Te Pāti Māori’s Ghost House Tax - Who ya gonna call?

With the Election falling a couple of weeks before Halloween, is it just coincidence that Te Pāti Māori is proposing to tax Ghost Houses?

The proposal is that all properties that do not have a tenant after a six month period will be taxed at a rate of 33% on the difference between the purchase price and the current market value of the property (including land and buildings).? The propensity of politicians to want to tax unrealised gains is becoming widespread, with wealth taxes proposed by both Te Pāti Māori and The Green Party.

Ghost House Tax is aimed at investors who leave dwellings empty for a long time (although six months is pretty short!)? This is one of the more imaginative ways to tackle the housing crisis, but questions remain whether it would achieve the aim of our parliamentary Ghostbusters.? All credit though for the best name for a tax - perhaps it was dreamed up over a few cocktails at Bellamys, where you can enjoy a “Maiden Speech Courage” for $20.