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]]>
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