Treasury's advice to Bill English is nothing if not clear – it's time to cut. So does its briefing to the incoming minister make its case? Or rather miss the point entirely? What do you think...
Read MoreBill English
MOM … Show me the money!
John Key’s hottest line from the last election campaign could come back to haunt him as he ploughs ahead with the expansion of the “Mixed Ownership Model” by selling shares in a batch of state-owned assets.
Read MoreIs New Zealand becoming a prison colony?
The Corrections Department wants to build a new 1,000 bed prison at Wiri for $424 million - based on justice sector projections from 2010. The projections for 2011, however, show a new prison is no longer needed
Read MoreWhy the bad news isn't as bad as it looks
The double downgrade is exactly what the government didn't want eight weeks out from an election. But is it really so bad? Or does it speak to a larger narrative?
Read MoreTVNZ kills ad-free channels to grow profits
Official papers show Television New Zealand won $79 million in government funding for its advertising-free channels TVNZ 6 and TVNZ 7, by claiming they would be self-funding by 2012. Now they are closing the new channels down to enhance profits.
Read MoreTax Burdens: Some Facts (For a Change)
Bill English and David Farrar spent last week telling fibs about the tax burden high-income families assume. I want to set the record straight with some details about how much the top 10% really pay
Read MoreJohn Key's heart of darkness
Key announces ministerial group to advance welfare reform – welfare to form key part of National's 2011 election campaign – beneficiary bashing to the fore, again
Read MoreThe Standard & Poor's Budget
Bill English's third Budget has laid foundations. For a couple of short-term goals, in particular. But what's the point if those foundations are being undermined even as they are laid?
Read MoreIt's the end of the world, and I feel fine
So, a record deficit huh? The scene is being painted for a chop-chop Budget, but is our public debt really that bad? Let's take a look at our history...
Read MoreUnique circumstances that keep on happening... and Australia
The government had its hand firmly on the economic tiller this week, tacking strongly through the waves of crisis and public opinion. Then Bill English gave a speech and stumbled
Read MoreReluctant Keynesians shaken into spending - again
The earthquake will ask some tough questions of all politicians this year - What will they cut? How much can they borrow? Either way, the government's austerity plans are on hold
Read MoreA bit of shameless self promotion...
We're going to have a constitutional review, with these results. But here's some other thoughts on the matter ...
Read More2010: A political year of half-measures
The government ended the year on the political mountain top thanks to a lot of luck and bucket full of caution... And my belated pick for minister of the year
Read MoreDivine intervention and the Key welfare agenda
Comments from the Prime Minister suggest that the government's willingness to act tough on welfare may go a lot further than many expect
Read MoreWhat the constitutional review will recommend - you heard it here first!
The Government has announced its review of New Zealand's Constitution. I'm announcing what it will recommend - except about thething that really, really matters.
Read MoreNational's rampage against hobbits and workers reaps its own reward
National is certainly on the offensive with its employment and welfare reforms, even proposing a law change specifically to benefit producers of The Hobbit; but it faces a new mood of resistance and dissent
Read MoreThe gods are not at all pleased with Jim Anderton or Bill English
While the Finance Minister will worry about long-term implications, the earthquake is good news for a lot of New Zealanders facing tough times, especially Bob Parker
Read MoreThe South Canterbury Finance principle - saving us from the brutal market
The payout to South Canterbury Finance investors is NZ Inc. in action - the public represenatives acting for the greater good. But if we're willing to rescue those deemed too big to fail, why not do the same for the little guy?
Read MoreCarers or teachers? Why early childhood education matters
If a 3-year-old's teacher adds $320,000 to the future income of that child's class, should we pay a bit more to keep that teacher in ajob? Or would you rather have a tax cut now?
Read MoreG20: the return to austerity and its effect on NZ
The rest of the world is about to start reining in all those stimulus packages that took the edges off the recession. That could be really good for New Zealand, or really, really bad
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