Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – March 28 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.
Royal Commission, role of spy agencies
Guyon Espiner (RNZ): Were NZ’s intelligence agencies looking in the wrong direction?
Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): Why sweeping surveillance laws aren’t the answer
Peter Dunne: Review role of security services but be vigilant against surrendering individual liberties
Phil Pennington (RNZ): SIS was warned to protect interviewees’ rights – Inspector-General
Stuff: Muslim men say they’re being asked by the SIS to spy on their communities
1News: High security alert to remain until retaliation or copy-cat terrorist threat subsides – Andrew Little
Jason Walls (Herald): Andrew Little, the minister in charge of the GCSB and SIS, has signed off more spy warrants since March 15
Tema Hemi (Māori TV): Minister of Justice signs off intrusive surveillance
Collette Devlin (Stuff): NZ’s Security Intelligence Service is monitoring more Kiwis after terror attacks
Christchurch mosque shootings
Chris Trotter (Daily Blog): The Blame Game Continues
Blair Ensor (Stuff): Questions raised about police response
Scott Palmer (Newshub): Human Rights Commission calls out Muslim leader who blamed Mossad for Christchurch attack
John Campbell (1News): The Story: Islamic scholar says NZ response to attacks a lesson for the world (video)
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): Political, societal and cultural ramifications of the white supremacy atrocity
Farzana Noorai and Toni Bruce (Newsroom): NZ media shows world high-quality coverage of Islam
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Government must confront its other business after dealing with Christchurch attacks – Tova O’Brien
Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): Harrowing day in Christchurch as the nation remembers the massacre
Helen Wong (Stuff): How we can all push back against racism
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait (Herald): Jacinda Ardern and the politics of aspiration
John Tamihere (Herald): Moments that defined our nationhood
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Global interest in living in New Zealand rises after Christchurch terror attacks
1News: Expressions of interest in migrating to NZ spike following Christchurch mosques attack
1News: Agencies continue to offer support to Christchurch terrorist attack victims and families
Jessica Tyson (Māori TV): More than 500 people receive support following Chch attack
Oliver Lewis (Stuff): Mental health need expected to last years following Christchurch terror attack – GP
Talisa Kupenga (Māori TV): Muslim groups want Kaupapa Māori approach for trauma response support – Davidson
Tina Law (Stuff): New calls for a multicultural hub in Christchurch following mosque killings
Herald: Chief Censor says shooting video found to promote ‘extreme violence and cruelty’
Robert van Royen (Stuff): Crusaders set to make changes for first home game post Christchurch shooting
Brad Lewis (Newshub): Super Rugby 2019: Crusaders scrap knights from pre-match entertainment – report
PM’s visit to Dunedin
Jono Edwards (ODT):City’s Muslims say thank you to PM
Tim Miller (ODT): Community has outgrown its mosque
Jason Walls (Herald): PM Jacinda Ardern says her trip to Dunedin was to provide a sense of ‘safety and security’
MIke Houlahan (ODT): Govt looks overseas for ideas to beef up security
Hamish McNeilly (Stuff): Jacinda Ardern reassures Dunedin’s Muslim community, discusses security concerns
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Dunedin’s link to terror attack prompted visit – PM
Zane Small (Newshub): Dunedin Muslim’s ‘astounding message’ to Jacinda Ardern about New Zealand after Christchurch attack
Jenna Lynch (Newshub): ‘I’m scared for our safety’: Dunedin Muslim community looks to Government for help after Christchurch attack
1News: Leaders of Muslim countries ‘overwhelmed’ by NZ’s response to terrorist attack, PM says
Hamish McNeilly (Stuff): Jacinda Ardern visits Dunedin’s Muslim childhood centre
Jono Edwards (ODT): PM visits Dunedin Islamic kindergarten
1News: Jacinda Ardern visits Dunedin Muslim early childhood centre, reads kids a story
Gun control, firearms
Craig McCulloch (RNZ): MPs from across the political divide previously stymied gun control
Claire Trevett (Herald): Gun debate pits Second Amendment against Second Breakfast
Bonnie Flaws (Stuff): Fastway refuses to ship guns, parts
RNZ: Police probe fake online submissions for handing in guns
Damon Rusden (Stuff): Guns alone don’t kill people, but they make it easier
John Hart (Washington Post): I gave up a gun after the New Zealand mosque shootings. Why are Americans mad at me for it?
Esther Taunton (Stuff): Military-style semi-automatic weapons aren’t needed to kill animals at home but they ‘should be an option’
Social media, internet
Pattrick Smellie (Stuff): Moment is ripe for global action to curb toxic social media
Herald: Facebook says it will now block white nationalist, white separatist posts
Katie Fitzgerald (Newshub): Facebook bans white nationalism and separatism
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): NZ ‘Facebook tax’ on digital giants dealt blow after Australia rejects the idea
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Alleged attacker ‘wasn’t from New Zealand or Australia, but from the internet’
Collette Devlin (Stuff): Privacy Commissioner will not be able to dish out fines to social media platforms in new Privacy Bill
Herald: Spark, 2degrees and Vodafone release browser software for blocking terror content
Christchurch man dies after police standoff
Sam Sherwood (Stuff): Ex-Russian soldier dies of suspected suicide after police standoff in Christchurch
NZME: Family seeks answers after Christchurch death
Patrick Gower (Newshub): Police investigate possible link between alleged Christchurch shooter and Troy Dubovskiy, who died after police stand-off
1News: Man wanted after guns found at Christchurch home dies during standoff with police
International links to alleged gunman, white nationalism
Bharath Ganesh (Spinoff): How the swarm of white extremism spreads itself online
Katie Bradford (1News): International links to alleged Christchurch terrorist no surprise, says expert
Stuff: Austria considers dissolving far-right group amid Christchurch shooting link probe
RNZ: Austrian govt confirms accused Christchurch gunman gave cash to far-right group
Jenna Lynch (Newshub): Islamophobia investigations spread worldwide in wake of Christchurch terror attack
AP: Austrian far-right activist probed over ties to accused Christchurch mosque shooter
Book bans, comments sections
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): We’re banning their comments, ‘manifesto’ and books – let’s stop and talk
Scott Palmer (Newshub): Jordan Peterson claims victory over Whitcoulls after book reinstated
Susan Edmunds (Stuff): Jordan Peterson’s book returns to Whitcoulls shelves
David Farrar: Kiwiblog content and comments
Anne Hunt (Spinoff): The #MeToo book that the High Court tried to pulp
Health
David Galler (Spinoff): How to avoid another health system review that goes nowhere
Herald: All Blacks Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie broke advertising code in Instagram posts
Rob Stock (Stuff): Paramedics call on Government to give them a fair wage
RNZ: Measles exposure: Auckland DHB following up with 900 people
Hannah Martin (Stuff): New Zealanders missing hundreds of hours of ‘wellbeing’ time by skipping lunch breaks
Herald: Hamilton woman with terminal condition explains why she opposes euthanasia bill
Education, polytech and industry training reform
Liz Gordon (Daily Blog): Exclusionary principles
Jessica Long (Stuff): More time needed after Christchurch shootings for Tomorrow’s Schools Review feedback, politician says
Zizi Sparks (Rotorua Daily Post): Rotorua Boys’ High and John Paul College in group of schools opposing reforms
RNZ: Whangārei principal speaks out on Taskforce proposed reforms
Simon Collins (Herald): Outspoken Northland principal Pat Newman joins Teaching Council
Stephen Dobson (Newsroom): Teaching vital to prevent another attack
Felix Desmarais (Stuff): Sex positivity and the Scandinavian Model: visions for the future of Kiwi sex ed
Charlotte Cook (RNZ): Complaints of sexual harrassment ‘culture’ at Otago student residence
Felix Desmarais (Stuff): Wellington City Council officially opposes Victoria University name change
Laura Dooney (RNZ): Wellington City councillors move to oppose Victoria name change
Evan Harding (Southland Times): Stand up for SIT signs to come down
Sealord-Iwi deal
Māori TV: 80% of Sealord profits to be returned to iwi
Leigh-Marama McLachlan (RNZ): New deal with Sealord ‘founded on tikanga Māori’
Environment, climate change
Brad Flahive (Stuff): Number of pollution cases has significantly declined in past 10 years
Ben Strang (RNZ): Otago Regional Council ‘at fault’ over 7-year Hawea wastewater plant pollution, consents breaches – residents
Eric Frykberg (RNZ): New form of carbon payments for forest owners
RNZ: Trees still best short term option on emissions – Climate Change Minister James Shaw
Jamie Morton (Herald): Govt: ETS changes to add another 89 million trees
Guy Trafford (Interest): Thinking local for a meaningful impact
Eloise Gibson (Newsroom): Councils may be liable for climate damage – QC
Stuff: Climate change threatens use of traditional Māori plants – study shows
Jessica Tyson (Māori TV): Rongoā Māori plants at risk from climate change
Tim Newman (Stuff): $100,000 climate change initiatives in Nelson city plan
Kaitlin Ruddock (1News): ‘We’re taking this seriously’ – Rising seas endanger popular Kiwi coastal walks
1080
Jamie Morton (Herald): 1080 drop wiped out 90 per cent of deer on Molesworth block
Will Harvie (Stuff): Toxin 1080 killed 90 per cent of deer, new Molesworth study finds
Stephanie McKee (Stuff): We are challenging the use of 1080, and we are a broad church
Employment
1News: Minimum wage set to increase next week, giving over 200,000 Kiwis a boost
Isaac Davison (Herlad): $2b pay equity settlement transformed workers’ lives – but has not been without problems
Katherine Ravenswood and Julie Douglas (The Conversation): Historic pay equity settlement for NZ care workers delivers mixed results
Retirement
Tamsyn Parker (Herald): What you need for a comfortable retirement
Miriam Harris (Newshub): How much you need to save to avoid a no-frills retirement
Rob Stock (Stuff): Retired couple need $785,000 nest egg for ‘choices’ retirement
Tax
Andrea Fox (Herald): Capital gains tax: A potential ‘nightmare’ for lifestyle block owners
LIsa Marriot (Spinoff): The claim farmers are becoming an ATM for beneficiaries is nasty and not true
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): Hats off to a farmer who tells it like it is
Simon Kemp (Stuff): CGT might push even more investment into family homes
Susan St John (Daily Blog): Of course, the left wants a capital gains tax…
Primary industries
Zane Small (Newshub): ‘Erosion of control’: New Zealand First’s warning over multi-million-dollar Westland Milk deal
Angie Skerrett (Newshub):Westland Milk’s sale to China ‘positive for everyone’, says chairman
Meghan Lawrence (Herald): Investigation launched after images emerge of emaciated cattle
Local government
Herald Editorial: Shareholders would solve Ports of Auckland’s problems
Ripu Bhatia (Stuff): Auckland Council to vote on bylaw targeting beggars
Mandy Te (Stuff): Where is Auckland Zoo’s $1.6 million elephant?
Ripu Bhatia (Stuff): Auckland Council to vote on bylaw targeting drones
Dileepa Fonseka (Stuff): Nine per cent rates hike in Wellington averted and public to have say on annual plan
Samantha Motion (Bay of Plenty Times): Bella Vista: More details about council’s closed-door remediation decision revealed
Laura Wiltshire (Hawkes Bay Today): $700-plus for a seat at Hawke’s Bay Regional Council table
Mercury wind farm
No Right Turn: A monument to corruption
Janine Rankin (Manawatū Standard): Construction of 33 wind turbines at Turitea wind farm near Palmerston North confirmed
RNZ: Mercury to spend $256m on new wind farm
Grant Bradley (Herald): Mercury building a $256 million wind farm near Palmerston North
Foreign Affairs
Richard Harman (Politik): Malaysia backs New Zealand
Stephen Jacobi (RNZ): Symbolism and substance on agenda for PM Ardern’s China visit
Point of Order: PM’s China visit will show us if there are political benefits in a global halo
RNZ: Violence in Papua must end before negotiations – NZ Foreign Minister
RNZ: Tonga’s King Tupou VI in NZ for short visit
Transport
RNZ: West Coast flooding: NZTA was warned about Waiho Bridge days before it washed away
Lucy Bennett (Herald): NZTA clears backlog of regulatory compliance cases
Shane Ellison (Spinoff): How many people need to die on Auckland’s roads before we lower speeds?
Damian George (Stuff): Call for NZ Bus to relinquish Wellington contract after ‘outrageous’ failings
Katie Fitzgerald (Newshub): Generation Zero calls for free weekend buses, higher student discounts, fare caps
Todd Niall (Stuff): Youth lobby pushes for cheaper public transport
Todd Niall (Stuff): Delays and red tape costs hit Auckland transport projects
Meriana Johnsen (RNZ): Funding rethink stalls case for Auckland light rail project
Peter de Graaf (Northern Advocate): Northland rail line may reopen – ‘the best thing that could ever happen to Northland’
Jono Galuszka (Manawatū Standard): Cycling lobby critical of transport agency’s ‘rush job’ on Manawatū-Hawke’s Bay highway
RNZ: NZ air traffic controllers support Fiji colleagues in dispute
Gambling
Herald: Gambling regulator makes its first prosecution – company involved remains anonymous
Tom Hunt (Stuff): New Zealand’s first charge for failing to recognise problem gambler
Steph Rangi (Stuff): No new pokie machines for Taupō or Tūrangi
Housing
Dan Satherley (Newshub): Don Brash praises Phil Twyford’s housing speech
Ben Leahy (Herald): Average mortgage for low-deposit, first-home buyers jumps 46 per cent on last year
Anne Gibson (Herald): Six factors Kiwi landlords fear the most: new survey
Other
Michelle Duff (Stuff): We finally know the true extent of abuse in state care. It is shocking
Gareth Vaughan (Interest): International Consortium of Investigative Journalists says NZ is ‘being harmed reputationally as a country’ through its role in the world of offshore finance
Andrea Fox (Herald): European investors big fans of billion trees project
Gill Bonnett (RNZ): Restructuring and summer peaks blamed for visa delays
Leighton Keith (Taranaki Daily News): Tangata whenua angry over use of Parihaka name by Brian Tamaki of Destiny Church
RNZ: Destiny Church asked to remove ‘Parihaka’ from brand
Dan Lake (Newshub): Hefty new fines for New Zealand Customs breaches
No Right Turn: Shouldn’t there be prosecutions?
Te Kuru o te Marama Dewes (Māori TV): Ngā Aho Whakaari discuss Māori Media Review
Jarrod Gilbert (Herald): Older gang wants to turn the corner
RNZ: ‘There’s some way to go’ to engage older people with technology – new research
Jame Baker (Stuff): Threats of violence and abuse follow story about golliwog dolls sale
Joel MacManus (Stuff): Thai election: Advance votes cast from New Zealand won’t be counted
Chelsea Boyle (Herald): Top police communications job’s salary pitched at between $257k and $347k
Sam Hurley (Herald): Prison and home detention for financial directors guilty of multi-million dollar GFC crime
Aimee Shaw (Herald): Small business confidence continues to slide, international uncertainty sets in
