704 days ago

Same Old.......Same Old

I firmly believe there is nothing new under the sun. In 2012, following the Christchurch earthquakes, the then National government introduced "zero budgets" with a focus on "getting better value from public spending".
Sound familiar? We heard a lot about curbing public spending in the lead up to the last election. Unfortunately, the austerity measures haven't stopped there. As we come to the end of the government's anti-Labour 100 day rampage (arguably the biggest waste of public money I have seen in a long time), prices in the supermarket continue to rise, week on week, despite claims that inflation is easing.
(Well.... it might be, but greedflation is still rampant). We find we are in for more expense for car registration, road user charges have been introduced for electric vehicles and schools will be eating into their operating budgets (literally) to feed hungry children. A UN expert in the UK recently stated that austerity policies were directly linked to a rise in poverty. No surprises there either.

But isn't it ironic that, as a direct result of cancelling all road maintenance during the last round of RONS, the National government is now introducing a special dedicated "pot hole fund" Monty Python couldn't have done it better. Will we be shortly forced to eat hot gravel?

But all is not lost. Despite my Superannuation being cut by $30 this week, for no apparent reason, there's an outside chance I might get it back in the annual CPI adjustment (something the government is legislatively required to do fortunately) And apparently we are still in line for a tax cut sometime in the near future. When is it Tricola? We wait in hope.......

More messages from your neighbours

Local Highlight

23 days ago

Poll: Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Wellington’s Te Awe Library on Brandon St will be closing its doors for good at 5 pm on March 1. It’s been the city’s largest temporary library, and now it’s making way for the exciting return of Te Matapihi Central Library!

We want to know: Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?

Want all the details? The Post has everything you need to know.

Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?

46.9% Yes

46.9% Complete
53.1% No

53.1% Complete

286 votes

22 hours ago

THE WAIKANAE BEACH MONTHLY COMMUNITY MARKET IS ON TOMORROW

Gary from Waikanae

WHERE:- Waikanae Beach Community Hall,
22 Rauparaha Street, Waikanae Beach,

WHEN:- Sunday 8 February 10am-1pm

Enjoy a Sunday outing with your family and friends by visiting this great friendly community market where you will discover handmade treasures and local creativity by highly talented stallholders where every piece tells a story.

FOR THE KIDS:-
Bring the kids along so they can meet jane with her quality handmade crochet toys, along with Helen and her huge range of awesome handmade children's dress ups and dolls clothes etc and Viv a local author of Children's Books and an accomplished creator of Pet Portraits.

NEW STALLHOLDERS:-
Viv Walker who writes and illustrates children's books, creates art prints and offers portrait commissions for people and pets will be joining us along with Nicky with her Fresh Flowers.

DISCOVER UNIQUE AND QUALITY ITEMS:-
With Valentines Day fast approaching do your gift shopping at the market where you'll find a huge variety of high-quality, reasonably priced ideas.

MEET UP WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY:-
Meet up with a friend or 2 and enjoy a Sunday outing at this great Community event.

Don't miss it... support local!