NZ Centre for Political Research

This week's poll asks:

To reduce debt, do you think the government should increase taxes or cut government spending as the first priority?

*I don't trust any politicians. I just want them to leave me alone - get out of my life and leave me free to make my own way. Pat

*1. Debt borrowing is up to $300 million per week and a further increase to that must be avoided. All parties are planning to increase borrowing as a short term fix to buy votes.
2. Basic political economics has consumption on the one hand and production on the other. Failing production in the economy is being replaced with debt. The election policies of the major parties do not address any policy to prevent falling production or policies to support and develop increased production. Debt based growth is a band aid fix and sets the course for the type of problems existing in the EU.
3. Selling assets will cut government income and the proceeds will be spent on projects that have no connection with production. The New Zealand debt pile will simply get bigger and while it grows the GDP will rise in the short term due to the government spending of some 7 billion dollars.
4. Taxes should be introduced against debt borrowing in the private and public sectors to suppress the growth of the debt pile - as recommended by independent economists.
5. The reasons for the destruction of NZ manufacturing industries is not being faced by politicians.
Nick

*To Cut spending will allow the Government to most likely borrow less - if at all - and long term NZ should be better off. Dudley

*JUST LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF NATIONS..... The ones that kept spending are no longer around. Jack

*Stop letting so many immigrants into NZ and giving them State Houses. Shirley

*No Party should be trying to bribe us with money they don't have at a time like this. You just need to line up all of the spending promises and only consider voting for those parties that have the smallest lists! Andrew

*Elections are so depressing - it make you realise just how much socialism is alive and well in New Zealand. Look at all of the parties that want to raise new taxes - Labour, the Greens, the Maori Party, the Mana Party, and the Conservatives. United Future just wants to fiddle the tax system with income splitting. Only National, ACT and New Zealand First are talking about lowering taxes. Casey

To reduce debt, do you think the government should increase taxes or cut government spending as the first priority?

This week's poll asks:

To reduce debt, do you think the government should increase taxes or cut government spending as the first priority?

*It's a "no brainer". Countries with low flat taxes have superior economy's to those such as ours. Further countries such as Singapore with no wlefare system leave us for dead!! Jim

*They should increase taxes AND reduce government spending. Although there would be a short term reduction in the standard of living, the government would be in a stronger position than our competitors internationally. Laurence

*And they could start by reducing the number of MP's to 99 as favoured by referendum. Ivan

*WE need to get rid of unaffordable unnecessary overheads which ballooned during Labour's era. Jillian

*My dad used to say, "the fastest way to get rich is to not spend!" So true. Grahame

*Especially on benefits. Wally

*Reduce bureaucracy & bureaucrat numbers - both in central & local government.
Limit eligability to benefits.
Re-write the RMA.
Remove old/inapplicable/"law of inintended consequences"/ill-written, etc., etc., etc. legislation from the statute books.
Repeal the ETS.
Ad nauseum ...Dave

This week's poll asks:

To reduce debt, do you think the government should increase taxes or cut government spending as the first priority?

*Remember increasing taxes is reversible but selling assets is not. James

*If they stopped wasting money it would be a start. There appears to be many areas where money is spent just to keep some pressure group or other off the dole.... Christopher

*Too many useless bureaucrats these days. Josie

*Spending must be cut. Neil

*Much of what the govt does can better be achieved by the private sector, at a far more realistic price. This would also potentially cut our taxes and reduce govt debt, thus improving the quality of life for all kiwis. Caroline

*Make Govt Super Asset-tested. Leave trhe qualifying age alone. Michael

*WE should not need to keep reinventing the wheel. Lowering taxes and reducing Govt spending is well proven to get an economy going. Ronmac

*Duh!! That's a no-brainer. Walter

*Where are the new businesses to produce overseas income? Malcolm

*We are overtaxed already. Arthur

*There is too much fat in the admin sector including local bodies. Brian

*As with us all the only way to reduce debt is to cut spending. Mary

*Basic maths. Dennis

*70 to 90 years of progressive socialistic indocrination on "Make the rich pay" has institutionalised the majority of New Zealanders into the annual expectation that life is a bed of roses. The thorns of reality is that you have to work hard and earn your way through life never occurs to the many. We will continue to spend and borrow our way until we are totally bankrupt. Move over Greece; here comes a partner from "God's Own." Brian

This week's poll asks:

To reduce debt, do you think the government should increase taxes or cut government spending as the first priority?

*It's a 'no brainer really'. Don't continue to spend when you are bankrupt. Take note Goff, Norman. Peters, Sharples and similar spendthrifts. Bob

*But first - reduce the number of MP's and reduce their salaries and expense accounts. Then reduce public service staff.
Don't pay two superannuitants living together the single rate of super if not a married couple, and reduce the differential between singles and married (nearly $100 per week). Only pay DPB for one child, no more, until 5 years old. Jill

*Taxes are already too high. Spending on welfare must be curbed and unfair Treaty settlements must be stopped. Peter

*This is not exactly a clear-cut question. Actually decreasing some taxes may be good, while cutting government spending only on those wasteful and non-productive things would work also. Bit of both I suppose. Sheila

*Basic budgeting, live within your means. When economy improves, then add more. Martin

*Yes cut spending, but . . . also cut red tape so entrepreneurs can make a start, land owners can diversify their land use and reduce compliance costs, reduce taxes and housing rates. Give property owners rights. Stop all the BS talk of global warming GET RID OF ETS. Sort out the Treaty once and for all, abolish the Foreshore and Seabed and DO NOT titoo with the Constitution! Trina

*We have already seen under 9 years of labour, the results of ever increasing Govt spending. How much does it take for Politicians to learn the obvious. Or are they all as smart as helen Clark who made the mess and then moved on to let someone else sort it out? Maurice

*Reduce the number of MPs as a priority. Dave

*It's obvious I recall Winston Churchill said you cant tax your way to prosperity. Clark

*And put gst back to 10% and also stop these so-called "treaty settlements" and clawback what has already been given. John

*When I look at the policies of all parties except National it is obvious this country is Screwed. Another fact is that if these policies are brought in we will leave our jobs Nd go on a benefit. Why not? What the he'll is the point on worrying and working. Where is the money coming from to pay for these maniac promises. Every student will be voting for the mental greens, get qualified and leave NZ just like the lot that owe the Billion dollars have. Well, as they say, you get the Government you deserve. Decent people have let it go to far, why are we not marching in the streets, taking days off work without pay as hard as it would be and paying less taxes so there is no money for these goons to make promises that screw the hard workers. I am furious, and can't wait to leave this weak, mad country. Chris

*No additional money for people having additional children while currently on the DPB. Contraception only costs $3. The sperm donors should be hunted down mercilously and made to pay. Murray

*They should cut spending now they are all to soft, we as small business people suffer for the miss mangement by govements. Geoff

This week's poll asks:

To reduce debt, do you think the government should increase taxes or cut government spending as the first priority?

*There is no room in a developing world wide recession to increase taxes despite the call from the watermelon left for more envy taxing of the rich. Excessively taxing the wealth will only see wholesale production moved offshore, loosing jobs revenues and taxes. Excepting taxation of currency movements offshore could be taxed but then that may be in breach of our treaties. Vern

*Labour know they have only a small chance of forming the next Govt so they can happily promote more and more Govt spending and interference in everyone's lives without ever being called to account. What amazes me is that so many people are so ignorant of basic financial management they believe what Labour says - that NZ can go on spending more and more, raising taxes on the so-called rich, and borrow more and more money without there being any consequences. Clearly these people, the Labour party, the Greens, and all the other left-leaning parties have learned nothing from what is happening in Greece. Perhaps they simply can't read! Gary

*Election update. 3 weeks to go and Labour well into bribe mode, TV1 (Monday news) trot out yet another mother of 5, this one barely out of school, bleating about how the government is letting her and brood down and Malcom is still really pissed at Key over the Hobbit thing. Jan

*The amount of money in the barrel is limited. David

*Of much greater interest to me is the question "Why do people with money loan it to New Zealand?" It is not for love. Maybe its because they know we don't want to pay the price and will eventually have to sell/give them our assets to get out of debt. Well. Well. Well. Who would of thought! Mike

*Only a blind, socialist UN-sycophant fool believes for a nanosecond that big government is anything but a huge ball & chain to any nation. A good government is a small, lean, efficient group of men & women who are committed to serving the public & who know how to turn a deaf ear to the clamour of special-interest groups. But our system of government is fundamentally flawed, and is irredeemable as it stands. Its time for revolution to wipe the whole thing away & start fresh. The short-term dislocation & disruption would be more than offset by the growth & true freedom that could be achieved by having a government that focuses just on governing, run by principled "servants" with absolute morals & an understanding that actions bring consequences. Oh, and by giving the UN & their globalist masters the roman salute, as well... Peter

*Less government = less meddling. Marc

*With the US and the EU effectively insolvent we need to look at our own history for the solution. We were self-sufficient 50 years ago and that's where we ought to shape our economy. Mike

*Reduce the bloat in government departments and the excessive controls they impose. Grid of most quangos and sort out, or abolish, the resource management act. Rob

*So much money is wasted on unnecessary things, especially recently with the Rugby world Cup. Elsie

*The most important thing in the World is the safety of little children. The economy is there to serve us. We seem unable to control it but if it is possible we must learn to do so. I voted to increase taxes because I had to vote for something not because I think taxes are desirable. We should work towards the total abolition of taxation and replace it with an organisation owned not by the Government but directly by the public that would raise money through commercial activity. K

*A no brainer in difficult times! Rob

*It's a no-brainer! Liz

*Whether it be an individual or a government - you cannot live beyond your means, this is not rocket science. Kelvin

*The best economic brains in the world say this is the only way to stimulate growth. So the idiots want to spend tax payers money to buy votes and finish up in the same hole as Greece and Italy. John

*Increasing taxes hampers growth. John

*It's about time the government got of our backs and out of our pockets. Rex

*The size and cost of government, including the number of MPs is far too large. Increasing tax on higher incomes and businesses is counter-productive, as it is the high income earners and business that create wealth. Government should ensure an economic climate in which businesses can do well and so be able to employ more staff. Laurence

*The choice of options almost defies credulity. Do some people really believe that it is possible to tax ourseles to prosperity? Peter

*Cut spending obviously, but that's not all. Ron

*It is very plain to see that the first priority of the left parties is totally unrealistic and not sustainable. There are totally irresponsible and would drive us to the edge like Greece etc. Alan

*No comment necessary. Peter

This week's poll asks:

To reduce debt, do you think the government should increase taxes or cut government spending as the first priority?

*Inherent problem is continued overspending by governments. Brett

*We pay too much tax in middle New Zealand already. Richard

*Cut spending where it is wasted rather than a slash and burn approach. Problem is those that waste our tax payer money can be very clever at manipulating where it goes. Sandra

*The public service is overflowing and needs to be cut back now. Sonia

*Cut spending especiallly on failed and expensive policies such as Drug laws. Billy

*I have read through last weeks comments, and am amazed that no one mentioned emissions trading, carbon tax, or the climate change! The climate change is cyclical,and the other two are just a load of crap for some rich guys to get richer. Scrap the lot! Oh, by the way my votes go to Conservative, I'm tired of broken promises. Alan

*I don't know about some pollies, I think they think we are dummies??? Yes increase the taxes for over $100000 but reduce them under $40000. Take away the GST on fruits and vegetable, Increase rates for properties over say $500000 alongside of their EQC levies which must be tied to their insurance. In reality it is Jobs people want, and these need to be paid for in a good remuneration for the work done. Don't listen to Brownlee he only want his dividend from Fletchers increase and no job for the ordinary people Rawiri

*Basic economics!! Sandra

*It's a no brainer. All the lefties, the Greens and Maoris have no idea. Greece here we come - no wait a minute, the Eurozone won't bail us out. Graeme

*Too obvious an answer. Why do we have budget advice for those who cannot balance the books? Gerard

*Hopefully leaving the core eg hospitals, schools etc out of the cuts. Sue

*Studies around the world, including one done by the IRD here, show that all taxation is detrimental to the economy. They also found that the tax mix had little effect compared to the total tax as a percentage of GDP and that if it went past 20% less tax would be collected as the economy would go downhill. In 1950 total tax was 17% and we had the third highest per capita incomes in the world. Total tax now, central and local government is close to 50% and our incomes were 32 in the world and have dropped since then. To save going broke like most of Europe we will have to cut Government spending and tax by at least 75%, some say 90%. None of the major parties are addressing this at all, in fact they all are going to increase spending. Mike

*We are a poor little country. We cannot afford big government and Robin Hood type state-theft for bribes!! Get real. Peter

This week's poll asks:

To reduce debt, do you think the government should increase taxes or cut government spending as the first priority?

*You have to say when you read some of those party policies the people behind them must be mad! What a whacko set of ideas are driving politics in NZ. Especially the Greens - yet commentators are praising their economic credibility. It is clear they haven't read the detail of what they are proposing! Brian

*God help us if the left run this country - we will soon be just like Greece! Peter

*“ASSET SALE!!” – bet that got a few of you going, say it to yourself a few times, it’s not such a big deal and it will only be partial anyway, but I suppose it is the only thing Goff has to campaign on. John

*Cut spending. Whom ever you owe the debt to, effectively owns you!! Adrienne

*With a population of just over 4 million, and a relatively small taxpayer base, how on earth do those of the left justify their politics of envy and deception for a inflexible political dogma out of touch with the world economic state, in turmoil? Neville

*One of the simplist ways for the govt to cut spending would be to remove all financial transactions with off shore owned banks and put all govt financial transactions through KiwiBank. Tax payments, court fines, welfare payments etc. Keep as much business as possible within NZ shores. Kiwi based companys should be given priority, NO Off shore outsourcing. If it has to happen then the whole deal has to be made public and the govt has to explain to New Zealand why it has happened. New Zealand firms should be given tax breaks if they move business's back into NZ. Get small towns working again, decentralise Auckland and such. Head Offices in say Auckland but the factories etc spread out along the rail line. Kiwis want to, can do and will do, work hard and well, they just have to be given the chance. Supporting the endevours of the ordinary New Zealander should be any elected governments priority, slash the extreme and obscene top end wages, get rid of fat "directors bonus's", cut the number of MP's plus their wages, get rid of all parlimentry perks etc. Get the average New Zealander on a decent wage that can feed a family, house them and keep them healthy and New Zealand will out preform the rest of the world. But the sad thing is the current crop of asperants don't want NZ to succeed they are just after personal glory. They have enough money stashed away to sell the ground out from under us and leave us baggage handlers and servants in what was once our country. Wendy