Government's 2024 freeze on spending to build new houses, schoolrooms & hospitals crashes concrete production to 10% below 2019 levels and lowest since 2014; Willis to talk tough on supermarkets
The politicisation of media and its impacts on public opinion is often discussed. With the focus often zeroing in on ownership and editorial independence (or its lack of).
What’s less commonly talked about is how the practical impacts are designed to reflect the realities of our “attention-deficit economy”.
In this case Luke Malpass is given advance notice of a policy announcement to be made later today by Minister Willis about a third entrant to the grocery sector.
The headline: “Willis ready to take aim at supermarket duopoly”. And he goes on to push all the buttons the coalition wants pumped. Growth. Competition. Cost of living. Red tape. Regulatory hurdles.
It’s a puff piece basically.
But here’s the problem. There’s little of substance for political opponents to respond to. In particular because the speech won’t be made until later.
In our “attention economy” this gives a free runway for ministers and their aligned journalistic mouthpieces to seed the ground with uncontested headlines and talking points.
Importantly, the time that passes before any response or counter can be given means the original content is set and absorbed. That time is critical as delayed responses will not be given the same attention when they come later. It’s old news. And this us why our economy is better labelled “attention deficit”
In this environment it’s impossible for balanced journalism to exist.
So what can we do. Our only response is to go local, to talk in a word-of-mouth way with people we know to counter this one-way promotion.
Brilliant comment as hadn't thought about those journo 'exclusives' like that before. And you are right nothing whatsoever is being offered just platitudes about regulations being removed. And what a surprise the government isn't stumping up any money or giving the Com Com any additional powers etc so really what has changed? https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360579710/nicola-willis-sets-sights-supermarkets
This announcement I guess is yet another attempt to try and get the public onside after their recent poor polling of late as who doesn't dislike the supermarkets/banks/gentailers.
Not even any thought being given to reinstating the anti-profiteering provisions from the 1975 Commerce Act as a way of preventing/limiting profiteering in advance, rather than ad hoc responses after the event - excess profits tax, inquiries.
These provisions were pointed out by Geoff Bertram.
Malpass is a pawn of an extreme right-wing network. He has worked for them overseas and he is far from unbiased. His opinions need to be read and for the reader to apply a very high discount factor.
Or lay water and sewerage pipes. Could you imagine trying a big public works program like sanitation these days? Wouldn’t happen. Which is also why the maintenance of old infrastructure isn’t happening too :(
Yay, another supermarket in Auckland (1.7m people). Funnily enough there are another 4m (give or take a few) spread around the rest of the country.
Lets see, I might be wrong and we might get a 3rd player in Wellington or Christchurch (which still wouldln't cover half the population of NZ)?
I'm still holding out for what she will do to sort the Electricity prices out - remember around Sept/Oct last year, electricity price was blamed for all the local businesses closing down - she was going to get it sorted urgently, because, ... um... /shrug
Oh wow - the coalition actually had a positive impact on Carbon Emissions!
(Thanks ChatGPT)
A common estimate for concrete emissions is 250–300 kg CO₂ per cubic meter of typical reinforced concrete, though this varies based on mix design and cement content.
Using a midpoint estimate of 275 kg CO₂ per cubic meter, the emissions for 3.81 million cubic meters would be: 1.05 million tonnes CO₂ saved.
Very fascinating perspective with the pre-mix concrete volumes.
Was just wondering..is this similar to the truck-o-meter index, in that it is one of the earlier indicators of economic condition? Or is it slightly different because it's construction?
My guess would be that pre-mix concrete volumes would lag the truck-o-meter a wee bit, given the pre-concreting materials need to be delivered to construction sites first.
It could be either when it gets to the site or when it leaves the yard in a concrete truck. As I understand it there is a maximum of around 2 hours between these actions. And only enough is premixed to fill the trucks.
I concur with your 4th point today, as a school road patrol monitor and Mum. Hell hath no fury like parents protecting school kids right to get to school under their own steam. Simeon Brown wouldn't be safe on my crossing!
Simeon Brown ignored expert advice on transport, relying on his own reckons on what is necessary. There is no evidence his approach has changed with becoming Health Minister. So I suppose we will get a new health minister in a year or two to clean up the mess and failures that he creates.
The Manawatu cancer fund is but one of a mushrooming set of community groups learning that real power lies with us acting collectively. In Waimate local groups have successfully stopped a major toxic waste plant from getting off the ground Firm behind controversial plan to build energy plant in Waimate no longer owns the landhttps://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/541545/firm-behind-controversial-plan-to-build-energy-plant-in-waimate-no-longer-owns-the-land In Nelson parents and cyclists are fighting dangerous increases in highway speed limits Government called on to 'have the guts' to reverse speed limit plan for Nelsonhttps://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/541708/government-called-on-to-have-the-guts-to-reverse-speed-limit-plan-for-nelson. On a much grander scale people across the motu are organising to fight racism around our Te Tiriti
This is the danger the overt destruction of our collective values the present coalition of chaos presents for capitalism. People standing up and fighting back is the foundation of the eight hour workday, public housing, healthy school lunches. Learning to work together, to be collectively organised, not to rely on the politicians and legacy media is the hope that lies ahead of us. Kia kaha✊🏼
You're right, Maurice. Acting collectively and locally is where it's at. I'm looking forward to being part of the support team for the citizens' assembly on climate change that starts in Porirua this coming Sat. 50 people representing the demographics of our community being presented with the facts & deliberating on what the response to climate change locally could be. Happens over 4 Sats in Feb & March. This process is supported by Ngati Toa who are convening a mana whenua group to deliberate on the same; the two groups will meet during the process, following the Matike Mai model described by Moana Jackson & Annette Sykes.
The full family boost has been baked into the CPI as a deflator by Stats NZ as of the Sept 24 quarter:
"For this ECE rebate policy, we anticipated reduced annual expenditure of around 174 million dollars on early childhood education based off information received from Inland Revenue. This is the number that was used to calculate the price change for the September 2024 quarter and is the current best annual estimate of what the scheme will cost.
We are showing the entire change in the September 2024 quarter as this is when the policy came into effect (1 July 2024) and our use of the acquisitions framework to calculate our CPI means that we record the price of the good or service when it is acquired, not when paid for. We also account for rebates, so the final price we report is the purchase price less any rebates (even if they occur outside of the quarter). "
The weighting in the sept CPI release gave this the impact of 0.13 points. ( so inflation was 2.2 rather than 2.33)
- The last uptake I have seen is from December 24 when 15.7Mil was paid out to 42000 households, which is $373 per household total. This is well short of the per-quarter amount of $43 million. Granted some families will only end up claiming this once their annual income is known, and for some families that might be more than 12 months from now if on deferred filing.
I wrote all of this to say that I am frustrated that the Consumers price index visualisation tool is no longer available on Stats NZ..
The politicisation of media and its impacts on public opinion is often discussed. With the focus often zeroing in on ownership and editorial independence (or its lack of).
What’s less commonly talked about is how the practical impacts are designed to reflect the realities of our “attention-deficit economy”.
In this case Luke Malpass is given advance notice of a policy announcement to be made later today by Minister Willis about a third entrant to the grocery sector.
The headline: “Willis ready to take aim at supermarket duopoly”. And he goes on to push all the buttons the coalition wants pumped. Growth. Competition. Cost of living. Red tape. Regulatory hurdles.
It’s a puff piece basically.
But here’s the problem. There’s little of substance for political opponents to respond to. In particular because the speech won’t be made until later.
In our “attention economy” this gives a free runway for ministers and their aligned journalistic mouthpieces to seed the ground with uncontested headlines and talking points.
Importantly, the time that passes before any response or counter can be given means the original content is set and absorbed. That time is critical as delayed responses will not be given the same attention when they come later. It’s old news. And this us why our economy is better labelled “attention deficit”
In this environment it’s impossible for balanced journalism to exist.
So what can we do. Our only response is to go local, to talk in a word-of-mouth way with people we know to counter this one-way promotion.
Brilliant comment as hadn't thought about those journo 'exclusives' like that before. And you are right nothing whatsoever is being offered just platitudes about regulations being removed. And what a surprise the government isn't stumping up any money or giving the Com Com any additional powers etc so really what has changed? https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360579710/nicola-willis-sets-sights-supermarkets
This announcement I guess is yet another attempt to try and get the public onside after their recent poor polling of late as who doesn't dislike the supermarkets/banks/gentailers.
Not even any thought being given to reinstating the anti-profiteering provisions from the 1975 Commerce Act as a way of preventing/limiting profiteering in advance, rather than ad hoc responses after the event - excess profits tax, inquiries.
These provisions were pointed out by Geoff Bertram.
I wonder we're Luke and Nicola at the New Zealand Initiative at the same time?
Malpass is a pawn of an extreme right-wing network. He has worked for them overseas and he is far from unbiased. His opinions need to be read and for the reader to apply a very high discount factor.
The problem also is that discounting doesn’t happen as often as it needs to.
This government would never have had enoigh money to build he Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Or lay water and sewerage pipes. Could you imagine trying a big public works program like sanitation these days? Wouldn’t happen. Which is also why the maintenance of old infrastructure isn’t happening too :(
A Ministry of Works would be a good thing to
have.
or anything else of significance. Or just "anything" on further reflection.
No regulations. No money. No us.
And even back then people were opposed to it for fear of wasteful spending.
You have my vote to make it public
Get those likes in today folks. Bernard's Long stories short section demands a wider audience on the performance of this government
Nicola Willis speaking at an economics forum, the household budgeting forum yes?
Yay, another supermarket in Auckland (1.7m people). Funnily enough there are another 4m (give or take a few) spread around the rest of the country.
Lets see, I might be wrong and we might get a 3rd player in Wellington or Christchurch (which still wouldln't cover half the population of NZ)?
I'm still holding out for what she will do to sort the Electricity prices out - remember around Sept/Oct last year, electricity price was blamed for all the local businesses closing down - she was going to get it sorted urgently, because, ... um... /shrug
Oh wow - the coalition actually had a positive impact on Carbon Emissions!
(Thanks ChatGPT)
A common estimate for concrete emissions is 250–300 kg CO₂ per cubic meter of typical reinforced concrete, though this varies based on mix design and cement content.
Using a midpoint estimate of 275 kg CO₂ per cubic meter, the emissions for 3.81 million cubic meters would be: 1.05 million tonnes CO₂ saved.
This would be funny if it weren't so sad
Very fascinating perspective with the pre-mix concrete volumes.
Was just wondering..is this similar to the truck-o-meter index, in that it is one of the earlier indicators of economic condition? Or is it slightly different because it's construction?
My guess would be that pre-mix concrete volumes would lag the truck-o-meter a wee bit, given the pre-concreting materials need to be delivered to construction sites first.
Good point... when is the volume counted though? when it gets to site or before? 🙂
It could be either when it gets to the site or when it leaves the yard in a concrete truck. As I understand it there is a maximum of around 2 hours between these actions. And only enough is premixed to fill the trucks.
Cool thanks Mate 😎
I concur with your 4th point today, as a school road patrol monitor and Mum. Hell hath no fury like parents protecting school kids right to get to school under their own steam. Simeon Brown wouldn't be safe on my crossing!
Simeon Brown ignored expert advice on transport, relying on his own reckons on what is necessary. There is no evidence his approach has changed with becoming Health Minister. So I suppose we will get a new health minister in a year or two to clean up the mess and failures that he creates.
The Manawatu cancer fund is but one of a mushrooming set of community groups learning that real power lies with us acting collectively. In Waimate local groups have successfully stopped a major toxic waste plant from getting off the ground Firm behind controversial plan to build energy plant in Waimate no longer owns the landhttps://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/541545/firm-behind-controversial-plan-to-build-energy-plant-in-waimate-no-longer-owns-the-land In Nelson parents and cyclists are fighting dangerous increases in highway speed limits Government called on to 'have the guts' to reverse speed limit plan for Nelsonhttps://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/541708/government-called-on-to-have-the-guts-to-reverse-speed-limit-plan-for-nelson. On a much grander scale people across the motu are organising to fight racism around our Te Tiriti
This is the danger the overt destruction of our collective values the present coalition of chaos presents for capitalism. People standing up and fighting back is the foundation of the eight hour workday, public housing, healthy school lunches. Learning to work together, to be collectively organised, not to rely on the politicians and legacy media is the hope that lies ahead of us. Kia kaha✊🏼
You're right, Maurice. Acting collectively and locally is where it's at. I'm looking forward to being part of the support team for the citizens' assembly on climate change that starts in Porirua this coming Sat. 50 people representing the demographics of our community being presented with the facts & deliberating on what the response to climate change locally could be. Happens over 4 Sats in Feb & March. This process is supported by Ngati Toa who are convening a mana whenua group to deliberate on the same; the two groups will meet during the process, following the Matike Mai model described by Moana Jackson & Annette Sykes.
Thanks everyone. We got to 100 likes nice and early. So I’ve opened it up for full public reading, listening and sharing. Nga mihi Nui.
The full family boost has been baked into the CPI as a deflator by Stats NZ as of the Sept 24 quarter:
"For this ECE rebate policy, we anticipated reduced annual expenditure of around 174 million dollars on early childhood education based off information received from Inland Revenue. This is the number that was used to calculate the price change for the September 2024 quarter and is the current best annual estimate of what the scheme will cost.
We are showing the entire change in the September 2024 quarter as this is when the policy came into effect (1 July 2024) and our use of the acquisitions framework to calculate our CPI means that we record the price of the good or service when it is acquired, not when paid for. We also account for rebates, so the final price we report is the purchase price less any rebates (even if they occur outside of the quarter). "
The weighting in the sept CPI release gave this the impact of 0.13 points. ( so inflation was 2.2 rather than 2.33)
- The last uptake I have seen is from December 24 when 15.7Mil was paid out to 42000 households, which is $373 per household total. This is well short of the per-quarter amount of $43 million. Granted some families will only end up claiming this once their annual income is known, and for some families that might be more than 12 months from now if on deferred filing.
I wrote all of this to say that I am frustrated that the Consumers price index visualisation tool is no longer available on Stats NZ..