Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – April 18 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

Capital gains tax
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Capital gains tax: Labour’s long road to nowhere
Tim Watkin (Pundit): Jacinda Ardern thuds back to earth thanks to NZF’s ‘carefully generated torpedo’ (CGT)
Danyl Mclauchlan (Spinoff): Four months in, Labour’s ‘year of delivery’ is a disaster
Audrey Young (Herald): Three reasons Jacinda Ardern has ruled out even campaigning on a capital gains tax
Bernard Hickey (Newsroom): Jacinda Ardern just did a John Key
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Messy push for capital gains tax ends in surrender for Labour
Stacey Kirk (Stuff): CGT captain’s call by Jacinda Ardern is cynical, political and extremely smart
Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): Real chance of mutiny forced captain to make a contradictory call
Richard Harman (Politik): How a retired taxman sunk the capital gains tax
Thomas Coughlan (Newsroom): Capital gains tax: Let’s not do this
Max Rashbrooke (RNZ): Capital gains tax shutdown threatens govt’s other plans
Jo Moir (RNZ): CGT backdown: You win some, you lose some
Tova O’Brien (Newshub):A backdown of epic proportions: How the capital gains tax died
Jessica Mutch (1News):Labour’s re-election chances ‘a little bit easier’ with capital gains tax u-turn – Jessica Mutch McKay
Peter Malcolm (Stuff): Selfishness and greed are not the Kiwi way
Jesse Mulligan (Spinoff): On capital gains, the powerful people took on the better argument, and won
Laura Walters (Newsroom): Tax backdown proves one man wields the power
Peter Dunne: The CGT is dead but a number of intriguing questions remain
Terry Baucher (Interest): A few big surprises, but get ready for history to repeat
Gyles Beckford (RNZ): Capital gains tax: Govt opts for the easy path
Liam Dann (Herald): CGT backdown will deliver timely business boost
Brian Fallow (Herald): Government’s capital gains tax decision dodges a bullet
Jenée Tibshraeny (Interest): MMP in action: The politics of the Government putting a Capital Gains Tax to bed
Simon Hartley (ODT):Capital gains tax decision met with praise
Kirk Hope (Stuff): Capital gains tax would have been a loss for Kiwis
Herald: Focus Live: Our analysis of the capital gains tax rejection (video)
Troy Bowker (Herald): How Labour lost the capital gains tax debate
Press Editorial: Capital gains tax: Political capital but for what gain?
Herald: Editorial: Capital Gains Tax surprise raises doubts on coalition
Ben Uffindell (The Civilian): Prime Minister John Key announces there will be no capital gains tax
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): CGT dumped – Jacinda’s moment of political cowardice
Cathy Odgers: Cindy Caves In The Confusion on CGT 
No Right Turn: Don’t get fooled again
No Right Turn: This government does not deserve re-election
Steven Cowan: Jacinda Ardern: Her words don’t match her deeds
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Derek Cheng (Herald): Winston Peters downplays his role in axing of a CGT
Zane Small (Newshub): Winston Peters shuts down suggestion New Zealand First controls Labour
1News: Winston Peters says today’s abandoned CGT was ‘complex’ and not the means to close the gap between our rich and poor
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Winston Peters and Simon Bridges both claim credit for killing CGT
1News: Winston Peters ‘100 per cent’ behind ditching of capital gains tax – Sir Michael Cullen
Jason Walls (Herald): Tax Working Group’s chairman Michael Cullen says Winston Peters is to blame for the capital gains tax rejection
RNZ: Checkpoint: Tax Working Group head Michael Cullen doesn’t expect a CGT in his lifetime
Stuff: Sir Michael Cullen ‘not in the least surprised’ at capital gains tax rejection
Derek Cheng (Herald): Simon Bridges says CGT decision shows his strong leadership
Jo Moir (RNZ): Simon Bridges hails PM Jacinda Ardern’s capital gains tax u-turn as victory
1News: Simon Bridges says ‘a range of taxes’ still on the table after Government backdown on capital gains tax
Herald: Capital gains tax back down ‘massive loss’ for Jacinda Ardern, says Simon Bridges
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RNZ: Mixed reaction to capital gains tax backdown
Herald: Organisations, unions react to Government’s shutdown of capital gains tax
Herald: BusinessNZ welcomes Government’s decision on capital gains tax
Herald: Widespread relief from business over capital gains tax back down
Herald: NZ farmers welcome Government’s call on CGT, environment taxes
Gerard Hutching (Stuff): Farmers welcome dropping of capital gains tax as ‘well-reasoned’ decision
Susan Edmunds (Stuff): Tenant: Landlord will find another reason to put rents up now
Susan Edmunds (Stuff): Tenants fear renting longer now a capital gains tax is off the table
Anne Gibson (Herald): Capital gains tax: landlords express relief for $150b of housing
Anne Gibson (Herald): No capital gains tax: big-time commercial landlords breath sigh of relief
Susan Edmunds (Stuff): Property investors applaud decision not to implement capital gains tax
Ashley Church (Herald): Death of Capital Gains Tax: What it means for the property market
Rebecca Watson (Newshub): Business groups, farmers, landlords elated at capital gains tax backdown
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1News: Jacinda Ardern says coalition Government unable to form consensus on capital gains tax, won’t be introduced on her watch
Jason Walls (Herald): PM Jacinda Ardern has ruled out implementing a Capital Gains Tax while she is at the helm of Labour
Jason Walls (Herald): Government kills off capital gains tax, won’t happen on Jacinda Ardern’s watch
Derek Cheng (Herald): Winston Peters says there is no compelling reason for a capital gains tax
1News: Jacinda Ardern fails to push through capital gains, but still wants to work on a ‘fairer tax system’
Zane Small (Newshub): Government rules out capital gains tax
RNZ: ‘No mandate’ for capital gains tax – PM
BusinessDesk: Government rules out implementing capital gains tax
Noted: Government drops capital gains tax proposal
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Bevan Rapson (North & South): Capital Gains Tax debate should have been a godsend for Simon Bridges
Liam Dann (Herald): Heavy or light – Will the Govt get Capital Gains Tax just right?
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): Watered down capital gains tax would prove New Zealand First is in charge – Tova O’Brien

National Party 
Matthew Hooton (Herald): Simon Bridges runs out of mates
Guyon Espiner (RNZ): Simon Bridges ‘entering the danger zone’ following popularity drop in polls
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): Anti-Judith Collins camp within National Party may stop her becoming leader – Tova O’Brien
Zane Small (Newshub): I’ll ‘absolutely’ be staying as National leader – Simon Bridges
Sophie Bateman (Newshub): Simon Bridges to be gone by July, Paula Bennett not far behind – Winston Peters

Meth testing evictions
Leith Huffadine (RNZ): Housing NZ tenants evicted in flawed meth test policy to have MSD debt wiped
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Government to wipe and refund debts incurred during ‘meth house’ mess
Derek Cheng (Herald): Government to write off $3.2m in debt related to wrongful meth evictions
Katie Fitzgerald (Newshub): Government to wipe debts for tenants evicted due to flawed methamphetamine contamination policies
1News: Government wipes debt for social housing tenants evicted over flawed meth testing

Health and disability
RNZ: Even moderate portions of red meat can cause cancer, study finds
Mark Quinlivan (Newshub): NZ researchers find even moderate red meat eaters are at risk of bowel cancer
Hannah Martin (Stuff): Red meat eaters have higher risk of developing bowel cancer, study finds
Jamie Morton (Herald): Study: Bowel cancer risk with even ‘moderate’ amount of red meat
RNZ: Waikato DHB ultimatum: All overboard or keeping afloat?
Libby Wilson (Stuff): Should I stay or should I go? Waikato DHB board split on looming commissioner appointment
George Block (ODT): SDHB boss regrets not meeting man with almost severed arm
1News: Doctors, pharmacies report high interest in medicinal cannabis from patients
Emma Hatton (RNZ): Group urges improved training for new midwives
Marty Sharpe (Stuff): Steriliser that cleans surgical equipment in Hawke’s Bay Hospital was never turned on, review finds
Vita Molyneux (Newshub): Review finds ‘many errors’ in Hawkes Bay Hospital sterilsation failure
RNZ: More patients could have been exposed to unsterilised equipment
Regan Paranihi (Māori TV): 60 rangatahi Māori get a kick start into health sector
Jessica Tyson (Māori TV): ‘How to have a kōrero’ about mental health challenges
Deena Coster (Stuff): Taranaki rest home investigated after care complaint lodged with health board
ODT: Bowel screening programme marks anniversary
RNZ: New hospital opens in Ranfurly after years of campaigning

Christchurch mosque shootings
RNZ: Mosque attacks timeline: 18 minutes from first call to arrest
Newshub: Christchurch terror attack: Police release official timeline
Herald: Christchurch shootings: Police release updated timeline of response
Stuff: Police didn’t see shootings suspect leave Christchurch mosque because bus blocked view
Joel MacManus (Stuff): New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern makes Time 100 for second consecutive year
RNZ: Jacinda Ardern named in Time magazine’s most influential people list
Newshub: Jacinda Ardern named in Time’s 100 most influential people of 2019
Michael Daly (Stuff): Suspensions policy written for .nz websites in wake of Christchurch terror attack
Craig McCulloch (RNZ): New Zealand’s National Terrorism Threat Level has been lowered from high to medium
Stacey Kirk (Stuff): New Zealand’s terror threat level downgraded to ‘medium’ following Christchurch terror attack
Jason Walls (Herald): National terror threat level downgraded for first time since March 15 terror attacks in Christchurch
Zane Small (Newshub): Government drops terrorism threat level to ‘medium’
1News: New Zealand’s terrorism threat level moves down to medium in wake of Christchurch attack
Māori TV: National terror threat level reduced – PM urges vigilance
1News: Prince William to visit NZ next Thursday, Friday to support all affected by Christchurch terrorist attack
Herald: Prince William to meet mosque terror attack survivors during visit to Christchurch

Policy initiatives for Māori
Carmen Parahi (Stuff): Labour’s Māori ministers have achieved little for their people – so far
Leigh-Marama McLachlan (RNZ): Young urban Māori included in employment scheme
Emma Dangerfield (Stuff): Māori housing and community projects across Christchurch get $3.7 million boost
Leigh-Marama McLachlan (RNZ): New $3.7m housing development signals new era for Christchurch marae

Local government
Georgina Campbell (Herald): Revealed: 250k in donations to Wellington lobby group for Shelly Bay battle
ODT Editorial: A council under the pump
Elena McPhee (ODT): Hawkins announces bid for city mayoralty
George Block (ODT): Dunedin City Council, neighbours

Transport
Todd Niall (Stuff): City Rail Link: Auckland Council diverts $500 million savings to over-budget project
Simon Collins (Herald): Auckland Council looking to sell carpark buildings to pay for City Rail Link blowout
Simon Collins (Herald): Auckland’s City Rail Link cost jumps to $4.419 billion
Katie Bradford (1News): Budget blowout: Cost of Auckland’s City Rail Link increases by $1 billion
Tim Murphy (Newsroom): Auckland’s underground now $1.28m a metre
RNZ: Billion-dollar increase in cost of Auckland’s City Rail Link
Sophie Bateman (Newshub): Auckland City Rail Link will cost $1 billion more than expected
Katie Fitzgerald (Newshub): City Rail Link cost blowout unsurprising – expert
Ben Strang (RNZ): Police out in force to prevent Easter road fatalities
Kelvin McDonald (Māori TV): Te reo roll-out for Auckland’s Link buses
RNZ: VTNZ manager suspended for incorrectly passing WOFs

Offical Information Act
Andrea Vance (Stuff): Redacted: State Services Minister Chris Hipkins says OIA needs ‘more teeth’
Andrea Vance and Nikki Macdonald (Stuff): Redacted – our official information problems and how to fix them

Environment
Kevin Hague (Herald): Transformative change needed now for the environment
RNZ: ‘Our milk has gone sour’ – activists protest dairy industry at Parliament
1News: Kiwi chicks in Tongariro forest more likely to survive after 1080 poison dropped, DOC study finds
Richard Wain (Newshub): ‘Unequivocal’ that 1080 benefits kiwi chicks, 22-year study finds
Michael Neilson (Herald): To mangrove or not to mangrove? Forest & Bird ‘shocked’ over Auckland Council support for Waiuku project

Education
Simon Collins (Herald): New teacher trainees highest in four years
Jessica Long (Stuff): More people training to be teachers but shortages across schools still a reality

Immigration
Lucy Bennett (Herald): La Vista restaurant’s Shchetkova family allowed to stay after Minister Kris Faafoi’s intervention
RNZ: Planned immigration crackdown too tough – employers

Personal finance, KiwiSaver
Tamsyn Parker (Herald): Kiwis among world’s worst savers
Herald: Biggest KiwiSaver providers have lowest satisfaction ratings

Other
Peter Dunne (Newsroom): Labour’s lack of time and lack of depth
Pattrick Smellie (Stuff): Construction Accord: honeyed words or will it bring real change?
Eric Frykberg (RNZ): OIO changes could see more advertising of farmland sales
Claire Trevett (Herald): Terrible dilemmas for Government in nurse hostage case
Tema Hemi (Māori TV): Iwi appeals DOC decision to gift land to Moriori
Pattrick Smellie (Listener): How tough is it for the middle class in New Zealand?
Māori TV: One in 40 NZers need help – Salvation Army
Karl du Fresne (Stuff): Should a person steeped in British Left-wing activism be shaping our human rights policy?
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): The long fuse of Assange & Folau – why the woke hecklers veto could seed toxic rebellion
Joel Hernandez (Stuff): Bungled census jeopardises evidence-based policy
Eric Crampton (Spinoff): How an OIA laid bare the pork barrel shambles that is Shane Jones’ provincial growth fund
Chelsea Boyle (Herald):Police conduct: allegations and upheld complaints by the numbers
Stuff: Meth offenders ‘over sentenced’ in current regime, test case told
RNZ: High Court turns down Afghanistan villagers’ request
Farah Hancock (Newsroom): Online gambling sites fake NZ connection
Jason Walls (Herald): The Government will ‘revitalise’ the racing industry which has been in a ‘serious’ decline
RNZ: Six Christchurch post offices to close
1News: NZ Post axing six retail stores in Christchurch
Katie Fitzgerald (Newshub): ‘Difficult’ to measure New Zealand’s child pornography problem – Customs
Mike Chapman (Newshub): Opinion: AI means a future of ‘robocrops’ is on the way
RNZ: Algae research to benefit from Provincial Growth Fund
Skara Bohny (Stuff): Government announces $6m for national algae centre in Nelson