The whole thing is just bullshit theatre. Our politics don't seem to allow us to approach these hard problems honestly. We've either got National's dishonest "there's no problem" or Labour's dishonest "this is a problem we can fix this year".

We can fix it, but any solution would take a generation at least, but only if people making bank on houses were willing to give up that cash cow, many of whom are politicians, or support them.

As I see it the first step is raising children with the ability and willingness to enter the building industry. At the moment too many kids are going to jail, hospital or the morgue instead of going to work. Importing labour only escalates the problem.

While that's going on we work on issues of land supply and infrastructure to support higher population density.

But as soon as we approach these problems, so quickly we'll hear the Mark Robertsons, Mike Hoskings or whoever crying about how they can come up with this fringe case or that where someone will miss out. Indifferent of course to the volume of people already missing out.

Partisanship is another part of the problem. For some it's only shameful that National denied the problem or that Labour made out they could solve it.

Oh right. Still fucked though.

I wonder if a corporate entity can buy these houses.

Seriously, isn't it time to tax empty houses (provided it is practical to enforce).

The result as I see it is: 1) an increase in supply of rental properties helping those at the bottom of the ladder; 2) put more houses on the market easing some pressure there (at least in the short term); 3) deter crime (a neighbourhood is made up of people, not derelict houses); 4) divert investment money into businesses employing people.

The cons: "But what about my bach?" Put it on airbnb, you'll be fine.

Labour just cut funding to universities in real terms

http://offsettingbehaviour.blogspot....ent-blues.html

Pro tip - if you are the minister in charge of the CAA, don't use your phone on a plane after the door is closed...

Phil is probably wondering what it takes to get fired. Next he will charge the cockpit door and see if that's the path to freedom.

are we talking about the guy who called for Gerry Brownlee's head when Brownlee bypassed an airport security screening?

Yes

Not that a fly a lot. But I never realised the closing of the doors signalled the ending of phone use.

I assume this must have happened after the flight crew walked down telling everyone to put away their stuff.

If that is the case, he did offer his resignation.
If Adern was calling for Brownlee's head, then that would be hyprocrisy

Breaking News!!?! Transport Minister Phil Twyford accused of standing on plane while seatbelt light on

What I cunt, I bet he hogged the armrests and took a handful of lollies too.

BAN HIM

Remember when Judith Collins had a sip of milk and everyone lost their shit?

Remember when Phil Twyford promised to build lots of houses and fix the housing crisis

Remember when National's police minister tried to interfere in a police case on behalf of a party donor?

Was his name William Yan?

No, it was a different Chinese businessmen with his tendrils in NZ politics.

this is a very sensible way of formulating energy and economic policy

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/104...il-exploration

We didn't seem concerned 12 months ago that National didn't have a plan in the eventuality we don't find oil... Were we concerned about that? I can't recall anyone going "hey, that's great we're looking for oil, but what happens if we don't find it?"

o/meet the new boss
 

Labour opens Cabinet Club

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/1045...-private-clubs

Winston not supporting 3 strikes repeal. Shame because it's a bad law. It will be interesting to see if this will lift NZ first again and maybe win over some soft National supporters liking his keeping of the govt. in check.

Incompetence from Little. That law change would have sparked an NZ First revolt and cost Labour government.

Its interesting to hear different sides of this.

Obviously the right about how dysfunctional the government is etc.
And a view of the left, how Labour & NZF come out looking good.
Labour tried, but it was NZF that said no so looks good to their base, and that NZF said no so that looks good to their base.

And it takes some of the wind out of the sails of National at the next election.

What the actual fuck?

Public healthcare is doing so well, we don't need to report on it. Jonathan Coleman must rue taking on work at a private healthcare provider, how will they be able to compete with public health?

Labour seems to be running an evidence-free government. Policy based on the feels, not data.

I have no problem with outcome measures being more useful. For example the current system seems to result in more cheaper interventions to boost statistics rather than spending on what interventions have the best & most durable health benefits.

So they're maintaining the status quo.

I'm most concerned about the lack of accountability and transparency.

Oh? I thought they were going to be transformational.

As someone said, status quo. But seriously there are big fucking problems with the idea of ONLY using evidence based policy.

This is old, and refers to National, but the core ideas are applicable across any government in power.

Fear the Datatopia

Choice quotes that summarise the problem - but I encourage folks to read the entire thing. It's Keith Ng, he's almost always a good read.

I think Curran has to go.

Advisory Group notes meeting subject to OIA, stops taking minutes

This is what I expect from National, except they're better at it.

To be clear, mainly cause this was such a dumb move and a waste of talent and this seems like more of the same:

Carol Hirschfeld resigns from Radio New Zealand after controversial meeting with Broadcasting Minister

Wtf

Is it that you never heard about National neglecting to gather evidence, or you just didn't believe those who made the claim? You took their evidence based policy on face value, accepted that it was a genuine attempt to use robust and appropriate measures to inform policy. Not a tactic to muzzle criticism of unpopular policies because after all they're just following the evidence, *arms folded*, /smug look.

Kiwibuild trainwreck keeps on trainwreckin

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/polit...e-for-all.html

Also Trevor the Duck is the worst speaker ever.

I think Nationals do nothing housing policy is why families on higher incomes are still 'first home buyers'.

A positive is that they're on track to meet targets so far.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/pol...housing-market

See, everyone is winging about how the income cap is high for these kiwibuild homes, and the lower class are going to have to compete with the middle class to get into the program.

No one is pointing out the fact that these kiwibuild homes are going to cost between $500-650k.
Let's assume the lower class people have put together a very healthy $100k deposit.

That's a $500k mortgage for a 2 bedroom kiwibuild. Or $690 per week@6%. That's $140 more than the rent for any 2 bedroom house in South Auckland that's on trademe right now.


With a lower class couple earning $60k between them, that's $925 per week, or $235 p/w after the mortgage.
Take out rates ($30 per week), water ($20), power ($50) - that's $135 left for everything else - food, petrol, clothing.

Let's say you only need a 10% deposit. Then your mortgage is $747 per week... which leaves you with $178 per week for everything else.

I'm not sure those lower incomers crowing about how "unfair" the eligibility criteria understand the ramifications of what they are asking for.


Ps: I hate that house prices have become so un-affordable that it's a pipe dream for the majority of the population now, it really sucks. I'm just pointing out that the media has, once again, focused on the "oh woe is me" narrative rather that the blunt, and shitty, reality of the real world.