Posts by FletcherB
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I made a prediction in another thread...
I said I suspect we could wave bye-bye to the $1000 join-up incentive for Kiwisaver.
I hope I'm wrong.
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Key just said to Havoc on 95bfm that nobody thought we would have such a recession 6 months ago.
So, Mr Key, nobody said to you during the election campaign. "Dont you think it's unwise or unaffordable to be promising tax cuts with the recession we are now in, that is expected to continue or worsen" (or similar).
Oh, they did? They just didnt really think it might come true?
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Can I just point out, that part of that "sabotage" included making it so I could afford to join?
I dont like all their changes, and I'm hardly a Nat supporter, but the drop from 4% minimum to 2% means I could actually join.
I'd be interested to see if there's any stats yet on uptake since that change...
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Cutting the government contribution to kiwisaver would save far more govt expenditure (short term), but as you say, would have far greater affects politically, and on the future of the country... I dont forsee it happening this budget. But if things really keep getting worse in the future, it might "have to be done, even though we dont want to".
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because my budget prediction is bye-bye to the $1000 sign-up incentive.
I would hope not. The sign-up numbers have been huge to date, so the number of people still out there to signup to recieve that $1000 is relatively small - it would make relatively little annual impact I should think.
I agree that the actual savings would not be huge, but more of a "look, see, we are cutting non essential spending" headline grabber without too much political fall-out (as many people have already joined and it wont affect them). Anyone starting new employment gets joined automatically and has to opt out.... just the fact you have do do something to get out means the incentive is less needed in that situation anyway.
Anyway, its just a wild-arsed guess from someone with no inside knowledge. It just seems too easy with little political 'cost'
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Call me a self interested money-grabber....
I just finally got around to joining KiwiSaver last week, because my budget prediction is bye-bye to the $1000 sign-up incentive.
Plus, you know, I really should have some long-term savings- it's only prudent, if you can afford to...
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I still play my Freebass CD occasionally... it's good stuff..... but it wasnt half as good as what I heard live the few times I saw them.
It really was special.
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Musically, fondest memories are the Nathan Haines band fronted by Joel when Nathan was off in NY or somewhere; like a low-rent Bitches-Brew-meets-Band-of-Gypsys. That drummer Tony was a nice geezer, wasn't he?
Me too... they were called Freebase or Freebass ? I was not a frequent customer, only saw them 2 or 3 times
A tune would go on for 20 or 30 minutes, and they were just improvising so wildly that you could one moment be thinking "wow, this is the most vibrant exciting mind blowing thing I've ever heard in my life" and then a little later it would be "man you guys are playing dross, get your shit together" and then back to mind-blowing again... all in the same piece.
Those good bits are still the most energized I've ever been from music.
I was there one night when quite a few of the visiting professional musos from some touring Australian show came down after their gig to join in and have a blow with them.... They did add some bits but were frequently quite a bit lost as to how they could join in.... but had the sense to shut up rather than ruin it.
Good times indeed.
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I just know that, despite all the good ideas for names, Tauranga will still end up with something dumb like the Steamers...
What's wrong with "steamers" ? It's the perfect description for a pile of dung!
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I really dont see a problem with individual churches being able to refuse to marry people that are legally entitled to be married....its been happening that way all along. Many churches already will not marry you if you are not a member of the congregation or at least belong to their branch of their faith.
Catholics dont get married at Presbyterian churches, Hindu's dont get married at the Catholic church, and non-beleivers (like myself) are free to get a celebrant or some churches will take our coin for a service, and others dont...
If same sex couples are allowed to get married (and I hope they can), I dont really see a problem with any particular church choosing not to perform it?