Garys Economics The first politician on Gary's Economics
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Sep 28, 2025 Chlöe Swarbrick, co-leader of New Zealand's Green Party and a passionate advocate for progressive reform, dives into the urgent issue of wealth inequality. She highlights New Zealand's economic failures and the impact of rising housing costs on communities. Discussing global wealth taxes, Chlöe outlines the need for international cooperation to combat inequality. With insights on political engagement and the importance of aligning ecological and economic needs, she shares her hope for grassroots movements to drive change.
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From Radio Rage To Running For Office
- Chlöe ran for local office at 18 after working in alternative radio and wanting to fix local problems she felt politicians ignored.
- She emphasised being honest about limits, working with experts, and engaging regular people with ideas.
Tax Rules Drive Extreme Wealth Concentration
- New Zealand's tax system lets the very wealthy pay far lower effective rates than average earners, driving extreme wealth concentration.
- This tax advantage fuels housing price rises and blocks social mobility by letting wealth beget more wealth.
No Wealth Taxes Makes NZ An Outlier
- New Zealand is an OECD outlier without wealth, inheritance, or capital gains taxes, which worsens inequality.
- That absence directly contributes to some of the world's most unaffordable housing metrics and a housing-driven economy.