mrspdm and I have a good friend who on the basis of opposites attract is very active in the Green Party in Hastings. In fact from what I have seen over the 8 or so years that we have known her whatever organisation The Greens have in Hastings would fall apart should she leave them or stand down from her role.
She and I have regular duels on facebook where she is a prolific anti right poster and I like to hold her to account.
Today she has excelled herself however, picking up on Christopher Luxon’s ownership of seven houses which I understand he `confessed’ to at a media interview at some time since confirmation of his taking over as National Party Leader. Subsequently I learned while listening to Heather du Plessis Allen about an hour ago that these include his family home in Auckland, his flat in Wellington for when Parliament is sitting etc and a family beach house/bach.
That leaves what is assumed to be 4 rental properties which leaves him one behind the 5 rental properties apparently owned by Helen Clark during er tenure as Prime Minister and possibly still owned now.
Update: down to 3 rentals now because one property is his Electorate Office.
I doubt our friend knew that but I shall now draw it to her attention – some things I cannot resist.
No Minister 
Well clearly Chris is seeking to personally address the housing crisis to the tune of 4 houses. What has your friend done?
Alley – here is an example of her thinking:
`that is just such a simplistic response. Wouldn’t it be fairer if we ensured everyone could afford a home of their own, or at the very least, could afford to rent a state-provided house at a fair rent. This is do-able! Instead we currently have an increasing number of rich people owning multiple homes and charging exorbitant market rates for these rental properties. Rents are now so high that the rest of the taxpayers (via the govt) have to subsidise these rental costs with accommodation supplements which simply enable the multiple property owners (ie landlords) to keep pocketing even more money and thus buying even more houses! To rub salt into the wounds of those who cannot afford a home, property owners are further rewarded by huge capital gains that are not taxed! How is that fair pdm? A landlord I know told me recently that the capital gain on his rental property was 500%! He said he was feeling uncomfortable about putting up the rent but his property manager had told him he had every right to do so each year so he’d be a fool not to! Just because something is legal doesn’t make it right or fair. We have lost our moral compass as a nation when this sort of thing happens. This is the sort of greed and selfishness that National and Act promote through policies that put individual self-interest ahead of the common good’.
Hard to reconcile when we are with her – she would do anything to help a friend in trouble – even me. lol.
ps I have recently pointed out to her that Helen Clark has/had 5 rental properties – no response yet.
The thing is that the Greens very much don’t like Labour either, for exactly those reasons. I think they regard Labour as useful idiots in furthering their dreams.
PDM
Worth pointing out that the state is the single biggest landlord in NZ and recent reports indicated that they were squeezing new home buyers out the market to house gangs and drug dealers.
Was saving that one Alley – Kainga Ora (Housing Corp) is also considered the worst landlord in the country apparently.
It seems National hired another pale stale male. I’m expecting no change in their fortunes.
Simon Bridges may have had his faults, but at least he is known to the average voter, and is younger as well, which appeals to the younger voter.
His first 24 hours have been okay but I hope he doesn’t fold under the media pressure like Muller did.
pdm, I’ve learned over the years you will NEVER change her mind. It’s just wasted energy mate. Do something more constructive, like buy a rental property.