The key graph for understanding the Rich List

          This graph, compiled by Geoff Bertram from Victoria University, emphasises how the NBR Rich List’s wealth has increased dramatically since the mid-1980s. It also shows two things. First, the sharp rise in income inequality in the mid-80s to mid-90s has resulted in a large and lasting increase in wealth concentration. Even…

Inequality ‘a chronic illness’ for New Zealand

Income and wealth gaps have a profound – and negative – effect on New Zealand, researchers have claimed. Speaking to a conference on inequality organised by the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, education researcher Cathy Wylie said inequality was “a chronic illness – and it’s getting worse”. A poorer area like Porirua lost a…

Top 1% has got one-fifth of recent growth, says OECD

Large income gaps pose one of the most severe challenges that New Zealand faces, according to speakers at a conference organised by the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies. The conference, entitled ‘Increasing Inequality: Causes, Consequences and Responses’, heard first from the OECD’s Michael Forster. From 1980 to 2008, New Zealand’s top 1% captured 20%…

How to escape from a low-wage trap

On Q+A this morning, there was much discussion about inequality, and in particular New Zealand’s very low wages, which leave so many reliant on a Working for Families top-up. The question is, how to get out of that low-wage trap? At this point, classical economics isn’t very helpful, because it tends to focus on comparative…

TV gets to grips with inequality

Q+A this morning did an extended segment on inequality, focussing on law wages. Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis contributor Robert Wade put the case for tackling inequality, and in particular stopping income being diverted towards the top. Bill English then put a counter-view, arguing that the government is already tackling inequality by trying to build…

Back Benches talks inequality

The Backbencher Pub was packed out for the filming of the Back Benches show last night. Among the issues that the panel of MPs was asked about was inequality. Wallace Chapman introduced the topic by reminding the panel that income inequality has increased faster in NZ than other developed countries. It’s a fast paced programme…

Robert Wade packs them out

On Monday night we had the first of the talks by Professor Robert Wade about rising inequality around the world. As you can see, it was a full house, with people standing in the aisles and at the back so as to be able to hear Robert talk about the way that the current system…