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Housing market ‘upturns start somewhere’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Hamilton and Dunedin experienced a lift of 0.9 percent in the month while Auckland was up only 0.1 percent (file image). 123rf

Upturns have to start somewhere, and February could have been the beginning for the housing market, Cotality says.

It has released its latest data which shows property values lifted 0.2 percent in February, the strongest increase since October last year.

The national median value was $806,697, still 1.2 percent down on a year ago and 17.3 percent lower than the 2022 peak.

Hamilton and Dunedin experienced a lift of 0.9 percent in the month while Auckland was up only 0.1 percent. Wellington was up 0.4 percent and Christchurch 0.6 percent.

Over a year, Wellington was down 1.4 percent, Auckland down 3.2 percent and Christchurch up 2.8 percent.

Chief property economist Kelvin Davidson said the stronger results could be a sign of things to come but it was still early days.

With sales activity trending upwards for some time now, mortgage rates down, and the economy showing signs of a pick-up, a re-emergence of modest gains in property values this year would not be a surprise, he said.

“The labour market probably holds the key, and most forecasts suggest that employment has already troughed, with the unemployment rate set to fall from now on.

“That being said, a modest lift in national property values in a single month in February is nothing to get carried away about.”

He said there would need to be increases for two or three more months before it could be a trend.

“Upturns do start somewhere. And I guess with those underlying fundamentals, we’re sort of watching for that.

“It was the strongest rise we’ve seen for three or four months and I think probably the more notable thing is just the broad-based nature of it. We saw increases across all the main centres which hasn’t happened for quite some time.”

He said provincial areas were still strong thanks to healthy farming activity.

“That’s going to be providing some cash into those markets and some liquidity into those markets.”

Election impact

Davidson said the looming election could also have an effect.

“We know there’s going to be chat around capital gains tax. You could imagine discussion around interest deductibility. I think the election is probably looming fairly large for investors. We are seeing investors active in the market now but you wouldn’t necessarily be surprised if there’s a wee bit of a hiatus there as we get closer to the election as they weigh up what parties are saying and what it might mean in terms of tax bills.”

Conflict in the Middle East was not yet a factor.

“In the near term it would be slightly inflationary. Maybe in the medium term depending on how long it lasts it could be disinflationary in the sense that you get a slowing economy and that weighs on inflation. I think it depends on the time period you’re looking at, how long will this last?

“I don’t think the Reserve Bank will necessarily be rushing to do anything, just sort of sitting back and waiting to see how that all plays out.

“They have been pretty consistent in saying they think there’s spare capacity out there so that should eventually bring inflation back down potentially even with some sort of shock coming through from oil prices or shopping costs.”

He said more borrowers were choosing to fix for longer. About 30 percent of existing home loans were fixed and not due to reprice for at least a year, the highest share since February 2024.

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Hardened by the fall: Why Dave Rennie’s setbacks make him the right All Blacks coach

Source: Radio New Zealand

By Tony Johnson, rugby commentator

Three years after being unceremoniously dumped as Wallabies coach months out from 2023 World Cup, Dave Rennie will take on the All Blacks’ top job. PHOTOSPORT

Analysis – The road travelled over the last 26 years by Dave Rennie, from fledgling coach of the Upper Hutt club to the top job with the All Blacks, has been a long and winding one.

A quick promotion to the Wellington ranks in 2000 brought instant success, an NPC title that had eluded the Lions for 20 years, but since then there have been troughs to go with the peaks.

And it’s the experience gained from those most trying of times, notably his dismal 13 from 34 record with the Wallabies before being fired for Eddie Jones just months out from the Rugby World Cup, that might just prove as valuable as that gleaned from his successes.

Tony Johnson has been a Sky Sport rugby commentator for 27 years. Supplied

Sir Graham Henry has often spoken about how he’d had to learn to become a better people manager after his Lions team blew up in Australia in 2001. Were it not for a run of defeats against the Springboks in 2009 that forced he and his coaching team to have a long hard think about what they were doing, would they have won the World Cup two years later?

Failure at high level was something Scott “Razor” Robertson had no real experience of, and it showed. The defeat against England last November not only cost the All Blacks a much hoped for Grand Slam, it had a profoundly deflating impact on the team, from which the rumours of player discontent emerged.

Dave Rennie knows how to handle success, but will have learned much from his failures.

One of his first tasks will be to address the oft reported, but never truly proven cracks in the group and ensure the team ethos is intact. In this regard, his credentials are compelling.

For sure, his back to back successes with the Chiefs owed plenty to an outstanding group of players and a (cliché alert) coaching “Dream Team”, but it was Rennie who realised from the get-go that they were unlikely to win anything unless they figured out just who they were as a club, and who and what they represented.

From that journey of discovery came a powerful kaupapa, He Piko He Taniwha, On Every Bend (of the Waikato River) a Chief. It established a sense of identity Liam Messam describes as “bone deep”, and the hitherto elusive success came instantly. You’ll battle to find a single player from that era with a bad word to say about Dave Rennie.

Dave Rennie was renowned for building a strong team culture at the Chiefs, alongside a coaching dream team. PHOTOSPORT

As for his playing style, one thing Rennie will not be afraid of, is to bring some abrasion. His Chiefs teams infuriated opposition with their policy of clearing out anyone or anything within coo-ee of ruck. It is a risk-reward strategy that can be devastatingly effective when managed well, but a liability if carried out recklessly.

That’s all in the future. Of immediate importance now will be the establishment of a good coaching team around him. Whilst a complete clear-out of Robertson’s group is unlikely, it is also inconceivable that they will all survive. Rennie will want people with him he can trust, who align with his thinking. It won’t work otherwise.

Whilst public opinion appears to be well in favour of the decision, not everyone is convinced. Some have been quick to point at how his methods did not bring success to the Wallabies, a notable win over the Springboks notwithstanding. In his defence, he was trying to coach a team against an impossibly unstable backdrop, and he could hardly have fared worse than the man who replaced him so abruptly.

Some of those doubts may have been allayed by Rennie’s opening press conference, which was carried out with a clarity and authority that his predecessor had always struggle to convey. It also demonstrated his trademark willingness to challenge boundaries, exemplified in his comments about Brodie Retallick.

Retallick has been in outstanding form in Japan, and could clearly be a difference maker, but that would need the NZR eligibility laws to be tweaked.

Scott Robertson tried it with Richie Mo’unga and got nowhere. The fact that Rennie made his pitch with Chair David Kirk right beside him does make you wonder what they might already have discussed.

Kirk has made it clear that whilst a huge year lies ahead in 2026, it’s next years World Cup that is the number one priority. Was Dave Rennie saying “if that’s the task, then how far are you prepared to go to give me the best chance of achieving it?”

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Why Air NZ is in the red while rivals soar

Source: Radio New Zealand

While other international airlines are reporting a profit, Air New Zealand recently announced a $40 million loss. RNZ/ Mark Papalii

Air New Zealand is struggling in a booming aviation market, and new fears the war in Iran raise fuel costs and questions over whether the national carrier can regain altitude

The koru is said to symbolise growth and resilience, but turbulent financial winds are now buffeting Air New Zealand’s iconic symbol.

A $40 million loss has grounded the feel-good narrative, just as other airlines ride a global travel boom.

Across the Tasman, Qantas has just banked a billion-dollar profit, while in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, carriers are reporting packed cabins and record revenues.

So today The Detail looks into whether New Zealand’s flagship airline can have a smoother path ahead.

“The result itself was worse than we expected,” says head of research at Forsyth Barr, Andy Bowley, who studies the numbers and writes investment research on Air New Zealand.

“Investors generally have an eye looking forward, more so than an eye looking back. And the outlook for the business is arguably worse than what the result was. So, from an expectations point of view, it was certainly disappointing.”

He pointed to a perfect storm to explain the worse-than-expected result: grounded aircraft due to global engine maintenance issues, softer domestic demand, high airport and operating costs, and persistent inflationary pressure.

“There’s a certain amount of work to be done here,” he tells The Detail. “I don’t think there is a quick fix for the airline. I think there are challenges that they have had in recent times with regard to the broader cyclical backdrop in New Zealand.

“I think there have been challenges with regard to the engine maintenance issues, which have been well documented.

“Those two issues will resolve themselves to some extent over the next 12 to 24 months, but I don’t think those are the only two issues impacting the airline, in terms of its ability to recover from the current woes that it’s in financially.”

He says one of the biggest issues is the level of cost inflation in recent years.

The airline has flagged a “reset” – a strategic review aimed at returning it to sustainable profitability. That could mean route rationalisation, tighter cost control, fleet adjustments, and potentially difficult workforce decisions.

Adding to the uncertainty is escalating tension in the Middle East. Any widening conflict involving Iran could push up global fuel prices and force longer flight paths as airspace closes – a costly combination for airlines operating on thin margins.

For Kiwi travellers, that may mean higher fares ahead.

For nervous staff, questions linger over job security. Labour, says Bowley, is a “big cost bucket”.

“I’m not the one to suggest that people will be laid off, but I suspect if they are looking to make savings, then the big cost buckets – where they can influence those cost buckets – will be under most scrutiny.”

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour RNZ / Mark Papalii

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour has suggested it’s time to sell the government’s shares in Air New Zealand.

The airline was privatised in 1989, but in 2001, it was bailed out by the government, which still owns a 51 percent stake.

Independent aviation industry commentator Irene King tells The Detail that’s not a good idea.

Air New Zealand, she says, is more than a company. It connects families, fuels tourism, underpins trade, and projects the country’s brand abroad.

Instead, she says, the airline should work on a closer working relationship with Qantas to increase the number of tourists coming here.

“That’s what the real game is, that is the reason we own Air New Zealand, it’s actually not to carry us abroad but in fact to bring more and more international tourists to New Zealand.

“When they have some of those really good, tight, strategic relationships, the New Zealand pie starts to grow. Air New Zealand is a strategic infrastructural asset. And it is about growing the wealth for New Zealand, and we should never escape from that particular notion.

“Privatisation, yes, has the potential to drive some wealth for some people, but Air New Zealand is about driving wealth for the whole of New Zealand. That’s the critical issue.”

King is a loyal and regular Air New Zealand flyer, but says she wasn’t surprised by the airline’s latest result.

“Look, it’s been very tough for them, and they don’t seem to have responded as I would have expected to known problems – well-flagged, well-known – and they sat back and said, ‘oh well, let’s see it happen’. That’s what amuses me.”

She points the finger at the airline’s board.

“Normally, it comes from the board. The board has been in place for quite some time, and under good conditions and bad conditions.

“One of the things with aviation boards is that in bad times, they have to understand the business backwards. And I would have thought they would have put a lot more aviation skill onto that board. If you don’t do that, you pay the price.”

The question now is whether this is a temporary dip in altitude for Air New Zealand or the start of a much steeper descent.

Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.

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Immigration Minister Erica Stanford apologises after inflating overstayer figures

Source: Radio New Zealand

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. RNZ / Mark Papalii

A Pasifika leader who lived through the Dawn Raids is accusing the government of scaremongering about overstayer numbers.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told reporters there were “tens of thousands more” overstayers than she had expected last month.

“We have a big overstayer problem, tens of thousands more than we suspected, and we have to arm [immigration officers] with the tools to be able to request information from people when they have a reasonable suspicion that they are in breach of their visa conditions.”

Stanford made the comments in the context of the coalition giving immigration officers the power to ask suspected overstayers for identification in homes and workplaces.

RNZ wasn’t able to verify the “tens of thousands more” overstayers figure.

Immigration New Zealand confirmed there were around 20,980 people overstayers as of 1 July 2025 and approximately 14,000 in 2017 – a difference of just under 7000 over eight years.

Stanford has since backtracked.

“I meant to say when I was down on the tiles with all your microphones in front of me ‘thousands’. The figure that we always had in mind was around about in the low teens.

“When it came in at 20 [thousand], that is a significant amount more than we expected. So apologies that I misspoke. It happens on occasion. It wasn’t quite right.”

Tongan community leader Pakilau Manase Lua. RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis

Tongan community leader Pakilau Manase Lua’s was a child when his family came to New Zealand in the 1970s and lived through the Dawn Raids.

He attended the government apology for the raids as an adult and said Stanford’s comments took him back in time.

“It smacks of what the National Party did back in the ’70s with Robert Muldoon’s Dancing Cossacks and all of those racially motivated cartoons that they put up on the TV to scare New Zealanders into thinking that there’s a big groundswell of Polynesians when the actual majority of overstayers back then were were not Pacific at all.

“We made up less than a third of the actual overstayed numbers and my suspicion is that’s the case here but unfortunately this gaslighting that the government’s doing is going to be disproportionately targeting our people again.

“In an election year, this smacks of government putting the boot into the most vulnerable communities again and it’s not on.

“There was an apology done by previous government about the Dawn Raids and then we saw that they were actually still dawn raiding our people and unfortunately it’s always people of colour that end up being the people under the bus as the bus runs us over again and again.”

The Greens – highly critical of the legislation Stanford is handling – have seized on the minister’s error.

The party’s immigration spokesperson, Ricardo Menéndez March, accused her of fudging the numbers.

Ricardo Menéndez March. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

“She is using Trump-like tactics to fearmonger the community over the number of overstayers and creating a narrative that was simply not correct nor true to justify a bill that will give Immigration New Zealand more powers.

“It’s her responsibility to be correct when talking about the number of overstayers. Claiming that there’s tens of thousands more, it’s not just irresponsible, it shows that this minister will go [to] any lengths to justify a bill that will pave the path towards what we’ve seen in the US.”

Stanford has previously said the proposed change was narrow in scope and “very different” from powers available to US immigration officers.

On the overstayer figures, she stressed she had made a genuine mistake – and has apologised.

“I was on the tiles and I made a mistake and I’m very sorry about that. I’ve apologised. It was a lot more than we expected but I think the Greens are making an enormous mountain out of a very small mole hole.

“The point is that we have a number of overstayers and we need to make sure that we’re taking action where necessary to make sure that we are ensuring that we’re following through with deportation, especially in cases where there are criminals who are overstaying their visas.”

Lua has not been convinced by her explanation.

“No I don’t accept that at all. Someone in her position should know better, should know her facts, and again, this is going to have detrimental impacts on the most vulnerable, and in this case, our communities.

“Time and time again, we become political footballs during an election year, and this quacks like a duck, walks like a duck.”

Immigration New Zealand said the latest overstayer estimate of around 20,980 people as of 1 July 2025 was produced using newly adopted methodology, which had significantly enhanced the accuracy of the estimate since the previous in 2017.

A spokesperson said the two figures couldn’t be directly compared because of the different methodologies used.

It was important to note that the number of people who have overstayed their visa was very small in comparison to the number of people who travel to New Zealand lawfully each year, they said.

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Iran ‘close’ to choosing new leader, Israel warns Southern Lebanon to leave

Source: Radio New Zealand

A man makes his way through debris at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the offices of Al-Qard al-Hassan, a Hezbollah-linked financial institution, in the southern coastal Lebanese city of Tyre on March 2, 2026. KAWNAT HAJU/AFP

Follow the latest with our live blog above

The Israel Defense Forces have begun “broad scale strikes targeting Iranian terror regime targets in Tehran,” it said in a statement.

This marks the 10th such wave of attacks since the latest conflict began on Saturday, according to the IDF. Earlier Wednesday, it said its overnight strikes had targeted what it described as command centers used by Iran’s feared internal security forces and the Basij militia.

“They hit quite hard last night, it was a bad night,” one resident in northern Tehran told CNN. “I don’t know where exactly they hit, but it felt like we could hear explosions from around us.”

They added that they wanted to get out of the city and flee into the mountains. “But we also don’t know where military assets are so its hard to tell where it is going to be safe,” the resident said.

Israel said its air force had launched a new “large scale” wave of strikes “targeting the Iranian terror regime’s infrastructure in Tehran”, following the latest salvo of missiles fired from Iran, including in Tel Aviv and in several sites in central Israel.

Iran, in turn, appealed to the UN Security Council to step in, while warning of more intense attacks on US forces and Israel as the war raged for the fourth day.

Iranian drones struck the US embassy in Saudi Arabia after previously hitting the mission in Kuwait.

In Lebanon, air strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area where Hezbollah holds sway, while Hezbollah said it had targeted a military facility in Israel in response.

Israel ordered its forces to take control of more positions inside Lebanon to create a buffer zone, and the Lebanese army pulled back some of its forces.

Explosions were also heard in the Bahraini and Qatari capitals of Manama and Doha.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said a key Iranian nuclear site, Natanz, was damaged, but “no radiological consequence” was expected.

The UN refugee agency said the escalation of hostilities has displaced at least 30,000 people in Lebanon, and the Iranian Red Crescent said more than 780 people have been killed nationwide.

Follow the latest with our live blog at the top of this page.

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New Zealand consular response in Middle East

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government continues to explore all options for assisting New Zealanders stranded by conflict in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins say. 

“The events in the Middle East are fast-moving, dangerous and complex – and our primary focus is on assisting New Zealanders in the region to the extent possible in this very challenging security environment,” Mr Peters says.

“With airspace closed and most commercial flights not operating, we continue to recommend that New Zealanders shelter in place – or take any safe and practical opportunities that are available to leave the region.

“As part of preparing for all contingencies, we are pre-deploying New Zealand consular staff and two Defence Force planes to the region – so that they can be ready when conditions allow to assist with any civilian evacuation operations.

“In preparing for the possibility of civilian evacuation operations, we are working closely with our consular partners. We are also in discussions with commercial airlines, including on the subject of charter options. 

“We cannot be sure when and how any civilian evacuation operations might be possible, but we want to be ready if and when conditions on the ground make them possible,” Mr Peters says.

This deployment of consular staff and two NZDF C-130J aircraft is part of New Zealand’s contingency plans in preparation for supporting New Zealanders wishing to leave the Middle East, Ms Collins says. 

“The New Zealand Defence Force and Foreign Affairs staff are playing a vital role in this situation, stepping up to assist New Zealanders in distress overseas,” Ms Collins says. 

“Decisions on precisely where the consular response team and two C-130Js will be deployed are still to be taken, though their location will be selected taking safety and other practical factors into account.

“There will also be limits, for reasons of operational security, to how much we can comment publicly on when and where the New Zealand Government personnel and aircraft will be deployed.” 

All New Zealanders in the Middle East are urged to register on SafeTravel.

There are currently around 3000 New Zealanders registered with MFAT as living in the Middle East. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is running a 24/7 response operation to events in the Middle East, including via teams in the region. 

New Zealanders needing urgent consular assistance should call the Ministry’s Emergency Consular Call Centre on +64 99 20 20 20

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Live: Black Caps v South Africa T20 World Cup semi-final

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the T20 cricket action as the Black Caps face South Africa in the World Cup semi-final at Eden Gardens.

South Africa remain the tournament’s only unbeaten team and their seven wins in a row include a seven-wicket thumping of New Zealand in the group stage.

Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner said he wants his team to piece together their first “perfect game” this morning.

First ball is at 2.30am NZT.

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Mayor dismisses rift over interim chief executive debate as politicking

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Plymouth mayor Max Brough. LDR /Te Korimako o Taranaki

Just minutes after unifying around a new vision statement, a rift on the New Plymouth District Council was laid bare over the appointment of an acting chief executive.

At an extraordinary meeting, councillor Dinnie Moeahu expressed his dismay that the public was to be excluded from debate about the appointment.

“The significance of this matter should involve the community and when we have to make a decision, a significant decision, why wouldn’t we have the community involved?”

Moeahu also took umbrage at senior council staff leaving the chamber at the instruction of outgoing chief executive Gareth Green.

“Why are our executive leaders leaving when they should be right here?

Councillor Dinnie Moeahu. Supplied / NPDC

“We are about to make a decision and I have some questions on this matter that I would like addressed before our council executives leave this room.

“And I’m not sure that when we remove the public, why are they leaving? Can someone tell me – through the CE – why are our executive leaders leaving this room?”

Green was happy to oblige.

“Through the chair, because I’ve asked them to. It’s not appropriate for our staff to be privy to the conversation that you’re going to have.

Outgoing chief executive Gareth Green. Taupō District Council / Supplied

“That would be inappropriate for both the individuals you will be discussing and for them [the staff]. It would be highly unusual for them to be here.”

Moeahu hit back during debate on the motion to exclude even though not a single member of the public had turned up to the meeting.

“I thought this term was going to be the term of transparency. We will be open. We will be honest. We will have our community know what we are doing.

“So, what are we going to do? Exclude our executive team, exclude the public from this decision.

“I will not support the recommendation and I would encourage others to stand up for the community in the realm of transparency because we have the option of including the public.”

Councillors voted 10 to 4 to exclude the public, with one councillor abstaining.

The chief executive was the single member of council staff employed directly by the councillors.

Following the meeting, New Plymouth mayor Max Brough said it was standard practice to exclude the public when employment matters were being discussed.

“You never, ever, ever, in a public space, talk about employment issues when going through the process of choosing a new CE ever.

“Never. No council does that. It’s nonsense. “

Brough accused Moeahu of political point scoring.

Ditching Sustainable Lifestyle Capital vision

Earlier, the two men had been on the same page as council took the first steps towards ditching its “Sustainable Lifestyle Capital” vision statement.

Councillors unanimously supported adopting “Thriving Today, Resilient Tomorrow” as its new vision.

Brough said the slogan – suggested by first-term councillor Gina Blackburn – signalled a change in direction for council towards a more economic focus.

“One of the problems with the Sustainable Lifestyle Capital is there’s all sorts of interpretations sustainable and we all think it’s great to have a lifestyle, but we’ve sort of drifted away from creating an income and generating wealth.”

Moeahu thanked his colleagues for the two days of work on the new strategic framework.

“We worked really hard to try and move forwards together as a cohesive unit and I really appreciated that there was a lot of honesty, and some challenges, but what we have landed on here should be commended.”

Blackburn said the vision statement was about looking forward.

“I think this signals a new direction for us as a council focused on our people, on our place and creating a district that everyone wants to be in, everyone wants to thrive in.

“And where everyone knows and can feel secure that our council is making decisions in the best interests of the future.”

The vision statement would be outlined in next year’s Annual Plan and inform its Mission, Goals and the Strategic Framework of the Long-Term Plan 2027-2037.

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New Zealanders feeling the pinch of rising inequality, think tank says

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

A think tank says New Zealanders can see and feel rising inequality.

Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa released polling suggesting most people agree billionaires should pay more tax.

Carried out by Talbot Mills, 68 percent of respondents agreed with the ultra wealthy being taxed more to support public goods like healthcare, housing and climate action.

Thirteen percent disagreed in the poll from 11-26 February of 1033 people.

Half of people surveyed – 50 percent – agreed there should be no billionaires while people struggle affording the basics like housing, food and healthcare.

Think tank director Gareth Hughes told Midday Report there is deep unease about how the economy is handling challenges like housing and the cost of living.

“Kiwis know that our tax system isn’t fair, it’s putting too much of the responsibility on workers, on things like GST, which are incredibly regressive,” he said.

“Yes, they would like those ultra-wealthy to be contributing more for our health and education system.

“That’s two-thirds agree that billionaires should be paying more to fund these public services.”

The numbers were closer together in another question in the poll – whether there should be a “billion-dollar wealth cap” or maximum amount of wealth a person can have.

Among the respondents, 37 percent agreed, while 34 percent disagreed.

“Oh, personally, I would be comfortable with that,” Hughes said.

“I think once you had a billion dollars you could get a certificate saying you’ve won capitalism and you could contribute to society.”

Hughes said he was part of a global network working to try to redesign the economic system “to deliver wellbeing for people and nature”.

He said it was a topic being raised overseas, and Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa wanted to test the idea in New Zealand.

“I acknowledge it’s a pretty new idea for New Zealanders, the idea of wealth caps,” he said.

“But remember, once upon a time we had very high marginal tax rates for the super wealthy in this country to contribute towards society.”

The National Business Review‘s annual rich list reported last year that New Zealand had 18 billionaires, up from 16 the year before.

“I think the big message though is that billionaires around the world and through corporate influence in New Zealand has seen a system which advantages them,” said Hughes.

“It’s very hard for people to pull themselves by their bootstraps today, you can almost say the ladder’s being pulled up behind the super-wealthy.”

Hughes said it was up to political leaders to put their solutions to the public.

On the question of billionaires paying more tax, 71 percent of people under 30 were supportive, and also 71 percent of people 30-44.

Sixty-eight percent of people 45-59 agreed and 64 percent of people polled over 60.

Eighty percent of Labour and Green voters agreed, 69% percent of Te Pāti Māori voters, 67 percent of the poll’s New Zealand First supporters, 58 percent of National and 44 percent Act.

The poll responses:

How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following:

  • The economic system in New Zealand is not set up to effectively address the big issues like housing, healthcare, and climate change. 66% total agree. 10% total disagree.
  • No one should be a billionaire while so many people struggle to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and healthcare. 50% total agree, 24% total disagree.

How strongly do you support or oppose the following in NZ:

  • Billionaires paying more tax to fund public goods like healthcare, housing, and climate action. 68% total agree. 13% total disagree.
  • Introducing a billion-dollar wealth cap – a maximum amount of wealth any person can legally hold. 37% total agree. 34% total disagree.

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Mayor dismisses rift over interim chief executive debate as politicing

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Plymouth mayor Max Brough. LDR /Te Korimako o Taranaki

Just minutes after unifying around a new vision statement, a rift on the New Plymouth District Council was laid bare over the appointment of an acting chief executive.

At an extraordinary meeting, councillor Dinnie Moeahu expressed his dismay that the public was to be excluded from debate about the appointment.

“The significance of this matter should involve the community and when we have to make a decision, a significant decision, why wouldn’t we have the community involved?”

Moeahu also took umbrage at senior council staff leaving the chamber at the instruction of outgoing chief executive Gareth Green.

“Why are our executive leaders leaving when they should be right here?

Councillor Dinnie Moeahu. Supplied / NPDC

“We are about to make a decision and I have some questions on this matter that I would like addressed before our council executives leave this room.

“And I’m not sure that when we remove the public, why are they leaving? Can someone tell me – through the CE – why are our executive leaders leaving this room?”

Green was happy to oblige.

“Through the chair, because I’ve asked them to. It’s not appropriate for our staff to be privy to the conversation that you’re going to have.

Outgoing chief executive Gareth Green. Taupō District Council / Supplied

“That would be inappropriate for both the individuals you will be discussing and for them [the staff]. It would be highly unusual for them to be here.”

Moeahu hit back during debate on the motion to exclude even though not a single member of the public had turned up to the meeting.

“I thought this term was going to be the term of transparency. We will be open. We will be honest. We will have our community know what we are doing.

“So, what are we going to do? Exclude our executive team, exclude the public from this decision.

“I will not support the recommendation and I would encourage others to stand up for the community in the realm of transparency because we have the option of including the public.”

Councillors voted 10 to 4 to exclude the public, with one councillor abstaining.

The chief executive was the single member of council staff employed directly by the councillors.

Following the meeting, New Plymouth mayor Max Brough said it was standard practice to exclude the public when employment matters were being discussed.

“You never, ever, ever, in a public space, talk about employment issues when going through the process of choosing a new CE ever.

“Never. No council does that. It’s nonsense. “

Brough accused Moeahu of political point scoring.

Ditching Sustainable Lifestyle Capital vision

Earlier, the two men had been on the same page as council took the first steps towards ditching its “Sustainable Lifestyle Capital” vision statement.

Councillors unanimously supported adopting “Thriving Today, Resilient Tomorrow” as its new vision.

Brough said the slogan – suggested by first-term councillor Gina Blackburn – signalled a change in direction for council towards a more economic focus.

“One of the problems with the Sustainable Lifestyle Capital is there’s all sorts of interpretations sustainable and we all think it’s great to have a lifestyle, but we’ve sort of drifted away from creating an income and generating wealth.”

Moeahu thanked his colleagues for the two days of work on the new strategic framework.

“We worked really hard to try and move forwards together as a cohesive unit and I really appreciated that there was a lot of honesty, and some challenges, but what we have landed on here should be commended.”

Blackburn said the vision statement was about looking forward.

“I think this signals a new direction for us as a council focused on our people, on our place and creating a district that everyone wants to be in, everyone wants to thrive in.

“And where everyone knows and can feel secure that our council is making decisions in the best interests of the future.”

The vision statement would be outlined in next year’s Annual Plan and inform its Mission, Goals and the Strategic Framework of the Long-Term Plan 2027-2037.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand