Yvonne Van Dongen: What Should We Be Talking About - And Aren't?

A topic even more inflammatory than gender.

The latest report from the Integrity Institute on the 2025 Acumen Edelman Trust Barometer made me think of the final question that Triggernometry podcast hosts Konstantin Kisin and Francis Foster always ask their guests: what should we be talking about that we aren’t talking about?

The Acumen Edelman Trust Barometer is an annual global survey of confidence in institutions. New Zealand’s 2025 results are not good. Trust in government is down to 45 per cent. Business sits at 54 per cent. And trust in the media has fallen to 35 per cent.

DTNZ: Trump raises China tariffs to 125%, implements 90-day pause for other countries

US President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%, up from 104%, effective immediately, while authorising a 90-day pause for other countries affected by new duties.

The move follows sweeping tariffs imposed on dozens of trading partners, triggering retaliatory measures from China, the European Union, and Canada.

Michael Reddell: Tariff madness and monetary policy

We’ve seen this morning the latest step up in the Trump-initiated trade war, with the additional 50 per cent tariffs imposed on imports from China. If the tariff madness persists – but in fact even if were wound back in some places (eg some of the particularly absurd tariffs on supposed US allies in east Asia, or 48 per cent tariffs on Madagascar’s vanilla) – it is going to be extremely damaging to global economic activity in the (probably protracted) transition.

Mike's Minute: Should the Government force you to buy wool?

I am conflicted.

In the age of tariffs and free trade and making stuff that the world wants, how is it a Government can then argue that you have to buy wool?

If you are redecorating, or building, or refurbishing a major chunk of your consideration will be around cost.

Ele Ludemann: “Ridden with flaky ideology & identity politics”

Green MP Benjamin Doyle has belatedly fronted media:

Green Party MP Benjamin Doyle has returned to Parliament saying their social media posts never had a sexual meaning and they didn’t believe they had done anything wrong.

However, Doyle, who uses they/them pronouns, recognised they were “politically naive” in not deleting their private Instagram account ahead of entering Parliament last year, something the Green Party advised them to do. However, they had not expected it would lead to “baseless, personal, and violent” attacks. . .

David Farrar: Norm breaking should be condemned in NZ, not just the US

One of the major criticisms (which I share) is that Donald Trump has broken many of the norms of politics in the US, and he undermines institutional legacy.

In New Zealand, Te Pati Māori do the same. But their norm breaking is not called out to even a fraction of the scale Trump’s is.

Matua Kahurangi blogs:

Breaking Views Update: Week of 6.4.25

Thursday April 10, 2025 

News:
Review calls for more resources for ‘strained’ Waitangi Tribunal
The Waitangi Tribunal needs more panel members to deal with an increased workload caused be a slew of urgent and long-running kaupapa inquiries, a review recommends.

Andrew Moran: Trump Tariffs Bring the World to the Negotiating Table

The art of the deal could be paying off.

Is it 1995 all over again? A 30-year-old video featuring a young Donald Trump lambasting the US government’s auto deal with Japan has resurfaced, with the billionaire criticizing Tokyo’s unfair trade practices and the administration’s abysmal negotiating skills. “In Japan, everything’s restricted, restricted, restricted. We’re sitting but can’t come in, and all of a sudden, this country folds,” he said. Trump declared he would adopt “a much harder stand” and “a much more difficult stand.” Thirty years later, it is the same old real estate mogul – and Trump tariffs are producing the intended results.

Dr Eric Crampton: With regime uncertainty, we don’t know how lucky we are, mate

About a quarter century ago, my to-be wife introduced me to a card game called Flux. It was popular among the computer science and engineering students in Pittsburgh. Those students, who spent their days agonising over the logic of the code and structures they were designing, needed something a little different. Something so unpredictable that it defied planning and logic. Something where they didn’t have to think, because thinking couldn’t help much.

Kerre Woodham: Policing is a community-minded calling

Now the police have been in the spotlight in the past few weeks. It should have been criticism, with Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul's comments and the criticism of police pulling back from attending mental health call outs, but in fact, the attention has highlighted just how much our men and women in blue are valued.

Gary Judd KC: Move to disallow part of tikanga Regs

Automatic disallowance in a few weeks

This is in today’s Parliamentary Order Paper.

JC: Winston Shows up the Woke Greens

You have to hand it to Winston: he is not only the oldest but also the wiliest politician in parliament. He treats those on the left as political cannon fodder and the media in much the same way. Winston has no time for the woke brigade, the DEI nonsense or indeed their utterances about climate change and matters of race. Hence his remarkable rise in the preferred prime minister rankings in the latest Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll: up 4.3 per cent to nearly 13 per cent.

Sir Bob Jones: Trump Trumped

Trump is a world-class ignoramus.

Prior to taking office in January, he claimed he’d sort out the Ukraine situation on day one. On that undertaking Putin played him like a fiddle.

Meanwhile his tariffs proposition have left global money markets in turmoil. He dismisses that now, after the event, as “medicine”, necessary to “reform” the system.

Wednesday April 9, 2025 

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Alan Jones on climate change

Alan Jones says climate change is the biggest hoax ever known to man

Click to view

Bob Edlin: Taking Stock of Trump’s liberal use of falsehoods....

Taking Stock of Trump’s liberal use of falsehoods during the Liberalisation Day declaration that has tariffied the globe

Business writer Rob Stock applied a New Zealand filter to his examination of President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” charts.

He winkled out documents from the US International Trade Administration which showed Trump’s “big lie” about the tariffs New Zealand levies on imports from the US.

A big lie from Trump?

Ele Ludemann: Getting from no to yes

The RMA has made it far to easy for those with the power to say no, and far too long for them to say yes.

That is going to change:

Professor Robert MacCulloch: NZ Initiative Chairman Partridge gets his international economics wrong.....

NZ Initiative Chairman Partridge gets his international economics wrong. Its worrying given the PM and Finance Minister's relationship with that outfit.

Usually commenting on a fringe think-tank would be a waste of time. But its worth doing so in the case of the NZ Initiative since its former Senior Economist Matt Burgess is the Prime Minister's Chief Economic Adviser, the Finance Minister served on the Initiative's Board and I used to see the PM at their meetings when Air NZ was a Member.

Mike's Minute: Is America now a global laughing stock?

Ken Langone started a small operation called Home Depot. 

These days he is a billionaire and major donor to the Trump campaign and Republican Party. 

He is, like all the rest of us looking on, incredulous, or furious, or in disbelief, or confused.

David Farrar: Labour looking to seize Wellington back from the Greens

The Herald reports:

Former Labour leader Andrew Little has confirmed he is considering a tilt at the Wellington mayoralty.

This means he is standing. I have little doubt he would crush Whanau. Little would at least be a competent Mayor. However I’m not sure Little would bring the fiscal discipline to Council that is so badly needed. 20% rates increases are obscene.

Graham Adams: Seymour unbowed by hostile Treaty bill submissions

Anyone who watched David Seymour doggedly champion the End of Life Choice Bill for five years before its ultimate success in a referendum will know his sanguine view of the tsunami of submissions against his Treaty Principles Bill is not mere posturing.

When he told journalists on Friday that the select committee report showing 90 per cent of submitters were opposed had “redoubled” his commitment to ensuring all New Zealanders were equal, with universal rights before the law, he made it clear Act will take that proposition to next year’s election as a policy plank.

Kerre Woodham: We have to be willing and prepared to play our part

Well, we were a little in advance of the day yesterday, weren't we? If you were with me yesterday, I was looking at the armed forces lowering their standards to try to attract more people into the services. They're leaving in droves, finding it very hard to recruit new people, men and women, to join the services. And instead of lowering standards, I said, why not make the Defence Force more attractive as a career? Address the poor pay, the substandard housing and the lack of opportunities for career advancement for servicemen and women to stop them leaving in their legions. And what do you know? Twelve hours later they have.

Peter Williams: Thoughts on the tariffs

The markets are in meltdown, there’s a recession on the way and it’s all Donald Trump’s fault. His tariff regime is the stupidest and most non-sensical move in the history of modern economics.

That essentially sums up how the world has been reporting the turmoil of the last week since “Liberation Day” and its consequences were unleashed on the world.

Bruce Cotterill: Are leaders rewarded for profile, not performance?

I was reminded this week of the story of Jill Barad.

Barad was the rather glamorous chief executive of Mattel Inc in the 1990s who took well-deserved credit for the resurgence of the Barbie brand. But the last few years of her time in the corner office were marred by poor performance and failed initiatives. She was eventually let go in what was one of the first big corporate firings of the 20th century, in January 2000.

Simon O'Connor: Hands off our charities

I've recently been talking to experts on charities and taxation. The message to government is clear - keep your greedy controlling fingers off them, and leave charities alone.

In recent days, one of New Zealand’s most outspoken charities broke into, and occupied, port facilities causing much disruption.

Dr Michael John Schmidt: Trump’s tariff strategy explained.

Listening to various people talk about Trump’s “tariff strategy” (TTS) – including some who are supposedly very knowledgeable – it’s becoming clear that many, even some members of our coalition Government, don’t truly understand it.

Many people misunderstand TTS because they fail to grasp how it works in practice, beyond the theoretical, and they are misled on the issue by the anti-Trump media and by those with a vested interest in undermining the strategy.

Roger Partridge: The Art of the Fail

My previous columns critiquing President Donald Trump’s constitutional overreach and foreign policy blunders prompted some readers to suggest I had failed to grasp the President’s strategic brilliance. Trump, they insisted, was playing four-dimensional chess while the rest of us fumbled with checkers. His actions masked the unfolding of a masterful plan to restore American greatness.

Dr Eric Crampton: Tariffs, AI, and the certainty of volatility

I am always glad that I am not an economic forecaster.

Most people’s exposure to economists is radio or newspaper bits from bank economists making their best guesses about economic growth, the unemployment rate, or the track for interest rates.

Tuesday April 8, 2025 

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Anglo Saxon: New Zealand's cancerous tribal system and what it costs us.

In this video Anglo Saxon outlines the changed landscape of New Zealand's tribal system and how it has become a cancer in our society.

Click to view

Javier Milei: This Is The Most Powerful Speech The World Needs To Hear!!!

President Javier Milei just exposed the truth at the UN—and it’s sending shockwaves across the globe.

Click to view

Mike's Minute: Snobs are complaining about Defence Force criteria

A touch of the ol' intellectual snobbery reared its head with news that the Defence Force dropped education criteria last year.

As a person who had no time for school and could not wait to get out into the world, I was, and still am, very grateful for the idea that you choose the person and not the piece of paper when it comes to work.

David Farrar: Finally, a serious boost to defence spending

Judith Collins announced:

The Coalition Government today released a multi-billion dollar plan for a modern, combat-capable New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) that pulls its weight internationally and domestically.

Professor Robert MacCulloch: Why's Productivity Low in NZ? ....

Why's Productivity Low in NZ? The HMNZS Manawanui's Inquiry Explains. Poor Leaders. Its Lousy CEOs, Bosses, Inbred Boards, Ministers, Admirals. Our Non-Human Systems Work Just Fine.

Want to know why productivity is low in NZ? Go read the report into "the circumstances that resulted in the loss of HMNZS MANAWANUI off Upolu, Samoa, on 6 October 2024". It is an allegory for why our economy is not performing better. My latest view is we shouldn't be blaming our economic institutions (which are the rules, or structures, that we work within and which constrain our behaviors). Instead the reason is that a large bunch of the people in charge are nothing short of useless. How come?

DTNZ: Iran puts army on high alert – Reports

Tehran has reportedly told its neighbours in the Middle East not to support a potential US attack.

Iran has placed its forces on high alert, warning neighboring countries that host American bases not to support potential US strikes, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing an official familiar with the matter.

Professor Rod McNaughton: Why Trump’s tariffs highlight the need for NZ to build local capacity...

Looking inward: why Trump’s tariffs highlight the need for NZ to build local capacity

When retail executives start swearing during earnings calls, something is clearly amiss. That’s what happened recently when the CEO of United States-based luxury furniture retailer Restoration Hardware saw his company’s share price plunge by more than 25% in after-market trading.

John Klar: EU Tariffs and Sweeping Climate Directives Threaten Global Trade

The European Union (EU) is facing off with the United States over tariffs, war with Russia, and increased regulations governing corporations doing business on the continent. Some claim globalist NGOs exert undue influence over modern Europe through the union: Pending laws that seek to impose environmental and social rules on all US and international companies resemble a globalized regulatory structure. The showdown is underway.

John MacDonald: Is prison the wrong place for some offenders?

I’m liking what Sir Ron Young is saying about prison sentences today.

He’s really challenging us, saying that we need to re-think what we do with people given sentences of two-to-three years.

He’s talking about not sending them to conventional prisons and giving them conjugal rights.

Kerre Woodham: NZDF has compromised standards, not fixed the problem

I find it incredible that within a few days of a report into the sinking of the Manawanui - a damning report that revealed the crew and the Commanding Officer of the Navy ship were under trained, ill-prepared, not up to the job, the boat wasn't up to the task it was doing when it grounded on a Samoan reef - we learn that the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has lowered its standards to make it easier for people to apply for a job.

Lushington Brady: Has Milei Saved Argentina from the Left?

To the fury of the media, Argentina’s economy is bounding back.

When Javier Milei came to power in Argentina, the Western media went into pearl-clutching overdrive. Milei, like Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, was a ‘mini-Trump’, a chainsaw-wielding madman who was set to overthrow decades of left-wing, socialist, policy in Argentina. That those same policies had taken Argentina from one of the wealthiest countries in the world to a basket-case economy, was of no matter.

All that mattered was that the globalists’ beloved ‘pink tide’ was under threat. Venezuela, the left’s beloved poster-child, was in free-fall collapse, with Argentina not far behind.

Milei vowed to turn that all around by slashing government spending and lifting the heavy boot of bureaucracy from Argentina’s neck.

And it’s worked. With stunning speed. In less than two years, Milei has reined in inflation, revitalised a moribund housing market and lifted millions of Argentines out of poverty.

David Farrar: Let’s do full independence!

Radio NZ reports:

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he will only re-work constitutional ties with New Zealand if the new agreement makes it clear his country is now “more independent” – risking a fresh brawl with Wellington.

Monday April 7, 2025 

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Gary Judd KC: Regulation Review Committee's tikanga decision

The Committee probably went as far as it could

What the Committee did

The Regulation Review Committee decided (1) that making tikanga a compulsory subject for law students did not unduly trespass on personal rights and liberties, but (2) requiring tikanga to be incorporated in the other compulsory subjects was an unusual or unexpected use of the powers conferred on the New Zealand Council of Legal Education.

Professor Robert MacCulloch: Hipkins pretends on Newstalk that he's pro-free trade & pro-business

Labour Leader Hipkins pretends on Newstalk that he's pro-free trade & pro-business (to get Auckland's vote).

The guy who locked down Auckland indefinitely during the pandemic, closed our borders so not one foreigner could enter, and even Kiwis with NZ passports based overseas for that matter; who trashed the future of a generation of our school children; who ordered the Covid vaccine late, though would never admit it; and who caused high inflation & stuffed the NZ economy - now goes on Radio to accuse US President Trump of not being an internationalist and out of order for his tariffs. How ironic for this centralizing, anti-capitalist, shut-the-borders leader of the Labour Party to falsely pretend he hates barriers between countries. Hipkins says NZ has pretty much offered tariff-free access to everyone who's asked for it "and was willing to reciprocate". US exporters "trying to get into NZ face no barriers at all", he adds. So lets see how well his embrace of free trade actually stacks up.

Mikes Minute: The Treaty Principles Bill is a half-baked, deeply divided mess

The Treaty Principals Bill is on its way to the gallows as the select committee came back Friday and suggested it wasn’t getting its support.

It was voted past first reading but it wont get past round two.

What I learned out of it was several things.

Clive Bibby: It is part of who l am and what this country has become

I’ve just finished reading a review on the recently released Ali Mau memoir - “No words for this.” 

It would appear to give an accurate insight into a life filled with emotional highs and lows that few of us mere mortals experience.

I find myself in two minds as to whether the prejudiced view I had of Ali’s public persona has been softened by the dramatic revelations of child abuse and public denigration that often goes with the job. Perhaps l will read the book in order to find out more.

Karl du Fresne: My war with the NZTA: Part Deux

Here’s a piece of advice for anyone contemplating a road trip: carefully check the NZTA website beforehand for any road closures. 

This never used to be an essential precaution. It is now. And again the question must be asked: what has changed that requires state highways to be so frequently closed, causing huge inconvenience and disruption, when it wasn’t necessary in the past? 

Chris Lynch: Free speech row erupts over teacher’s Facebook post on Treaty bill

A complaint over a teacher’s political comments on Facebook has sparked calls for the Teaching Council to throw it out, with ACT Party Education spokesperson Laura McClure labelling the case “vexatious” and a threat to free speech.

DTNZ: China hits back at US with 34% import tariffs

The move follows President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” duties on all Chinese goods.

China will impose a 34% tariff on all imports from the US starting April 10, the country’s Finance Ministry announced on Friday. The decision follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 34% levy on Chinese goods in the latest escalation of a tariff war.

Dr Prabani Wood: Investing in primary care makes economic sense

Health Minister Brown's primary care package takes aim at the country's critical GP shortage. He is right to be concerned. The economic consequences of our failing primary care system are as alarming as the health impacts. 

Your local GP practice is highly efficient at diagnosing, treating and managing health conditions and also preventing illnesses from occurring before they require expensive specialist intervention. Research abroad shows every dollar invested in primary care can save up to $13 in healthcare expenditure.

David Farrar: Good principles for RMA reform

Chris Bishop and Simon Court announced principles for the RMA replacement, and they generally look very good (but not perfect). Some key aspects:

Professor Robert MacCulloch: The Prize for "Biggest Green-washers" in NZ goes to .. The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The topic of Corporate Social Responsibility is becoming undermined in economics by the prevalence of "green-washing", which happens when firms pretend they are doing stuff which is good for the environment, but its all just part of a marketing campaign to try to increase sales, and not sincere. So who gets the Prize for Biggest Green-washer in NZ?

Ele Ludemann: How much should govt do?

The good news is most voters think it’s parents’ responsibility to feed their children:

The bad news is there are still more than 30% who think it’s the government’s role.

Sunday April 6, 2025 

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Professor Robert MacCulloch: The Hypocrisy of Leftist Economists....

The Hypocrisy of Leftist Economists, including Nobel Laureate Krugman regards Trump's Tariffs, is disturbing.

Lets cut to the chase and expose the rank contradictions of left-wingers harping on about how awful are Trump's tariffs. Lets first zero in on NZ Labour Party Hypocrite Number One, my mate David Parker. He doesn't seem to mind me getting stuck into his economics, and why shouldn't I when he's a lawyer? We meet up around once a year to take each other on, he reads this Blog, and I admire his willingness to debate, so here goes.