Bernard Hickey
@bernardchickey.bsky.social
Podcaster and newsletter writer about housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa. Free and paid versions here: https://open.substack.com/pub/thekaka?r=akd4&utm_medium=ios
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
November 20, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
This timeline…
*LEAVITT: TRUMP DOES NOT WANT TO EXECUTE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
November 20, 2025 at 8:58 PM
This timeline…
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
Rep. Rashida Tlaib as part of her Economic Dignity for All agenda has introduced a new version of her BOOST Act which is now a Universal Basic Income of $250/mo paired with a new 2.5% tax on incomes over $30k to function as a phaseout. That means everyone under $150k would see a net boost in income.
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Rep. Rashida Tlaib as part of her Economic Dignity for All agenda has introduced a new version of her BOOST Act which is now a Universal Basic Income of $250/mo paired with a new 2.5% tax on incomes over $30k to function as a phaseout. That means everyone under $150k would see a net boost in income.
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
Here’s the edited version of our audio podcast of last night’s weekly Hoon webinar with Peter Bale, Cathrine Dyer, Robert Patman and Kirsten Corson. #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/the-weekly...
The Weekly Hoon: Mr Bone Saw, Ford Rangers & ATACMS
Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale chat about the week's news in politics, geopolitics, climate & the economy with regular guests Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman, and special guest Kirsten Corson
thekaka.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Here’s the edited version of our audio podcast of last night’s weekly Hoon webinar with Peter Bale, Cathrine Dyer, Robert Patman and Kirsten Corson. #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/the-weekly...
Here for paying subscribers in full only online, my Early Bird news summary: Andrea Vance reports Mark Mitchell's office was sent emails with allegations about Jevon McSkimming; NZ Police eye Pike River charge & more #nzpol
thekaka.substack.com/p/fridays-ea...
thekaka.substack.com/p/fridays-ea...
Friday's Early Bird: Mitchell's office told of McSkimming allegations
This morning's Picks n' Mixes of news, analysis & commentary + cartoons: Andrea Vance reports Mark Mitchell's office was sent emails with allegations about McSkimming; Police eye Pike River charge
thekaka.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Here for paying subscribers in full only online, my Early Bird news summary: Andrea Vance reports Mark Mitchell's office was sent emails with allegations about Jevon McSkimming; NZ Police eye Pike River charge & more #nzpol
thekaka.substack.com/p/fridays-ea...
thekaka.substack.com/p/fridays-ea...
This timeline...
Sales of AI-enabled teddy bear suspended after it gave advice on BDSM sex and where to find knives
Sales of AI-enabled teddy bear suspended after it gave advice on BDSM sex and where to find knives | CNN Business
Sales of an artificial intelligence-enabled plush toy have been suspended after it was found that it engaged in conversation around sexually explicit topics and offered potentially dangerous advice.
www.cnn.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:21 AM
This timeline...
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
November 20, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
Everything ok at the Covid Inquiry?
Covid Inquiry hit by yet another top-level resignation
Inquiry boss quits only months into the job - the second executive director to resign this year
www.stuff.co.nz
November 19, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Everything ok at the Covid Inquiry?
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
David Seymour says it sounds like Winston Peters is getting ready to go with Labour again, following Peters' promise to campaign on repealing the Regulatory Standards Bill.
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
Coalition chaos: David Seymour says Winston Peters ‘getting ready to go with Labour’
Peters has angered Seymour with a promise to repeal the Regulatory Standards Bill just days after voting it through.
www.thepost.co.nz
November 20, 2025 at 1:28 AM
David Seymour says it sounds like Winston Peters is getting ready to go with Labour again, following Peters' promise to campaign on repealing the Regulatory Standards Bill.
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
"Some of you may die, but that's a risk I'm prepared to take"
"There are accidents that will happen. What I'm wanting to focus on is, how do I improve the overall economy and the situation that businesses and workers find themselves in?" - Van Velden. #PikeRiver
"She seemed to be focusing all the time on the employers and I sat and listened to it for a little while and then I just couldn't stand it" - Sonya Rockhouse. #PikeRiver
November 19, 2025 at 7:11 PM
"Some of you may die, but that's a risk I'm prepared to take"
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
Op-ed of mine in The Post today on behalf of @greaterauckland.bsky.social on why urban cycling infrastructure is really important (and why urban roading infrastructure is not)
www.thepost.co.nz/business/360...
www.thepost.co.nz/business/360...
Pedal power surges, but Auckland infrastructure trails the biking boom
OPINION: Adding car lanes to deal with traffic congestion is like loosening your belt to cure obesity. But this maxim does not apply to adding cycling options.
www.thepost.co.nz
November 19, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Op-ed of mine in The Post today on behalf of @greaterauckland.bsky.social on why urban cycling infrastructure is really important (and why urban roading infrastructure is not)
www.thepost.co.nz/business/360...
www.thepost.co.nz/business/360...
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
Me earlier this week on Chris Bishop diverting stormwater money to build a walking and cycling bridge his govt had cancelled
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
The Post
www.thepost.co.nz
November 19, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Me earlier this week on Chris Bishop diverting stormwater money to build a walking and cycling bridge his govt had cancelled
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
A reminder: Tariffs are a regressive tax. The anti-Robin Hood.
Trump's current tariff settings effectively impose a tax rate on low-income households that's roughly TRIPLE that on high-income folks. That's not the way taxes are supposed to work.
[source: budgetlab.yale.edu/research/sta...
Trump's current tariff settings effectively impose a tax rate on low-income households that's roughly TRIPLE that on high-income folks. That's not the way taxes are supposed to work.
[source: budgetlab.yale.edu/research/sta...
November 18, 2025 at 11:59 PM
A reminder: Tariffs are a regressive tax. The anti-Robin Hood.
Trump's current tariff settings effectively impose a tax rate on low-income households that's roughly TRIPLE that on high-income folks. That's not the way taxes are supposed to work.
[source: budgetlab.yale.edu/research/sta...
Trump's current tariff settings effectively impose a tax rate on low-income households that's roughly TRIPLE that on high-income folks. That's not the way taxes are supposed to work.
[source: budgetlab.yale.edu/research/sta...
In my Chorus today, Govt finally backs off using levy hikes to cut its borrowing, delaying 50% hike in EQC/NHC levy added on to home insurance bills; Administered fees & charges inflation a major driver of voter pain #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/thursdays-...
Thursday's Chorus: 50% levy hike delayed
Govt finally backs off using levy hikes to cut its borrowing, delaying 50% hike in EQC/NHC levy added on to home insurance bills; Administered fees & charges inflation a major driver of voter angst
thekaka.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:29 PM
In my Chorus today, Govt finally backs off using levy hikes to cut its borrowing, delaying 50% hike in EQC/NHC levy added on to home insurance bills; Administered fees & charges inflation a major driver of voter pain #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/thursdays-...
FYI I’ve opened this one up for full public reading, listening and sharing after requests from paying subscribers. Their support allows me to do this kind of public interest journalism on Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty in public. #nzpol
Wednesday's Chorus: Churn claims Police target
Govt to fail to hire extra 500 Police officers after 212 go to Australia; PM says prison pop'n rise of 1,967 to record-high 10,860 "a good thing"; Govt rejects 402 of 642 Auckland housing pleas in Aug
thekaka.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:58 PM
FYI I’ve opened this one up for full public reading, listening and sharing after requests from paying subscribers. Their support allows me to do this kind of public interest journalism on Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty in public. #nzpol
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
This timeline…
"I grabbed that hand, I don't give a hell where that hand's been."
-a real thing the president said today that would be presidency-defining weirdness in any previous era
-a real thing the president said today that would be presidency-defining weirdness in any previous era
?
November 19, 2025 at 3:54 AM
This timeline…
What a time to be alive
"A man pardoned by President Donald Trump for storming the Capitol was arrested on child molestation charges, according to Florida officials, who said he tried to use an anticipated Jan. 6 payout to silence the victim."
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Pardoned Capitol rioter tried to bribe child sex victim with promise of Jan. 6 payout, officials say
Andrew Paul Johnson, 44, faces multiple charges in Florida, including lewd/lascivious molestation, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
www.nbcnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:49 AM
What a time to be alive
A laugh that catches in the throat…
November 19, 2025 at 12:15 AM
A laugh that catches in the throat…
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
30 with Guyon Espiner: Economist Gary Stevenson on why New Zealand should tax the rich
30 with Guyon Espiner: Economist Gary Stevenson on why New Zealand should tax the rich
British YouTuber and economist Gary Stevenson tells 30 with Guyon Espiner fire engines aren't coming to fix the New Zealand economy.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 18, 2025 at 5:25 PM
30 with Guyon Espiner: Economist Gary Stevenson on why New Zealand should tax the rich
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
November 18, 2025 at 5:37 PM