36 Comments

Looking at the list of cancelled projects you can say with certainty they will lead to much greater costs in the future. Now I maybe getting old but I am sure “Uncooked” accounts were meant to include known liabilities?

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Unable to get the track to produce your voice.. It will play the artist. Wonder if anyone else has the problem?

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Happy to report its away after a complete logout. Thanks Bernard all the very best to you and yours for the festive and holiday season! ❤️

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Phew!

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Happy Christmas (I guess - head in hands), Bernard, and thanks for all your work. Could we club together and get members of the Cabinet their own copy of A Christmas Carol each. ☹️

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Happy Christmas Bernard, appreciate all your Mahi! See you in 2025

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Happy Christmas and deep appreciation of all your Mahi throughout the year Bernard. In Mike Joy's book (please enlighten Peter Bale as to the importance of Mike's work 😊) he says how critical it is in these time to find a group that you trust, identify with, and gives that sense of belonging through like-mindedness - The Kākā gives that to many - much gratitude!!

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Thanks Diane. Will buy Mike’s book for Peter to read! :)

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Yeah, it's pretty bleak aye?

And we know, all of the above will have scarring effects on the economy. I am a proud South Aucklander & is aghast with our governments decisions & also acknowledge that South Auckland is not the only community being affected by these decisions.

I guess the only thing we can do as citizens at this point is to stay engaged, stay "woke" (Politicians hate it when citizens stay informed & know what's up), & be kind to each other. Politicians also hate it when citizens are kind to each other, it's why they try to call it "virtue signaling" or "being too PC".

Eff the government!

The more our government tries to foster division the more we need to build rapport within our communities.

Different cultures, religions, genders, orientations, income levels & generations, we are all Kiwis!

Meri Kirihimete e Kākā Whanau

Cris

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Of all the mad dog things this government has done, dismantling the LEAD Alliance, headed up by Kainga Ora, must rank as stupid beyond belief.

Bernard, our heartfelt thanks for all you do for us by way of communicating vital information. Knowledge is power & that makes you one of the most powerful people in NZ. You & Lynn have a very well deserved holiday. Kindest regards.

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Thanks Dean. Agreed

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It wasn’t all that flash by all accounts, big overheads and a lot of mismanagement. FYI Bernard - The law firm is Simpson Grierson, Harrison Grierson are an engineering consultancy.

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The English - Key government built a net total of 43 new State dwellings in 9 years, (after allowing for their privatisations). The Labour government, in contrast, brought 21,000 additional State dwellings onto the market, in 6 years, (14,000 new builds & 7,000 remediations).

I spent 50 years working in the private sector in various financial/management roles. I can assure you, TJ, that 'big overheads & mismanagement' are rife in the private sector. You can nitpick all you want, but how do you justify 43 additional dwellings from National, compared to 21,000 from Labour?

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I’d love lots more housing of all varieties Dean. This alliance didn’t deliver houses, it delivered infrastructure to unlock housing. Spending big in this area is a must but we shouldn’t have to accept big inefficiencies as a consequence. In this case big inefficiencies mean less infrastructure and housing, with the overhead mostly going to the private sector. There are standard forms of contract that can be adapted to fit the need and get more for the public spending involved (politics aside).

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Depressing reading. How could anyone have voted for this and what can we do?

Best wishes to you and your family Bernard, and thanks for your writing.

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Thank you, Bernard, for a great year of The Kaka and The Hoon, in what has been a not-so-great year for many of us.

All the best to everyone for a wonderful Christmas and peaceful holiday break.

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Thank you for your hard work and Merry Christmas Bernard & team. The news this year kept getting worse and I’m sure next year will be tough too. My mental health will appreciate being less informed over the summer break. Kia kaha

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Dear Bernard, many thanks for your hard work and resilience over the past year! For readers like myself who want to stay informed, you are a great blessing! Wishing you a very happy Christmas with family and friends and a joyful New Year when things must turn the corner and begin to look more hopeful!🎄🌟🍀🌹

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I can tell, Judith, you are a glass-half-full kind of gal! We need those in these hard times for so many.

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Enjoy the beach, Bernard et al. Salt in your hair, sand in your toes. Some things are still free from our merciless and ignorant government. Fortify and refresh yourselves. Writing about bad things all the time can't be easy. Bring on the good times!

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Appreciate your work and dedication, Bernard. Have a well deserved break.

I had a thought; perhaps Nicola could see a budget advisor as she's having so much difficulty getting the numbers to add up.

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Ha!

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Very well said. Used to ve a budget advisor I volunteer.

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Thanks Bernard and Lynne for everything you do for us. With the challenges we have as a society we all need each other and for us all to stand proud, and defiant. Have a restful break.

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You too Garry. It’s been a rough year for many. I love your energy. Looks like we survived to 2025. Onwards and upwards.

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Thanks, a stroke in April didn't help! It gave me something else to fight about, this time with myself!

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Late comment - I've been enjoying a warm summer day - but why is insurance in NZ classed as a monopoly by the global agencies?

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IAG has over 70% of home insurance market.

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I had the same question David so thanks for asking.

How have they managed to get that market concentration? Is it because of their tie up with the banks? Insurance has to be one of the most frustrating life admin tasks as there doesn't seem to be an easy way to gather quotes and compare. I tried an insurance broker but they didn't even come close with pricing.

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I suspect that John Key's IAG Bailout at the time of the Christchurch Earthquake led to their Monopoly position as they are the Re-Insurers & underwriters for our Retail insurance Providers in NZ.

Has this popped up on your Radar Bernard??? Have IAG reimbursed the NZ Taxpayer for their Gift from the smiling Assassin???

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Back in the day of the mother of all budgets I learned something about falling down Alice in Wonderland's hole, which was that it was not a solitary fall.

Many hands did not make light work but we were brilliant at ladder building, so thanks heaps Bernard and Lynne for assembling all the Kaka people. With our many many hands we just need to apply ourselves to getting back up the hole again.

Happy bits and pieces for the end of 2024.

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