look at how NZ manages its defence force the Govt has to again confront the problem of how to do …
Coalition Government Enters Critical Phase
April 23rd, 2009
John Key’s coalition is entering a critical phase. This is when the rubber hits the road. The political outcome is hard to foresee. The …
Can Govt Get Treaty Settlements Done By 2014?
April 23rd, 2009
In setting the ambitious target of completing Treaty settlements by 2014, the Govt believes all NZers will stand to gain from a faster completion …
Coalition Government Enters Critical Phase
April 23rd, 2009
John Key’s coalition is entering a critical phase. This is when the rubber hits the road. The political outcome is hard to foresee. The …
NZ Scores Brownie Points In Washington
April 2nd, 2009
NZ might have scored some brownie points with the Obama administration in advance of Foreign Minister Murray McCully’s talks with US Secretary of State …
Govt Inherits Dodgy Pay Deals
April 2nd, 2009
Finance Minister Bill English believes new Ministers and departmental CEOs “have done really well” in the line-by-line spending review he called for before Xmas. …
Power Price Rises: Is There A Way To Switch Them Off?
April 2nd, 2009
Just as reports suggest power companies are planning new increases in energy charges, Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee says a Ministerial review of the electricity …
Brownlee Looks For Export Improvement
March 26th, 2009
When it was in Opposition National was critical of the previous Govt’s failure to lift NZ’s export performance (export volumes have barely increased over …
Govt’s Popularity Carries Risk
March 26th, 2009
Riding a wave of unprecedented popularity the Govt is succeeding in maintaining a level of confidence the country can navigate the current downturn safely …
NZ Gets Back On The Obama Administration’s Radar
March 26th, 2009
Murray McCully, already acquiring a formidable reputation as a skilled operator in the foreign affair portfolio (he has succeeded with his recent visits to …
Crown Entities Ordered To Measure Up
March 19th, 2009
State Services Minister Tony Ryall called in the chairs of Crown entities this week to give them the Govt’s now standard message it expects …
State Highway Funding Up 50%
March 19th, 2009
In the programme Transport Minister Steven Joyce laid out this week, he was spelling out the size of the funding pipeline for land transport …
Joyce Proving Himself A Cabinet Heavyweight
March 19th, 2009
Steven Joyce is proving one of John Key’s Cabinet heavyweights, though he went into Parliament and into Cabinet without any previous political experience. He’s …
Big Cut In Kyoto Liability On The Cards
March 12th, 2009
A looming update on NZ’s net greenhouse gas emissions may show a very big cut in NZ’s Kyoto liability. Senior Govt sources say the …
Balance Of Payments Deficit Exposes NZ’s Vulnerability
March 12th, 2009
“Port Hit by Import Slump” should be a headline to please Finance Minister Bill English. It should signal a rapid improvement in NZ’s balance …
Key’s Pragmatism Leaves Opponents Struggling For Traction
March 12th, 2009
John Key has started delivering on ideas out of the Jobs Summit. This week Cabinet approved the nine-day fortnight concept in return for a …
Hide Looks For Rates Gains
March 5th, 2009
Rodney Hide has been telling people he’s the Minister for Ratepayers rather than the Minister of Local Govt. He wants to keep rates down, …
Economic Debate – Tax… To Cut Or Not?
March 5th, 2009
The fate of tax cuts promised by National will be a political decision. Even if economic considerations alone determined the outcome, however, there should …
Plugging Holes In Defence Capabilities
March 5th, 2009
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp is expected to finalise terms of reference for the Defence White Paper when he meets military chiefs, with his Associate …
Economic Debate – Do We Need The Cullen Fund?
February 26th, 2009
The PM is sandwiched on Cullen Fund questions between ACT (which has Green support in backing calls to suspend payments into the fund) and …
Infrastructure Seen As New Economic Cure All
February 26th, 2009
The Govt in setting up an infrastructure unit under Treasury’s umbrella has put a Treasury Deputy Secretary Mike James in as interim head, and …
Searching For Options To Plug The Deficit Drain
February 26th, 2009
With the recession slicing billions off Govt revenue, the Govt faces an operating deficit of $6.2bn (an $8.4bn deterioration from before the election). Besides …
Economic Debate – To Bail Or Not To Bail?
February 19th, 2009
Govts can do whatever they like to help troubled companies at the best of times, let alone in a deepening recession when the political …
Resisting Pressure To Lift NZ’s Commitment To Afghanistan
February 19th, 2009
After talks with his counterparts in Canberra and London, Defence Minister Dr Wayne Mapp is heading to Krakow in Poland for a meeting of …
Auckland Governance Could Hold Economic Key
February 19th, 2009
The Govt is looking to the Royal Commission on Auckland governance, due to report next month, for some proposals which will streamline the system …
Economic Debate – To Spend Or Prune?
February 12th, 2009
It sounds good: $483.7m of publicly funded infrastructure projects (housing transport and education) are being fast-tracked to boost the Govt’s economic stimulus programme. How …
Starting The Huge Task Of Filling The Infrastructure Gap
February 12th, 2009
In fast-tracking $500m of projects spanning the housing, transport, and education sectors, the Govt says it will create work for businesses in the regions, …
Govt Finances A Balancing Act On A High Wire
February 12th, 2009
Now the hard yards begin. The Govt has to frame a budget under the harsh restraints of falling revenue, a deepening global recession, increasing …
New Urge For FTA Between Korea And NZ
February 5th, 2009
The deepening recession may have sharpened protectionism in Europe (Trade Minister Tim Groser has been working the traps in Davos and Brussels over the …
Govt Sets Sights On Defence Review
February 5th, 2009
The Govt is preparing to write a major review of NZ’s defence policy in the form of a new white paper. Ministers may appoint …
Economic Debate – How Much Intervention Is Too Much?
February 5th, 2009
So far so good, for those who fear a slide back towards Muldoonism. The PM has done no more than tell us he is …
Petroleum Production Could Be A (Partial) Saviour For NZ
January 29th, 2009
Some of the pain of the NZ’s economic downturn is being eased by expanding production in the petroleum sector. The $500m Maari oil project …
New Unit To Add Grunt To Infrastructure Plans
January 29th, 2009
Cabinet is expected to finalise details of a new advisory unit, probably inside Treasury, with a mix of public and commercial experience to give …
Economic Debate – Minimum Wage: Up Or Static?
January 29th, 2009
The prospect of a wage freeze for MPs and higher-paid public servants politicians was welcomed as a splendid exemplar in many quarters. But there …
Economic Debate – Half-Full or Half-Empty?
January 22nd, 2009
Highlighting the good economic news to be uncovered if we dig deep enough seemed like a good idea for this first issue of the …
Treasury’s Message Mis-Read?
December 11th, 2008
Treasury has been caned by some commentators for what they see as its increasingly out-dated prescription for dealing with economic ill-health. There is even …
Value For Money Missing In Many Govt Programmes
December 11th, 2008
One of the most startling statements in briefings to Ministers came in Treasury’s revelation the public sector “is struggling to provide assurances on performance …
Economic Debate – Growth Drivers Too Hot To Handle?
December 11th, 2008
We must hark back to the 1980s Lange Govt to find tax reforms seriously aimed at promoting economic efficiency and growth by encouraging businesses …
Australia-NZ Relations Drifting Further Apart
November 27th, 2008
Senior Ministers are becoming increasingly concerned at the drift between Canberra and Wellington over major policy as the Rudd Govt charts its own course …
Economic Debate – What Are The Real Economic Problems?
November 27th, 2008
John Walley, chief of the Manufacturers and Exporters Assn, has cause to wail about short-term spending and bank bailout plans dominating the election campaign, …
Currency Worries As Economy Re-Balances
November 27th, 2008
The precipitous plunge in the NZ dollar, as carry trades desert the Anzac currencies, has tilted the economy back in favour of the export …
Key Sets Priorities For Incoming Ministers
November 13th, 2008
One of the first tasks John Key is setting his new Ministers is a line-by-line review of Govt spending. This will be entrusted to …
Economic Debate – What To Do About The Economy?
November 13th, 2008
There wouldn’t be much room for Sir Roger Douglas’ ideas in the new Cabinet, if it remains committed to a centrist path, even if …
New Technique From Key – Portfolios To Be Clustered
November 13th, 2008
John Key will establish a Ministry, with teams of Ministers clustered in related portfolios. Example: Bill English as Finance Minister will also be Minister …
Campaign Winners And Losers
November 6th, 2008
Winston Peters: Harder to kill than Rasputin, but his number looks up. Often truculently silly (eg the helicopter business). So no win, or No, …
What’s The Post Election Role For Treaty of Waitangi?
November 6th, 2008
The Maori Party which initially had high hopes of making a clean sweep of the seven Maori electorates, is now finding the contest much …
Economic Debate – Where To After The Election?
November 6th, 2008
The Clark Govt has made our economy less vulnerable to the global slowdown by improving its finances over the past nine years (at the …
Cabinet Blends Experience And Fresh Faces
October 23rd, 2008
John Key has concentrated his top Ministers into the economic portfolios (himself with Tourism, Bill English, Finance and Infrastructure, Gerry Brownlee, Economic Development, Energy …
NZ Sidelined In New Nuclear Disarmament Group
October 23rd, 2008
For more than 20 years NZ’s Labour Party has considered itself a leading authority on nuclear disarmament and its anti nuclear policies have earned …
Economic Debate – Is NZ’s High Inflation Self Inflicted?
October 23rd, 2008
Helen Clark and John Key were in agreement, when September-quarter CPI figures showed annual inflation had risen 5.1%. It was the biggest rise in …
Economic Debate – Who Gets A Fair Guarantee?
October 16th, 2008
Many Americans are dismayed by the rewriting of the rules of capitalism and the massive US govt bailout of the banks; others see state …
Delays To Maari Oil Production
October 16th, 2008
First production from the Maari oilfield, 50km off the Taranaki coast, which was scheduled to begin this month, may be delayed until closer to …
Economic Debate – What About Growth?
October 9th, 2008
Bugger. As the prospective beneficiaries of buckets of election bribes, we’ve been done no favours by the opening of the Govt’s books. The Treasury’s …
New Assessment System May Tax Incoming Building Minister
October 9th, 2008
An effort by local authority building officials through their national body, the Building Officials Institute of NZ (BOINZ), to set up their own assessment …
Govt Spending To Be Reviewed “Rigorously”
October 9th, 2008
John Key says the severity of the international downturn has exposed the economy’s weaknesses more quickly than anyone expected. The choices facing NZ have …
Maori Party Ponders Its Future Under MMP
October 2nd, 2008
The Maori Party’s post-election position is becoming an issue of intense speculation, because it’s tipped to add two more seats to the four it …
Tough Message Handed To Fijian Leaders
October 2nd, 2008
Fiji has been handed its toughest message yet on the need to hurry-along elections and restore genuine democratic and constitutional Govt. Meanwhile, there are …
Economic Debate – To Bail Or Not To Bail
October 2nd, 2008
President Bush – trying to woo legislators who scuttled a $US700bn Wall Street bailout – warned the threat to the US economy will worsen …
US Trade Deal Prospect Raises Cheers
September 25th, 2008
The US decision to start free trade negotiations with NZ, Singapore, Chile and Brunei gave the Govt a big boost this week and the …
Labour Catches Key With Shares Shocker
September 25th, 2008
National Party leader John Key didn’t have to wait long for the campaign to take a nasty turn. Labour dredged up records proving his …
Wounded Peters Could Be Dangerous
September 25th, 2008
Winston Peters has been censured by Parliament and National says it won’t have anything to do with him after the election, but it’s difficult …
Report On Warship Hammers Defence Chiefs
September 18th, 2008
Is HMNZS Canterbury another naval lemon, like the late HMNZS Charles Upham – or can it be suitably modified to fill its proper role? …
Energy Firms Applaud Use Of “Call-In”
September 18th, 2008
For all the criticism of the Resource Management Act, few are griping about the powers of the Govt to call in major contracts in …
Economic Debate – Judge Character Or History?
September 18th, 2008
Financial shockwaves girdled the globe, after Lehman Brothers (the US’s biggest bankruptcy) and Merrill Lynch (whose collapse was averted by its sale to Bank …
Nats Blast Defence Deficiencies
September 11th, 2008
National MP Murray McCully has again lambasted several new Defence projects in the wake of last week’s NZ Defence Force annual report which he …
Dairy Payments Outlook Bleak
September 11th, 2008
The outlook for payments to Fonterra’s farmers is to be something of a balancing act, with global production expected to increase in an environment …
Economic Debate – Policy Or Bust
September 11th, 2008
Instead of delighting in releasing National policies, Labour would facilitate a much-needed election-year economic debate by posting its own policies. Kiwiblog’s David Farrar alerted …
Economic Debate – Does Tax Force Migration?
September 4th, 2008
National leader John Key expressed concerns about migration outflows, linking Kiwi flight with the IRD bite, when launching his party’s first election campaign billboard …
All Sectors Target The Govt’s ETS Bill
September 4th, 2008
The Govt’s Emissions Trading Scheme, arguably the biggest economic reform since those of the 1980s, was under heavy crossfire this week, from business, from …
Key’s Decision On Peters A Bit Of Cold Steel
September 4th, 2008
John Key made probably the biggest call of his term as Leader of the Opposition, when he ruled Winston Peters out of any Govt …
Major FTA Talks Make Progress
August 28th, 2008
Trade Minister Phil Goff hopes an ASEAN-Aust-NZ Free Trade Agreement may be signed by the end of the year. He is in Singapore this …
It’s Still The Economy For Voters
August 28th, 2008
The tough times for NZ households hit home this week when latest official figures showed food prices had risen 7.6% over the year, with …
Economic Debate – For Whom The Road Tolls
August 28th, 2008
Maurice Williamson told the recent National Party conference about the need to build more roads. But at what cost? He told TV One’s Agenda …
Economic Debate – Is Trans Tasman Economic Unity Possible?
August 21st, 2008
In the 25 years since the CER signing, two-way trans-Tasman trade has grown at more than 8% a year on average (to be worth …
Cabinet To Tick New Rail Plans
August 21st, 2008
Cabinet is next week expected to consider and approve a structure for its newly acquired Kiwi Rail business, as well as a significant new …
High Hopes For Latest Treaty Settlement
August 21st, 2008
The latest Treaty settlement signed this week by Wellington Tenths Trust chairman Dr Ngatata Love ended a 21-year battle over the Port Nicholson Block …
Economic Debate – Is Public Debt Bad?
August 14th, 2008
Finance Minister Michael Cullen and National’s Bill English welcomed Standard & Poor’s reaffirmation of NZ AA+/A-1+ foreign-currency and AAA/Stable/A-1 local-currency sovereign credit ratings. Both …
Parker Talks Up Future For Gas
August 14th, 2008
Despite the Clark Govt’s 10-year restriction on new fossil fuel base-load thermal generation above 10MW, Energy Minister David Parker says it’s not “doom and …
NZ Economy At A “Critical Crossroads”
August 14th, 2008
Finance Minister Michael Cullen says NZ is at a “critical crossroads.” He’s warning NZers must accept the current economic slowdown is not a run-of-the-mill …
NZ’s Credit Rating Unchanged
August 7th, 2008
Rating agency Standard & Poor’s has affirmed its AA+ foreign currency credit rating on NZ. The agency says the rating reflects NZ’s strong fiscal …
Annette King Sets Out Transport Goals
August 7th, 2008
Launching the NZ Transport Strategy and Govt Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding at the Beehive, Transport Minister Annette King revealed Govt investment in …
Economic Debate – Borrow Or Not?
August 7th, 2008
Bill English brandished a raft of quotes from Helen Clark’s time in opposition, after she denounced National’s plans to boost infrastructure investment with “a …
Duncan Cotterill