Polity by Rob Salmond

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Polity: Mike's minute: Mike's maths!

32 Responses

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  • Paul Campbell,

    Oh Rob, don’t let facts get in the way, Mike (thinks he) is more important than you because he’s on TV

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Salmond,

    By the by, I should say that when Mike Hosking moderated the TV election debate in 2014, I thought he was actually pretty fair, despite predictions to the contrary.

    So when Hosking gets his game face on, he can be even-handed. Time for more game face, Mike!

    Wellington • Since Jun 2015 • 102 posts Report Reply

  • Marc C,

    Now, Mike Hosking my appear to not be good with maths, but that is simply not the case. He is not a stupid fellow, he will most likely know full well how the tax system works, and how to benefit from it as a high earner and also asset owning person.

    He seems to rather be relying on the many less informed, some even ignorant people, who watch his show Seven Sharp on TVNZ One, and who listen to his show on ZB.

    In my view he is simply mischievous, trying to defend the political line he prefers, which is also followed by our present PM and government.

    It is all too obvious to even give the man any credit.

    Auckland • Since Oct 2012 • 437 posts Report Reply

  • Alex Martin,

    So what did he mean when he said "[up until this thursday coming] each and every dollar you have earned has gone to the govt"

    I don't understand where that came from, what that's about and how it ties at all to the weird 50% tax claim....

    Auckland • Since May 2016 • 3 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    he must pay all his tax up front, I wonder if you get a discount if you do that

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    Any idea how many houses Mad Mike owns?

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • linger, in reply to Alex Martin,

    Oddly, that statement (while being incredibly misleading) is much closer to being correct, because the tax year starts April 1, and the effective average income tax rate is around 1/6, i.e. two months’ worth of the year’s income.

    Tokyo • Since Apr 2007 • 1944 posts Report Reply

  • Carol Stewart,

    Mike ought to read a compelling book called "The Body Economic: Why Austerity Kills" by UK epidemiologists David Stuckler and Sanjay Basu. It is a case study and data driven book that shows over and over again, in many different contexts, how government spending on social protection is always worthwhile and has positive fiscal multipliers for economic recovery and growth, and austerity measures are always a bad idea. A couple of examples, from the Guardian's review of the book:

    In Greece, cases of HIV infection leapt by 52% between January and May 2011 as the government slashed its budget for a needle-exchange programme targeting drug addicts. In Iceland, authorities rejected the IMF's calls for radical austerity, instead increasing "social protection" spending from 21% to 25% of GDP between 2007 and 2009. The result? Icelanders' health may even have improved during the crisis, while its economy grew by 3% last year.,

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • Alex Martin, in reply to linger,

    Ha. While misleading is an understatement, I see what you're saying. But he specifically outlined a date range between January 1st and May 26th. I feel like I'm on a bad trip, this makes no sense?!

    Auckland • Since May 2016 • 3 posts Report Reply

  • Alex Martin, in reply to Alex Martin,

    OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH I'm a dumbass. He's referencing the bullshit 50% stat. Jan 1 to May 26th is his imaginary 50% tax mark.

    Auckland • Since May 2016 • 3 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Marc C,

    Now, Mike Hosking my appear to not be good with maths, but that is simply not the case. He is not a stupid fellow, he will most likely know full well how the tax system works, and how to benefit from it as a high earner and also asset owning person.

    From my interactions with him on how the numbers work in TV and radio ratings, I'm inclined to think he's just really, really bad at maths.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Luke Williamson,

    Just thank you Rob . . . thank you.

    Warkworth • Since Oct 2007 • 297 posts Report Reply

  • SteveH, in reply to Marc C,

    Now, Mike Hosking my appear to not be good with maths, but that is simply not the case. He is not a stupid fellow, he will most likely know full well how the tax system works, and how to benefit from it as a high earner and also asset owning person.

    He's smart enough to pay someone to minimise his taxes. Whether he himself understands how the tax system works is undetermined. But if he does know that what he's saying is wrong then he's not just being "simply mischievous", he's being disingenuous and dishonest. Personally I suspect incompetence is the cause here, but I wouldn't be surprised either way.

    Since Sep 2009 • 444 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Russell Brown,

    one is the loneliest number...

    I’m inclined to think he’s just really, really bad at maths.

    No chance he has a secret 'math lab' in the basement then?
    I always feel a little 'number' after accidentally 'ingesting' him!
    Even the trace elements in this post make me feel my reason slipping awayyyyyy......
    ;- )

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Graham Dunster,

    'So, for our $78,000 person, the last dollar they earn gets taxed at 33%, leaving them $0.67 to buy stuff with. Even if they spend every last bit of that money, and don’t spend even a cent on either rent or a mortgage or going anywhere sunny, their GST bill is $0.67 X 15%, which is a $0.105.'

    Surely when we spend our 67¢ it is GST inclusive, not exclusive...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2009 • 184 posts Report Reply

  • Julian Melville,

    Graham's right, you spent your $0.67 and of that, 15/115ths or 8.75 cents went on GST, so the total marginal tax is just under 42% instead of 43.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Graham Dunster,

    Surely when we spend our 67¢ it is GST inclusive, not exclusive.

    Yes, but Mike and chums are obsessed with how much of it goes to the state as opposed to private pockets. For them that's a *moral* matter. Which is why I feel OK regarding them as both stupid and evil.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Carol Stewart,

    Mike ought to read

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • SteveH,

    Heads up Rob, Stuff have change the chart to include trusts.

    Since Sep 2009 • 444 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    If Mad Mike were to emigrate because a change of government would 'over-tax' him, I say he'll have done his civic duty. Though I'm not sure any other country would want him.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Kiwiiano,

    Well don't just stand there moaning about his naff maths, queue up next time he's on talk-back and blast him there. Take his miscalculations apart piece by piece.

    ChCh • Since Nov 2006 • 46 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    No chance he has a secret ‘math lab’ in the basement then?

    Oh, bravo.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Johnson,

    Mike Hosking might as well start any thing he says with, "John Key and National have asked me to say.....".

    It's unethical the way he uses his position to effectively deliver crazy rosy National party broadcasts which seem to treat anyone suffering as whingers, as only Mike is allowed to whinge, it's disgusting and when he is fired from our state tv and we stop subsidising his family from its state coffers he will be remembered as an example of the indecency an individual can bring to the field of broadcasting. Shameful, absolutely shameful.

    hamilton • Since Mar 2016 • 99 posts Report Reply

  • JessicaRose,

    If everyone ignored him, would he go away?

    Auckland • Since Sep 2011 • 61 posts Report Reply

  • Rickai, in reply to Tom Johnson,

    TVNZ is self-funding and pays a dividend.

    Since Jan 2007 • 47 posts Report Reply

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