Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – April 11 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.
Today’s content
Government MPs vote down Pharmac inquiry
Stacey Kirk (Stuff): Cancer patients devastated by apparent u-turn from Government MPs to block Pharmac inquiry
Newstalk ZB: MPs back Pharmac inquiry despite voting against it
Duncan Garner (Newshub): ‘On behalf of New Zealand, I’m sorry’
Dan Satheley (Newshub): ‘Go off in a corner and quietly die’ – cancer patient’s feelings of betrayal after vote against Pharmac
1News: Late-stage breast cancer advocate has gut-wrenching reaction to Health Select Committee decision against Pharmac inquiry (video)
Lucy Bennett (Herald): PM seeks answers on early access to new drugs after pleas from breast cancer sufferers
Stacey Kirk (Stuff): Pharmac inquiry struck down by Government MPs on Health Committee
Kate Nicol-Williams (1News): Tears and anger after select committee votes against inquiry into Pharmac – ‘this is a huge opportunity lost’
Karen Brown (RNZ): Inquiry into Pharmac over breast cancer drugs voted down
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Breast cancer drug advocate lashes out at Labour after Pharmac inquiry blocked
Lucy Bennett (Herald): Health select committee votes against inquiry into Pharmac funding model
Herald: Focus: Malcom Mulholland campaigns for funding of breast cancer drugs (video)
Jamie Ensor and Jared McCulloch (Newshub): Inquiry not needed into Pharmac despite criticism from breast cancer sufferers – Health Minister David Clark
Census
Pattrick Smellie (Stuff): In a world full of big data, is it time to rethink the Census altogether?
David Williams (Newsroom): Census ‘disastrous’, but not useless
Debrin Foxcroft (Stuff): Statistics Minister James Shaw continues to support embattled chief statistician
Emma Jolliff (Newshub):‘Back off’: James Shaw’s warning to National over Census criticism
Herald: Sixty people across NZ to be prosecuted for refusing to fill out Census
Thomas Manch (Stuff): One in seven failed to complete Census 2018, a back down from Govt Statistician reveals
Jason Walls (Herald): Head of Stats NZ has told MPs that one in seven Kiwis did not properly complete the census
Richard Wain (Newshub): Stats NZ finally fronts: 700,000 Kiwis didn’t complete Census
David Farrar: 700,000 NZers didn’t complete Census 2018
Euthanasia
Tom Furley (RNZ): Euthanasia debate raises awareness over palliative care challenges
Te Karere: Euthanasia bill could threaten vulnerable Māori if it becomes law – advocacy group
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Progress on euthanasia Bill is ‘big win’ for David Seymour – Tova O’Brien
1News: Critic slams euthanasia bill as ‘greenlight to granny abuse’, while David Seymour decries ‘campaign of fear’
1News: National’s Paula Bennett says some Kiwis have suffered ‘horrible deaths’, backing euthanasia Bill
Henry Cooke (stuff): Paula Bennett comes out in full support of euthanasia bill, becoming most high profile National MP supporter
David Farrar: Euthanasia bill reported back
Gun laws, firearms
Stuff: New Zealand’s new gun law: What you need to know
Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): Cleansing the country won’t be cheap
No Right Turn: Cheap at twice the price
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Gun law change: ‘one of the most important pieces of legislation’
Anna Whyte (1News): Parliament overwhelmingly votes for tougher new gun laws in wake of Christchurch terrorist attacks
RNZ: Firearms Amendment Bill passes final reading in Parliament
Rodney Hide (NBR): Opinion: The other side of the gun lobby’s story (paywalled)
Collette Devlin (Stuff): New gun bill around assault rifles and military-style assault rifles passes third reading, will become law
AP: New Zealand MPs overwhelmingly back post-Christchurch gun ban
Jenna Lynch (Newshub): Government’s firearm buyback scheme gets bigger, more expensive, as new details revealed
Derek Cheng (Herald): Jacinda Ardern on the moment she decided gun laws needed to change
Anna Whyte (1News): Ardern recounts visiting terrorist attack survivors who all had multiple gun shot wounds, during final gun law reading
Zane Small (Newshub): Watch: PM Jacinda Ardern holds back tears in Parliament speech on gun reforms
David Seymour (Newshub): Why I oppose the gun reforms
1News: ‘Larger black market’ of semi-automatic guns will follow if proposed gun laws come into force, David Seymour suggests
Rodney Hide (NBR): Opinion: The other side of the gun lobby’s story (paywalled)
Collette Devlin (Stuff): Gun buyback framework established as first step towards determining compensation
Derek Cheng (Herald): Gun buyback scheme to include high-capacity magazines and banned gun parts
Jane Patterson (RNZ): First details about gun buyback scheme released
1News: Independent advisors to develop price list for new gun buyback scheme
1News: NZ First MP Shane Jones lashes out at ‘Rambo characters’ opposing gun law changes
Christchurch mosque shootings, extremism
Chris Trotter: The Multiple Faces Of Radicalisation
Ben Strang (RNZ): White supremacists left out of designated terrorists list
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Spy watchdog welcomes Royal Commission into Christchurch attack, doesn’t rule out own inquiry
Sarah Robson (RNZ): Ongoing mental health support vital for affected families
RNZ: Christchurch terror attacks: Over 100 ACC claims made
Kurt Bayer (Herald): Owner of notorious 8chan internet site in bid to deflect blame for role in Christchurch mosque terror attacks
Herald: Alleged gunman sent death threats two years before attack
Charlie Gates (Press): Victim Support responds to concerns over $10m fund for Christchurch mosque shootings
RNZ: $1.7m paid in victim support
David Seymour (Magic Talk): Now more than ever we must defend free speech
Marnie Banger (AAP): Australia probe into media use of Christchurch shooting video continues
Crusaders name change
Peter Williams (Magic Talk): Take caution when playing politics with rugby
Anedra Singh (Hawkes Bay Today): Opinion: Why is humanity getting caught offside so frequently in the Crusaders debate on name?
Derek Burrows (Timaru Herald): It’s all in a name – the debate rages on
Anzac Day
Press Editorial: Anzac Day will never be the same
Herald Editorial: Anzac Day is no time to give in to terror
Heather Roy: Resist ANZAC Day Restrictions. Attend and March
1News: RSA president called ‘coward’ and ‘disgrace’ following Anzac cancellations in Auckland
Stuff: Christchurch City Council cancels Sydenham Anzac event after terror attack
RNZ: Anzac Day ceremonies: Christchurch RSA has ‘duty to those that went before’
Torika Tokalau (Stuff): ‘Unofficial’ Auckland Anzac Day service planned after cancellation, with bugle played over bluetooth speaker
Herald: Communities throwing hands up to hold unofficial Anzac Day events
Eleanor Ainge Roy (Guardian): New Zealand cuts dozens of Anzac events over Christchurch terror risk
Tracey Roxburgh (ODT): Resort’s parade cancelled
Social media
John Gibb (ODT): Fighting prejudice on social media difficult: academic
Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): How the world is tackling social media regulation
Ben Goodale (Herald): Three things PM Jacinda Ardern needs to do about Google, Facebook
Greens call for Greyhound racing ban
Michael Morrah (Newshub): Greens want greyhound racing banned after live baiting scandal
Stuff: Live-baiting charges another reason why greyhound racing should stop say Greens
Tax
Jenée Tibshraeny (Interest): Is ring-fencing rental losses if we have a CGT an overkill?
Andrea Black: Taxing multinationals (1) – The problem
Claire Trevett (Herald): Poll puts Labour support up after mosque attacks but tax is back in debate
Brent Edwards (NBR): How much to value a business under a capital gains tax? (paywalled)
Health
Jean Bell (Bay of Plenty Times): Vice grips, super glue, DIY fillings – dental horrors revealed
Libby Wilson (Stuff): Health chiefs tight lipped about Waikato DHB’s future
Libby Wilson (Stuff): Waikato DHB picks ‘supportive employment’ over living wage
Michelle Duff (Stuff): Unreliable Down syndrome screening could be fixed with a controversial test
Aaron Leaman (Stuff): Hamilton City Councillor Siggi Henry’s anti-flu vaccine flier ‘demonstrably false’
Mark Quinlivan (Newshub): Mike King’s Gumboot Friday mental health event raises just shy of $1 million
Georgina Campbell (Herald): Proposal for Wellington liquor store attracts record number of objections
Piers Fuller (Stuff): Report criticises South Wairarapa council water operations days before second E coli contamination
Al Williams (Stuff): Long-time South Canterbury District Health Board member bows out due to ill health
RNZ: Paracetamol, but no morphine: the state of Pacific palliative care
Abortion
Brittney Deguara (Stuff): Kiwi women are getting abortions earlier in their pregnancies, study finds
Michelle Duff (Stuff): I had an abortion at 19, and it gave me my life; women need the power to choose
Environment and conservation
MItchell Alexander (Newshub): Exclusive: Major spending boost on finding 1080 alternatives
Michael Daly (Stuff): New Zealand is only the 5th greenest in Asia-Pacific, let down by our plastic waste
Virginia Fallon (Stuff): Buildings, parks and roads may retreat inland as part of ‘buffer-zone’ proposed for Kāpiti Coast
RNZ:‘We need to make plans’: Auckland landfills at risk from sea level rise
Primary and extractive industries
Simon Hartley (ODT): Off-shore drilling extensions questioned
Zane Small (Newshub): Outrage over Austrian oil giant OMV’s New Zealand drilling plans
John Anthony (Stuff): Oil and gas exploration company OMV applies to discharge waste from offshore drilling operation in Great South Basin
No Right Turn: Climate Change: Business as usual
Jenée Tibshraeny (Interest): Can NZ look to OMV to shore up a more stable supply of gas in the future?
Michael Cropp (RNZ): Fruit rotting, workers suffering amid Hawke’s Bay labour shortage
Transport
Jason Walls (Herald): NZ First MP and Minister Shane Jones insists he’s in the clear over the Semenoff saga
Steve Kilgallon (Stuff): ‘Product won’t be moved’: Truck boss warns against NZTA moves
Jamie Ensor and Hayley Jacobson (Newshub): Funding for young beneficiaries getting their driver licence will relieve stress – expert
Lee Kenny (Stuff): Prime Minister announces free driving lessons and tests for young people on benefits or in care
Jason Walls (Herald): Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces free driving lessons, tests for young beneficiaries
Zane Small (Newshub): Government to fund driver licences for those on youth benefits
1News: Government to slash driver licence costs for young New Zealanders on benefits
Talisa Kupenga (Māori TV): Govt to fund free licence scheme for youth on benefits
Damian George (Stuff): Wellington cyclists form ‘people-protected’ bike lane through central city
Abbey Palmer (ODT): Dunedin leads NZ for owning electric cars
Cathy Casey (Herald): Dogs can be trusted on Auckland’s public transport
Herald: The human toll of the darkest week on our roads
RNZ: Petone to Grenada roading project binned
Local government
Jono Galuszka (Manawatū Standard): Horizons chairman Bruce Gordon blocks requests to speak on Annual Plan submissions
Logan Savory (Southland Times): Invercargill City Council critic Nobby Clark seeks election
Marty Sharpe (Stuff): Napier Mayor Bill Dalton in hospital after suffering a stroke
Auckland Shooting Club
Joanna MacKenzie and Matthew Theunissen (RNZ): Gun club president resigns after closure order and residents’ fears
John Weekes (Stuff): Pistol club plans beside meditation centre shot down after earthworks botch-up
Joanna MacKenzie (RNZ): Shooting club told to close, meditation centre neighbours celebrate
Don Rowe (Spinoff): Swastikas and semi-automatics: Auckland gun club neighbours speak out
West Coast flooding
Angie Skerrett (Newshub): Minister told to ‘step up and show some leadership’ over West Coast flooding
1News: West Coast economy losing up to $3 million a day as Waiho Bridge remains down
RNZ: Waiho River stopbank to be rebuilt within two weeks
Media
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Minister reassures media over ‘plurality’ in wake of hints TVNZ may want Stuff
Dan Satherley (Newshub): TVNZ should be allowed to buy Stuff – economist
Clothing industry
Aimee Shaw (Herald):Fashion grades: Rating the retail brands that make your clothes
Emma Hatton (RNZ): Few score A+ in fashion company ethics survey
Kylie Klein-Nixon (Stuff): I love my fashion, but it needs to slow right down – no T-shirt is worth a life
EQC inquiry, Christchurch rebuild
Michael Hayward (Stuff): Earthquake Commission inquiry calling for public submissions
RNZ: Call for public submissions on EQC inquiry
David Williams (Newsroom): Delays eat into $50m sports centre savings
Housing
Georgina Campbell (Herald): New report reveals the sharp end of homelessness in Wellington
Charlie Dreaver (RNZ): Wellington homelessness severity revealed in new report
Zane Small (Newshub): Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern points blame at National over rising rental prices
Rob Stock (Stuff): BNZ launches shared home-ownership scheme
Jono Edwards (ODT): 21 state houses in Dunedin unoccupied
Stuff: Commerce Commission says first-home buyers scheme misled
Justice, corrections
Katarina Wiilliams (Stuff): Corrections removes tie-down beds from the country’s at-risk prison units
Leigh-Marama McLachlan (RNZ): Māori demand reform to justice system
Brenda Midson (Stuff): Why it might be time for New Zealand to reconsider the legal definition of murder
Harrison Christian (Stuff): Transgender prisoner launches hunger strike over spat with Corrections
RNZ: Transgender prisoner on hunger strike in prison
Education
Regan Paranihi (Māori TV): Study finds rise in primary school achievement
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Tauranga schools bursting at the seams as student number grows
Meghan Lawrence and Michael Neilson (Herald): Whenuapai School closes playgrounds after audits, seeking community support
Other
Richard Harman (Politik): Who the National junior staffer really is
Katie Bradford (1News): Mass breaches of employment laws by construction industry bosses, 1 NEWS uncovers
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Privacy commissioner John Edwards right to draw line under Facebook tweets
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): ‘Moon feelings’: Treasury ridiculed as ‘out of touch’ for ‘bizarre’ wellbeing card game
Phil Pennington (RNZ): Firefighters’ Union ‘not convinced’ about toxic foam tests
Herald: 300,000 trees by spring: Hawke’s Bay one of the first on to Shane Jones’ programme
RNZ: Sir Owen Glenn says PM should fly to Fiji over development stoush
Katie Scotcher (RNZ): Commerce Commission appeals court decision on Viagogo injunction
Darren Brunk (Newsroom): Us and them: Can Kiwis care about tragedy elsewhere?
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): Promises promises – Labour’s naive habit
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): New Zealand needs to learn from Israel’s MMP disaster
Jenny Ruth (Herald): Making RBNZ the insurance supervisor was a mistake: Don Brash
Scott Palmer (Newshub): Tsunami could strike New Zealand before public officially alerted – scientists
Derek McCormack (Herald): Govt is pulling NZ out of a global science project with spin-offs for IT here
1News: Bennett puts Govt’s work ahead of cannabis referendum under the microscope during exchange with Ardern
Evan Harding (Southland Times): Invercargill/Bluff pokie machine spend $16m in 2018
Patrick O’Sullivan (Herald): Local Focus: Tomoana’s last stand for chair
Anuja Nadkarni (Stuff): Kiwibank closes two branches due to competition with online banking
Susan Corbett (Newsroom): How to protect our national ‘.nz’ online identity
Herald: Sober driver too tired to drive slapped with $200 fine for pulling over to rest
Rachael Kelly (Southland Times): 1000 people sign petition for 24-7 staffing at Balclutha Police Station
Te Kuru o te Marama Dewes (Māori TV): Calling on the descendants of the NZ Māori (Pioneer) Battalion
Jessie Chiang (RNZ): Indians in New Zealand keep a close watch on elections back home
Anuja Nadkarni (Stuff): New Zealand businesses band together to foster workplace diversity
Sam Sherwood (Stuff):Canterbury Rugby player suspended for 20 weeks for racial abuse incident
Judy Bailey (Stuff): Dame Annette King opens up about her new life in Australia and finding love second time around
