Asleep at the wheel: the KiwiSaver GST flip-flop

Asleep at the wheel: the KiwiSaver GST flip-flop
Even the adult mayfly lives longer than the ill-fated KiwiSaver GST proposal. (Image: Getty)
Pattrick Smellie
Governments are generally lumbering beasts, but this one proved today it can still turn on a dime when it needs to. After a five-year gestation, the proposal to impose GST on all KiwiSaver provider fees lasted less than 24 hours once it reached the light of day. This puts it in the same league as the adult mayfly, except that the adult mayfly generally lasts a full day before expiring.At Question Time in parliament today, and in revenue minister David Parker’s press statement announcing the climb-down, we are asked to believe th...

More Opinion

Scale game goes on as funds jostle for $341b share
Opinion

David Chaplin: Scale game goes on as funds jostle for $341b share

A handful of NZ boutique fund managers have yet to surface in takeover rumours.

Hold on: The 2026 election is going to be close
Opinion

Cameron Bagrie: Hold on: The 2026 election is going to be close

Watch out for the undecided vote percentages in upcoming polls.

The quarter that never comes
Opinion

Dileepa Fonseka: The quarter that never comes

The Government is Waiting for Godot with its thirst for an interest rate cut-led boom.

Dileepa Fonseka 01 Sep 2025
The Macro Series: All about economists
Opinion

Simon Robertson: The Macro Series: All about economists

Economists should be bold and make big predictions.

Simon Robertson 30 Aug 2025