An article on the NZ Herald website is here.

How much of this happens in Kapiti? There is the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act to attempt to find out, but often with KCDC requests are refused because they are allegedly “commercially sensitive”. There is one word that comes to mind when you get that response: corruption.

by Marcus King, see earlier posts. No date, but probably pre WWII.

As reported in the ACT newsletter, and promised during the election, the Government is increasing the top marginal tax rate on income over $180,000 (about $US 125,000) from 33% to 39%; this will likely apply after next 1 April.

In Kapiti that won’t affect the present mayor, but Council boss Mr Maxwell will pay about $8,400 a year more tax. His in-house lawyer Mr Power will pay about $7,000 a year more.

The Dear Leader of Aotearoa will pay $17,500 a year more and her deputy Mr Robinson (pictured) will pay $9,300 more.

A photo taken from the Waioura Bay settlement by Karl Webber.

A Million Views

This week, an ACT MP had a video viewed a million times, worldwide. It was James McDowall swearing allegiance to the Queen in Parliament. He swore in English and Cantonese, his wife’s language. Hong Kong legislators are forced to go to Beijing and swear allegiance to the Chinese State in Mandarin. (They generally prefer Cantonese). That James freely swore allegiance to an independent head of state wasn’t lost on Hong Kongers and Taiwanese.

Also Swearing Allegiance To The Queen

Free Press is distraught to learn Ricardo Menéndez March has no principles. We were awed when the new Green MP said he would not swear allegiance to the Queen. We assumed he realised that this would mean no parliamentary salary. For $163,000 a year, he swore allegiance. It never ceases to amaze us how commercial the hard left can be when it comes to their own bank accounts.

A Thought-Provoking Speech

David Seymour’s Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne has been critically praised. “It was a great speech, well crafted, analytical and inspirational. It made me proud to have hung in with the ACT Party,” and “My daughter just sent me the abstract from your leader’s speech – superb” is typical feedback. Decide for yourself here. We warn you: it is long.

The Speech From The Throne

The Government’s Speech from the Throne is supposed to set out its agenda for the term of Parliament. The short version is: The Government will continue to point to how badly off the rest of the world is with Covid-19, it will go to war on anything that emits carbon dioxide, it will get creative with measuring its results. Who needs GDP when we have wellbeing? The full version is here.

A Natural

We have long said Brooke van Velden is a future star. Most new MPs will not speak before Christmas. The few exceptions are those who will give a well-rehearsed maiden statement under the convention that there is no heckling. Watch Brooke speaking minutes after being sworn in as an MP, and see a star being born.

Tragedy Compounded*

The Government will release the Royal Commission of inquiry into the Christchurch terror attacks on 8 December. The Federation of Islamic Associations has already released its own report. It finds what’s been an open secret: the terrorist was not vetted when he got his licence. Instead of taking responsibility, Police bosses lobbied Government to make rushed, ineffective, and premature changes to firearms laws.

Taxes Going Up

If there was ever an example of why we need to raise our sights in politics, it is coming this week. The Government is going to raise the top tax rate on income over $180,000. It will do this using parliamentary urgency. It will raise little revenue. It will be justified by pointing out that few people will pay it. Labour says it is okay to pick on a minority if that minority is successful.

Agenda Setting

ACT has argued for some time that the Reserve Bank needs to change how it defines inflation. Asset price inflation matters as well as inflation in the prices of goods and services. At the moment, the Reserve Bank considers the price of pizzas, petrol, and cigarettes, but not the most important asset most New Zealanders will purchase. Last Tuesday, the Government wrote to the Reserve Bank asking them to do just that. Lots of water to go under the bridge, but ACT is setting the agenda.

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• Even Patrick Gower of the pro-Labour TV3 (Newshub) recognises that if the Police’s rules had been followed there would have been no excuse for Jacinda’s gun grab. —Eds

As if there weren’t enough already along Kapiti Road, you say. But this is a good move as the amount of traffic on Rimu Road is often heavy; however, the ‘Barnes Dance’ pedestrian crossing will mean longer waits for motorists, which they are sure to appreciate — not.

In regard to the intended “silhouettes in consultation with iwi” on these traffic lights, a little group of us think silhouettes of Te Rauparaha wielding a Taiaha or Mere would be ideal (see this webpage).

They would appropriately reflect the mantra of “Kindness and Wellbeing” as it applies under KCDC boss Mr Maxwell and the present Mayor. The lights should be double size so that the public can appreciate the design.

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“[During November] contractors will drill core samples from the road in preparation for safety improvement works at the intersection in January.

“We need to investigate the condition of the road pavement to inform the detailed design for upcoming safety and traffic flow improvements at the Rimu Road / Iver Trask Place intersection.

“If the investigations show the road is in worse than expected condition, the project will need to be reviewed.

“The works in January aim to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow in the area.

“The intersection will be closed for up to four weeks in January while we install traffic lights and a Barnes Dance pedestrian crossing on a raised table.

“A Barnes Dance (also known as a ‘scramble crossing’) stops all traffic and allows pedestrians to cross in any direction — including diagonally — at the same time.

“The new Barnes Dance will be safer and better match pedestrian flow in the area. It will enhance the view shaft from Coastlands to Kapiti Island.

“NZTA has confirmed that we may use unique silhouettes on the pedestrian crossing lights (similar to the Kate Sheppard lights in Wellington). We are working with our iwi partners to identify suitable images for this.

“The existing pedestrian crossing on Rimu Road will be removed at the completion of these works.

“Council will also install new storm water pipes along this section of Rimu Road.

“January is the best time to carry out the work because it’s the quietest time of year in the area so disruption to road users and businesses will be minimised.”

Most of it stretches along Mahara Lane. For the few hours on Tuesday mornings it brings some animation back to Mahara Place as the pop-up library visible does little to help.