2012-05-24 15:04:07
Finance minister Bill English's 'zero budget' includes a total of $26.5 million in total net new spending over the next four years and will post a surplus in 2014/15.
2012-05-24 14:53:10 // Vincent Heeringa
// The Idealog Blog
| 2 comments
Bill English screwed the fiscal wallet to the floor today, while Auckland mayor Len Brown yesterday went for a spend-a-thon. Could this be our very own Franco-German divide?
2012-05-24 14:00:01 // Idealog
The government plans to establish a new Future Investment Fund with the proceeds from SOE asset sales, which is expected to amount to $5-7 billion.
2012-05-22 13:42:44 // Katherine Ravenswood
// The Idealog Blog
| 2 comments
Our residential caregivers provide an indispensable service. It’s time we recognised the work for what it is, and rewarded it accordingly.
2012-05-15 10:31:02 // Esther Goh
Bosses won't be required to partake in multi-employer bargaining or (in a return to the original Employment Relations Act) have to conclude a collective agreement under a package of employment law measures approved by Cabinet yesterday.
2012-05-14 15:03:37 // Josh Martin
Auckland’s links to China were reinforced on Saturday with the signing of a statement of co-operation between the Beijing Investment Promotion Board (BIPB) and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).
2012-05-04 13:34:15 // Tony Parker
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
Design is a human resource and to invest in it is one of the most important global differentiators and competitiveness factors.
2012-04-26 14:04:32 // Idealog
The government has revealed plans to amend the Public Finance Act to rein in spending decisions by ministers, including a spending cap, and reporting on fiscal policy successes and failures.
2012-04-24 10:31:03 // Esther Goh
Four key government agency chief executive roles will be disestablished with a new acting chief executive appointed to lead the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment when it is up and running by July 1, the government confirmed today.
2012-04-17 13:12:08 // Peter Kerr
// The Idealog Blog
| 11 comments
At the risk of displaying a Wellington-residential and Southland upbringing bias, the government’s keenness for an Aucklandisation of our science and innovation strikes me as stupid.
2012-04-11 16:11:11 // Jack Yan
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
We’re still hampered by politicians who cannot see past their own national boundaries or, at best, look at competing solely with a neighbouring nation.
2012-04-05 09:37:58 // Bryan Walker
// The Idealog Blog
If we are truly informed by sound science we will understand that “doing our fair share” is not a sufficient response in a world falling well short of doing what is necessary to prevent deeply disruptive levels of warming.
2012-03-20 17:16:21 // Rachel MacDonald
// The Idealog Blog
Many Kiwi primary producers have viewed China as the great land of opportunity as that country has progressively opened itself up to trade with the West. However, rising on the horizon is another economic star: India.
2012-03-19 13:29:01 // Peter Griffin
// The Idealog Blog
Wellington is abuzz with news of the super ministry, which was unveiled last week and will have major implications for a large number of public servants.
2012-03-15 12:25:12 // Esther Goh
The latest in a raft of government reforms will see the establishment of a single, dedicated, business-facing department, or super ministry, to be known as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
2012-03-13 10:07:22 // Idealog
| 2 comments
John Key is expected to announce a new super ministry combining the economic development, science and innovation portfolios and others under the watch of Steven Joyce this week.
2012-03-06 10:22:49 // Esther Goh
| 1 comment
As a small trade-dependent country, New Zealand will be increasingly pulled towards greener growth as other larger economies move in this direction.
2012-03-05 11:17:50 // Jonathan Shaw
// The Idealog Blog
| 2 comments
As any good Kiwi knows, New Zealand’s clean green image is what sets us apart from the rest of the world.
2012-02-29 13:03:00 // Hazel Phillips
// Idealog #38: now
Nikki Kaye tells Hazel Phillips how she's faring, nearly six months on from defending her position in a spot of national significance.
2012-02-16 10:08:38 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye is passionate about her city. And she thinks it's finally on the right track, stepping back and taking a longer-term view of issues with the Auckland Plan as a starting point.
2012-02-14 11:11:04 // Idealog
'Mondayising' Anzac and Waitangi days will be debated in Parliament today with the introduction of Labour Party member David Clark's bill.
2012-02-09 13:09:54 // Peter Kerr
// The Idealog Blog
Steven Joyce has the opportunity to spout a new mantra on behalf of all New Zealanders – have a go, and another after that.
2012-01-13 10:24:06 // Siobhan Leathley
// The Idealog Blog
As the Ports of Auckland standoff drags on, the Productivity Commission is recommending partial privatisation of council air and sea port assets.
2011-12-12 10:53:55 // Esther Goh
| 3 comments
The government is being accused of burying a report that shows overwhelming public support for alcohol reform, including increasing prices and raising the purchase age.
2011-12-02 14:28:17 // Pattrick Smellie
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
David Shearer may be yet another white, middle-class male, but he may also represent Labour's best chance at redeeming itself.
2011-11-29 15:55:58 // Esther Goh
| 2 comments
Phil Goff and Annette King have emerged from caucus to confirm that they will step down as leader and deputy leader of the Labour Party.
2011-11-29 10:02:58 // Idealog
The government has indicated Mighty River Power or Genesis Energy are likely to be the first SOEs to be floated next year.
2011-11-28 15:15:20 // Idealog
Re-elected Prime Minister John Key is in talks with United Future, Act and the Maori Party as he attempts to drum up coalition support.
2011-11-28 14:44:22 // Esther Goh
| 1 comment
The future of Act is uncertain – a new leader, brand and possibly even a name change are on the cards after this weekend's election result.
2011-11-28 14:36:55 // Idealog
| 1 comment
Up to 20 percent of the four state-owned power companies could be owned by iwi once National begins the process of selling off part of its stake in SOEs.
2011-11-25 11:21:37 // Sarah Robson
// The Idealog Blog
If you’ve been keeping up with your Daily Bacon, you will have (hopefully) spied a couple of Q&As – one with Labour leader Phil Goff and the other with Green party co-leader Russel Norman.
2011-11-25 10:15:33 // Idealog
| 2 comments
Labour has staked its election campaign upon a promise to retain SOEs in New Zealand – but are asset sales the devil in disguise as Goff paints them out to be?
2011-11-23 18:54:47 // Vincent Heeringa
// The Idealog Blog
| 27 comments
I have voted National or Act all my life, but the search warrants disgust me so much I'm making a protest vote.
2011-11-23 09:42:52 // Idealog
| 1 comment
The Greens are promising to establish a $100 million startup fund for cleantech projects and boost central government R&D funding by $1 billion in the next three years.
2011-11-22 14:55:35 // Sarah Robson
// The Idealog Blog
Ever wondered whether Twitter chatter reflects the mood of the nation? Wellington social media agency Catalyst90 has just released a Twitter Election Worm that analyses Twitter users’ reactions to recent election campaign goings on.
2011-11-22 13:34:30 // Sarah Robson
| 1 comment
New Zealand governments are abusing their ability to pass laws under urgency, say a group of researchers from Victoria University’s Faculty of Law.
2011-11-21 14:38:39 // Hazel Phillips
// The Idealog Blog
National is promising to deliver ‘better’ outcomes for tertiary students and the taxpayers who support them in one of its latest policies – but it could have unforeseen consequences for extramural students, Massey University Extramural Students' Society president Ralph Springett warns.
2011-11-21 11:12:55 // Esther Goh
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
Don't be a sheep this election – get informed and get voting.
If that all sounds like too much work, think again; a group of Massey University students from Wellington have launched a non-partisan tool to encourage young Kiwis to vote this week.
2011-11-18 13:36:42 // Pattrick Smellie
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
Start preparing now for life under a Labour/Greens combination by the middle of the decade.
2011-11-18 10:19:29 // Hazel Phillips
// The Idealog Blog
| 5 comments
Our leaders all need a big cup of grow the hell up, or at least an after-school detention to sort them out.
2011-11-14 16:23:40 // Idealog
The government is certainly keen to prove its commitment to science and technological innovation – its newest policy will involve pumping $60 million into a series of 'National Science Challenges' to stimulate R&D.
2011-11-14 11:07:00 // Sarah Robson
// The Idealog Blog
As the political stone-throwing commences and squabbles over not-so-secret recordings take over the headlines in the countdown to the November 26 general election,we put the big picture questions to some of our political leaders. Today, Labour Party leader Phil Goff.
2011-11-14 09:45:27 // Idealog
Labour's plan to reinstate a Minister of Rural Affairs if it wins the election has been welcomed by Rural Women NZ, which says the rural sector has been marginalised without an effective spokesperson.
2011-11-10 10:57:56 // Briar Douglas
// The Idealog Blog
| 5 comments
Say hello to the new Act – because while the Conservative Party says it will govern with anyone, right or left, 1 percent beggars can’t be choosers.
2011-11-10 09:24:52 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
One Hutt Valley distiller is bringing old-fashioned satire back to modern day politics almost 30 years after New Zealand’s infamous snap election.
2011-11-04 13:32:46 // Pattrick Smellie
// The Idealog Blog
For three years, Prime Minister John Key has talked a good game on the importance of innovation policy, but it took an election – and perhaps just a touch of Prime Ministerial frustration – to force the pace on the long-stalled plans for Industrial Research Ltd.
2011-11-04 11:40:55 // Sarah Robson
| 1 comment
More funding will be injected into the science sector to transform Industrial Research Limited (IRL) into an advanced technology institute, Prime Minister John Key announced yesterday.
2011-11-01 11:31:09 // Cath Winks
Forest & Bird is getting in on the election action, reminding us to think of nature when we cast our vote with a “vote for nature” campaign.
2011-10-31 10:08:01 // Mike Booker
// The Idealog Blog
| 2 comments
Baby boomers have a habit of getting what we want - but the ones paying for it are invisible.
2011-10-27 13:47:48 // Hazel Phillips
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
Labour's policy for more huts and tracks is admirable, but it could end up as just another item on the wish list.
2011-10-27 11:20:28 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
With the Webb Ellis Cup firmly in our possession, attention is turning to the next national event at hand – the general election.
2011-10-25 14:49:36 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
With the Rugby World Cup done, dusted and firmly in our grip, it's time to turn to the other main event of the year – the national election.
2011-10-18 16:38:13 // Esther Goh
The election battle is officially heating up, with National promising to sweeten Kiwisaver with auto-enrolment and Labour touting industry-specific minimum wage levels.
2011-10-17 11:00:10 // Esther Goh
A government-run app store, a single regulator for telecommunications and broadcasting and priority for rural broadband are among the measures proposed under the Labour Party's IT policy.
2011-10-10 09:25:28 // Idealog
Forget the Super City – an alliance between seven councils in the North Island will represent 2.3 million people, or more than half of all New Zealanders.
2011-10-10 08:35:48 // Paul S Allen
// The Idealog Blog
The Video Camera Surveillance (Temporary Measures) Bill is a mark of laziness – the fact the government has proposed to use retrospective legislation should stand as a warning to all.
2011-09-19 12:06:49 // Idealog
Employers will have to provide information about workers' pay to show whether their male and female staff are receiving equal rates, if Labour has its way.
2011-08-22 09:46:58 // Idealog
| 1 comment
With less than 100 days to go until the November general election, public support for National is still outstripping support for the opposition by far.
2011-08-12 09:23:50 // Esther Goh
The Super Fund is selling its stake in the parent company of a tobacco manufacturer after being caught out holding more than $300,000 of shares despite a policy banning investment in the industry.
2010-07-09 13:57:23 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
Following the Iranian elections in the summer of 2009, Iranian photographer Green Bird urged graphic artists from all over the world to create posters in support of the Green Movement in Iran. The results, beautiful and confronting at the same time, speak for themselves.
2010-03-04 14:10:33 // Vincent Heeringa
// Idealog #26: features
| 3 comments
Catch those upstart Aussies by 2025. That’s the aim of John Key and his young Turks. Dream on, John. Government inaction and the biggest recession in 70 years are conspiring to bring us level with the home of Borat by 2025. Vincent Heeringa reckons we need a better plan to avoid becoming New Zealistan.
2009-12-04 12:44:07 // Julie Starr
// Idealog #24: features
| 1 comment
In a Wellington corridor, Nat Torkington laid down a challenge—and sparked a small revolution. Julie Starr reveals how a loose collection of determined Kiwi innovators are using public data to change the ways that politicians, public servants, companies and people communicate. But is the country ready? Plus streetwise and now open.
2009-05-21 23:39:44 // Vincent Heeringa
// The Idealog Blog
| 26 comments
How did 100 talented entrepreneurs pick an idea only Murray Hewitt would think is cool?
2008-10-17 14:39:51 // Vincent Heeringa
// Idealog #17: features
| 8 comments
Labour swept to power in 1999 promising to transform New Zealand into a world-class, knowledge-led economy. Instead, they reverted to ‘Old Labour’ habits of taxing, regulating and centralising. Vincent Heeringa weighs up Labour’s promises against its achievements and wonders what’s next
2008-07-04 14:48:01 // Matt Cooney
// Idealog #16: now
Steve Maharey says he’ll relish swapping cabinet for the campus as he heads back to run Massey University. But just what can a politician do for a university?
