Newstalk ZB Political Reporter Sophie Trigger joins Nick Mills on the Beehive Buzz.

This week she discusses how each major party is performing in the lead up to the 2023 election, the reaction to the CTU attack ads on Christohper Luxon, and an ongoing Trade Dispute between Canada and New Zealand which has now been resolved.

LISTEN ABOVE

Newstalk ZB Political Reporter Sophie Trigger joins Nick Mills on the Beehive Buzz.
This week she discusses how each major party is performing in the lead up to the 2023 election, the reaction to the CTU attack ads on Christohper Luxon, and an ongoing Trade Dispute between Canada and New Zealand which has now been resolved.
LISTEN ABOVE

Wellingtonians now have the chance to discuss the issues of the day one-on-one with proud local Nick Mills and have a forum to share their ideas, passions and outrages on a daily basis.

You don't find many people more passionate about the capital than Nick, and he comes to Wellington Mornings after decades of success as the man behind some of the city's leading hospitality and entertainment offerings - Spruce Goose, Hummingbird and the Wellington Saints basketball team just to name a few.

Nick's proud of his city but also knows much can be improved on to make Wellington an even better place, and brings an honest, edgy, fun and engaging show to Wellingtonians each weekday from 9 'til midday.

Wellingtonians now have the chance to discuss the issues of the day one-on-one with proud local Nick Mills and have a forum to share their ideas, passions and outrages on a daily basis. You don't find many people more passionate about the capital than Nick, and he comes to Wellington Mornings after decades of success as the man behind some of the city's leading hospitality and entertainment offerings - Spruce Goose, Hummingbird and the Wellington Saints basketball team just to name a few. Nick's proud of his city but also knows much can be improved on to make Wellington an even better place, and brings an honest, edgy, fun and engaging show to Wellingtonians each weekday from 9 'til midday.

Wellingtonians now have the chance to discuss the issues of the day one-on-one with proud local Nick Mills and have a forum to share their ideas, passions and outrages on a daily basis.

Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills

Beehive Buzz: Election 2023, attack ads and Trade Dispute with Canada

EDITORIAL: We know there’s a growing gap in this country—and it’s not just between the rich and the poor.  

It’s between what we say we want, and what we’re actually prepared to do to pay for. 

Because right now, the numbers are starting to bite. 

Treasury is warning—loudly—that we are heading into a future where fewer workers supporting more retirees. We know that - it’s fact. 

And now, Inland Revenue is backing that up, saying quite clearly: if we don’t change course, the books don’t stack up. Debt will grow. Pressure will build. Something will have to give. 

And here’s the uncomfortable truth—there are only two levers you can pull. 

You either spend less… or you tax more.  

Now look around.  

We’ve got around 165,000 people on an unemployment benefit. 

We’ve come through COVID with a massive debt hangover.  

Infrastructure costs are blowing out. Health, pensions, everything—up, up, up. 

So I’ll ask the obvious question: are we really going to save our way out of this? 

I don’t think so. 

And that’s why this conversation that politicians keep avoiding—we need to have it properly. 

Because Inland Revenue has already laid it out.  

They say GST should go up. Now think about that for a minute and don’t let it shock you too much. 

They say capital gains should be looked at. They say the system needs to be more flexible so governments can pull in more revenue when they need it – like now. 

And whether we like it or not… they’re probably right. 

Let’s take GST.  

We are at 15% in New Zealand.  

Now compare that to Europe—where consumption taxes are often higher.  

The United Kingdom runs a VAT of 20%. Germany? 19%. France? 20%.  

The Nordic countries—Denmark, Sweden—around 25%. 

So, the idea of moving GST from 15% to 17% or 17.5% here—it’s not radical internationally.  

It’s actually pretty modest. 

Yes, it hurts and it hurts everyone. But it’s simple. It’s efficient.  

And if you pair it with targeted support—cash transfers or tax relief—for low-income earners, you can soften the blow where it matters most. 

Then there’s the old capital gains tax. 

Nobody wants to talk about the horrible old capital gains tax. 

And I know—people hate hearing it. But Inland Revenue is blunt: not taxing capital gains creates distortions. It lets people shift income into areas that aren’t taxed, and that weakens the system. 

So why not be surgical about it? 

You don’t touch the family home. We don’t want to hit ordinary Kiwis.  

But if you’re dealing in assets—property, investments—worth over $2 million, $2.5 million… then yes, maybe you should be paying capital gains tax. 

Because here’s the reality—we’re in a hole. 

And when you’re in a hole, you don’t get out by pretending everything’s fine. 

Some people have done extremely well, even through COVID, even through recession. Meanwhile, others are barely hanging on. 

So yes—maybe company tax edge up. Maybe high-end capital gains are taxed.  

Maybe GST nudges higher. 

None of it is popular. 

But this is the point—there is no pain-free option anymore. 

The real question is: are we prepared to take a bit of pain now, and alot of us have had that pain… to avoid a much bigger one later? 

It’s coming, we can’t afford it, and we can’t get our spending down. 

LISTEN ABOVE

EDITORIAL: We know there’s a growing gap in this country—and it’s not just between the rich and the poor. &nbsp;
It’s between what we say we want, and what we’re actually prepared to do to pay for.&nbsp;
Because right now, the numbers are starting to bite.&nbsp;
Treasury is warning—loudly—that we are heading into a future where fewer workers supporting more retirees. We know that - it’s fact.&nbsp;
And now, Inland Revenue is backing that up, saying quite clearly: if we don’t change course, the books don’t stack up. Debt will grow. Pressure will build. Something will have to give.&nbsp;
And here’s the uncomfortable truth—there are only two levers you can pull.&nbsp;
You either spend less… or you tax more. &nbsp;
Now look around. &nbsp;
We’ve got around 165,000 people on an unemployment benefit.&nbsp;
We’ve come through COVID with a massive debt hangover. &nbsp;
Infrastructure costs are blowing out. Health, pensions, everything—up, up, up.&nbsp;
So I’ll ask the obvious question: are we really going to save our way out of this?&nbsp;
I don’t think so.&nbsp;
And that’s why this conversation that politicians keep avoiding—we need to have it properly.&nbsp;
Because Inland Revenue has already laid it out. &nbsp;
They say GST should go up. Now think about that for a minute and don’t let it shock you too much.&nbsp;
They say capital gains should be looked at. They say the system needs to be more flexible so governments can pull in more revenue when they need it – like now.&nbsp;
And whether we like it or not… they’re probably right.&nbsp;
Let’s take GST. &nbsp;
We are at 15% in New Zealand. &nbsp;
Now compare that to Europe—where consumption taxes are often higher. &nbsp;
The United Kingdom runs a VAT of 20%. Germany? 19%. France? 20%. &nbsp;
The Nordic countries—Denmark, Sweden—around 25%.&nbsp;
So, the idea of moving GST from 15% to 17% or 17.5% here—it’s not radical internationally. &nbsp;
It’s actually pretty modest.&nbsp;
Yes, it hurts and it hurts everyone. But it’s simple. It’s efficient. &nbsp;
And if you pair it with targeted support—cash transfers or tax relief—for low-income earners, you can soften the blow where it matters most.&nbsp;
Then there’s the old capital gains tax.&nbsp;
Nobody wants to talk about the horrible old capital gains tax.&nbsp;
And I know—people hate hearing it. But Inland Revenue is blunt: not taxing capital gains creates distortions. It lets people shift income into areas that aren’t taxed, and that weakens the system.&nbsp;
So why not be surgical about it?&nbsp;
You don’t touch the family home. We don’t want to hit ordinary Kiwis. &nbsp;
But if you’re dealing in assets—property, investments—worth over $2 million, $2.5 million… then yes, maybe you should be paying capital gains tax.&nbsp;
Because here’s the reality—we’re in a hole.&nbsp;
And when you’re in a hole, you don’t get out by pretending everything’s fine.&nbsp;
Some people have done extremely well, even through COVID, even through recession. Meanwhile, others are barely hanging on.&nbsp;
So yes—maybe company tax edge up. Maybe high-end capital gains are taxed. &nbsp;
Maybe GST nudges higher.&nbsp;
None of it is popular.&nbsp;
But this is the point—there is no pain-free option anymore.&nbsp;
The real question is: are we prepared to take a bit of pain now, and alot of us have had that pain… to avoid a much bigger one later?&nbsp;
It’s coming, we can’t afford it, and we can’t get our spending down.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Nick Mills: IRD says we need to change our tax system - and I agree

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7777af28-e1b7-4e2e-916b-b42e0013dc83/transcript

Pharmacies will get more power to provide funded medication from June.

Government is proposing to expand the role of community pharmacists, allowing them to assess patients and provide funded treatment for common conditions like infections, head lice, and minor illnesses.

The move aims to make healthcare faster, cheaper, and more accessible while easing pressure on GPs.

Nick speaks to co-founder/spokesperson for the Independent Community Pharmacy Group Clive Cannons. Cannon's also runs his own pharmacy Clive’s Chemist in Wainuiomata.

Cannon's shares his insight onto the move - which his pharmacy has been trialling for the last few years. 

He says while pharmacists have already been doing this, this is a win as they can provide the medication to patients - funded.

Cannon also tells Nick about how he expects pharmacies to look like in the future, and if this power could expand.

LISTEN ABOVE

Pharmacies will get more power to provide funded medication from June.
Government is proposing to expand the role of community pharmacists, allowing them to assess patients and provide funded treatment for common conditions like infections, head lice, and minor illnesses.
The move aims to make healthcare faster, cheaper, and more accessible while easing pressure on GPs.
Nick speaks to co-founder/spokesperson for the Independent Community Pharmacy Group Clive Cannons. Cannon's also runs his own pharmacy Clive’s Chemist in Wainuiomata.
Cannon's shares his insight onto the move - which his pharmacy has been trialling for the last few years.&nbsp;
He says while pharmacists have already been doing this, this is a win as they can provide the medication to patients - funded.
Cannon also tells Nick about how he expects pharmacies to look like in the future, and if this power could expand.
LISTEN ABOVE

Pharmacist Clive Cannons on the Government expanding power for chemists

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0de37e65-9ab2-4de0-9c7a-b42e000bfaf5/transcript

This week on Politics Thursday Nick is joined by Labour MP Ginny Andersen and National MP for Otaki Tim Costley  

Things get fiery over calls from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) on increasing tax. Specifically IRD want to see an increase to the goods and services tax (GST) rate, offering a cash transfer to low-income earners and a Capital Gains Tax.

The politicians face off over the best way to increase government funds, and which of their policies will help Kiwis?

Then onto the crisis in Iran. Andersen and Costley give their thoughts on Trump's actions with Strait of Hormuz and on his social media Truth Social. Also, should politicians go after the Pope? 

Also, the new Wellington Water entity Tiaki Wai's board pay is concerning Mayor Andrew Little and Minister Simon Watts. The politicians share what can be done, and their thoughts on the salary doubling in some cases. 

Then they talk trust in the media, which has risen for the first time since 2020 and Winston Peters comments that the new ferries may not be operated by KiwiRail - who else could do it?

LISTEN ABOVE

This week on Politics Thursday Nick is joined by Labour MP Ginny Andersen and National MP for Otaki Tim Costley&nbsp;&nbsp;
Things get fiery over calls from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) on increasing tax. Specifically IRD want to see an increase to&nbsp;the goods and services tax (GST) rate, offering a cash transfer to low-income earners and a Capital Gains Tax.
The politicians face off over the best way to increase government funds, and which of their policies will help Kiwis?
Then onto the crisis in Iran. Andersen and Costley give their thoughts on Trump's actions with Strait of Hormuz and on his social media Truth Social. Also, should politicians go after the Pope?&nbsp;
Also, the new Wellington Water entity Tiaki Wai's board pay is concerning Mayor Andrew Little and Minister Simon Watts. The politicians share what can be done, and their thoughts on the salary doubling in some cases.&nbsp;
Then they talk trust in the media, which has risen for the first time since 2020 and Winston Peters comments that the new ferries may not be operated by KiwiRail - who else could do it?
LISTEN ABOVE

Politics Thursday with Ginny Andersen and Tim Costley on Capital Gains Tax

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/585e51b1-8ae6-4e1f-abac-b42e000872c7/transcript

Beehive Buzz: Election 2023, attack ads and Trade Dispute with Canada

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