Ask Me Anything about the week to May 26
Paying subscribers can ask Bernard Hickey about the week’s news, including the $130m paid to NZ Steel to cut emissions, National’s U-turn on MDRS & the RBNZ’s declaration it’s done enough on inflation
It’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour from midday (my apologies for the late start today), including:
the Government’s payment of $130 million of Climate Emergency Fund money to NZ Steel to help it cut its emissions;
Christopher Luxon’s declaration that MDRS was a mistake;
The RBNZ’s decision to hike one more time and declare it had done enough to bring inflation down again.
And anything else you fancy. Fill yer’ boots. I’m here for the full hour. Jump into the comments to ask questions.
By the way, I’ve been doing more via Chat this week and last week and have been thrilled to see so many useful and thoughtful comments from paying subscribers. Here’s links to a few of those:
Cheers
Bernard
Can we get Chris Bishop on for an interview or a hoon? I'm guessing he'll be tight lipped about how he feels about potential changes to the MDRS. But I'd be interested to hear his response to the general Kākā thesis of what's wrong with our housing market. We already know what the NIMBYs in National think, I'd like to hear how he rationalises it as someone who understands the issues.
I'm interested in the political calculation behind the MDRS reversal from National. Surely there are just as many to benefit from this policy, including many over 50's who might be thinking the only way my kids will get into the housing market is if we spring for the deposit or build a townhouse or two on our property for them. Yes, I know there's a bit of racism (real Kiwis don't want to live in apartments etc) and some will face the prospect of losing a view or some sun. But even with this policy the pace of change will be slow and the chances of change arriving in your street in the next few years is probably quite small. I know the young don't vote in high numbers, but surely people in the construction sector, those with kids who need homes, and those locked out of the market won't be loving this U-turn. Has anyone checked Nicola Willis's temperature on this? I picture her sticking pins into a pocket sized voodoo doll of Luxon everytime he's speaking in public. Perhaps that's his problem 😆.