Author: Dave Stewart

Despite decades of cost cutting, governments spend more than ever. How can we make sense of this?

Posted on by Dave Stewart

Many of the managerial techniques that have arrived in the public sector over the austerity years – such as results-based pay, corporate contracting, performance management or evaluation culture – have their origins in a budgetary revolution that took place in the 1960s at the US Department of Defence.

In the early 1960s, Defence Secretary Robert McNamara was frustrated with being nominally in charge of budgeting but having to mediate between the seemingly arbitrary demands of military leaders for more tanks, submarines or missiles.

In response, he called on the RAND Corporation, a US think tank and consultancy, to remake the Defence Department’s budgetary process to give the secretary greater capacity to plan.

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Māori wards Explainer – What’s happening and what you can do

Posted on by Dave Stewart

Māori wards and constituencies are vital to local decision-making and have many benefits
for our communities. However, we have to vote in the upcoming local body elections to retain them.

This two-page resource provides trustworthy information on:

Why we have Māori wards and how they work
The key issues now
How our communities benefit from Māori wards
Actions you can take to retain Māori wards

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Article: Rates will never be enough – councils need the power to raise money in other ways

Posted on by Dave Stewart

Local Government New Zealand recently estimated an extra $11 billion is needed over the next seven years to meet unexpected cost increases. The credit rating agency S&P Global has downgraded 18 councils and three council-controlled organisations, and given negative outlooks to three more councils.

The auditor-general reported in February that inflation has driven up the costs of construction, insurance and debt servicing. This is putting pressure on operational expenses and capital improvements at the same time as demand for council services is increasing.

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Stop The Steal

Untangling the hidden costs of driving faster past schools

Posted on by Dave Stewart

Yet another case of Big Brother Government in Wellington telling local councils what to do with huge costs associated and no funding – yet more of the multi-million dollar rip off that Wellington bureaucrats throw at ratepayers, who they clearly see as a bottomless ATM

“Councillors have been astounded by the inflexible parameters, risks to children and others’ safety, and the potential extra costs of consultation and physical safety enhancements. Auckland Council and Auckland Transport both opposed the Government’s automatic raising of speeds back to 50 km/h but the rule came into force anyway. AT already estimated publicly the road and sign changes could cost it $25m, which the Govt refused to subsidise.”

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Opinion: Yes, let’s not forget what councils really do. Becs Mackay

Posted on by Dave Stewart

Let’s demand courage. Vision. Long-term thinking. A mayor and councillors who are eager to work together for all of us — motivated not just by managing the now, but by building a strong foundation for the future. Let’s be honest about the challenges, and clear-eyed about the kind of community we want to be. Let’s vote for leaders who can hold this nuance — honestly, logically, and compassionately. Because ultimately, the four wellbeings weren’t just policy. They were a reminder of what really matters. And whether they stay in law, they must stay in our decisions.

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The Observer view: sticking to fiscal rule will imperil Labour’s future

Posted on by Dave Stewart

To react to this fiscal crunch by cutting public spending – both capital investment and current – is the wrong approach macroeconomically. It risks making the problem worse: depressing growth further, and reducing tax revenues and hence the resources available to improve public services. The economy will not sufficiently grow while people sit for months on NHS waiting lists unable to work; while children from poorer backgrounds are held back from achieving their full potential at school; and while the housing market is so dysfunctional that lack of affordability prevents people taking up economic opportunities.

There are other options available.

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Postpone The Tax Cuts Campaign – 2024

Posted on by Dave Stewart

In the leadup to National’s first budget I protested that the planned tax cuts were unaffordable and stood on a roundabout in my home town and let everyone know I was concerned. The support was just incredible.
Soon I was joined by more and more people and we made a big noise predicting that everything that has happened was the only outcome from such disastrous policy. The Postpone The Tax Cuts Facebook Page remains a valuable historical resource recording how many people predicted the disaster that is this National led coalition government would be.

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Wai Manuka launches in New York

Posted on by Dave Stewart

May 21 2025 “We shipped over four pallets of Wai Mānuka, which landed two weeks ago, and we’re now in discussions to manufacture and send a full container ahead of the US summer months,” Mr Harawira said. A single container of Wai Mānuka holds more product than the company has sold through New World supermarkets across New Zealand over the past 15 months. “In our original plan, we expected to ship our first container within 12 to 18 months — not as part of our second order,” Mr Harawira said.

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Air Chathams and Whakatane

Posted on by Dave Stewart

The solution has to be based on users of the service and I think the proactiveness of the Chamber of Commerce in this leads to the solution. At the same time all users will most likely have to accept less competitive fares. The first step is with the airline itself. The airline has to have a business friendly timetable at the heart of a solution however. Then I think the business community needs to step up and form some sort of compact with Air Chathams where business users agree to pay ‘business class’ tickets. These are the same tickets as regular passengers but are more expensive and offer Air Chathams practical support from those most able to provide it, to the people who will benefit from it the most – our businesses.

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Connect On Instagram

Posted on by Dave Stewart

 Gearing up for the local body election campaign where I am running and have the opposition scared witless. A local poll was held last weekend by my opponents and I was winning so my opponents deleted my name off it. The wont be able to do that in the real world. Follow me on Instagram […]

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The future of Māori wards

Posted on by Dave Stewart

Source Author – Jack Karetai-Barrett Māori wards in New Zealand have been a big topic in local government, especially when it comes to fair representation and Te Tiriti obligations. These wards give Māori a dedicated voice in decision-making, similar to Māori electorates in Parliament. But their introduction has been controversial, with laws changing back and […]

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