Politics Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – March 19 2018 – Today’s content

Politics Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – March 19 2018 – Today’s content Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. [caption id="attachment_297" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The Beehive and Parliament Buildings.[/caption] Below are the links to the items online. The full text of these items are contained in the PDF file (click to download). Government agency spying Nick Truebridge (Stuff): Southern Response approached disgruntled claimant Cam Preston’s employer with unproven allegations Stuff: Doug Martin to lead investigation into Southern Response’s use of private investigator RNZ: SSC appoints senior public servant to investigate spying allegations Anna Bracewell-Worrall and Ben Irwin (Newshub): Government to look into use of spies by State agencies Leith Huffadine and Megan Gattey (Stuff): Greenpeace calls for Govt inquiry into spy agency to include MBIE Anna Bracewell-Worrall (Newshub): Greenpeace calls for Govt inquiry into Christchurch spying to include MBIE Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): So the NZ State hired dirty corporate spies for big oil??? No Right Turn: MBIE conspires with spies Greens give Question Time allowance to National Keith Locke (Daily Blog): Why Green MPs shouldn’t give their parliamentary questions to National Jo Moir (Stuff): There’s nothing charitable about the Green Party’s deal with National Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): The Greens have managed to self sabotage themselves with the glee of a depressed goth Kamikaze pilot Whaleoil: The Green party hand National a magazine full of extra rounds Edward Willis (Great Government): To be a credible Opposition Derek Cheng (Herald): Bridges pours cold water on National-Green coalition Herald: National Party accepts Green Party offer of questions, but says it’s not a sign of a new partnership 1News: ‘It’s a waste of time’ – Green Party hands over primary questions in Parliament to National 1News: Jacinda Ardern’s horror week gets worse with Green Party’s shock announcement RNZ: Question time deal sets govt up for rough ride Jo Moir (Stuff): Green Party co-leader James Shaw has done a deal with National Derek Cheng (Herald): Greens and National do deal over Parliament’s Question Time Amanda Jane Robinson (Newshub): Greens give their Question Time quota to National Newshub: ‘We’ll hold the Govt to account’: Simon Bridges reacts to question time increase David Farrar (Kiwiblog): Smart move from the Greens Labour summer camp allegations Colin Peacock (RNZ): Summer camp scandal sparks flood of opinion Audrey Young (Herald): A week Jacinda Ardern will want to forget Tracy Watkins (Stuff): Jacinda Ardern has political capital to burn but Labour shouldn’t squander it Derek Cheng (Herald): General secretary Andrew Kirton’s political ambitions have taken a knock this week Duncan Garner (Herald): Labour president should walk the plank over ‘gobsmackingly incompetent’ handling of camp saga Heather du Plessis-Allan (Herald): Jacinda Ardern fails big test after Labour camp scandal 1News: ‘It’s a moot point’ – PM defends Labour Party general secretary keeping sexual assault allegations from her 1News: Full interview: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sits down with Corin Dann after a challenging week for her leadership Herald: Prime Minister Jacinda Arden continues to back Labour Party general secretary Andrew Kirton over summer camp scandal Herald: ‘Sacking isn’t the only way’: Jacinda Ardern on sexual assault allegations Jo Moir (Stuff): Young Nats not immune to ‘boozy over-indulgence’, says long-time party member 1News: Jacinda Ardern says Labour lawyer available to all sex assault complainants as she acknowledges third alleged incident involving her party Lizzie Marvelly (Herald):Labour camp scandal bigger than politics Legal profession sexual misconduct allegations and MeToo Spinoff: ‘Open secrets run rife’: what’s forgotten in the rush to judge Russell McVeagh Tim Murphy (Newsroom): Russell McVeagh off $16m Auckland roster RNZ: Chapman Tripp investigates sex allegation Susan Strongman (The Wireless): Law firms ‘blacklist’ #MeToo blog Press Editorial: The law benefits from female perspectives Tess Nichol (Herald): If you think #MeToo’s gone too far, you’re still not listening Pani Farvid (Herald): Sick of not having a voice and not being heard? #MeToo Lee Umbers (Herald): #MeToo sees surge in Kiwi women seeking help International relations and trade Derek Cheng (Herald): PM Jacinda Ardern to talk trade with Indonesian President Joko Widodo Stuff: Indonesian president’s visit marks 60 years of relations with NZ RNZ: NZ govt considers further measures against Russia BBC/RNZ: Russian response to nerve attack ‘cynical, sarcastic’ – Ardern Derek Cheng (Herald): Govt steps back from Russia free trade deal following chemical attack Tracy Watkins and Jo Moir (Stuff): Trade talks with Russia put on ice after spy’s poisoning in UK Jane Clifton (Listener): What’s with Winston’s crush on Russia? Stacey Kirk (Stuff): No room for diplomatic shades of grey on Russia – NZ’s choice is black and white Malcolm McKinnon (Stuff): This is not a new Cold War – or is it? Gwynn Compton (Libertas Digital): Ardern stumbles badly on Putin-Peters axis Mike Smith (Standard): Russian to Judgment Jo Moir (Stuff): ‘Poisoned’ ex-KGB agent seeking help of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Fran O’Sullivan (Herald): Turnbull shows limits of Anzac slogans Michael Reddell (Croaking Cassandra): What do we want with the Belt and Road? Simon Draper (Stuff): NZ has big role in shaping Asia RNZ: $3m of aid for quake-struck PNG Sam Hurley (Herald): Brazilian consulate tells nationals caught importing drugs they’ll be out in 2 years Edward Gay (RNZ): Brazilian drug mule to NZ: ‘He’s made a terrible mistake’ Steven Cowan (Against the current): Bashing Bernie Parliament and integrity issues RNZ: National apologises for mass database sign-up Andrew Geddis (Pundit): A submission on the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Act Gwynn Compton (Libertas Digital): In opposition to the Electoral Integrity Amendment Bill Hai Xin (Constitution Aotearoa): A lower voting age would be fairer and more consistent Dileepa Fonseka (Stuff): Political rifts in the Chinese community as politicians battle over defamation Stuff: Below the Beltway: A week in politics Talisa Kupenga (Māori TV): A week of political highs and lows Don Rowe (Spinoff): Let’s do this? A horror week for the Labour government Public Service Richard Harman (Politik): Rules for public servants Hamish Rutherford (Stuff): ACC chairwoman Dame Paula Rebstock quiet on CEO pay row Crown-Māori relationship and Māori seats Graham Cameron (Spinoff): Labour to Iwi Chairs Forum: ‘Iwi leaders need to catch up with the new world’ Leah Te Whata (Māori TV): National to consider running candidates in Māori seats Health and disability Michelle Duff (Stuff): Is New Zealand’s maternity care system at breaking point? Cecile Meier and Michelle Duff (Stuff): Hospital overcrowding puts most vulnerable babies at risk Cate Broughton (Stuff): Kiwi nurses and midwives ready to reject pay deal Alexa Cook (RNZ): Rural midwife crisis ‘unfair’ for pregnant women Sarah Harris (Herald): Aged-care providers battle loneliness as New Zealand population ages Sarah Harris (Herald): 87-year-old marathon runner Jim Douglas combats loneliness with exercise Adam Jacobson (Stuff): Absence of mental health related questions in census a ‘missed opportunity’ Teuila Fuatai (Newsroom): Why we need more Māori and Pacific doctors RNZ: Govt launches dengue fever awareness campaign Aaron Leaman (Stuff): Raising awareness in hospitals lifts New Zealand’s organ donation rates Alison Mau (Stuff): Wheelchairs with flat tyres, cups up high, pedal bins in disabled loos 1News: Government measures restricting use of surgical mesh a ‘smokescreen’ – campaigners Cate Broughton (Stuff): Surgical mesh group asks Jacinda Ardern to intervene in ‘medical disaster’ Damien Grant (Stuff): Make helmet arguments about freedom, not safety Tom Hunt (Dominion Post): Meagre turnout for helmet ‘ride for choice’ protest Justice John Campbell and Michelle Cooke (RNZ): Justice Minister seeks to repeal ‘one year and a day’ law Cate Broughton (Stuff): Government acts to change ‘one year, one day’ law that stopped CTV building engineers being charged RNZ: Widower welcomes plans to repeal ‘one year and a day’ law Ella Prendergast (Newshub): Government faces dilemma over run-down Waikeria Prison 1News: ‘There should be no right to silence’ – Call for caregivers to be charged when family stays silent over child abuse Michelle Duff (Stuff): On her deathbed, domestic violence victim challenges Family Court failings Michelle Duff (Stuff): She thought the court would protect her. She was wrong RNZ: No compo for men convicted of homosexuality Marty Sharpe (Stuff): Prison accused of ignoring judge’s orders to produce prisoner in court Education John Gerritsen (RNZ): Early childhood teacher shortages ‘reaching crisis point’ John Gerritsen (RNZ):Insight: Dangerous Daycares John Gerritsen (RNZ): Low early childhood staffing could be ‘toxic’ – advocates Harrison Christian, Hamish McNeilly and Katy Jones (Stuff): Crowded schools ordered to enforce zones to make space for local kids RNZ: Govt touts stronger Singapore education links Simon Collins (Herald): School reports make way for online ‘real-time’ technology Natalie Akoorie (Herald): School principal and board chair accused of bullying Lynda Chanwai-Earle (RNZ): Slavery through education Lincoln Tan (Herald): School launch $200-an-hour English course – taught by Chinese teachers Inequality and poverty Nicola Russell (Newshub): No more money available for child poverty reduction – Prime Minister Steven Cowan (Against the current): Jacinda Ardern pleads poverty in the fight against poverty Defence Matt Nippert (Herald): Ombudsman forces release of defence spending on spy software Sam Warburton (Pundit): How we found the NZDF was wrong on Hit & Run 1News: ‘Were they work related? They were’ – PM backs Ron Mark’s ‘transparent’ NZDF travel Lloyd Burr (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern defends Ron Mark’s use of Defence craft Newshub: Defence aircraft ‘not an Uber service’ – former Defence Minister Mark Mitchell Employment Madison Reidy (Stuff): Illegal migrant prostitutes too ‘terrified’ to report exploitation RNZ: Restaurant chain exploited, underpaid workers for years Susan Edmunds (Stuff): Low-waged jobs are demanding, require skill: Wonder why they’re hard to fill? Andrew Ashton (Hawke’s Bay Today): Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway in Hawke’s Bay to discuss labour shortage Gavin Scott (Overland): The radical potential of a universal basic income: a reply to Ben Kunkler Tamsyn Parker (Herald): Tool to help employers track staff sleep and exercise Superannuation Laura Tupou (RNZ): Easier NZ super access to ease pressure – Cook Islanders Laura Tupou (RNZ): Law change to grant 170 Pacific Islanders NZ super Susan Edmunds (Stuff): The pension debate: Is the Super Fund reducing the burden or ripping us off? Dan Satherley (Newshub): Why Gareth Morgan wants you to give him your super payments Tax Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Tax choice comes down to type of political battle Labour wants to fight ODT Editorial: New taxes on the way? No Right Turn: The flip side of new taxes David Farrar (Kiwiblog): A value capture tax has merit Regional development Peter de Graaf (Northern Advocate): Shane Jones commits $6.7m to Bay of Islands airport, wharves RNZ: $7m infrastructure upgrade for Bay of Islands Newshub: Why Shane Jones is spending $6m on a nursery Police Dominion Post Editorial: Police cannot justify road blocks with claims of good intent Gareth Vaughan (Interest): Shell companies, the role of company and trust service providers, and alternative banking platforms highlighted in NZ Police money laundering report Housing Liam Dann (Herald): House price lull doesn’t fix problem for first home buyers Dan Satherley (Newshub):‘No one cares’ about National’s housing record – Judith Collins Chris Hutching (Stuff): Prefabrication doesn’t solve all building problems Interest: Housing Minister anticipating significant chuck of the Government’s KiwiBuild homes will be prefabricated and bringing overseas companies to NZ to get the work done John Roil (Hawke’s Bay Today): Are we facing housing Armageddon? RNZ: Dunedin is latest council to target short term room lets Liz Wylie (Wanganui Chronicle): Whanganui mum of six just wants a healthy home for her family Primary industries Ged Cann (Stuff): Greater observations and cameras on fishing vessels is needed, report finds Christine Rose (Daily Blog):What price is dolphin protection? Election donations? Conflicts of Interest? David Williams (Newsroom): Tough Mackenzie farm rules start to bite Auckland Todd Niall (RNZ): Questions over tardy release of Auckland Council report Alexia Russell (Newsroom): Phil Goff’s legacy plan – 1000 clean beaches Bernard Orsman (Herald): Big plan for 23,300 new homes in Auckland making slow progress Bernard Orsman (Herald): America’s Cup poll: Aucklanders don’t want rugby-field size extension into Waitemata Harbour Simon Wilson (Herald): What’s the real reason Mt Eden retailers are opposed to bigger bus stops? Duncan Greive (Spinoff): Memo, Mike Hosking – no one’s forcing you to live in an apartment Transport Shane Cowlishaw (Newsroom): Air NZ charging Aussies half the price RNZ: NZTA decides on Manawatū Gorge route option Dominion Post Editorial: Switching on the power of preparation Obama visit Jack Fletcher (Stuff): Barack Obama set to meet Jacinda Ardern and John Key during his first visit to NZ Danielle McLaughlin (Stuff): President Obama will bring a welcome reminder of US grace to NZ Simon Maude (Stuff): Ex-president Barack Obama to stay at rich-lister’s Northland getaway Audrey Young (Herald): Obama to join John and Max Key for a round of golf on NZ trip Environment Tim Brown (RNZ): Lake Hāwea residents barricade freedom campers Andrew McRae (RNZ): Debate over mangroves in Coromandel goes to Parliament 1News: Canterbury water stoush: Should foreign company be allowed to extract 24 million litres a day from Christchurch to sell overseas? Other NZ Herald editorial: Economy slowing on political uncertainty Martyn van Beynen (Stuff): Who are the better human beings – left or right? RNZ: Te Papa’s Toi Art ‘a huge milestone’ RNZ: Liquor licensing decision undermines local councils – mayor Stuff: Hamilton City Council looking at how best to manage alcohol sales David Cohen (RNZ): Changing sexual politics: the 1954 Mazengarb Report Craig Hoyle (Stuff): Māori Women’s Welfare League faces six-figure legal bill as members seek to oust president Rukuwai Tipene-Allen (Māori TV): Calls for MWWL president to stand down RNZ: Female role models in sport need to be celebrated – Minister Edward Gay (RNZ): NZ firm that breached UN sanctions waits for fine]]>