Ryan Bridge: Land, inheritance taxes incoming?!

Everything in this election's just been turned on its head in 24 hours for three reasons.

And it's not because of National.

Firstly, yesterday, Chris Hipkins was asked if he'd tell us how he would deal with TOP, what the caveats would be.

Ryan Bridge: The Green's wealth tax isn't going to happen

There's no point talking about the latest loony bin tax plan grab from the Greens because it's not going to become anything more than a word doc on their website. It's not going to happen.

An inheritance tax is about the cruellest thing a state can impose on a grieving family. 33% when mum or dad dies. You've got to then take out a loan from the bank, congratulations bank and pay the government. Or sell the shares or property or whatever. Then pay the state. Congratulations state.

Zoran Rakovic: While You Were Watching the Rich List, They Took Your Nest Egg

While headlines rage about New Zealand's ultra-wealthy, it’s the prudent mum-and-dad investors who’ll bear the tax burden. This article exposes how media narratives mask the true targets of wealth taxes.

Professor Robert MacCulloch: NZ Parliament's "sovereign powers".

 

Labour Leader Hipkins is on course to declare NZ's Parliament does not have "sovereign powers".

How come? As this Blog has reported before, Labour is plotting to stand for election 2026 on a platform of capital, asset & wealth taxes. The party is hoping NZ's economy will keep stagnating and social services, especially health, become even more run down. Hipkins (or his replacement) would like to argue the only way to fund them better is through such taxes. How does that platform end sovereignty of Parliament? Because capital, asset and wealth taxes won't be applied to Māori Authorities.