We should be with Africa and the developing countries on this - even though we are in a state of un-development. Wonder what the Atlas Network does to promote tax evasion?
Of course the NZ government voted against it! We are run by business donors to the right wing parties. It has been obvious for years that the rich & business owners do not pay the tax they should. IRD is tasked with making sure that tax evasion is pursued through the courts. They don’t appear to do a good job!
Last year, a builder in Auckland went bankrupt. As a part of the process, the firms bank accounts were published. One was with a bank in the British Virgin Islands! Why on earth does an Auckland based builder need a bank account there unless it was for tax evasion?
Labour's problem/s stem from the 1984-90 era when they turned their back on their routes, and have never properly rediscovered them! I keep hoping one day they will (rediscover their routes) but so far, not much change at all!
I'd stop holding your breath. It's never going to happen. The Greens or Te Pati Maori are the only groups looking to speak for the marginalized. I waited but realised Labour is NOT for the average working person. It remains a Chardonnay socialist gunfight. One step forward two steps back
Hmm, I must say I stopped holding my breath many moons ago, otherwise I'd have been asphyxiated long ago! 'Chardonnay Socialists" describes most of them perfectly. What is sad is that most of the current Labour MPs don't even seem to realise how perfectly that description fits them! Until that changes, as you say, Mike, nothing will change!
Shameful indeed, yet hardly surprising given how Globally, nearly all Governments and seats of Power are now being hijacked by those "more-than-well-off's" becoming self-serving Politicians. Billionaires, Millionaires now running Countries and in it only to protect their own self-interests, despite their claims of caring for and doing it for the common people. Forgive my ignorance here, but who actually are the faces, and names of those who decide that NZ will vote NO in such as with this example? Who decide and then go on to vote NO under the anonymous banner named NEW ZEALAND. Who actually decided the NO vote? NZ as such is a country and can't speak for itself as a person. However, the people living within NZ can speak and have done so as in this case by voting NO ... so who are those actual people who decided on that NO vote?
The UN representative is only a spokesperson for our government . They would be on instructions from Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and the Prime Minister.
Thanks for that info Bryan, appreciated. I find it quite staggering that two people, and I'm assuming each of their faceless advisors, are able to make such a decision on behalf of an entire population. Reeks of this new 3 Ministers only setup being done which allows the 3 of them collectively to fast-track this, that, and everything else, and by-passing due process. No conflicts of Interests there. Surely Mr. Peters and the current PM wouldn't have any Fundings squirreled away overseas, nor would they let others do the same here. So I'm struggling to understand as to why they'd instruct NZ's UN rep to vote a NO. Afterall, both of these gents are decent, fine outstanding citizens with NZ's best interests at heart.(I can talk rubbish at times, huh?) Let's flick the two of them a Knighthood and move them on. Might as well do the same for their other mate while at it. Thank goodness for the ability to laugh sometimes when all you really want to do is scream. Kia kaha, take care out there in the madness of it all.
The problem seems to be (to me, anyway) that our media hardly tells us anything that our Government is doing. They occasionally mention something of internal activities or decisions, but never a squeak on the international stage, unless it's the latest photo op from PM Luxon, with some inane caption.
Oh lordy just so stereotypical - I sure will be complaining to Luxflakes. Plus looking for our new govt Labour to prioritise funding to track down our own tax evaders, Greatful again for the info Bryan. Newsletter came through this morn. My settings were fine when checked.
Keir Starmer needs to grow a pair & close all the tax loopholes in Britain's Overseas Territories. That is, if he can be trusted to stand up to the City of London peers. And this doco is viewable for free on YouTube:
Hi Jane - our person at the UN only voices our government's policy . The person to write to is the Minister of Foreign Affair and also the Prime Minister. Here are his contact details. Best to phrase it as Official Information Act Inquiry . Let me know how you get on. Cheers Bryan
How surprising!!!! (NOT) it is a shameful state of affairs. $1 billion could solve just about all of our poverty issues in NZ, but politicians (both red and blue) would rather keep Lining the pockets of tax cheats and evaders. How can we change this? Good post Bryan.
Apparently tax evasion and tax avoidance are two different things as former Revenue Minister Peter Dunne clarified, backed up by John Key, as verified in this news item from some years ago:
Semantics. Whatever the reason $NZ 1 Billion of upaid taxes each year should be pursued with vigor - but isn't. Why? Because it is not in the interest of the big money political donors .
So many of the choices and decisions being made the current Government make me hang my head in shame! They can say all they like that they speak for me; they don't, and on performance to date, they never will!
Utterly shameful indeed! The way New Zealand is headed under this apology for a government, our country is not just a third world country, we (they!) are creating a fourth!
We should be with Africa and the developing countries on this - even though we are in a state of un-development. Wonder what the Atlas Network does to promote tax evasion?
Yes Keith I totally agree with you! How disgraceful that we voted NO!!
Of course the NZ government voted against it! We are run by business donors to the right wing parties. It has been obvious for years that the rich & business owners do not pay the tax they should. IRD is tasked with making sure that tax evasion is pursued through the courts. They don’t appear to do a good job!
Last year, a builder in Auckland went bankrupt. As a part of the process, the firms bank accounts were published. One was with a bank in the British Virgin Islands! Why on earth does an Auckland based builder need a bank account there unless it was for tax evasion?
Not just party's of the right, Labour have done bugger all in real terms to change thus dreadful status quo
Labour's problem/s stem from the 1984-90 era when they turned their back on their routes, and have never properly rediscovered them! I keep hoping one day they will (rediscover their routes) but so far, not much change at all!
I'd stop holding your breath. It's never going to happen. The Greens or Te Pati Maori are the only groups looking to speak for the marginalized. I waited but realised Labour is NOT for the average working person. It remains a Chardonnay socialist gunfight. One step forward two steps back
Hmm, I must say I stopped holding my breath many moons ago, otherwise I'd have been asphyxiated long ago! 'Chardonnay Socialists" describes most of them perfectly. What is sad is that most of the current Labour MPs don't even seem to realise how perfectly that description fits them! Until that changes, as you say, Mike, nothing will change!
Great journalism Bryan..... bloody shameful but not surprising.
Shameful indeed, yet hardly surprising given how Globally, nearly all Governments and seats of Power are now being hijacked by those "more-than-well-off's" becoming self-serving Politicians. Billionaires, Millionaires now running Countries and in it only to protect their own self-interests, despite their claims of caring for and doing it for the common people. Forgive my ignorance here, but who actually are the faces, and names of those who decide that NZ will vote NO in such as with this example? Who decide and then go on to vote NO under the anonymous banner named NEW ZEALAND. Who actually decided the NO vote? NZ as such is a country and can't speak for itself as a person. However, the people living within NZ can speak and have done so as in this case by voting NO ... so who are those actual people who decided on that NO vote?
The UN representative is only a spokesperson for our government . They would be on instructions from Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and the Prime Minister.
Thanks for that info Bryan, appreciated. I find it quite staggering that two people, and I'm assuming each of their faceless advisors, are able to make such a decision on behalf of an entire population. Reeks of this new 3 Ministers only setup being done which allows the 3 of them collectively to fast-track this, that, and everything else, and by-passing due process. No conflicts of Interests there. Surely Mr. Peters and the current PM wouldn't have any Fundings squirreled away overseas, nor would they let others do the same here. So I'm struggling to understand as to why they'd instruct NZ's UN rep to vote a NO. Afterall, both of these gents are decent, fine outstanding citizens with NZ's best interests at heart.(I can talk rubbish at times, huh?) Let's flick the two of them a Knighthood and move them on. Might as well do the same for their other mate while at it. Thank goodness for the ability to laugh sometimes when all you really want to do is scream. Kia kaha, take care out there in the madness of it all.
Yes I’d like to know!!
Please see my answer above Judith
Thank you!
The problem seems to be (to me, anyway) that our media hardly tells us anything that our Government is doing. They occasionally mention something of internal activities or decisions, but never a squeak on the international stage, unless it's the latest photo op from PM Luxon, with some inane caption.
Wow😳 Why am I not surprised🤔 Thanks for bringing this to our attention Bryan🙏🏽😊
Where's a modern day Robin Hood when you need one?
The Green Party!
Oh lordy just so stereotypical - I sure will be complaining to Luxflakes. Plus looking for our new govt Labour to prioritise funding to track down our own tax evaders, Greatful again for the info Bryan. Newsletter came through this morn. My settings were fine when checked.
Totally agree, shameful. Not surprising with this lot. No moral compass.
Keir Starmer needs to grow a pair & close all the tax loopholes in Britain's Overseas Territories. That is, if he can be trusted to stand up to the City of London peers. And this doco is viewable for free on YouTube:
The Spider's Web: Britain's Second Empire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np_ylvc8Zj8
wow the mini USA of the south pacific does it again
At least they're being consistent.
Who was our representative at the UN vote? I'd like to write a letter...
Hi Jane - our person at the UN only voices our government's policy . The person to write to is the Minister of Foreign Affair and also the Prime Minister. Here are his contact details. Best to phrase it as Official Information Act Inquiry . Let me know how you get on. Cheers Bryan
https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/peters-winston/
https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/luxon-christopher/
How surprising!!!! (NOT) it is a shameful state of affairs. $1 billion could solve just about all of our poverty issues in NZ, but politicians (both red and blue) would rather keep Lining the pockets of tax cheats and evaders. How can we change this? Good post Bryan.
Apparently tax evasion and tax avoidance are two different things as former Revenue Minister Peter Dunne clarified, backed up by John Key, as verified in this news item from some years ago:
https://youtu.be/KoqfA3wQxYE?si=myWv8ZP-Rz2aoVW2
Semantics. Whatever the reason $NZ 1 Billion of upaid taxes each year should be pursued with vigor - but isn't. Why? Because it is not in the interest of the big money political donors .
WOW!!
Exactly the world's being run by a bunch of con artists the only difference now is more people are aware.
So many of the choices and decisions being made the current Government make me hang my head in shame! They can say all they like that they speak for me; they don't, and on performance to date, they never will!
Utterly shameful indeed! The way New Zealand is headed under this apology for a government, our country is not just a third world country, we (they!) are creating a fourth!