Please consider signing our petition to Parliament
Hi neighbours,
Would appreciate it if you would consider signing a petition to Parliament. You may have recently seen some media coverage in RNZ and Stuff, regarding a petition to change the rules regarding KiwiSaver closures for New Zealand resident US citizen children.
As you may know, whilst KiwiSaver can certainly be a financially sound investment for US citizen adults, it can sometimes create difficulties for US citizen children due to the tax rules in force between the two countries. These require even children to report on their (modest) Kiwisaver accounts, but the cost of this required reporting is hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars every year.
My kids (who are dual US/NZ citizens) have been caught up in this loophole, but when I asked to close their accounts - even offering to give up any claim to the small amount of money that is in there - my request was rejected. This means that we either have to spend thousands of dollars to be compliant with tax reporting regulations, risk tens of thousands of dollars in penalties for not reporting, or give up the kids' US citizenship.
The petition asks Parliament to amend the KiwiSaver Act, to permit under-18s with dual US/NZ tax residency to close their KiwiSaver accounts and thus end reporting requirements.
The link to the petition can be found below:
www.parliament.nz...
Thanks so much for considering it!
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape Rēinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangārei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
- Auckland commuters should expect traffic disruption in vicinity of both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where there’s about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
Police have shared that they will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.1% Yes
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13.4% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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