Dawn chorus: China warns NZ
Beijing says Five Eyes members will 'have their eyes poked out' for criticising China's moves in Hong Kong; Little accelerates Dunedin hospital project using Covid-19 fast-track through RMA
TLDR: Morena. Wellington’s Regional Council wants more Government funding help if it goes ahead with a Green plan for half price bus tickets. This reinforces that any serious climate change investment will require someone to fix the current local government-central government financing standoff mess. It’s the same for housing.
Meanwhile, in one of the first signs the Labour-only cabinet is pushing ahead a bit faster, Andrew Little has accelerated the big Dunedin Hospital project using Covid-19 legislation to fast-track it over the top of the RMA.
Overseas, China rattling its sabres overnight over the criticism by Five Eyes members, including us, of its moves in Hong Kong, saying we risk ‘having our eyes poked out.’
Also, America’s economy is faltering under the weight of its latest Covid-19 surge and the failure of Congress to deliver a second stimulus package. Job loss figures overnight were worse than expected and retail sales figures show consumer spending is stalling.
This morning in our political economy






Quote of the day
“Whether they have five or 10 eyes, they should be careful about having their eyes poked out.” Zhao Lijian - China’s foreign ministry spokesman
In the global political economy overnight






Chart of the night


Sign ‘o the times news








Other views worth reading




Longer reads for the Weekend


Coming up
Today - Tauranga City Council will decide whether to ask for a Crown manager or observer after a damning report this week on its culture.
Sat Nov 21 - National Party AGM due to vote on re-election of President Peter Goodfellow. He has confirmed he will run again.
Mon Nov 23 - Stats NZ releases Retail trade survey for Sept quarter
Weds Nov 25 - 2pm - Reserve Bank to publish six monthly Financial Stability Report (FSR) . Expected to warn of re-imposition of high LVR lending limits from May 1, 2021.
Weds Nov 25 - Opening of Parliament for 53rd term, including swearing in of new MPs
Thurs Nov 26 - Speech from the throne in Parliament outlining Government’s agenda
Dec 1 - Landlords must include a Healthy Homes statement with any renewed tenancy agreement after this date. Landlords have until July 2024 to comply with new rules on heating, insulation and dampness.
Weds Dec 9 - Parliament rises for the year.
Mon Dec 21 - Tesla joins the S&P 500
Ngā Mihi
Bernard
PS: Great thanks to Sean Gillespie on Instagram for this morning’s Kākā