QUESTION: What is your single most important idea for business stimulation in Kāpiti while the region responds to Covid, and other emerging adverse impacts like climate change?

 

Tim Costley, NATIONAL, Ōtaki

“In the midst of the biggest financial downturn in 160 years, every business knows the strain that has been placed on not just their bottom line, but ultimately jobs. 220,000 people are on the unemployment benefit, 80,000 from lockdown alone. Another 185,000 expect to lose their jobs over the coming months. Even those businesses doing well now, could struggle next year; this is the reality for many Kiwis. National will bring in JobStart: a plan to give businesses $10,000 for each new job they create over the next 17 months which, coupled with 90-day trial periods, incentivises job creation. It’s a big risk in the current climate to take someone new on, but the only way to create jobs is by supporting local businesses to do it one at a time. No Government Minister can invent jobs, business owners do that, and National will be supporting them all the way.”

 

Amanda Vickers, SOCIAL CREDIT, Ōtaki

“Social Credit understands that one of the biggest challenges SMEs face, especially during challenging times, is cash flow. Social Credit’s plan will increase the disposable income of kiwis through ensuring they have an adequate living income, providing free urban transport and a tax-free income up to $20,000 to name a few. This will be implemented without increasing taxes or borrowing more. We’ll ensure the much needed funds for government spending is provided by our country’s own bank, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, interest free.  Reserve Bank credit was used in the 1930s and NZ came out of recession faster than most OECD countries. It can be done again. At present we pay $5 billion per year in interest payments to private, commercial banks. Instead that money will be  used for the benefit of kiwis. As more money is spent into the local economy, our small businesses will flourish.”

 

Mike Iles, ATTICA, Mana

“Localism is the key to resolving the pending economic downturn. Attica Project promotes the need for New Zealand, to support and grasp the concept of “localism”. We need to promote the local manufacture of most consumer commodities and food items from “raw product” and move away from Public/Government Duopolies. We as a country need to promote the ideals of “Fair Trade NOT Free Trade” and move away from swapping our raw product, overseas for cheap plastic commodities and products that could, alternatively be produced in New Zealand therefore creating, small business enterprises and jobs for New Zealanders.

Attica sees this as a way forward, and creating New Zealand prosperity. The Climate changes everyday on the Kapiti Coast, man is destroying the world with plastics and poisons. These ideals are written and entwined into Attica Policy, see; www.attica.nz

 

Michael Kay, ATTICA, Ōtaki

“End ALL GST is the most effective policy solution to stimulate the local economy, avoid austerity and taxation increases. Providing an egalitarian tax break to every sector, including citizens and leaving 15% more liquid capital to stimulate production, a direct drive for the economy.  GST allows the government to tax every stage of production through the supply chain increasing commodity prices for citizens and compliance costs for local business. GST’s introduction slowed the local market, its removal will stimulate it.

My key focus is the soil connection to natural farming, climate change and human health. I aim to restore Otaki’s fibre industry through both growing, processing and manufacturing locally, developing productive wetlands on the commons. This has a direct benefit in both processing waste and ensuring NZ’s farming and fibres return to both sustainable and world leading. ATTICA has developed an innovative economic plan to reverse the neoliberal economic reforms, restore open markets and stimulate local productivity in harmony with nature – please see our full policy at www.attica.nz

  

Martin Feinstein, NEW CONSERVATIVES, Ōtaki

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Michael Feyen, ADVANCE NZŌtaki

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LABOUR

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ACT

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GREENS

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