Bernard’s mid-winter pick ‘n’ mix for Thursday, June 27

Almost third of new spending in Budget 2024 worsened climate liability already estimated at up to $23.7 billion, NZIER says; Hisco makes $3.2 million capital gain from selling John Key’s Omaha bach

TL;DR: Six things from Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy I think are worth noting on the morning of Thursday, June 27:

1. The NZIER has estimated almost a third of new spending in Budget 2024 will have worsened the Government’s Paris agreement climate liability, which Treasury has already estimated at up to $23.7 billion.

2. The PCE has warned fragmented and inconsistent use by councils of 75 freshwater models has meant many catchments are over-allocated and contaminated.

3. Brooke van Velden is pushing ahead with plans to block workers from opting out of contracting arrangements and isn’t answering questions about it, RNZ has reported.

4. ANZ and Westpac have lowered their house price inflation forecasts for this year.

5. David Hisco made a capital gain of $3.2 million by buying John Key’s Omaha bach for $3.1 million in January 2018 and selling it for $6.3 million in November 2023, the NZ Herald-$$$’s Kate MacNamara reported this morning.

6. Denmark has announced overnight the world’s first climate tax on livestock of 672 krone (NZ$157) per cow. CNN

---

Six things to note this morning

1. Budget 2024 worsens Paris climate liability