A sociologist believes New Zealand First's latest policy won't tackle falling birth rates. 

The party's announced a Kiwi Kids Fund, which would give citizen families $5000 a year for the first three years of a child's life. 

The grant would be limited to a family's first three children and would be tax free and not means tested. 

Massey University's Paul Spoonley says fertility rates are low, but this won't fix that.

He says it's a concern, but the Government doesn't have the ability to change that.

LISTEN ABOVE

A sociologist believes New Zealand First's latest policy won't tackle falling birth rates.&nbsp;
The party's announced a Kiwi Kids Fund, which would give citizen families $5000 a year for the first three years of a child's life.&nbsp;
The grant would be limited to a family's first three children and would be tax free and not means tested.&nbsp;
Massey University's Paul Spoonley says fertility rates are low, but this won't fix that.
He says it's a concern, but the Government doesn't have the ability to change that.
LISTEN ABOVE

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Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

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Paul Spoonley: Massey University Sociologist says NZ First's policy won't tackle falling birth rates

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ae9c8177-cc1b-4506-b9d6-b49a014e7a4e/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 3rd of July, policy announcements up the wazoo and a chat with Dame Noeline Taurua after a redemption gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

The Prime Minister defends his business comments in Rotorua, responds to NZ First's plan to increase the birth rate and talks fast-track projects causing angst.

Jason Pine and Andrew Saville talk the value of the Commonwealth Games, the Warriors win and whether the NPC was a success over the weekend.

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

LISTEN ABOVE

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 3rd of July, policy announcements up the wazoo and a chat with Dame Noeline Taurua after a redemption gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
The Prime Minister defends his business comments in Rotorua, responds to NZ First's plan to increase the birth rate and talks fast-track projects causing angst.
Jason Pine and Andrew Saville talk the value of the Commonwealth Games, the Warriors win and whether the NPC was a success over the weekend.
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 03 August 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c6414eda-812d-4582-ad1f-b49a015d7441/transcript

We have in this country a lot of people paid for by us that basically do a lot of talking and gesturing and do it with no real power or influence.

A lot of them are commissions. One of them is the Human Rights Commission.

I'm sure these are well-meaning groups of people who espouse on their particular area of expertise.

I guess in a grand scheme type of way they are there to inform and guide us through whatever area it is they specialise in.

The human rights folk have written about the Government's desire to change or remove references to the Treaty in 19 pieces of legislation.

They are doing this for the simple reason that referring to the Treaty and its obligations in literally everything it does is not helpful, or efficient, or even relevant.

In this day and age if you mention the Treaty there will always be a hardcore collective of those who oppose it. They oppose it because they oppose everything.

The Human Rights Commission has written, saying exactly what you think it would say.

"This is bad", "this must not be done, partly because it fails to respect indigenous people's human rights" etc etc.

That of course isn't true. Your human rights are universal, or should be, and the moment someone has more, or better, or bigger, or brighter human rights based on race you have trouble, which is partly why the legislation is being amended.

1) The Human Rights Commission would say that, wouldn’t they,

2) It will make no difference,

3) It never makes any difference because these sort of groups have no power.

It's good they have no power because if they did we'd all be shot. It's kind of like coroners who come up with weird recommendations, that if they ever had any legal standing would grind us to a halt.

But given the human rights people say exactly what you think they would say, and given it has no power, and given they will be ignored by the Government (as they should be), can anyone offer me a cohesive and sensible reason as to why we have them and why we keep paying for it?

If we're looking to save money and cut waste - Exhibit A.  

LISTEN ABOVE

We have in this country a lot of people paid for by us that basically do a lot of talking and gesturing and do it with no real power or influence.
A lot of them are commissions. One of them is the Human Rights Commission.
I'm sure these are well-meaning groups of people who espouse on their particular area of expertise.
I guess in a grand scheme type of way they are there to inform and guide us through whatever area it is they specialise in.
The human rights folk have written about the Government's desire to change or remove references to the Treaty in 19 pieces of legislation.
They are doing this for the simple reason that referring to the Treaty and its obligations in literally everything it does is not helpful, or efficient, or even relevant.
In this day and age if you mention the Treaty there will always be a hardcore collective of those who oppose it. They oppose it because they oppose everything.
The Human Rights Commission has written, saying exactly what you think it would say.
"This is bad", "this must not be done, partly because it fails to respect indigenous people's human rights" etc etc.
That of course isn't true. Your human rights are universal, or should be, and the moment someone has more, or better, or bigger, or brighter human rights based on race you have trouble, which is partly why the legislation is being amended.
1) The Human Rights Commission would say that, wouldn’t they,
2) It will make no difference,
3) It never makes any difference because these sort of groups have no power.
It's good they have no power because if they did we'd all be shot. It's kind of like coroners who come up with weird recommendations, that if they ever had any legal standing would grind us to a halt.
But given the human rights people say exactly what you think they would say, and given it has no power, and given they will be ignored by the Government (as they should be), can anyone offer me a cohesive and sensible reason as to why we have them and why we keep paying for it?
If we're looking to save money and cut waste - Exhibit A. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Mike's Minute: We get a lot of reports from people with no power or influence

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5c9dd733-cf89-47a0-a85d-b49a015d222f/transcript

The Silver Ferns have won gold at the Commonwealth Games. 

They beat Jamaica in the final, and won their first gold medal 2010. 

Dame Noeline Taurua told Mike Hosking that she's overjoyed with the result, especially after her turbulent year that saw her reinstated just three weeks before the games started. 

'For us to be in the contention for a gold medal, but to actually get it over the line and, and be successful is, awesome for our sport and the Silver Ferns.'

LISTEN ABOVE

The Silver Ferns have won gold at the Commonwealth Games.&nbsp;
They beat Jamaica in the final, and won their first gold medal 2010.&nbsp;
Dame Noeline Taurua told Mike Hosking that she's overjoyed with the result, especially after her turbulent year that saw her reinstated just three weeks before the games started.&nbsp;
'For us to be in the contention for a gold medal, but to actually get it over the line and, and be successful is, awesome for our sport and the Silver Ferns.'
LISTEN ABOVE

Dame Noeline Taurua: Silver Ferns coach on winning gold at Commonwealth Games

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e41461cf-1762-4837-9830-b49a015b2a42/transcript

Paul Spoonley: Massey University Sociologist says NZ First's policy won't tackle falling birth rates

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