Nat/act/nzf 2023

[Daytr]

Does anyone think Chris Bishop would live in a shoebox that he is prescribing for urban development? What is wrong with NZ?

We aren't Tokyo or even New York where space is a premium.

Lower construction costs, red tape and decommoditize housing to reduce risk for developers. Less risk, less margin required.

[Bjauck]

Does anyone think Chris Bishop would live in a shoebox that he is prescribing for urban development? What is wrong with NZ?

We aren't Tokyo or even New York where space is a premium.

Lower construction costs, red tape and decommoditize housing to reduce risk for developers. Less risk, less margin required.

Some of his plans may find resistance from some traditional supporters of the National Party.

I guess it is easier to loosen building requirements, including minimum unit size and balconies, than to tackle systemic issues. New subdivisions already are allowed to provide narrow streets, no service laneways, and inadequate provision for playgrounds and parks. So, coupled with Bishop's new proposals, the descent to ghetto peripheral developments seems more likely.

[Balance]

No money for Pharmac under Ardern but $229m for the Light Rail proposal, feeding 200 consultants and advisors.

That’s the garbage decision making left behind for the new government to clean up.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/light-...FJ4DVEQXVO27A/
Paywalled

The biggest spend-up was with multinational engineering firms Arup and Aurecon, paid $30.9m and $33.6m respectively between 2022 and 2024 for detailed planning and design work on the $14.6 billion project.

The two firms accounted for about half of the $116.4m spent by the Auckland light rail programme, set up by then-Transport Minister Michael Wood with an independent board to progress light rail in Labour’s second term.

About 200 firms and consultants were used during this phase, and included contributions from Auckland Council ($540,000), and Auckland Transport ($2.6m). PwC pocketed $4m, $11.6m went on professional non-engineering services, and staff costs were $3m.

[Daytr]

MistaTea banned.
Pleased to see there is some moderation on this site.

Unfortunately the one who led him astray is still free.

[Balance]

Labour’s largess (courtesy of taxpayers) in full display - $487,000 severance & leave pay for 9 months’ work to former Film Commission CEO in 2022.

The kind of free spending with no constraint or accountability which the new government has to rein in and clean up.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/...LNAI3CU3LTWLU/

Paywalled

The New Zealand Film Commission has paid former boss David Strong well over half a million dollars in leave and severance payments after just nine months in the role.

Strong’s paid leave period and his departure were precipitated by concerns related to the management of conflicts of interest arising from his role as head of the NZ Film Commission and his ongoing personal interest in a proposed television series, The Pilgrim.

A key job of the commission is to distribute public funding to film projects, and in February 2022 commission staff were told that The Pilgrim would be put forward for commission funding (ultimately, it was not).

The Herald understands Strong effectively went on paid leave from the chief executive job from the end of March until August 5, the date of his departure from the organisation in 2022.

His severance payment totalled $438,700, considerably more than his annual salary.

[Balance]

Remember how Ginny Andersen proclaimed that NZers were feeling safer under Labour, shortly after she took over as Police Minister from Hapless Hipkins?

Well, here’s how safe NZers felt under Labour - highest anxiety rate about crime in 2023!

Thank goodness NZers voted out the pro-crim and pro-gang Labour government.


https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime-...HSLNBEBTNEF7U/

The sixth New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey found 31.5% of New Zealanders experienced at least one crime incident in the year to October 2023.

This was the highest rate across the survey’s six years but the figure has remained steady, oscillating between 31.5% and 29% since 2018.

[winner69]

Luxon seems to be having a good time in the States ….charming all in sundry

[Balance]

Luxon seems to be having a good time in the States ….charming all in sundry

Well, he should be overseas more often then. Winston is doing a great job skewing the Opposition and giving them no room to move.

[Balance]

Record numbers of NZers leaving NZ for greener pastures, especially Australia.

Seems clear that more and more young and hard working NZers and families are leaving the woke, racist & divided country Aotearoa which is rapidly heading towards 2nd world status. The parasites, losers and beneficiaries will continue to bleed NZ dry.

Meanwhile, the fat cats like Robertson and *itches like Ardern are enjoying life, securing themselves great jobs at the expense of NZers.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/...EKHWWCS4D7F7I/

The number of Kiwi citizens leaving the country hit another new record in the year to May with more than 60,000 long-term departures, new Stats NZ data shows.

[winner69]

Luke Malpass from Stuff doing a rave on Luxon -

The prime minister, a self-confessed “extrovert”, is in his element when meeting other leaders. He loves meeting new people, pressing the flesh — he is quite a tactile character — finding out what makes others tick. Luxon the assiduous networker is quite different from the man you see on TV.