How did we get from “steals from the rich to give to the poor”, to “steals from the poor to give to the rich”, to “steals from the disabled to give to the rich”?

National needs about $5 Billion in foreign property sales a year to reach its target. Prior to the 2018 ban, China (which likely can't be taxed anyway due to FTA) made up 40% of an approximately $3.75 Billion in total sales. For Nationals numbers to work, the market would have to grown significantly, while leaving the vast majority of properties un-taxed. Further, they have not accounted for any drop in sales due to the tax, global downturn, or any other factors.

It's pure fiction and smoke and mirrors.

Here are some random quotes from the article that basically sum it up, IMO.

Relief measures aimed at superannuitants include promising to increase NZ Super annually – although that already happens under the current scheme

As the tax policy makes clear, short-term concerns about the cost of living trump longer-term considerations about climate change.

Generally, two of the new proposals appear to gloss over the massive IT costs that tend to accompany new taxes.

What the package does not do is engage with the problem of tax-free wealth.

there isn’t a lot here for the least well off. But these are probably not the voters National is after.

Some of us weren't far off with the gambling levy, being an online service after all.

Actually some solid proposals there, I'm impressed.

Any thoughts on what those measures may be?

God I hope they tax churches.

Really solid call, and timely comments about the divisive politics being imported from America at the moment.

I'm curious to know what others think of this.

I'm personally for keeping it as I see the benefit coming in a few years having many more EV's available in the second hand market. Currently it's pretty much dominated by mainly Nissan Leaf's at the lower end of the secondhand market.

I know of a few people as well who have bought EV/Hybrids recently that would not have even considered going for EV's or even hybrids without the rebate.

Full video: https://twitter.com/rugbyintel/status/1694180437533605918

David Seymour looks like he got hit by a bus.

I warned people not to dismiss Waititi back when he was ejected for performing a haka in parliament. He is acutely aware he is very much inside a white man’s system at parliament, and he’s quite happy to face down kāwanatanga with rangatiratanga. He knows exactly what he is doing. So fun to see this kind of cultural clash in parliament.

You mean they weren't already?

Even Labour's own ministers have spoken out against this policy, it genuinely baffles me why they decided to go ahead with this.

Wellington CBD to Airport - second Mount Victoria Tunnel and upgrades to Basin Reserve/Arras Tunnel

Kinda looks like we will be getting this no matter what. About bloody time, too.

A very long and very qualified list of people who think this is a bad idea.

Also, the infamous Jaffa cake lawsuit.

Just one example of working out edge cases costing a fortune.

Back in 1935 the first Labour government came to power and faced a severe housing crisis. It didn’t fiddle and tinker – it rolled its sleeves up. By the late 1930s it was building 3500 state houses per year for a population of around 1.5 million.

I think this is an excellent policy, and a long time coming. This is done overseas with good effect. While I don't think it's a magic bullet, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

First (ever) NZ poll by the The Guardian. Shows National/ACT with a majority, and NZF above 5%!

We should of course remember this is just one poll, and the overall trend shows National/ACT are ahead but it's very close.

Do you think the criticism of this plan as being "too gold-plated" is fair? I'm not familiar with the area, so I'm not sure if light rail is really needed.

Usually their hot topics are bitching about housing and simping for TOP but these days I've noticed a lot more posts to the extent of "labour sucks and now I have no choice but to vote for national >:(". Unsure if this reflects a general change in sentiment or if certain parties are spending their excess donations on buying out accounts. Worth mentioning I've noticed inflammatory topics posted by accounts that have been dead for years.

With how close the two blocs are, this is a big shift.

Labour: 32.3 percent, down 3.6 points
National: 36.6 percent, up 1.3 points
ACT: 12.1 percent, up 1.3 points
Greens: 9.6 percent, up 1.5 points
Te Pāti Māori: 2.7 percent, down 0.8 point
NZ First: 4.1 percent, up 1.1 points

TOP is down 0.5% to 1.5%

Also, ardern is still at 3.7% for preferred prime minister somehow, just behind Winston Peters.

Why are the greens like this? How is being prepared to defend ourselves and help our allies "a concern"?

He's got a point, in my view. They've been losing ministers left, right, and centre lately, and I don't think it will get better bringing TPM into the relationship.