I think the Political Left in NZ have miscomprehended Nicola Willis and her Budget butchery.
Voters do not appreciate how much of a wide eyed free market NZ Initiative Acolyte that Nicola Willis is.
She believes as a matter of faith that if you cut back the state, the free market will step in and do the job cheaper.
There is no economic plan here because as far as the Minister of Finance is concerned, the savage cuts to public services IS the economic plan.
Increasingly having independent opinion in a mainstream media environment which mostly echo one another has become more important than ever, so if you value having an independent voice – please donate here.
That’s the fundamental problem with so many of the supporters of these idiots. They are obsessed with our comparatively low level of government debt, while private debt goes through the roof. How many examples of privatisation do you need to show it’s absolute bullshit that we are better off using the market. Power prices are a disaster, we have no refinery because of “the market”, and you’ll see healthcare become unaffordable to many because of these a’holes. Oh and by the way infrastructure funded by offshore investment funds will cost more. That’s what they demand.
Possibly true Wheel, but at least my taxes will be lower and I’ll get to decide how more of my wages work for me, not get taken and wasted on Progressive dreams and fantasies.
Just another tax dodging parasite .How are you going to build the schools ,hospitals ,roads fresh and waste water infrastructure we need .Oh thats right we will just privatize them all and kick the can to our grand kids .
Which is exactly why our health system is on its knees because every govt HAS KICKED THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD .
NOW ADA WILL BE FIRST to bitch it costs so much to see a doctor, Gp or $200 bucks at a after hours clinic.
Geoff, I already pay for my GP and specialists, and I pay taxes for the health system. I’m never going to bitch about $200 for a GP visit.
If I paid less tax, I could more easily afford the hgh quallity, on-time care in the private system.
Gordon, I’d happily pay for my use of those roads, for water, etc.
Amen to that, Ada.
So tell us ada how much less are you personally being taxed than you were under Labour?
She isn’t its just another soundbite from Ada. When Hooten says they’re a shit government and Luxon is pathetic, you know they are seriously flawed.
It’s whatever everyone got in a tax cut, but so little I didn’t really pay attention.
It was nothing unless you were Luxon who got $8000, did that grab your attention Ada?
Good question
@ Yada-yada ada. Written like a true deviant fascist.
“…not get taken and wasted on Progressive dreams and fantasies.” what? Like the fantastic public infrastructure AO/NZ had before worthless douglas came along then lied to everyone then sold our public capital to privateers and now there’s a half finished hospital in Dunedin, a leaking few rust bucket ferry’s, a shit rail infrastructure pushed into decay by heavy road transport lobbyists and I have to wait a month to see my GP because most Dr’s are now living in Australia. Australia, our most dangerous agri primary industry competitors.
“…not get taken and wasted on Progressive dreams and fantasies.” Fuck you, you fucking traitor.
What a fucking loser you are.
For the rest of you… Get reading. Know your enemy.
The Invisible Doctrine by George Monbiot and Peter Hutchison review – neoliberalism’s ascent
https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/may/29/the-invisible-doctrine-by-george-monbiot-and-peter-hutchison-review-neoliberalisms-ascent
TDB
GUEST BLOG: Tadhg Stopford – NZ is not poor. We are being plundered.
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2025/05/07/guest-blog-tadhg-stopford-nz-is-not-poor-we-are-being-plundered/
@ Maori? @ Farmers? Get together and strike then watch the rats run from the woodpile. Our AO/NZ needs to be disinfected and you guys are the only ones who can do that.
More garbage from KWT-Cell.
More garbage trolling from Bob.
Debate the content not the man . You can’t because you haven’t the intellect Bob troll.
I guess the Truth hurts you, KWT-Cell.
The truth is, we live under a dictatorship government Ada whether you like it or not, their latest rushed through policies are evidence of that. I know that hurts you.
Ada, the Trump muppet-not a member of society but an individual who couldn’t give a f*ck about anyone else. Imagine a world of people like that…………..oh, shit!!!!!
Your Resistance is pointless 🙂
This feels intuitively true but by taking less tax you are also reducing the amount of new money the government can create and spend in the economy. Typically this has the effect of contracting the economy and raising unemployment. As we are seeing play out in NZ.
Individual NZer’s with $5 more a week to spend on Chinese imports at the Warehouse does not have the same economic impact as building a hospital or port side infrastructure using business that employ local NZ workers and spend money across the NZ supply chain. Funny that.
My point is about the quality of what we get from the government’s spending, and whose fantasy itis fulfilling.
That’s exactly my point as well – governments – Labour mostly – build multi-generational infrastructure and make investments in health and education for future generations and a stronger and more resilient economy – individual NZer’s, myself included, do not.
Lower taxes means lower productivity and a weaker and less resilient economy – look at historic economic data or listen to Bob Jones (no friend of the left) RIP.
Possibly true your an idiot Ada?
Amen to that eh Ennius.
You are government-supported, correct?
A wage or benefit?
What are you if not benefitting from the government?
Correct Ada but please realise those on the Left rely on Government to tell them what to do.
Correct Killer but please realise those on the Right rely on Government to tell them what to do.
You are right on with your analysis. I do not mind paying tax but I di mind tax money being wasted in a bloated public service.
It wasn’t bloated and now they’re finding that out.
I like you finding Trumps alternative facts and believing everything you’re told Trevor but do your own research with an open mind. Why is health outsourcing operations to the private sector?
They no longer have the public health staff to perform those.
Bloated corporations?
Where would we be without dreams Ada. Our parents had them when they got together to produce you, me and went on to care somewhat about us. So carry forward that dream to the people you live on and among. You are not an island, just living on one with other frequently, mostly, wonderful people.
(I met one at the fish and chip shop the other day, older, has diabetes, and has a mate with diabetes also in hospital having a toe amputated. Can we help these unfortunate people somehow now, and to prevent others being struck with such. And as with all citizens enable them to make a return to the country with useful action for their community. Then it isn’t just drawing from society as old people do, but building, reinforcing; just an example to get your mind ticking over, to change to a different track and steam into the future carrying others in train with you.)
Dreams do not pay bills – nor do they fund infrstructure, or anything else in the hard and practical world.
Keep dreaming Greywarbler, just don’t let anyone depend on you.
We are on the last bit of the slippery slope in the race to the bottom .NZ will take a long time to recover from this government and if they are not evicted forever at the next election NZ may never recover .IT may well be too late already .
Yes the same old playbook. Nats and supporters get elected and gut the public service that was already teetering on the brink … then Labour and it’s supporters are elected and are forced to rebuild the public sector and capacity. This, of course, requires spending – which is demonised by Nats/ACT in opposition – they are reelected and again gut all the gains made under the previous admin … and so on, and so on …
Correct Bob, but predictably that is beyond the comprehension of many who comment here.
The reason today’s budget will be pretty dire is all due to Orr, Ardern and Robertson. They borrowed and printed money to cover up the consequences of those insane lockdowns. So now we’re on the precipice of a debt spiral that requires tough action to avoid.
Andrew you should know better than be cruel to Jacinda on this site.
100’s of Businesses have closed under National’s governance. So much for National’s pro business mantra.
Just like Trump and MAGA blaming the current US situation on Biden (all the bad bits at least), dickheads like Andrew continue to blame Labour despite 18 months of clueless, crash and burn economics from NACT. Successfully brain-washed, i’d say!!
Correct Andrew, but predictably that is beyond the comprehension of many who comment here.
Once again Bob the troll Andycapped has fallen down the right wing hole of blaming everyone but his right wing government. Pathetic politics and it’s beyond your comprehension to understand that this Coc have failed, Luxon,Willis and Van Velden are liars and the budget will be because Willis will go down as the worst finance minister in our lifetimes.
Waste a time having lower taxes when the cost of living is increasing more than the tax cut. I got $15 form tricola and yet my living costs have all outweighed that fifteen bucks and even worse is I can’t get access to a public health specialist through my GPs referral (three times turned down), and this is the norm under this government to get access one has to be acute.
” The reason today’s budget will be pretty dire is all due to Orr, Ardern and Robertson. They borrowed and printed money to cover up the consequences of those insane lockdowns. So now we’re on the precipice of a debt spiral that requires tough action to avoid ”
Just what we have come to expect from neoliberals.
There is always a crisis used to justify savage austerity cuts in this case the pandemic. Same in 1984 , 1990 and to a lesser extent 2008.
Willis has borrowed to fund their donors wishes and give tax breaks to property elites.
If this debt spiral is so bad then why spend money apparently we are being told we don’t have.
For once an elected government moved to protect public health and the economy when a serious public health emergency threatened.
Had this happened in the last 18 months this government would do what they always do , treat many of us as an expendable commodity and sat back and watched the numbers of deaths climb. Then blamed the underfunded health service and providing another crisis excuse to cut back even more.
Andrews mates were the first with their hands out while complaining about the pandemic management. And then refused to pay the money back !
Capitalism its debt and exploit culture, who dare or dare .
Hey, I like it. Minimalist commentary results in maximum comment. But on song: weak promises to the ‘squeezed middle’ resulted in fuck all; but all importantly the wheels of neoliberalism well-oiled. Truth check: debt management, productivity and growth at what cost?
@MB. I suspect you’re au fait with semiotics. No better way to get the message across. eh.