PATTRICK SMELLIE: Labour’s election recipe: cautious populism

Wed, 09 Sep 2020

On Monday, the prime minister – in her role as Labour Party leader – promised a public holiday.The workers will be happy.On Tuesday, she announced that bank charges on eftpos machines would be regulated.Small business owners and retailers will be happy.Today, her finance minister announced perhaps the smallest tax policy ever unveiled by a Labour Party, taking a faint dab at the top 2 percent of income earners, most of whose houses and share portfolios have shot up in value this year and will remain untaxed anyway.The calculation is...

Unlock all stories free for 10 days

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

We won’t charge for 10 days. 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 }}

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand.
We will remind you three times before charging you.
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 }}

Law & Regulation

Two new judicial appointments

Attorney general Judith Collins reveals new judges for high court and court of appeal.

Staff reporters 3:15pm

Economy

Fast-track ‘stakeholders’ list released

Major corporates including Carter Group and Fonterra are on the list.

Victoria Young 2:30pm

Primary Sector

Bell Potter boosts Santana target price 53.5%

Aussie brokers increasingly like the look of a low-cost, high yield Otago gold play.

Pattrick Smellie 12:00pm

Bell Potter boosts Santana target price 53.5%

Sponsored

Boosting rural growth with innovation

Productivity and sustainability go hand in hand for the rural sector

ASB Scam Update

Sponsored

Auckland's new "Midtown" taking shape

5-star hybrid workspaces, combined with the City Rail Link, are creating a revitalised inner-city zone designed to motivate workers back to the office.

Alberts