Gareth for PM!

Freaking A I reckon.

It is completely barking mad to fork over superannuation to the wealthy old, with no means-testing, yet Key has insisted there will be no changes on his watch! Why the hypocritical stance? Cui bono...the wealthy old consistently vote National while young parents can't be relied upon to do so and children, of course, don't vote at all. Key is looking after his voting base and he doesn't give a proverbial about the longterm future of New Zealand, so he doesn't care if children suffer from the effects of parental poverty.

So a few solutions come to mind lower the voting age
teach civic responsibility in schools make voting in national elections complusory Change the law so rents are no more than 25 % o a persons net wage and increase social housing law chage to means test national super.Yes i know people have paid tax and all that however if you dont truly need something why take it away from people who do

agreed when will the new zealand public wakeup.

One of the things that I admire about the Greens is that their focus is more about the value of people , rather than the competitive value of money,, Some one has mentioned that you [Gareth] seem to fit with them quite well,, now there's aconcept that would / could go far

What you ignore Gareth is that the people who have retired have contributed all their working lives through paying of their taxes towards the roads, buildings and infrastructures that are the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a successful society and the services and facilities necessary for society to operate and is of great benefit to future generations, to then suggest that they should not have some small reward through payment of a small superannuation payment upon retirement is inherently unfair, I don't care whether they are millionaires or not, I should add I am not a millionaire.
If you have been successful in your business you would have contributed by providing jobs and income to fellow Kiwis, don't be a tall poppy knocker, they deserve it, millionaires or not.

Once again we see the myth that the people currently alive and over 65 built the infrastructure of the country which is absolute nonsense, it was all already in place. The over-65 demographic has the lowest poverty level of all age demographics in NZ (<5%) while children under 12 have the highest (~25%) which is obscene intergenerational theft. NZ deprives and mistreats the children that are its future to further enrich the aged, and that is disgusting. People who don't need their superannuation to survive should be heartily ashamed to collect it, and it is a measure of their sociopathic selfishness that they are not ashamed but instead whine about their 'entitlement' and how they 'deserve' it. Sorry, they are the generation that voted for Rogernomics and Ruthenasia so they deserve nothing but bitter censure from the rest of us. If you don't absolutely need your super to survive, be a decent human being for once in your life and refuse it!

The Benmore dam and Mackenzie Hydro schemes, were built in the 60,s and 70,s, Also West arm from Manapouri and the road from Paringa to Haast.

There is nothing in Gareth's article about denying retirees of superannuation. Not a word. What is said is that it is hypocritical to support universal, non-asset or income-tested superannuation but to criticise a proposal of a universal child or adult payment. "If you had been successful in your business..." - funny, I thought Gareth WAS a multi-millionaire from being a business shareholder amongst other jobs! I think the failure to understand the universal basic income is a failure of imagination first, plus fear of change.

Great thinking. Many thanks.

I am HAPPY to contribute back to Aotearoa as someone who required welfare the majority of my child-rearing years (1 gorgeous girl)! Tho I gave of my academic quals +++ throughout the entire period!

what about feeding kids in schools for free for under 15 year olds? that way the kids get to benefit directly, a child payment to mum or dad doesn't mean any child will necessarily benefit. and i don't mean b grade ge white bread and barely edible 20%meat pies, i mean jamie oliver style, put nz masterchefs to some good use, real nutrition is what will help kids in school, and education on nutrition. It needn't be as exspensive as welfare payments. could actually design a reality tv show where the contestants challenge is to design a nutritious school menu on a budget nationwide. no point waiting for goverments to initiate this.

Nice blog item Mr Morgan, many good points especially about the way Mr Key is there for his rich buddies at the cost of our general society as a whole, good to read.

One wonders how long the National Govt will leave you in charge of our motorcycle safety levy with such scathing criticism of Mr Key.... They don't like bloggers talking out of school about them after all (as I found out)

What a load of bollocks, the day I come across a Green activist who has ever actually employed anyone I'll die of shock. So John Key represents only the millionaires does he Gareth? , gee , I thought he was creating an environment that encouraged businesses to have some degree of confidence so they could employ more people for the benefit of all. Guess this is where I unsubscribe.

Another nerve hit chas? You doth protest too much I'd guess... Got too much to lose?

JK is destroying business, he is destroying our economy, he doesn't even pretend to care. Nat troll Stephen?

Join the Green Party Gareth you are a perfect fit mate

Gareth for PM, universal taxes, more taxes, Income tax,GST tax,[ except for financial ] Gareth asset tax on every dollar of everything you own or thought you had before [Except of course there will be exceptions as there was in GST. No asset taxes for Gareths privileged investors, exporters, shares or stocks or overseas funds, no taxes for Accountants clients. Move yourself and your family overseas the slushy organic green is coming to the welfare state now

Everyone aged 18 or over gets an unconditional, tax-free basic income (called the UBI).This basic income replaces all other government-provided cash transfers—NZ Super, DPB, Unemployment Benefit, Working for Families.All income is taxed at a single flat rate.All capital should make a minimum required return, and that should be taxable—every year. No exemptions for your home..........These Greens would never support a one size fits all (or what ever you call it). The Greens would insist that child #15 gets the same as child #2 (and a bigger state house).

Moving towards universal, not targeted, welfare payments is something we supported in the Big Kahuna and the Greens are to be commended for going in this direction.
..............
but doesn't the Big Kahuna propose a limited universal payment? The Greens wouldn't support a system that was disadvantageous to people who want large families.

Expense all capital expenditures. Tax losses carry forward indefinitely and accrue interest.
Tax all income at the source, at a rate of 35%. This detail makes tax avoidance via trusts pointless. And no need for dividend imputation credits.
Credit the ACC Levy against "income" tax liabilities.
Abolish WFF and the IWTC.
Reduce all other cash benefits, including Super and the dole, by 35%.
Pay every legal resident of New Zealand $100/week.
Invite Australia to follow our example.
Call it a day.

Gareth the Green Party, and if I remember rightly their predecessors the Values Party, have had a policy of Universal Benefit for long before the big Kahuna! But thanks for increasing the publicity for it and giving it some credibility.

Experts lament state of NZ child poverty
Anton Blank: More than half of the 230,000 children living below the poverty line are Maori and Pacifica and in 20 years they will make up 60% of NZ’s children.
If we don’t act now to reduce rates of Maori and Pacifica child poverty in 20years we are going to see an explosion of Maori poverty in NZ.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Defa...

Our stodgy old Presbyterian values (with or without the religion) have served us well (appropriately). I'm not sure why we should celebrate (above).. ?

Although #4 sees things differently:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stor...

"
Thus when it comes to the redress of colonisation and facing up to the huge environmental crisis coming our way, Pakeha are not collectively well equipped."

What a load of bollocks. Key, like every politician, looks after his constituents and so he should otherwise we'll have those Labour and Green idiots giving away the country.
Just because he supports paying Super to all over 65's doesn't make it right to repeat that error by making payments to all those who don't need it.

Hit a wee nerve chas?

I think your in the wrong forum mate, you'll get eaten alive.

National troll?

Context for Key's quote would be better, from memory Key had an exchange in the house and the barking made comment refered to a contrast between this policy and those comments. But hey quoting people out of context is the media thing to do.

I heard it and this blog reports it faithfully.

I don't think it's out of context?

Troll

How about we have some answers instead of always chopping the poppy. Will the kids see the benefit or will their shithead "Parents" smoke it as usual.

I don't thinking anyone is trying to "chop the poppy". I think it's reasonable to expect everyone to contribute their fare share of taxes, as a proportion of what they earn (income tax & capital gains) And before you label me as a dole bludger or something, I'm one of those people benefiting from hiding wealth in family trusts. The current system DOESN'T WORK and needs overhauling.

Bigoted comment helps no one. Show some kindness chappie. You might need it shown you one day.