Millionaires and billionaires can step up today and start making proper contributions to improving the world. They do not need to wait for governments to act. A group of 83 wealthy people calling themselves “Millionaires for Humanity” earlier this week released an open letter calling on governments to raise taxes on people like them “Immediately. …
During the State Opening of Parliament after the 2017 election, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern pledged that her administration would be a government of transformation. 31 months later, it is clear that Labour in 2020 will never be transformational. Here are ten dead giveaways that explain why. 1. When the Budget was delivered in May, Finance …
What is the Government thinking ? The Herald on Sunday reported that a $371 million government contract for the electrification of the Papakura to Pukekohe rail line was awarded to overseas companies, said to be a joint bid from Chinese-owned firm John Holland and South-African-owned McConnell Dowell. Construction companies Fletcher and Downer, which were originally …
The mission of the New Zealand Police is to make this country the safest nation in the world. To achieve that aim, there is one important step the police need to take at the end of this month. When the evaluation of the Armed Response Teams’ trial is completed, the police should announce that the …
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield at their daily media briefings make a point of publicly thanking different groups of essential workers. Cleaners, supermarket workers, caregivers and others have been singled out for their crucial role in keeping Aotearoa New Zealand functioning during the pandemic. Indeed, the entire country now understands …
Approximately 2.8 million of Aotearoa New Zealand’s 4.9 million residents are now beneficiaries. That figure is made up of 1.7 million workers who are wage subsidy recipients; 781,000 people receiving New Zealand Superannuation; 175,000 Kiwis on jobseeker support; and 160,000 receiving other benefits. On top of that, documents leaked to Radio New Zealand show that …
Jacinda Ardern’s prime ministership is a tale of two leaders. In times of crisis, Courageous Jacinda takes centre stage, acting boldly and drawing both domestic and international acclaim. But, in normal times, it is Cautious Jacinda who is to the fore, stepping warily and advancing slowly. The problem with this is that, often, the progress …