Business of Government: Brickbats and bouquets edition

Business of Government: Brickbats and bouquets edition
Should the Government be toasted or roasted for its efforts in 2024? (Image: NZME)
Jem Traylen
On a quarterly reporting missionAt the final post-Cabinet press conference for 2024, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it had been a “mammoth year” for the Government, boasting that it had completed 160 actions from its quarterly plans.The fact the press gallery saved all their questions for other topics is a good indicator the New Zealand public cares as much about the ticking off of these quarterly plans as citizens of the USSR cared about similar pronouncements from their government.The plans appear to be made up of a cherry-...

More Policy

Labour’s tax plan by the numbers
Policy

Labour’s tax plan by the numbers

Labour has chosen a small target CGT and a popular health target.

Pattrick Smellie 28 Oct 2025
Labour's CGT: 'the moderates have won'
Economy

Labour's CGT: 'the moderates have won'

A 'first step' policy that may not raise much revenue.

Pattrick Smellie 28 Oct 2025
Online gambling receipts balloon amid efforts to regulate sector
Policy

Online gambling receipts balloon amid efforts to regulate sector

Offshore online gambling providers filed $290.3m of GST receipts in six months to July.

Gregor Thompson 28 Oct 2025
How Pharmac's set-up risks higher health costs
Economy

How Pharmac's set-up risks higher health costs

Pharmac's fixed budget discourages use of cost-saving medicines common elsewhere.

Pattrick Smellie 23 Oct 2025