The Kākā by Bernard Hickey
@thekaka.skystack.xyz
Public interest journalism about NZ’s housing, climate and poverty crises
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This is an automated Substack Account of https://thekaka.substack.com
Discover more/Create at: @skystack.xyz
Peters thumps migration button & it's working • NZ First hits record-highs in polls as Winston Peters & Shane Jones decry 'unfettered migration'; Peters says India FTA will cause migration surge; Business activity rebound stalls in ANZ's Jan survey
Peters thumps migration button & it's working
NZ First hits record-highs in polls as Winston Peters & Shane Jones decry 'unfettered migration'; Peters says India FTA will cause migration surge; Business activity rebound stalls in ANZ's Jan survey
thekaka.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Peters thumps migration button & it's working • NZ First hits record-highs in polls as Winston Peters & Shane Jones decry 'unfettered migration'; Peters says India FTA will cause migration surge; Business activity rebound stalls in ANZ's Jan survey
The Weekly Hoon: Winston's Trumpism; Climate solutions, Trump's Armada & Iran's tragedy • Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale chat with regular guests Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman about the week's news in geopolitics & the climate, plus special guest historian & author Jonathan Lyons
The Weekly Hoon: Winston's Trumpism; Climate solutions, Trump's Armada & Iran's tragedy
Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale chat with regular guests Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman about the week's news in geopolitics & the climate, plus special guest historian & author Jonathan Lyons
thekaka.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:05 PM
The Weekly Hoon: Winston's Trumpism; Climate solutions, Trump's Armada & Iran's tragedy • Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale chat with regular guests Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman about the week's news in geopolitics & the climate, plus special guest historian & author Jonathan Lyons
We're on. Join us at 5pm for this week's Hoon • Join Bernard & Peter Bale for our weekly 'Hoon' around the week’s news in politics, geopolitics, climate & economics with regulars Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman, plus Jonathan Lyons
We're on. Join us at 5pm for this week's Hoon
Join Bernard & Peter Bale for our weekly 'Hoon' around the week’s news in politics, geopolitics, climate & economics with regulars Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman, plus Jonathan Lyons
thekaka.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:04 AM
We're on. Join us at 5pm for this week's Hoon • Join Bernard & Peter Bale for our weekly 'Hoon' around the week’s news in politics, geopolitics, climate & economics with regulars Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman, plus Jonathan Lyons
House prices refusing to rise with economy's tide • BNZ & ANZ halve their house price inflation forecasts for 2026 to 2%; Landlord house-selling intentions spike along with mortgage rate hike fears; AA Insurance pulling out of flood-prone Westport
House prices refusing to rise with economy's tide
BNZ & ANZ halve their house price inflation forecasts for 2026 to 2%; Landlord house-selling intentions spike along with mortgage rate hike fears; AA Insurance pulling out of flood-prone Westport
thekaka.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:04 AM
House prices refusing to rise with economy's tide • BNZ & ANZ halve their house price inflation forecasts for 2026 to 2%; Landlord house-selling intentions spike along with mortgage rate hike fears; AA Insurance pulling out of flood-prone Westport
Luxon's unpopularity slumps to worst ever • Leaked poll shows PM's net unfavourability worsens to -17% overall & -42.2% with swing voters; Willis reveals lower GDP forecast, but renews pledge not to 'splash the cash' in Budget 2026 on May 28
Luxon's unpopularity slumps to worst ever
Leaked poll shows PM's net unfavourability worsens to -17% overall & -42.2% with swing voters; Willis reveals lower GDP forecast, but renews pledge not to 'splash the cash' in Budget 2026 on May 28
thekaka.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Luxon's unpopularity slumps to worst ever • Leaked poll shows PM's net unfavourability worsens to -17% overall & -42.2% with swing voters; Willis reveals lower GDP forecast, but renews pledge not to 'splash the cash' in Budget 2026 on May 28
'Shift power use to off-peak to save $3 billion' • EECA study finds a quarter of peak electricity use could be shifted off-peak, saving $3 billion in generation & infrastructure; NZ First rises above Green in RNZ-Reid Research poll; Parliament resumes
'Shift power use to off-peak to save $3 billion'
EECA study finds a quarter of peak electricity use could be shifted off-peak, saving $3 billion in generation & infrastructure; NZ First rises above Green in RNZ-Reid Research poll; Parliament resumes
thekaka.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:04 AM
'Shift power use to off-peak to save $3 billion' • EECA study finds a quarter of peak electricity use could be shifted off-peak, saving $3 billion in generation & infrastructure; NZ First rises above Green in RNZ-Reid Research poll; Parliament resumes
Fears growing of rate hikes before election • Higher inflation figure forces up wholesale interest rates; Govt & home-buyers alert for imminent fixed mortgage rate hikes; Tough question due on flood buyouts; Govt extends poll lead
Fears growing of rate hikes before election
Higher inflation figure forces up wholesale interest rates; Govt & home-buyers alert for imminent fixed mortgage rate hikes; Tough question due on flood buyouts; Govt extends poll lead
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Fears growing of rate hikes before election • Higher inflation figure forces up wholesale interest rates; Govt & home-buyers alert for imminent fixed mortgage rate hikes; Tough question due on flood buyouts; Govt extends poll lead
The Weekly Hoon: A rupturing world order, a changing climate & an election • Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale chat with regular guests Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman about the week's news in geopolitics & the climate, plus special guests Jane Kelsey & David Galler
The Weekly Hoon: A rupturing world order, a changing climate & an election
Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale chat with regular guests Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman about the week's news in geopolitics & the climate, plus special guests Jane Kelsey & David Galler
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
The Weekly Hoon: A rupturing world order, a changing climate & an election • Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale chat with regular guests Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman about the week's news in geopolitics & the climate, plus special guests Jane Kelsey & David Galler
We're on. Join us at 5pm for this week's Hoon • Join Bernard & Peter Bale for our weekly 'Hoon' around the week’s news in politics, geopolitics, climate & economics with regulars Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman, plus Jane Kelsey & David Geller
We're on. Join us at 5pm for this week's Hoon
Join Bernard & Peter Bale for our weekly 'Hoon' around the week’s news in politics, geopolitics, climate & economics with regulars Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman, plus Jane Kelsey & David Geller
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
We're on. Join us at 5pm for this week's Hoon • Join Bernard & Peter Bale for our weekly 'Hoon' around the week’s news in politics, geopolitics, climate & economics with regulars Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman, plus Jane Kelsey & David Geller
Two OCR hikes expected by early December • Markets expect 50 basis points of official cash rate hikes by early Dec as Govt-administered inflation keeps pressure on RBNZ; Job ads fall for first time in a year as Nov 7 election campaign begins
Two OCR hikes expected by early December
Markets expect 50 basis points of official cash rate hikes by early Dec as Govt-administered inflation keeps pressure on RBNZ; Job ads fall for first time in a year as Nov 7 election campaign begins
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Two OCR hikes expected by early December • Markets expect 50 basis points of official cash rate hikes by early Dec as Govt-administered inflation keeps pressure on RBNZ; Job ads fall for first time in a year as Nov 7 election campaign begins
Seymour fights for pool owners' property rights • ACT Leader & Epsom MP opposes housing densification around his constituents' pools in leafy inner-city suburbs, but is fine with densification elsewhere; Election date due; Fletcher stops building
Seymour fights for pool owners' property rights
ACT Leader & Epsom MP opposes housing densification around his constituents' pools in leafy inner-city suburbs, but is fine with densification elsewhere; Election date due; Fletcher stops building
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Seymour fights for pool owners' property rights • ACT Leader & Epsom MP opposes housing densification around his constituents' pools in leafy inner-city suburbs, but is fine with densification elsewhere; Election date due; Fletcher stops building
Luxon to begin election year with slogan refresh • PM to unleash National's election slogan of "fixing the basics and building the future" in State of the Nation address today; Election date news due Wednesday; Willis to tighten Health spending reins
Luxon to begin election year with slogan refresh
PM to unleash National's election slogan of "fixing the basics and building the future" in State of the Nation address today; Election date news due Wednesday; Willis to tighten Health spending reins
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Luxon to begin election year with slogan refresh • PM to unleash National's election slogan of "fixing the basics and building the future" in State of the Nation address today; Election date news due Wednesday; Willis to tighten Health spending reins
Primer #5 for 2026: NZ Inc chooses the status quo • NZ Inc gave up on large-scale 'added value' exports to generate high wage & profit jobs in Aotearoa in 2025; Fonterra's capitulation shows voters that can afford to save & invest like it that way
Primer #5 for 2026: NZ Inc chooses the status quo
NZ Inc gave up on large-scale 'added value' exports to generate high wage & profit jobs in Aotearoa in 2025; Fonterra's capitulation shows voters that can afford to save & invest like it that way
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Primer #5 for 2026: NZ Inc chooses the status quo • NZ Inc gave up on large-scale 'added value' exports to generate high wage & profit jobs in Aotearoa in 2025; Fonterra's capitulation shows voters that can afford to save & invest like it that way
Luxon to scale back Auckland intensification plan • PM set to water down Plan Change 120 rules to intensify housing around Auckland CBD after a voter backlash in leafy suburbs opposed to higher-rise housing near them, say The Post-$ & Matthew Hooton
Luxon to scale back Auckland intensification plan
PM set to water down Plan Change 120 rules to intensify housing around Auckland CBD after a voter backlash in leafy suburbs opposed to higher-rise housing near them, say The Post-$ & Matthew Hooton
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Luxon to scale back Auckland intensification plan • PM set to water down Plan Change 120 rules to intensify housing around Auckland CBD after a voter backlash in leafy suburbs opposed to higher-rise housing near them, say The Post-$ & Matthew Hooton
The first Hoon of 2026: Breman vs Peters; Trump vs everyone; Elections vs us • Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale chat with Cathrine Dyer and Robert Patman about the year ahead, an election year here, after a blistering start to the year in geo-politics
The first Hoon of 2026: Breman vs Peters; Trump vs everyone; Elections vs us
Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale chat with Cathrine Dyer and Robert Patman about the year ahead, an election year here, after a blistering start to the year in geo-politics
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
The first Hoon of 2026: Breman vs Peters; Trump vs everyone; Elections vs us • Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale chat with Cathrine Dyer and Robert Patman about the year ahead, an election year here, after a blistering start to the year in geo-politics
Bishop warned roads to cost 'quarter of a trillion' • Ministry of Transport advised Roads Of National Significance, Auckland Harbour crossing & rail to cost 'quarter of a trillion dollars' over 20 years; Mixed signals from economy in December
Bishop warned roads to cost 'quarter of a trillion'
Ministry of Transport advised Roads Of National Significance, Auckland Harbour crossing & rail to cost 'quarter of a trillion dollars' over 20 years; Mixed signals from economy in December
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Bishop warned roads to cost 'quarter of a trillion' • Ministry of Transport advised Roads Of National Significance, Auckland Harbour crossing & rail to cost 'quarter of a trillion dollars' over 20 years; Mixed signals from economy in December
Oceans warm by 12 Hiroshima bombs per second • Parts of NZ swelter in 37 degrees heat as ocean heat hits record high in 2025; Tasman one of the world's hottest oceans relative to history; Tourist arrivals to Queenstown 40% above pre-Covid levels
Oceans warm by 12 Hiroshima bombs per second
Parts of NZ swelter in 37 degrees heat as ocean heat hits record high in 2025; Tasman one of the world's hottest oceans relative to history; Tourist arrivals to Queenstown 40% above pre-Covid levels
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Oceans warm by 12 Hiroshima bombs per second • Parts of NZ swelter in 37 degrees heat as ocean heat hits record high in 2025; Tasman one of the world's hottest oceans relative to history; Tourist arrivals to Queenstown 40% above pre-Covid levels
Govt decision to 'move on' homeless kept secret • Goldsmith says Cabinet decision about 'move on' orders for homeless in CBDs made last month, but not released yet; Officials tell ministers that law enforcement approach was 'generally ineffective'
Govt decision to 'move on' homeless kept secret
Goldsmith says Cabinet decision about 'move on' orders for homeless in CBDs made last month, but not released yet; Officials tell ministers that law enforcement approach was 'generally ineffective'
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Govt decision to 'move on' homeless kept secret • Goldsmith says Cabinet decision about 'move on' orders for homeless in CBDs made last month, but not released yet; Officials tell ministers that law enforcement approach was 'generally ineffective'
Primer #2 for 2026: Limping towards a second term • Luxon-led National-ACT-NZ First Govt on track (just) for a second term in Election 2026, despite Luxon being NZ's most unpopular politician; Little enthusiasm for Chris or Chris to replace Christopher
Primer #2 for 2026: Limping towards a second term
Luxon-led National-ACT-NZ First Govt on track (just) for a second term in Election 2026, despite Luxon being NZ's most unpopular politician; Little enthusiasm for Chris or Chris to replace Christopher
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Primer #2 for 2026: Limping towards a second term • Luxon-led National-ACT-NZ First Govt on track (just) for a second term in Election 2026, despite Luxon being NZ's most unpopular politician; Little enthusiasm for Chris or Chris to replace Christopher
Primer #1 for 2026: A political economy in stall mode • 2025's 'year of growth, growth, growth' failed & administered inflation reduced mortgage rate cuts. Now, Luxon hopes economic green shoots & a weak Opposition will be enough to win re-election in 2026
Primer #1 for 2026: A political economy in stall mode
2025's 'year of growth, growth, growth' failed & administered inflation reduced mortgage rate cuts. Now, Luxon hopes economic green shoots & a weak Opposition will be enough to win re-election in 2026
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Primer #1 for 2026: A political economy in stall mode • 2025's 'year of growth, growth, growth' failed & administered inflation reduced mortgage rate cuts. Now, Luxon hopes economic green shoots & a weak Opposition will be enough to win re-election in 2026
We're on. Join us at 5pm for this week's Hoon • Join Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale for the final'Hoon'around the week’s news in politics, geopolitics, climate & economics for 2025 with Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman and special guests
We're on. Join us at 5pm for this week's Hoon
Join Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale for the final'Hoon'around the week’s news in politics, geopolitics, climate & economics for 2025 with Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman and special guests
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
We're on. Join us at 5pm for this week's Hoon • Join Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale for the final'Hoon'around the week’s news in politics, geopolitics, climate & economics for 2025 with Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman and special guests
Govt demands Health NZ cut another $510 million • Treasury cuts growth forecasts again, forcing Govt to delay surplus; Govt demands more spending cuts, starting with $510 million more from regional health; Economy stuck in debt deflation mud
Govt demands Health NZ cut another $510 million
Treasury cuts growth forecasts again, forcing Govt to delay surplus; Govt demands more spending cuts, starting with $510 million more from regional health; Economy stuck in debt deflation mud
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Govt demands Health NZ cut another $510 million • Treasury cuts growth forecasts again, forcing Govt to delay surplus; Govt demands more spending cuts, starting with $510 million more from regional health; Economy stuck in debt deflation mud
RBNZ pivots, pushing wholesale rates back down • Breman hoses down expectations of OCR hikes in 2026, saying: "Financial market conditions have tightened since the November decision, beyond what is implied by our central projection for the OCR."
RBNZ pivots, pushing wholesale rates back down
Breman hoses down expectations of OCR hikes in 2026, saying: "Financial market conditions have tightened since the November decision, beyond what is implied by our central projection for the OCR."
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
RBNZ pivots, pushing wholesale rates back down • Breman hoses down expectations of OCR hikes in 2026, saying: "Financial market conditions have tightened since the November decision, beyond what is implied by our central projection for the OCR."
Pop-up Mini-Hoon with Jarrod Kerr on RBNZ U-turn • A recording from Bernard Hickey's live video with Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr on the RBNZ saying this afternoon that financial markets had gone too far by pricing in a hike next year
Pop-up Mini-Hoon with Jarrod Kerr on RBNZ U-turn
A recording from Bernard Hickey's live video with Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr on the RBNZ saying this afternoon that financial markets had gone too far by pricing in a hike next year
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Pop-up Mini-Hoon with Jarrod Kerr on RBNZ U-turn • A recording from Bernard Hickey's live video with Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr on the RBNZ saying this afternoon that financial markets had gone too far by pricing in a hike next year
'Oops. The RBNZ just turned into the Grinch' • Economist says RBNZ guidance of interest rates higher a 'mistep' & hurts economy pre-Christmas; Hipkins says 'NZ can't afford to be aspirational again'; 64% of ACT voters want more state homes
'Oops. The RBNZ just turned into the Grinch'
Economist says RBNZ guidance of interest rates higher a 'mistep' & hurts economy pre-Christmas; Hipkins says 'NZ can't afford to be aspirational again'; 64% of ACT voters want more state homes
thekaka.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:05 PM
'Oops. The RBNZ just turned into the Grinch' • Economist says RBNZ guidance of interest rates higher a 'mistep' & hurts economy pre-Christmas; Hipkins says 'NZ can't afford to be aspirational again'; 64% of ACT voters want more state homes