Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Who really believes Labour won't give us more taxes?

Hands up - who believes Labour when they say none of their political mates will be allowed to introduce their taxes in a future Labour-led Government?

This started on Mike's show, with Ginny Andersen on Politics Wednesday saying, "Nah, the Greens aren't going to be allowed to introduce their wealth tax, and nah, Te Pāti Māori isn't going to be allowed to introduce its land tax."

Owen Jennings: Tax is a means to an end, not an end in itself

Tax is likely to be the big policy divide in this coming election. No matter how you put the parties together, it seems almost certain that parties led by Labour will seek to increase taxes and conversely, those led by National are not suggesting any increases; even potential reductions.

The media’s current fascination with TOP conveniently overlooks their plans to raise taxes.

JD: An Analysis of TOP’s Taxes

Guest post on The Good Oil by JD

Amid the current MSM hoopla about TOP, momentarily muted as the press pack rushes off to dig up dirt on Paul Henry and Stuart Nash, there is one key TOP policy winning voter attention that is seldom mentioned.

What’s driving TOP in the polls has nothing to do with them being ‘centrists’, offering a ‘measured alternative’ to Labour or National and claiming to be willing to work with either of them, it is simply that TOP are offering free money, and who can resist that?

Ryan Bridge: Banning and taxing won't solve the problem

This week the Tony Blair Institute warned Andy Burnham that you can't tax your way to prosperity.

Some of our politicians could use a similar lecture.

We have parties wanting new taxes to fund what is basically a Universal Basic Income, even though AI hasn't yet stolen the number of jobs they claimed it would.

Owen Jennings: Giovani is Unhappy

Giovani Riveri makes ‘healthy’ sandwiches and ‘coffee to die for’ in the centre of New York, right under the tallest skyscrapers. Giovani is not happy. Some of his best customers and biggest tippers have disappeared. Income is down again. Giovani knows why, too.

“It’s Mamdani. It’s his freakin’ taxes.” He nods up at the glass offices towering above his little bar. “Dey all going to Texas, man. Mamdani is driving the wealthy outa ere”.

Kerre Woodham: All sides of Government have to be clearer with how they're using our money

Labour's accusing the government of secretly spending $1 billion from next year's budget. The Taxpayers' Union has chimed in too, accusing the government of political skulduggery over the billion dollars in undisclosed future spending.

It amounts to $22 million in '27, '28 before ramping up over a four year period. Heather du Plessis Allan asked the Prime Minister about it this morning and he said there's nothing to see here.

Mike's Minute: Aussie Labor have shown NZ Labour what not to do

Another lesson for our Labour Party if they want to ponder it.

Australia’s Labor have blown their Budget.

It's hard to overstate the anger and pushback on their tax changes made now well over a week ago.

John MacDonald: No one wants to pay more tax, but...

Do we need more taxes

There are two ways we can look at it. Does The Government need more tax revenue? Yes, I think it does. Which is why those tax cuts after the last election have backfired so badly.

And do we want to pay more tax? When push comes to shove, probably not. But that’s human nature, isn’t it?

Ryan Bridge: I don't mind paying the train tax

I don't mind paying the train tax in Auckland, even though I won't be using it.

Rates are going up 7.9% next year. Which let's be honest, is like Woolworths selling butter for $7.99.

It's 8%. Wayne Brown is the 8% man.

Ryan Bridge: Beware the insatiable beast that is the state

It's like a hungry child screaming for more food, even though you've just fed them dinner and pudding.

Across the Tasman, Jim Chalmers, the Aussie Treasurer is facing high debt and deficit. They've managed to achieve the highest level of spending to GDP of any government in 40 years outside the pandemic. Sound familiar?

Bob Edlin: PM snuffs suggestions he is imposing as gas tax....

Wow – we can only admire the energy which the PM puts into snuffing suggestions he is imposing a gas tax

US President Donald Trump is a dab hand at telling Americans down is up, war is peace and tariffs are not a tax.

It looks like our PM has gone to him for lessons.

Andrew Dickens: If we don't want congestion charges, give us alternatives

On the front page of the New Zealand Herald today there was a poll, and it shows that we're split as a nation on the issue of capital gains tax. So, the question for us here in this room and you in your room and all of us together is, should we have another discussion on the CGT?

And my answer to that is, of course not. And why?

Dr Eric Crampton: Brittania's curse

Those who grew up reading the old Greek myths will be familiar with Cassandra’s curse.

Cassandra was a Trojan princess, blessed by the Gods with the gift of true prophecy – she really could see the future. But she was also cursed never to be believed. So, when she warned her fellow Trojans about the giant wooden horse left outside the city’s walls, they ignored her.

I think Britain is similarly cursed. We can call it Britannia’s Curse.

Cam Slater: Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven but Nobody Wants to Die

1News, as part of their finance debate between Grant Robertson and Nicola Willis, polled people to seek their opinions on paying for poverty reduction and climate change. The debate was an unedifying spectacle that illuminated no one but the poll results were as anyone would have expected.

The first part of the poll was about whether or not voters think NZ is on the right track or the wrong track.