Dawn chorus: An announcement of a date, for an announcement

Tuesday April 6 is new D-Day for Trans-Tasman bubble decision; Moves to 'tilt the balance' against landlords and in favour of first home buyers due this morning

TLDR: Cabinet yesterday put off the final decision on when to open a Trans-Tasman bubble, or series of state-by-state bubbles, until the day after Easter. PM Jacinda Ardern said protocols for how bubbles would open and close state by state, how to track and trace Australians here and what happened to stranded tourists were yet to be decided, but the delay disappointed tourist operators.

Ardern previewed this morning’s announcement of a package of housing demand and supply measures by saying it would ‘tilt the balance’ away from landlords and towards first home buyers. The REINZ House Price Index has risen 21.2% since June and 12.3% since the Government announced in November it would review house settings and proposed directing the Reserve Bank to help make house prices “more sustainable.”

Hopefully we’ll find out today what 'more sustainable’ might mean and what could be done to get there. Most expect an extension of the ‘bright line’ test and higher caps for first home buyer grants and KiwiBuild. The wild cards could be a tax on undeveloped land and changes to rules about how much interest landlords can claim as a taxable expense.

I’ll put out a news alert later this morning with the latest.

Elsewhere overnight, an MIQ worker in Auckland has tested positive for Covid-19, AstraZeneca’s vaccine was found to be 79% effective in a US study and the European Central Bank increased the pace of of its money printing and bond buying by 50% to try to force down long term interest rates.

---

Elsewhere, in our political economy

Jenée Tibshraeny @JeneeTibshraeny

Takeouts from interview w Treasury's Caralee McLiesh -Young people don't have to be lumped with the burden of repaying covid debt - Treasury doesn't see need for money financing - Tsy can't yet say what an ideal upper govt debt limit is for normal times interest.co.nz/news/109623/se…

RNZ @radionz

The researcher behind a groundbreaking study showing potentially harmful levels of nitrates in drinking water is planning further work that will establish if there is a link with rates of bowel cancer.

rnz.co.nzResearcher to look at link between nitrates in drinking water and bowel cancer ratesThe researcher behind a groundbreaking study showing potentially harmful levels of nitrates in drinking water is planning further work that will establish if there is a link with rates of bowel cancer.

RNZ @radionz

A revolt is escalating against the Transport Agency in its role as the watchdog keeping trucks safe on the road.

rnz.co.nzTruck engineers’ group backs fiery complaint to Transport MinisterA revolt is escalating against the Transport Agency in its role as the watchdog keeping trucks safe on the road.

Newsroom @NewsroomNZ

Winston Peters has penned a call to action to his NZ First supporters – the first they’ve heard from him since his two-minute appearance on election night, writes political editor @jo_moir (Newsroom Pro $)

newsroom.co.nzWinston Peters rallies the troopsWinston Peters has penned a call to action to his NZ First supporters – the first they’ve heard from him since his two-minute appearance on election night

In the global political economy

John Authers @johnauthers

Meanwhile, the Guardian has a story saying this will hold up UK vaccinations by 2 onths without helping the EU:

theguardian.comEU export ban would delay UK Covid vaccine drive by two monthsExclusive: Halting distribution would hit Britain badly but not significantly help EU, analysis finds

stacy-marie ishmael @s_m_i

“Residents of wealthy and middle-income countries have received about 90 percent of the nearly 400 million vaccines delivered so far. Under current projections, many of the rest will have to wait years”

nytimes.comRich Countries Signed Away a Chance to Vaccinate the WorldDespite warnings, American and European officials gave up leverage that could have guaranteed access for billions of people. That risks prolonging the pandemic.

Scoops

The Hui @TheHuiNZ

Tonight on The Hui, we visit the isolated settlement of Utakura where whānau are living in third world conditions. Streaming live tonight at 8:30pm on newshub.co.nz, The Hui Facebook page or catch our linear play after Newshub Late on @ThreeNewZealand.

Farah @KiwiFarah

Story which prompted the apologies & overhaul announced today from @GuyonEspiner last year.

rnz.co.nzTreatment at Auckland Women’s Prison ‘degrading’ and ‘inhumane’ - judgeAuckland Women’s Prison treated inmates in a “degrading,” “cruel” and “inhumane” manner in a “concerted effort to break their spirit,” according to a stinging ruling from a district court judge.

Chart of the day

bernardchickeysubscribers @bernardchickey2

Consumer confidence of 18-39 yr olds slumps vs rest since Sept. Westpac: "Housing affordability is a big concern, especially for many young families. That may be one reason why confidence is higher among older NZers who are more likely to be homeowners." westpaciq.westpac.com.au/wibiqauthoring…

Some fun things

Ryan Mac🙃 @RMac18

I’m cryin this is so dumb

Bernie Sanders @BernieSanders

Space travel is an exciting idea, but right now we need to focus on Earth and create a progressive tax system so that children don't go hungry, people are not homeless and all Americans have healthcare. The level of inequality in America is obscene and a threat to our democracy.

Elon Musk @elonmusk

@cleantechnica I am accumulating resources to help make life multiplanetary & extend the light of consciousness to the stars