15 Comments
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James Wilkes's avatar

And the evidence just keeps piling up. Neoliberalism has failed, but it’s still the narcotic surging through this government’s bloodstream and they’re completely addled, completely addicted. Aotearoa today is nothing more than a modern interpretation of Ancient Rome’s collosseum. In those times, the Emperor and Vestal Virgins had the best seats closest to the arena. In modern New Zealand, it’s the ‘wealthy and sorted’ that have access to privilege. If the actions of Luxon’s government are anything to go by, the rest of us can be thrown to the lions. They’re entitled to their entitlements after all and watching citizens run from the lions (poverty) is so much fun.

Ok, I’m being facetious, but seriously, the feckless and feeble fumbling of this Luxon led cluster f**k government is really something to behold. By almost every key performance indicator it has been an outstanding failure. Wages scarring, I feel like this government has ripped me a new one. I’m scarred for life. Thanks for absolutely nothing Luxon. All you’ve done since you returned to New Zealand is get wealthy at the expense, and to the detriment, of your fellow New Zealanders. Oh, and one Western Australian.

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Peter Joseph's avatar

Without fiscal stimulus, in fact the polar opposite of a harsh austerity budget in everything but name; this comes as no surprise. This is the inevitable result of the fallacy of thrift.

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Juergen's avatar

It’s not a bug, it’s a feature… for the National Party (and their minions). It was Bill English that said he would like to see salaries in New Zealand drop. Nothing has changed since.

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Peter Joseph's avatar

Luxon was saying this pre election. He stopped though.

I agree but they don't understand how an economy really works either.

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Josephine's avatar

Gosh, it all makes for pretty depressing reading. This government is supposed to be superior economic managers. This is just a complete joke. The government has made it harder for ordinary New Zealanders to live in their own country.

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Karen Griffin's avatar

I have a son and a niece (both 30) who are seeking work. Breaks my heart as they have an impossible task. Trying to stay positive and focused is bloody hard. So many examples of good people being reduced to nasty little statistics of "not being sorted" for this punitive govt

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Judgey's avatar

Why can't the mainstream media tell it like it is, the true situation you have described needs to be out there for everyone to read. This government is presiding over absolutely nothing to be proud of, it looks like all metrics that really matter to people's lives are heading in the wrong direction.

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Mountain Tūī's avatar

Corporate media is vested interest media at this point.

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Colleen's avatar

All I can say is I really hope all the NZ Citizens that have left the country take up the special vote option and DO NOT vote for this coalition.

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Winston Moreton's avatar

Another consequence is the neighbouring job market expands and good kiwi emigrate and their families follow

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Judith Paulin's avatar

yes,thank you Craig!This is an outrageous situation! I fear for the future of the new generations - too poor to leave, and too innocent to understand what the future holds for them….Remember the French Revolution??

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Mountain Tūī's avatar

Thanks Craig.

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Susan St John's avatar

Absolutely despair that the government has the slightest inkling of the social havoc it is generating. In years gone by we could expect some sort of winter package stimulus by now but there is zero chance. The unemployed young are a lost generation. Those struggling on low wages are also suffering, gaining little disposable income from additional work if they can get it, and at foodbanks to survive. In the meantime, they continue to go into debt to IR or cash up their KiwiSavers.

All we can say is Kia kaha and roll on the 2026 election

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Jen n Hen's avatar

Terrifying……. 😵‍💫😢

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NZ Global Economics Context's avatar

Hi Craig,

Is it still the case that you only have to have done 1 hr of paid or unpaid work if the question is asked of you in the Quarterly Household Survey, to be deemed employed for official statistics?

Which makes a mockery of the whole thing.

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