Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – February 12 2019
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.
The Beehive and Parliament Buildings.
China-NZ relations, Air NZ flight to Shanghai
Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): NZ feeling the heat of the Chinese dragon
Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): China, New Zealand links sink to new low: PM Jacinda Ardern’s visit on hold, tourism project postponed
Newstalk ZB: Jacinda Ardern says NZ’s relationship with China isn’t at risk despite ‘challenges’
1News: ‘Complexities’ in NZ-China relationship, but they remain an ‘incredibly important partner’ – Ardern
Zane Small (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern downplays NZ-China tension: ‘Our relationship is complex’
1News: Turnaround of Air NZ flight to Shanghai not a ‘relationship’ issue with China, PM says
RNZ: PM: Plane turned back from China no reflection on relations
Stuff: Jacinda Ardern: No politics behind New Zealand flight turned back from China
Jenée Tibshraeny (Interest): PM creates distance between politics and Air NZ plane debacle
Grant Bradley (Herald): Air New Zealand takes blame for administrative blunder that meant Shanghai flight turned around
Herald: Air New Zealand Dreamliner flight NZ289 touches down in Shanghai after being rejected over weekend
1News: Government has ‘relationship problem’ with China, Simon Bridges suggests after Air NZ Shanghai-bound flight turned around
Evan Harding (Southland Times): Mayor Gary Tong reports to councillors on China dealings
RNZ: Southland Mayor defends dealings with Chinese group
Newshub-Reid Research poll
Audrey Young (Herald): Polls will have to be a lot worse for a lot longer before knives are sharpened against Simon Bridges
Tim Watkin (Pundit): Newshub poll: If this is the winter of Bridge’s discontent, he can’t be too discontented
Tracy Watkins (Stuff): Poll hit for National Party and leader Simon Bridges
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): Simon Bridges’ trifecta from hell
Richard Harman (Politik): NZ First and Labour; too close for comfort?
Duncan Garner (Newshub): Polls can change a leader
Toby Manhire (Spinoff): Judith Collins just leapfrogged Simon Bridges. Does she now try to crush him?
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): National plunges to worst result in over a decade – Newshub poll
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): NZ prefers Judith Collins to Simon Bridges as Prime Minister – Newshub poll
Sophie Bateman (Newshub): Paula Bennett says National’s doing ‘pretty well’ despite disastrous poll
Newstalk ZB: New poll reveals dire results for National and Simon Bridges
RNZ: Poll puts Labour ahead of National for first time in 12 years
Herald: Latest poll: Worst result in more than a decade for National
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Labour shoots ahead of National in new poll, while Judith Collins overtakes Simon Bridges
David Farrar: Latest poll
Govt axes Saudi sheep deal
Benedict Collins (1News): Government axes controversial Saudi sheep deal, saving taxpayers $1m
Herald: Government axes Saudi sheep deal
The Standard: Sheepgate the final chapter
IRD, tax
Hamish Rutherford (Stuff): Inquiry launched into Inland Revenue’s ‘political’ polling questions
RNZ: SSC to probe IRD’s use of political questions in tax survey
Jason Walls (Herald): State Services Minister Chris Hipkins says he was concerned to see the IRD asking political questions
Jo Moir (RNZ): Amy Adams presses government on IRD bringing politics into tax research
Norman Gemmell (Stuff): It’s only fair that taxes should be adjusted for inflation
Arthur Taylor released from prison
Keith Locke (Daily Blog): What Arthur Taylor’s journey tells us about crime and rehabilitation
David Cohen (RNZ): Arthur Taylor, freed, likely to tackle royal commission into historical abuse
RNZ: Checkpoint: Arthur Taylor: From ‘breaking’ the law to ‘enforcing’ it
Anna Leask (Herald): High profile inmate released: Arthur Taylor talks life, love and Lime scooters
Michael Morrah (Newshub): Arthur Taylor speaks out on first day of freedom
Catrin Owen (Stuff): ‘Retired’ career criminal Arthur Taylor vows to keep fighting for justice upon release
Michael Neilson (Herald): High-profile prisoner Arthur Taylor walks free after nearly 40 years inside
Environment, conservation
1News: Forest and Bird calls for cameras on boats after four Hector’s dolphins killed in fishing nets
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Hector’s dolphin commercial fishing captures prove need for cameras on boats – environment groups
RNZ: Deaths of four Hector’s dolphins disappoint Forest and Bird
1News: Four Hector’s dolphins caught during trawl fishing in two separate incidents off the South Island
Meghan Lawrence (Herald): SPCA changes stance on 1080: ‘Not anti-pest control’ but must be humane
Grant Smith (ODT): Govt can’t see our wood for the trees
Rachael Kelly (Southland Times): No plans to control seals on Tītī Islands during muttonbird season
Alice Angeloni and Chloe Ranford (Stuff): ‘Strong benefits’ to human health championed as council backs crackdown on shipping fumes
Rosemary Penwarden (Whanganui Chronicle): Conservation Comment: Why I won’t fly
Climate change, fire risk
Neal Curtis (Newsroom): Climate change denial not about the science
Charlie Mitchell (Stuff): Will forest fires become more likely in a warmer world? Yes – but it’s complicated
Leith Huffadine (RNZ): Climate change expected to cause dramatic increases in fire risk
Press Editorial: No more fiddling while New Zealand burns
Parliament
Phil Smith (RNZ): The PM’s Statement: like the State of the Union, only crunchy
Liam Hehir (Stuff): Could impeachment happen in New Zealand?
Health
Janet Peters (Herald): Intervene early to lessen trauma for kids
Laura Dooney (RNZ): Woman’s surgery delayed because she doesn’t have a home to go to: ‘There’s nothing you can do’
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Strike decision not one taken lightly
1News: Two-day nationwide junior doctors strike starts today
Herald: Round three of junior doctors strike today, as fourth strike announced
Zane Small (Newshub): Doctors to strike again with further action looming
Herald: Junior doctors not backing down from fight with DHBs as two strikes loom
Karen Brown (RNZ): Junior doctors’ strike a ‘concerning situation’ for stressed senior doctors
RNZ: Ministry of Health alleges company breached Medicines Act
Catherine Harris (Stuff): Joint supplement Arthrem’s makers being prosecuted by Health Ministry
Natalie Akoorie (Herald): New details of spending by Dr Nigel Murray emerge in Waikato DHB draft investigation report
Cate Broughton (Stuff): Bipolar disorder treatment in New Zealand, the vision and the reality
Cate Broughton (Stuff): ‘Bobbing and weaving’, my brother and bipolar
Talisa Kupenga (Māori TV): Rangatahi support free mental health pilot
Northern Advocate: Northland midwives’ strike before new pay delivery
Emma Russell (Herald): Mentally unwell woman dies, Canterbury DHB in breach
Govt to ban smoking in cars carrying children
Press Editorial: Law banning smoking in cars protects children, so it must be welcome
Brittany Keogh (Stuff): Ban of smoking in cars with children ‘short sighted’, says head of police union
Cannabis
Catherine Harris (Stuff): Cannabis company Helius Therapeutics removes billboards after complaints
Bob McCoskrie: Billboard Campaign Encourages Nope To Dope
Samantha Gee (Stuff): Green fairy Rose Renton discharged without conviction over cannabis charges
Megan Sutherland (Newshub): Nelson ‘green fairy’ discharged without conviction for cultivating cannabis for medicinal purposes
RNZ: Rose Renton: Medicinal cannabis activist cleared
Employment
Geoff Plimmer (Newsroom): Workplace bullying inquiries long overdue?
Philippa Wright (ODT): Employers overlooking job-seeker wellbeing
Katie Bradford (1News): Auckland sweet shop owners accused of running ‘sweat shop’ as human traffic trial begins
RNZ: Solomons govt to seek out employers in Australia and NZ
1News: Toilet paper company fined $360k after worker caught in rollers
RNZ: Bog roll co fined $315k after worker’s arm caught in rollers
Scott Kuggeleijn and NZ Cricket
Steve Deane (Newsroom): When will it be OK to cheer for Scott Kuggeleijn?
Sean Plunket (Newshub): Not guilty means not guilty
Herald: Radio Sport apologises over Martin Devlin’s cricket banner comments
Justice, corrections
Anneke Smith (RNZ): Malcolm Rewa goes on trial for Susan Burdett killing for third time
Anneke Smith (RNZ): Insight: Teenagers who kill
FINCAP study on high-interest loans
1News: Single mum paying $25,000 to debt collectors for $8000 car that she no longer owns
Tamsyn Parker (Herald): Many high interest borrowers can’t pay the loans back in time to avoid more debt
Sustainable NZ Party
Dave Armstrong (Stuff): Take our quiz and test how Blue/Green you are
Katie Fitzgerald (Newshub): Vernon Tava’s centrist ‘Sustainable New Zealand’ Party gets a website
Herald: Vernon Tava launches first step in new ‘teal’ Sustainable New Zealand Party
Vernon Tava: Sustainable New Zealand Party
Wintec
Jonathan Milne (Stuff): Wintec spending a wake up call
Nikki Preston (Herald): Wintec chief executive off the hook, urgent action being taken over how it spends public money
Florence Kerr (Stuff): Audit NZ report damns Wintec spending practices in China
Aaron Leaman (Stuff): Government, Opposition react to Wintec reports
Aaron Leaman (Stuff): Wintec Council pushes ahead with search for new chief executive
Florence Kerr (Stuff): Wintec investigation into claims against chief executive released
Education
Chris Morris (ODT): Polytech compromise feared
Fiona Ell (Stuff): ‘On the job’ learning for new teachers a disservice to them and students
Renee Manella (CPAG): Back-to-school costs: A looming spiral of debt
Camren Parahi (Stuff): Pūhoro, a popular academic programme for Māori, will run out of funding in April
1News: Teen told to hide traditional tattoo at school considers Human Rights Commission complaint
Josephine Franks (Stuff): Waipu Primary School principal working ‘offsite’ after police raid on her home
Scott Palmer (Newshub): Waipū principal’s house raided in meth, firearm bust
Richard Davison (ODT): Clydevale school to be rebuilt
Virginia Larson (North & South): Critical situation: The skills that kids really need
Ruby Macandrew (Stuff): Victoria University not yet ready to give up the name change fight
Primary industries
Stuff: Taranaki farmers given strong message to upgrade effluent disposal systems
Joyce Wylie (Stuff): Minister of dag gets down to earth on farm
Newshub: Lukewarm response to funding for rural digital hubs
Maja Burry (RNZ): M bovis-affected farms concerned about lack of water
Immigration
Herald: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern asked about Sroubek and La Vista immigration cases
Megan Sutherland (Newshub): Immigration NZ says Nelson firefighter ‘not facing deportation’, despite petition with 30,000 signatures
Megan Sutherland (Newshub): Petition to stop volunteer firefighter battling Tasman fire from deportation reaches 30,000 signatures
Housing
Harrison Christian (Stuff): South Auckland’s ‘slum’ landlord: How the law works
Anne Gibson (Herald): Six affordable Wanaka KiwiBuild homes waiting for buyers since October
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): KiwiBuild incompetence leaves Wanaka houses unsold
Greg Ninness (Interest): Simon Bridges throws stones at Labour over rising rents and forgets he’s standing in a glass house
Transport
Thomas Coughlan (Newsroom): Top law firm called in over car conflict of interest
Lois Williams (RNZ): Shane Jones slams ‘cargo-cult mentality’ of Northland highway
Dave Armstrong (Stuff): Why do we just shrug and accept poor rail and bus services? Is it too much to ask for reliable trains?
Chris Morris (ODT): Recall Lime e-scooters, argues Dunedin writer
Hamish McNeilly (Stuff): Kiwi author working with lawyer to get Lime electric scooters banned
RNZ: Author wants Lime scooters banned from Dunedin footpaths
Dominic Harris (Stuff): Scooter fee a snip for ‘$10m’ Lime firm
Ihumātao land dispute
Anne Gibson (Herald): Fletcher Building confirms Ihumātao sale possible, as protesters plan next demonstration
Kahu Kutia (Vice): This Hapū Is Taking the Fight For Their Land To the Steps of NZ Parliament
Local government
Tim Murphy (Newsroom): Auckland considers $220m tax dodge
Todd Niall (RNZ): Auckland political reforms: Is there an appetite for more changes?
Tim Miller (ODT): Cull undecided over mayoral bid
Matthew Littlewood (Timaru Herald): Damon Odey seeks third term as mayor of Timaru
Auckland Pride
1News: Simon Bridges attends first Big Gay Out event, says he would now vote for marriage equality
RNZ: ‘I felt the solidarity’: Thousands turn out for Auckland’s Pride events
Other
Denham Sadler (Guardian):‘It really hurts’: the New Zealanders in Australia locked out of the system
Richard MacManus (Newsroom): The dangers of stronger DNA profiling laws
Jason Walls (Herald): National won’t say if it plans to support the creation of an independent policy costing unit
Bruce Munro (ODT): A troubling inheritance
Bryce Edwards (Herald): Political Roundup: Fixing Treaty ignorance in politics and schools
Stacey Kirk (Stuff): State-sponsored cyber attacks on rise; NZ orgs partially ready to deal with it – survey
RNZ: Investor confidence dented by sharemarket volatility
David Cormack (Herald): But what’s in it for me?
Nicole Lawton (Stuff): ‘Asians’: Is labelling a group by their ethnicity racist?
Matt Rilkoff (Stuff): Respect for police authority is greater protection than body armour
RNZ: New Zealander freed after arrest in Kenya
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): Hey NZ Government – quick question – why the increase in foreign ownership of NZ?
Matt Brown (Stuff): Last ride for New Zealand’s oldest rodeo
Colleen Hawkes (Stuff): Historical Wellington house with strong political ties for sale
