Learning from Mar-a-Lago: Scott Morrison’s Trump playbook for NZ

Scott Morrison says as PM he was Trump's friend when other leaders were attacking him. (Image: Dileepa Fonseka/BusinessDesk)

Dileepa Fonseka

Fri, 14 Feb 2025

In a sea of pessimism about Donald Trump at the University of Waikato Economics forum this year, former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison strikes an upbeat note. And why wouldn’t he? Unlike everybody else at the forum, he was invited to spend time with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on New Year’s Eve. “The thing to understand about the Trump administration – well, this isn’t a phrase that I’ve used – ‘take them seriously but not literally’,” Morrison told BusinessDesk. &ldqu...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

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].name) | 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 }}

Economy

NZ dollar benefiting from ‘sell US’ trade, more to come

The kiwi is at a five-month high.

Rebecca Howard 11:55am

Markets

Fed, tariff fears send Dow down over 900 points

Blue-chip index heads for its worst April since 1932.

The Wall Street Journal 10:30am

Fed, tariff fears send Dow down over 900 points

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Thursday, April 22

Take a break and try our quiz.

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Sponsored

Bayleys Total Property Issue 3 out now

Backed by Bayleys’ national strength and global reach

Bayleys

Sponsored

Go beyond reporting zero emissions

Clean energy that helps businesses and communities thrive

Meridian Energy

More Politics

Policy

Foreign investors show ‘increased interest’ in NZ

Pension funds are reportedly cooling on the US. Could NZ stand to benefit?

Oliver Lewis 5:00am

News in Brief

Luxon travelling to London, Istanbul and Gallipoli

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to the United Kingdom and Türkiye next week, visiting London, Gallipoli, and Istanbul.Luxon recently travelled to India and Vietnam and said this trip would also emphasise trade.In London, Luxon will meet with Prime Minister Keir Starm...

Staff reporters 17 Apr 2025