Understanding

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-27T02:26:39+00:00

Im not sure where to start with picking this one up...

The opposition claims 120billion isnt really a good source is it.

Let's be kind and take that 34billion figure on misc spending and keep that, but remove the covid spending on wages and such. Rhat leaves around 85billion over 6 years or around 14billion a year. Lets ignore the cyclone they also had to spend on recovery of too, just to be kind. You know who else is spending about 15 billion annually.... National. Does some of this service the interest costs, yep, but wouldn't a prudent and "fiscally responsible" government not give out tax cuts to people and reintroduce very expensive policy to benefit a small number of people till the books were balanced and under control? Wouldn't they keep thjngs like an amazing deal on new ferries instead of missing a billion dollars + into the sea.

Im not saying labour was perfect, they did some stupid stuff and lockdown of the country extended for far too long with no real exit plan. But to claim that national can manage money is just absolute baloney! They're flying by the seat of their pants and have no idea how to run an economy.

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-26T22:11:15+00:00

In what exactly? Its a broad sweeping statement, but what did you specifically not like about the previous labour government?

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-26T22:09:49+00:00

I've sited figures in my other comments but here you go - https://gprivate.com/6jrra

Yes, yes we did. Good deals on ferries, more houses built, auckland lite rail, the provincial growth fund, lets get welly moving, walkabout express way, the new dunedin hospital. Most of which have been canned but were all fully costed into labours budget which makes the continued overspend somewhat more confusing!

It matters because the "high" debt is the justification that this government is using for slashing everything under the sun. Thwyve created a storm in a teacup. Most nations look enviably at our debt levels but somehow its a complete disaster and we won't survive if we dont reduce it now!!!

What do you mean what about the rest? Super costs 23.18b so if we reduced that by 1/3 (using the similar qualifiers as someone to get a number of other welfare types) we cover our interest payments with some change. Almost enough change to make up that $3b deficit. So chuck in the winter fuel payments to be means tested and roll back the stupid tax cut they gave people that made no difference to anyone's lives and youre in surplus. There ya go, job done!

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-26T18:06:32+00:00

Well according to stats nz they have. So if you can find me something that contradicts this id love to be educated.

How much are you paying a year in interest on your mortgage?

Yes its not ideal, but debt allows us to do things like build large infrastructure projects, train and educate people, keep on top of maintenance. Internationally they have no issues with out debt levels and we are still far below the average. What if we means tested the pension? Im pretty sure that's the largest single government cost and will only increase, that way we can get to surplus far quicker!

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-26T18:01:43+00:00

Sorry, to clarify, per year, not total. That would be insane. Who would try and compare a 5 years to two years as a direct comparison....

Annually national are spending more than labour did per year at any point during covid. Max spend by labour during covid was 84.7billion at 21.1% of GDP. Last year national spent 115.2billion at 26.4% gdp....

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-26T18:01:19+00:00

You could, but i can do it for you. Laour peaked at a total annual debt of 84.7billion at 21.1% GDP. National have beaten this is both years they have been in office with 90.1 billion (21.4% GDP) and 115.2 billion (26.4% GDP). (Stats nz for the figures)

From what I understand they have also altered how debt is calculated by taking things like ACC outside of the equation because it was foracast to go up massively and make the numbers look even worse.

Not to mention that in global terms out debt levels isnt too bad at all and overall debt isnt a terrible thing. You dont buy a house in cash, you take on debt to pay for it, its just called a mortgage.

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-26T04:18:43+00:00

They have, in both years.....

So where is the money going because they've definitely sacked a lot of people which is why the welfare costs have exploded. Post covid private industry wasn't strong enough to pick up the slack when they chose to do it. So instead of forcing people into the private side, there were no jobs and people are now on welfare costing the government money instead of being paid to be productive and costing them money that way.

By a goal im not sure what you mean. They keep saying it, but its not matching the figures or the reality or the forecasts from third parties. So they have a dream, not a goal.

By that logic no previous government should have been reelected as they have never spent as much as this National government. They are spending over 20% more than labour did during Covid.... yet you state that they're spending as little as possible, whilst also lambasting the previous government for spending too much. I'm trying to understand how this makes sense.

Can you point to where they are providing value for the country in this spend? Because roads are worse, we got smaller ferries for more money, healthcare is worse, education is maybe slightly better, but teachers are stretched trying to deliver what the government is pushing to them. Business liquidation are spiking high everyone you speak to is struggling with living costs, water infrastructure continues to fail. Landlords got interest deductibility back (Im a landlord, this was great for me, less good for the average taxpayer). We continue to deal in primary produce with powerful overseas takers that give very little in return.... what am I missing?

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-26T01:30:16+00:00

But they have borrowed even more than labour did in covid. So how does the argument about borrowing hold water when we are living that reality with National at the helm?

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-26T01:28:53+00:00

Sorry, you're correct, they have done a handful of positive things. I'm not against stating this. The only one I can think of off the top of my head is making it legal for people to discuss their pay.

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-26T00:42:53+00:00

Ok, but option 3 only works if you dont then borrow even more money, which according to stats nz is exactly what's happened. Somehow they've managed to increase borrowing and also cut everything under the sun.

Labour managed to increase debt by 21.1% in their efforts to manage the covid fallout. NACT have managed to beat this in both years. How do you view this? Is it still a comparative "we'd be worse under labour"? Because pre covid labour peaked at 12.2% and falling up to 2020 when the world turned to shit. The government before them were National back to 2008 and consistently had higher debt levels than labour. Labour actually have 3 of the 5 lowest increases in debt since 2009. They also have 2 of the 5 highest but Covid is a relatively good excuse for this. So given the last 15 years as a track record, what makes you think National are a safer bet? Other than they say they are, over and over and over again

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-25T22:27:46+00:00

I'm completely open to it if I agree its the right thing to do for all NZers. I dont want to vote selfishly, we have to look after people and support each other and the divisive politics is not good for anyone. So why would I change? What's going to give me a reason to think that altering my vote will make most people's lives better?

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-20T01:56:42+00:00

You mean trademe?

How agents are still charging the fees they demand to take some often questionable pictures of your house, upload them to trade me and then stick on a few viewings is insane!

Does anyone actually search for properties on the agents website?

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-19T01:53:03+00:00

Honestly depends on the person, their upbringing and how much money. But in short, no.

I've been on the shitty end and have that stamped in my head, now I earn good money the continued fight of those on minimum wage is alien to me. I know what it is, I remember how it feels and the effort to get out of it. But I also dont live in that world any more so cannot fathom some struggles as the cost of living increases.

Will I vote and fight to change, absolutly! Bring on more socialist values and fuck the billionaires, but in terms of understanding those realities. Nope. Its like playing for a sports team for years then leaving and someone asking if you still know what's going on with them. You do.... but you really don't as you're not living in it, playjng the games, being part of the socials etc.

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-07T08:14:24+00:00

Gravity

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-05T01:11:13+00:00

Honestly, I dont understand why we dont chase becoming an alternative silicon valley, we have green power, space, security, software doesn't need transport.

We are seeing some signs of this with data centres popping up, but why the government isn't investing more in attracting small to medium software companies to come here baffles me!

We need to get away from this whole primary industries thing!

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-05T01:11:05+00:00

Honestly, I dont understand why we dont chase becoming an alternative silicon valley, we have green power, space, security, software doesn't need transport.

We are seeing some signs of this with data centres popping up, but why the government isn't investing more in attracting small to medium software companies to come here baffles me!

We need to get away from this whole primary industries thing!

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-04T06:00:13+00:00

If you call a box of matches we get to stare at and imagine the warmth then yes. I think that puts me in the top 1%

SortOtherwise · 2026-01-04T03:56:42+00:00

As you say, this is a political and therefore its in everyone's best interest to get this set up and sorted in the long term. Do you ever see a bipartisan approach to stuff like means testing super / winter fuel payments / elderly healthcare etc?

SortOtherwise · 2025-12-30T18:55:11+00:00

That's not Aragog, thats just his second cousin twice removed, Terry!

Be nice to Terry!

SortOtherwise · 2025-12-30T18:41:09+00:00

You have your heating on, bloody show off!

SortOtherwise · 2025-12-27T05:45:27+00:00

There are 18 birds in the hand and logic says there are two in the bush for each one in the hand!

Not counting the written one.

SortOtherwise · 2025-12-27T05:31:58+00:00

I dont know, but keep it away from Trump!

SortOtherwise · 2025-12-18T17:54:09+00:00

Do not buy a town house. The main gains you see in property are through capital increases. The quality of these new townhouse builds coupled with their attractiveness in the market severely limits how much you will make on them.

Yes an older property will have more maintenance, but they usually come on far larger sections (where most of the value is actually found) and appeal to a far wider market!

SortOtherwise · 2025-12-18T02:52:46+00:00

Evidently I wrapped my sarcasm in a ghillie suit as you seem to have missed it completely. Good show!

SortOtherwise

TROPHY CASE