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

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
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...

More Politics

Govt announces first three 'regional deal' contenders
Policy

Govt announces first three 'regional deal' contenders

Ministers want regions to consider 'asset recycling', among other funding tools.

Left and right question ministry mega-merger
Politics

Left and right question ministry mega-merger

Voices on both sides of politics question the wisdom of merging three ministries.

Cost of Ōtaki to north of Levin highway nears $2b
Infrastructure

Cost of Ōtaki to north of Levin highway nears $2b

In 2020, the lower North Island expressway was costed at just $817m.

Oliver Lewis 01 Jul 2025
Mega departmental merger on the cards
Politics

Mega departmental merger on the cards

Three into one for departments merger but would it pit growth against environment?

Dileepa Fonseka 01 Jul 2025