How military training could transform NZ society
A training exercise at the Waiouru Military Camp. Matthew Hooton argues for universal military training, saying it could be like Outward Bound for everyone, with basic military skills thrown in.
THREE KEY FACTS
Finance Minister Nicola Willis had some good fiscal news this week with reports only 249 families are receiving the full value of Christopher Luxon's tax package. That will save some tens of millions of dollars to spend elsewhere or – fingers crossed –
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Why US President Donald Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize
Matthew Hooton Matthew Hooton has more than 30 years' experience in political and corporate strategy, including the National and Act parties. KEY FACTS Fair's fair. United States President Donald Trump may remain a threat to his nation's democracy and the rule of law. His on-again, off-again tariff policy is undoubtedly stoking inflation and undermining economic growth. His reckless tax cuts risk adding another US$2.8 trillion to the US national debt. Nevertheless,
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
Supermarkets Warned About Unfair Practices
Minister for Economic Growth Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis has written to the major supermarkets to restate the basic expectation that they take all steps needed to comply with the Fair Trading Act and ensure Kiwi shoppers are not subjected to misleading price claims. 'Supermarkets have statutory obligations under the Fair Trading Act to ensure that pricing information is accurate and does not mislead consumers. 'I am disappointed that I have to spell out to some of New Zealand's biggest and most sophisticated retail operators - Foodstuffs North Island, Foodstuffs South Island, and Woolworths - that they should have in place processes to prevent inaccurate pricing, institute and publicise refund policies, and train staff to ensure that when errors are reported, fixes occur system-wide. Compliance with the law should be a basic expectation. 'I am concerned to hear from the Commerce Commission and Consumer New Zealand that misleading promotional practices and common pricing errors are still occurring within New Zealand's major supermarket chains. 'These include customers being charged more at the checkout than the advertised price, specials being advertised that don't represent a saving on the normal price, and multibuys that are more expensive than if the products are individually purchased. 'This week it was reported that two PAKnSave supermarkets that are part of Foodstuffs North Island have pleaded guilty to multiple charges of breaching the Fair Trading Act. The Commerce Commision has also filed proceedings against Woolworths for misleading consumers about prices. 'I will not comment on ongoing court proceedings. However, it is clear that as participants in a sector that generates revenue of $27 billion a year, the major supermarkets have the resources to treat their customers fairly. 'It should not be customers' responsibility to alert stores to pricing discrepancies. Kiwi shoppers have the right to expect that the price they pay at the checkout is the same as the price they see in the aisle. 'I have asked the major supermarket chains for an update on the actions they are taking to address these issues. It is in their and New Zealand shoppers' interests that they be clear about what they are doing to ensure shoppers are not misled. 'I am considering introducing tougher penalties and potential changes to ensure the provisions of the Fair Trading Act are more readily enforced. 'I note that the maximum penalty for a breach of the Fair Trading Act in New Zealand is a fine of $600,000 whereas in Australia the courts can impose a penalty of up to $A50 million.'
RNZ News
4 days ago
- RNZ News
Treasury advised government not to buy rail enabled Cook Strait ferries weeks before it announced it would
Minister for Rail Winston Peters announcing the Cook Strait ferry replacement plan back in March. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Treasury advised the government not to buy rail enabled Cook Strait ferries three weeks before it announced it would. On March 31 the government announced it would buy two new Interislander ferries to be delivered by 2029 to replace the current aging fleet. It came in wake of Finance Minister Nicola Willis having pulled the plug on the previous government's Cook Strait mega ferry plan named iReX in 2023. The ships announced in March would be 200 meters long and rail enabled, which meant rail freight could be rolled on and off them. New documents revealed under the Official Information Act show just 20 days earlier on March 10, Treasury recommended the government buy non-rail enabled ships. The agency said the option would be cheaper while achieving the aim of the project. "There are operational advantages from rail-enablement, but these do not fully offset the increased capital cost." The Ministry of Transport also cast doubt on the move, and last year a Ministerial Advisory Group recommended the government buy two non-rail enabled ferries. Meanwhile the Ferry Holdings Company which was set up in March to lead contractual negotiations with shipyards and ports supported a decision to buy rail enabled ferries. "The simplest and most efficient method of moving freight across Cook Strait is by rail enabled ferries." In a statement to RNZ Rail Minister Winston Peters said that officials took a narrow approach on the consideration of the ferry options. "They were effectively on autopilot, believing the government would agree to end 60 years of Interislander connecting road and rail." Peters said he did not agree with the advice Treasury provided. "Their advice was so blinkered that it consistently presented its recommended solution as "cheaper" even when their own analysis showed the option we selected had the lowest overall cost and the highest economic value." Treasury declined to comment on Peters' statements. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
