Thin blue line meets budget red ink

Ram raids make news and prompt police funding, but ... (Image: NZME)

Fri, 13 May 2022

Good news with last weekend’s announcement of a $564 million boost for law and order, though it is a classic example of a budget initiative that hides the underlying picture. A lot more money will be needed to make a difference.First, the good parts.There has been some great work by police and backed up by statistics showing less crime over recent years. More money is welcome and needed. Seldom does a day go past now without some criminal activity reported. Particularly concerning are those that are gun-related, or some business...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.
Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Technology

China officials discuss option of TikTok sale to Elon Musk

Beijing’s leaders have denounced US ban threat

The Wall Street Journal 8:57am

Retail

Price shakeup for cigarette brand

Cigarette prices typically go up each year. Not in this case.

Oliver Lewis 5:00am

Du Val

Best of BusinessDesk: Du Val investor's $150,000 stake

“They want sophisticated investors … I was neither."

Garth Bray 5:00am

Best of BusinessDesk: Du Val investor's $150,000 stake

Sponsored

Why Kiwis are embracing Bitcoin ETFs

The once hard-to-access investment option is becoming mainstream.

Smart

Sponsored

The AI tech revolutionising safety in high-risk NZ workplaces

Around forklifts and machinery, Viewtech detects danger instantly.

Viewtech

More Economy

Economy

Westpac records soft December retail spending

Despite a slight lift, Westpac data points to a soft end of year for household spending.Westpac’s retail tracker, released on Thursday, showed spending on Westpac-issued credit and debit cards was up 2% in December compared to last year. Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod...

Staff reporters 10:20am