Iran-New Zealand was a tie does this mean NZ has to give them 300 billion dollars

𝐓𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐱 𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬 The Taxpayers’ Union says new figures on illicit tobacco show the Government’s sky-high tobacco excise is now backfiring. Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says: “Illicit tobacco has reportedly jumped from 27.2 percent to 33.5 percent of consumption in just one year. Wellington has taxed tobacco so hard it has effectively created a business model for gangs.” “Treasury’s own figures show the wheels are falling off. Tobacco excise revenue fell by $2 million to $1.47 billion, even as excise rates kept rising. That is the Laffer Curve in action - higher taxes have resulted in less revenue.” “When one in every three cigarettes is illegal, Ministers can’t keep pretending this is just a law enforcement issue. The Government has made legal tobacco so expensive that smugglers and gangs can massively undercut legitimate retailers.” “You can’t police your way out of a problem caused by your own tax policy. Customs and Police should crack down hard on illegal sellers, but they’ll be chasing their tails while Wellington keeps feeding the black market.” “The Government must cut tobacco excise, shrink the profit margin for criminals, and bring sales back into the legal market. Right now, the Government’s anti-smoking policy is doubling as a gang enrichment scheme.” rnz.co.nz/news/health/598249…

Fuck this is a familiar pic….

People stealing copper from Wellington railway network. nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington…

Very closeup video of the highly expensive Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashing today.

Labour has announced another policy paid for by its planned Capital Gains Tax. But what if the CGT brings in less money than expected? House price growth forecasts would need to deteriorate further. Barbara Edmonds says they will "cross that bridge" if they have to. Story ⬇️

Incredible that Matthew Hooton, who is not a journalist but is highly political and a former National and ACT advisor can be appointed editor of The Post. What’s next, Sue Bradford as editor of the NZ Herald? #nzpol

Opportunity leaves the Platform hanging.

🔴 JD Vance has admitted he was foolish to mock Democrats, including Kamala Harris, as “childless cat ladies”. telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026…

Everyone now sees why Iran requested JD Vance for negotiations.

NZ's red meat sector contributes $48.7 billion annually, supports 1 in 20 jobs and generates $12.8 billion in export earnings, according to new BERL research. #NZAgriculture #RedMeat #Exports #Economy ruralnewsgroup.co.nz/rural-n…