There will be no surprises in Budget 2024 as the Government will be focused on reducing public spending and cutting taxes, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Wednesday. In a speech to the Auckland Business Chamber, the Prime Minister said there would be more money for health, education, and law enforcement in the Budget. Luxon's speech contrasted against the newly-released Australian budget which lifted net spending by AU$24 billion and will shift the Federal Government from a surplus to deficit. The Prime Minister said previous big budgets had resulted in higher taxes, more debt, and an economy dependent on government interventions. Luxon reiterated Willis’ view that bringing down public spending had to be done gradually to reduce the risk of stalling the already fragile economy.

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Hamilton City CouncilTe kaunihera o KirikiriroaSearch SearchKirikiriroa Maaori Ward By-election 2024Hamilton City Council will hold a by-election in 2024 in the Kirikiriroa Maaori ward following the resignation of Councillor Melaina Huaki. Whether you’re standing or voting, have a look around and find out more about how you can share your voice and shape your city.

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:22 am, May 15th, 2024 - 30 commentsCategories: covid-19, health, nz first, politicans, winston peters, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags:Winston Peters has served his anti vaccination supporters well. And it is perhaps fitting that NZ First included in its coalition agreement with National the ending of a policy that no longer exists and was ended in September 2022. New Zealand First secured the commitment during negotiations to form a government last year and leader Winston Peters hailed the policy win during his state-of-the-nation speech, in March. That’s despite Labour having already axed all government vaccine mandates in September 2022. Someone should tell Winston Peters.

About the issue of “comity” the Court said that because the Tribunal could make recommendations to the Government only the principle had limited effect. The letter provided by Chhour to the Trubunal is also interesting. The thing is like Chhour before him he has got the law completely wrong. Just to stymie the Waitangi Tribunal. Fancy misrepresenting what the law was, and picking a fight with the Waitangi Tribunal and with Oranga Tamariki.

Photo: RNZ/Marika KhabaziThe Wairarapa Times-Age newspaper has been sold to Stuff. Before Denholm bought it, the Times-Age had been the property of NZME, or APN News and Media, as it was then. Stuff's managing director Joanna Norris said the newspaper's local, rural and real estate was a natural fit for Stuff's regional network. "We love being able to support local journalism in Wairarapa with this acquisition and retain a strong commercial presence with the ability to deliver wider reach through our rural and real estate offerings." "I'm delighted that Stuff has added the Wairarapa Times-Age to its regional footprint and am confident we are in very good hands."

Unlock all stories free for 10 daysStay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand. Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked newsAnnual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street JournalPersonalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribersWe won’t charge for 10 days. You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call. Find out more. We are serious about journalism.

Photo: RNZThe Wairarapa Times-Age newspaper has been sold to Stuff. Before Denholm bought it, the Times-Age had been the property of NZME, or APN News and Media, as it was then. Stuff's managing director Joanna Norris said the newspaper's local, rural and real estate was a natural fit for Stuff's regional network. "We love being able to support local journalism in Wairarapa with this acquisition and retain a strong commercial presence with the ability to deliver wider reach through our rural and real estate offerings." "I'm delighted that Stuff has added the Wairarapa Times-Age to its regional footprint and am confident we are in very good hands."

Blackpearl Group has appointed Laurissa Hollis to lead its sales operations across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia as the company continues its rapid growth. Hollis previously served as National Sales Director at Stuff, where she was nominated as Supreme Sales Leader of the Year, as well as general manager of client success at ArchiPro. Blackpearl Group’s strategic pillar of organic revenue growth relies on product strength. “A sales team’s success is always equal to their reputation for making their clients even more successful. Blackpearl Group’s services are designed to power revenue growth for small-to-medium-sized businesses.

Stuff Group Purchases Wairarapa Times-AgeStuff Group has today announced its purchase of the Wairarapa Times-Age masthead, including its digital news site and daily and community newspapers. The Wairarapa Times-Age (WTA) joins Stuff’s portfolio of regional and local news products, which together form New Zealand’s largest regional news network. Stuff Managing Director Masthead Publishing Joanna Norris says WTA’s local, rural and real estate alignment are a natural fit in Stuff’s strong regional network. “Adding the Wairarapa Times-Age to our regional, real estate and rural masthead portfolio strengthens Stuff’s leading position in the lower North Island,” he says. “Combine that with Stuff’s number one digital news audience on stuff.co.nz and you have a compelling commercial proposition for national and local commercial partners alike.”© Scoop Media

I recollect that when the capital gains tax was introduced any property owned at the time of the introduction of the tax would have been exempt. The Greens appear to favour a wealth tax and Labour a capital gains tax. A lot of the comments I get about a capital gains tax suggest that people have it confused with a wealth tax. It is important to remember that the capital gains tax - or CGT, as proposed by Sir Michael Cullen’s Tax Working Group in 2019 - exempted the family home. Capital gains taxes tend to have supporters on the left and right (they have many supporters in the financial market).

Stuff Group has bought the former locally owned Wairarapa Times-Age masthead, including its digital news site and daily and community newspapers. The Wairarapa Times-Age (WTA) joins Stuff’s portfolio of regional and local news products, which together form New Zealand’s largest regional news network. Stuff Managing Director Masthead Publishing, Joanna Norris, says WTA’s local, rural and real estate alignment are a natural fit in Stuff’s strong regional network. “Adding the Wairarapa Times-Age to our regional, real estate and rural masthead portfolio strengthens Stuff’s leading position in the lower North Island,” he says. “Combine that with Stuff’s number one digital news audience on stuff.co.nz and you have a compelling commercial proposition for national and local commercial partners alike.”

WARNING: this story details allegations of significant and fatal child abuse. A Christchurch man has been found guilty of murdering his baby daughter - inflicting at least 31 fractures and two severe head injuries before the final and fatal assault. Michael John Topp has been on trial in the High Court at Christchurch since May 1 before Justice Anne Hinton and a jury. She was never charged in relation to the baby’s injuries or death and gave evidence for the Crown against Topp at the trial. Any concerns about child abuse must be notified early so that an assessment of the child’s safety can be made.

Photo / Brett PhibbsA record 52,500 New Zealand citizens left the country in the year ended March 31, according to Stats NZ. “This is the first time the annual net migration loss of New Zealand citizens has exceeded 50,000,” Tehseen Islam of Stats NZ said this morning. The previous record net migration loss of New Zealand citizens was 44,400 in the year to February 2012. Migrant arrivalsStats NZ said the provisional net migration gain of 111,100 in the year comprised a net gain of 163,600 non-New Zealand citizens that more than offset the net migration loss of 52,500 Kiwi citizens. For non-New Zealand citizens, the net migration gain of 163,600 in the year to March compared with a net migration gain of 105,000 in the March 2023 year.

Data and insights company Kantar has launched Blueprint for Brand Growth – a new “essential recipe” to help businesses expand. “But of course what this blueprint means for brands differs based on their context, competitive situation, and size.”This means each company that uses the blueprint will arrive at a different solution, Thomas says. “And we at Kantar say, actually, according to our data, that explains about 40 percent of brand predisposition. As well as the different part, where you’re saying that your brand is unique, it’s setting trends, it’s got momentum. And a first for anybody with this degree of sophistication and validation.”Introducing the blueprint, Jane Ostler, Kantar’s EVP of Thought Leadership and Blueprint project lead, says, “Our Blueprint for Brand Growth sets a new standard for strategic marketing understanding and excellence.