Mōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, August 28:
Chris Hipkins has confirmed Labour is discussing wealth and capital gains taxes that include a land tax.
Australia cuts international student numbers by a third to take pressure off rents as our Government encourages cash-deprived universities to earn more from more international students, and as one university sells student housing and Kāinga Ora confirms its largest project to house 900 families in central Wellington is on hold indefinitely, despite 2,800 registered as homeless in the capital.
In solutions news, Aotearoa’s green investment bank is investing $78 million to enable $2 billion worth of solar farms, enough to generate 15% of national needs.
In the quote of the day, an energy expert points out importing LNG is slower, more emissions intensive and more expensive than a mass solar and battery rollout.
Chart of the day shows a 60% rise in lending to landlords in July from a year earlier.
Climate graphic of the day shows batteries are the fastest growing green tech.
(There is more detail below the paywall fold and in the podcast above for paying subscribers.)
