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Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
The secret diary of . . . Christopher Luxon in China
MONDAY "Where are your slippers?" Amanda said. "You'll need your slippers." Much is at fate for the destiny and wellbeing of New Zealand as I head to China this week to deliver a set of deliverables. "I can't find your slippers," she said. Other great helmsmen from history must have felt the same excitement and sense of purpose as they prepared to carry the hopes of their people and sit down to make sure they get share of mind. "Your feet get so cold in air-conditioned hotel rooms," she said. But it's more than the welfare of Kiwis that is at stake. These talks in China are held at a delicately poised time of increased global volatility and I have an important voice as world leaders iron out a phased launch within a wider strategy. "If you won't help, then suit yourself," she said. The DPS arrived. It was time to go. The great tides of history wait for no man. TUESDAY It's a very long flight to China but that allowed an opportunity to get to know the trade delegates from Zespri, Fonterra, and Supercheap Auto which stocks a variety of car batteries, air filters, coolants and more. Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran was also among the delegation. "Not what it used to be, is it," I said. "Sorry?" "The airline. It used to be one of the world's great airlines. I led it into an era of unprecedented success but the bottom seems to have fallen out since I left office." "None of that is true," he said, and left to use the bathroom. I never saw him again. WEDNESDAY We raced off out of the blocks with meetings to raise awareness of the New Zealand tourism offering in the Chinese market, and a visit to a cosmetics factory even to discuss regulatory barriers of skincare products. You don't want to boil the ocean by alphabetising our client contact information but at the same time you want to reach out and come away with important learnings. I was on my feet all day. They hurt and I think I might have chilblains. THURSDAY To the Langham Hotel for a Fonterra event promoting grass-fed dairy where attendees were served milk in Champagne flutes. And then the Peninsula Hotel, to oversee the announcement of a new flight route between China and South America, stopping in Auckland. After that, The Do Drop Inn where reps from Supercheap Auto wowed Chinese officials with budget deals on the Tridon Coolant Temperature Sensor, Fuel Injection Air Flow Meter and the Bissell Spot Clean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner. Our tiger team really moved the needle on that one. But it was misery to go back to the hotel. They keep the air-con on high and I just could not get my feet warm. FRIDAY A face-to-face with President Xi in Beijing — my first since China sent a strike force into the Tasman Sea without warning. I said to him, 'We have huge areas of co-operation that can advance the wealth of both countries, but we also have to acknowledge that we have differences." He seemed to be playing Solitaire on his phone, but he gave me his full attention, and asked, "What differences?" I thought of the possible bonanza in sales of meat and kiwifruit. I thought of the benefits of the visit to the skincare event and the excitement caused by good deals on motor oil provided by Supercheap Auto. Mainly I thought of how my feet were frozen blocks of ice, and I said, "Nothing really. It's all good. Let's lean into our moving parts and build on our core competency!" The DPS arrived. It was time to go. They had found me a pair of slippers. By Steve Braunias
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Benfica vs Auckland City prediction, odds and betting offer
The gulf in class showed when Auckland faced Bayern Munich and the bookies expect a similar outcome when the New Zealand side face Portuguese giants Benfica Auckland City's calamitous 10-goal thrashing to Bayern Munich are still being felt as the Kiwis gear up for their next Club World Cup clash against Benfica. The match starkly highlighted the chasm between the amateur New Zealand side and the world's football titans. Bayern Munich, without mercy, unleashed a goal storm last Sunday that left Auckland in disarray. However, it's not all doom and gloom for Auckland's financiers who are set to pocket a hefty sum from FIFA this summer. Yet, for Albert Riera and his squad, pride is at stake. They will be determined to bounce back and deliver a more commendable performance in their remaining fixtures. But here's the kicker - Benfica won't be pulling any punches in this encounter. The Portuguese giants are aware that goal difference could be a decisive factor in determining who progresses to the knockout phase. Bayern Munich is expected to dominate Group C, leaving Benfica and Boca Juniors vying for the runner-up position. Their opening match ended in a nail-biting 2-2 draw, with both teams showing resilience to recover from a 2-0 deficit amidst a game that witnessed three players sent off. This means the battle for second place could come down to who can rack up the most goals against Auckland City. Benfica vs Auckland City Odds Benfica - 1/100 Draw - 80/1 Auckland - 150/1 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Benfica vs Auckland City Betting Tips Over 6.5 goals - 7/5 Angel Di Maria to score anytime - 4/5 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Benfica vs Auckland City If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site. Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here. Gamble responsibly Article continues below Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too. We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit
Scoop
18 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
PM's Intervention To Kill Simon Watts' Ute Tax 2.0 Welcomed By Taxpayers
The Taxpayers' Union is welcoming the Prime Minister's intervention to rule out the Inland Revenue Department's proposal to apply Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) to all utes worth $80,000 or more and other work vehicles — a plan directed by Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts. In response to media comment issued by the Prime Minister's Office last night, Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said: 'Simon Watts was pushing a new Ute Tax, without his Cabinet colleagues or the public even knowing. Had it gone ahead, farmers and tradies would have been slammed with thousands of dollars in additional tax each year – not just once like Labour's Ute Tax, but every year.' 'The documents are crystal clear. IRD was instructed by Minister Watts to proceed with and consult with the tax industry on the implementation of a new FBT regime that would capture work vehicles, regardless of how they're actually used. This was a massive tax hike by stealth.' "As far as we can tell, the Revenue Minister didn't consult with any taxpayer, business, or farming groups, despite work having been done on this for nearly a year. Had he bothered to engage, the unfairness and political risk would have been obvious. That lapse saw the Government facing backlash because it was tax boffins who blew the whistle and it took everyone by surprise. Minister Watts should learn the lesson." 'Within hours of our campaign launch yesterday, the National Party was in damage control. Within six hours, the PM's team overruled Watts and confirmed the policy would not proceed.' The Taxpayers' Union yesterday revealed documents showing that IRD had been working on changes to remove the logbook exemption for work vehicles and impose FBT on the assumed private use of double cab utes. According to IRD's own estimates, the tax grab would have cost farmers, tradies and other ute owners $100 million per year. 'We give credit to the Prime Minister and his office for stepping in quickly and pulling the handbreak.' says Mr Williams. 'This is a clear win for taxpayers and proof that grassroots pressure works. We thank the thousands of Kiwis who used our online tool to email National MPs and demand the Ute Tax 2.0 be scrapped."
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
South Island officials roll out welcome mat for North Islanders migrating south
South Island officials are welcoming the influx of Kiwis migrating south, drawn by affordable housing and new opportunities Figures released by Stats NZ show 85,575 people living in the North Island in 2018 had moved to the South Island in 2023. That was nearly 30,000 more than the number of
NZ Herald
a day ago
- General
- NZ Herald
Interactive: Story and meaning of stars of Matariki, Māori New Year
This piece was first published in 2022. Our very own new year is now a public holiday, with Kiwis around the country marking it on Friday, June 20, this year. As Matariki has always been a celebration of abundance, of remembrance, unity and hope for the future, it's an opportunity
