A former IRD prosecutor is calling for changes to the student loan system so that Kiwis living overseas aren’t put off coming home because they’re worried about being arrested at the border.

In April, interest rates for overseas borrowers were lifted from 3.9 percent to 4.9 percent and the late payment interest rate for all borrowers to 8.9 percent.

Tax barrister Dave Ananth said this was putting people off returning to New Zealand at a time we should be encouraging skilled people to come home.

A pilot who’s been living in Australia for over 10 years has racked up a whopping $170,000 in student loan debt, most of it being interest.

After completing his training in 2014 he struggled to find work in Aotearoa, so…

Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Dr John Kwakye, has said that African countries seeking aid, debt relief should be given, given their rich natural resources.

He says all that African countries will need to do is to take ownership of their natural resources and reduce corruption.

In a post on his X page, he said, “Africa has no business seeking aid, debt relief or reparation when it is the richest continent in terms of natural resources.

“The continent just needs to take ownership of its natural resources and reduce corruption to turn it from a poor continent to a rich one.”

Recently, the President of the African Development Bank Group and Chairman of the Africa Investment Forum, Dr. Akinwumi…

Reliable statistics on gambling addiction are scarce. A 2018 study by Serbia’s Institute for Public Health estimated between 51,000 and 93,000 people were problem gamblers, including up to 33,000 extreme cases.

Despite being seven years old, it is the latest official data on this issue. In Bosnia, the number of problem gamblers has been reported at 50,000 for over a decade, though actual figures may be higher.

The paradox of gambling in the region is that the very institutions meant to regulate it are among its largest beneficiaries. In Republika Srpska, the state is the biggest operator of gambling services through the public company Elektronska Video Lutrija (EVL), co-owned by the state lottery.

While private operators are…

Graduates who enter some of the highest-paid professions, such as medicine, dentistry and law, stand to be the biggest beneficiaries of the Albanese government’s 20 per cent cut to student loans.

New analysis by economics think tank e61 found people who graduated at the end of last year would also receive a debt cut more than twice as large as those who completed a few years earlier.

Loading…

A Totton-based baby food manufacturer is set to be liquidated, leaving staff “devastated”.

Nourisher, which produces locally-sourced yoghurts, soups, and tray meals, is facing a resolution to wind up the company.

The products made by the firm, which is based in Calmore Industrial Estate, were supplied to major supermarket chains, including Aldi and Tesco.

The company employs around 100 staff, many of whom live in Totton and its surrounding areas.

Team leader Alan Morgan has been with the company for six years. As a result of not being paid following the administration has been struggling to put food on the table.

He said: “Totally devastated after six years.

“We had a text saying don’t come into work until further notice.

“Then we were told…

President Trump’s bold economic agenda, anchored by the historic pro-growth policies in the One Big Beautiful Bill, will unleash robust, real economic growth and restore fiscal sanity in America.

Analysis by the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) confirms that President Trump’s pro-growth economic policies and reining in wasteful spending are key to improving the fiscal outlook.  President Trump’s proven economic formula — historic tax relief, rapid deregulation, balanced trade, and reining in wasteful spending — will slash our debt down to just 94% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Let’s be clear: A vote against the One Big Beautiful Bill is a vote for the largest tax INCREASE — $4 trillion — our nation has…

When wage garnishment was around the corner, Kevin found peace of mind and real financial relief with Clear Start Tax

IRVINE, Calif., July 2, 2025 (Newswire.com)
–
When Kevin first contacted Clear Start Tax, IRS letters were piling up – and so was the stress. With over $10,000 in tax debt and ongoing threats of bank levies and wage garnishments, Kevin knew he couldn’t face it alone. Despite making small payments, the pressure only intensified. That’s when he turned to Clear Start Tax – and within months, their team negotiated a settlement for just $1,991.

Kevin worked closely with the Clear Start Tax team, who not only stopped the collection notices…

Read the original article here