Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.
Today’s content by Dr Bryce Edwards.
Waitangi Tribunal report on freshwater
David Williams (Newsroom): Tribunal sets pre-election test over water
Leigh-Marama McLachlan (RNZ): Waitangi Tribunal slams Crown over freshwater failures
Māni Dunlop (RNZ): Government told to act on Waitangi Tribunal’s findings on freshwater degradation
Audrey Young (Herald): Waitangi Tribunal report on freshwater calls for courts to test ownership rights of Maori
1News: Māori and Crown should co-govern Aotearoa’s freshwater resources, Waitangi Tribunal recommends
Richard Harman (Politik): Waitangi Tribunal calls for Maori co-management of all freshwater
James Fyfe and Anna Bracewell-Worrall (Newshub): ‘Locked Maori out’: Waitangi Tribunal finds Maori freshwater rights must be better recognised
Duncan Garner (Newshub): One race in New Zealand must never own the water over another race
No Right Turn: It turns out that someone does own the water
Political donations
Andrew Geddis (RNZ): Safeguarding democracy: Gap in foreign donations’ regulations
Bryce Edwards (Herald): Political Roundup: The costs of politicians being friends with generous foreigners (paywalled)
MP pay
Claire Trevett (Herald): PM Jacinda Ardern’s crusade for smaller pay cheques (paywalled)
Boris Jancic and Chris Knox (Herald): Fact check: Are politicians’ pay rises actually too big? (paywalled)
RNZ: Iain Lees-Galloway thinks new MP pay setting will be more acceptable to public
Henry Cooke (Stuff): MP pay freeze ends with responsibility handed back to Remuneration Authority
Gun laws
Collette Devlin (Stuff): Police Association slam National for wavering on gun laws and encouraging US-style debate
Anna Whyte (1News): Police Association appeals to National to not let politics ‘skew the gun debate’ as in US
Jo Moir (RNZ): Police Association says National playing politics with gun laws
Zane Small (Newshub): Simon Bridges’ description of gun buyback as ‘fiasco’ angers Police Association
Jason Walls (Herald): PM Jacinda Ardern ‘really disappointed’ National won’t support new gun laws
Newshub: Watch: Simon Bridges says gun laws soft on ‘crims, gangs and extremists’
Jason Walls (Herald): Simon Bridges reveals National is unlikely to support second tranche of gun law reforms
Mark Quinlivan (Newshub): National claims it’s been leaked documents on second round of firearms legislation
Local government
Luke Appleby (1News): Local government expert says Ministry should step in after CEO ordered ‘Big Brother’ trawl of dissenting councillors’ Facebook posts
Tim Murphy (Newsroom): Auckland demands more money from rest of NZ
Nick Truebridge (Stuff): Auckland mayoral election: Goff says challenger’s policies are a ‘fantasy’, Tamihere accuses Goff of selling out
Nick Truebridge (Stuff): Auckland mayoral election: John Tamihere’s policy man says his double-decker bridge plan is ‘no Trump Tower’
Josephine Franks (Stuff): Auckland mayoral race: Ted ‘Rocky’ Johnston throws hat in the ring with shoestring budget
Denise Piper (Stuff): Northland local body elections: Balancing growth with the environment key issue
Katee Shanks (Rotorua Daily Post): Accidental Whakatāne candidate: ‘It is absolutely imperative people don’t vote for me’
Matt Shand (Stuff): From barber to councillor in five hours as half of Bay of Plenty Regional Councillors elected without contest
Robin Martin (RNZ): New Plymouth District Council seats: ‘We need a good mix to make good decisions’
Stephanie Ockhuysen (Taranaki Daily News): Vote for me! The strategy of selling yourself in a local election
Laurel Stowell (Whanganui Chronicle): Forester standing for Horizons seat
Katie Todd (RNZ): High hopes ahead of Canterbury Regional Council election
Pam Jones (ODT): Focus on bid to discharge sewage
Tracey Roxburgh (ODT): Four by-elections required
Jamie Searle (Southland Times):Can you date a politician in two minutes?
Evan Harding (Stuff): Invercargill councillor calls out chief executive
Shelly Bay
Felix Desmarais and Tom Hunt (Dominion Post): Sir Peter Jackson slams Cassels’ claim mayoral candidate Andy Foster unfit to vote on Shelly Bay
Georgina Campbell (Herald): Shelly Bay row in full swing – councillors vote down latest move
RNZ: Council votes against Shelly Bay development processes probe
Felix Desmarais and Tom Hunt (Dominion Post): Ian Cassels claims Andy Foster ‘misrepresenting reality’ over Shelly Bay in letter to Wellington City Council
Waitaha hydro-electricity scheme
Joanne Carroll (Stuff): ‘Mt Cook of rivers’ will not be tamed as Govt rejects Waitaha hydropower scheme
Herald: Govt rejects hydro bid for pristine West Coast river
Gavin Evans (BusinessDesk): David Parker blocks West Coast hydro proposal
Laura Mills (Greymouth Star): Waitaha refusal stuns Westpower
Katie Fitzgerald and Mel Logan (Newshub): West Coast Mayor ‘disappointed’ at Government’s move to block new hydro scheme
Environment and conservation
RNZ: Pine plantations extend lifetime of methane in North Island atmosphere – Jim Salinger
Dan Satherley and Perry Wilton (Newshub): Fighting climate change vital to protect Kiwis’ health – doctor
Dita De Boni (NBR): Greta Thunberg a surprise no-show for Air NZ (paywalled)
Tina Law (Press): Residents plead with city leaders to set ambitious targets for tackling climate change
No Right Turn: Climate Change: Holding polluters accountable
Waatea News: Biggest firms sued for climate change actions
Billie Haddleton (Newsroom):A threat to statehood
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Mike Watson (Stuff): Govt 10 year draft oil and gas strategy has support of industry
Michael Neilson (Herald): State of the Gulf: Government, NGO provide $400k boost to Hauraki Gulf shellfish stocks
RNZ: Port Taranaki, Dunedin Airport reveal toxic firefighting foam amounts
Stuff: Dunedin Airport tests find banned firefighting foam
Amber-Leigh Woolf (Stuff): Porirua Harbour sediment doubles in five years, council declares it unfit for habitats
Laura James (1News): Plastic pollution in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf a growing concern
Amber-Leigh Woolf (Stuff): The Pacific ocean ‘Garbage Patch’ is the worst it’s ever been
Denise Piper (Stuff): Ngātiwai introduces cultural management at Whangārei’s Mimiwhangata Marine Park
Ihumātao
1News: Ardern says Government ‘mindful of obligations’ as Bridges asks if public money will be used to buy Ihumātao land
David Farrar: Will Labour destroy 30 years of Treaty settlement progress?
Te Kuru o te Marama Dewes (Māori TV): “Once upon a time, Māori owned and managed 100% of New Zealand” – Foon visits Ihumātao
Katie Fitzgerald (Newshub): Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon visits Ihumātao
Point of Order: The Ihumatao saga could have a far-reaching impact on NZ politics
Don Rowe (Spinoff): 1000 words: Pania Newton at Ihumātao
National Party
Audrey Young (Herald): The best and worst of National Party’s first fifteen MPs (paywalled)
Brent Edwards (NBR): Nats’ economic policy offers a real alternative to Coalition agenda but is it Labour-lite? (paywalled)
Brent Edwards (NBR): Personal tax cuts on National’s agenda (paywalled)
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): Simon Bridges has finally found his rhythm
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Clownish National MPs are letting the Opposition down
Sophie Bateman (Newshub): ‘Withdraw the rubbish or front up’: Councillor Mike Finlayson challenges MP Matt King to climate change debate
Smoking
Zane Small (Newshub): ‘I’m confused’: MPs question tobacco firm Imperial Brands’ anti-smoking motivation
1News: Massive concern’ as tobacco giant Philip Morris accused of using Smokefree 2025 ‘as a marketing campaign’
Mental health
Laura Walters (Newsroom): Cross-party mental health group a reason for hope
Boris Jancic (Herald): All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan calls for end of ‘political football’ on mental health
Herald: Live: Sir John Kirwan talks mental health in Parliament
RNZ: Waikato DHB to carry out review of mental health patient’s death
Suicide
Press Editorial: Complex causes behind suicide rise
Katie Fitzgerald (Newshub): Gang member’s anguish at spate of suspected suicides
Measles
RNZ: Measles cases up by 76 since Friday – government
Katie Fitzgerald and Grace Cocker (Newshub): Extra nurses deployed to south Auckland to fight measles outbreak
Vaimoana Tapaleao (Herald): Vaccinations at Auckland churches and shopping malls being considered in fight against measles
1News: Access to measles vaccinations set to increase in South Auckland
RNZ: More Manurewa High School measles cases inevitable, says expert
Scott Palmer (Newshub): Manurewa measles outbreak cancels Auckland mayoral candidate meeting
Melanie Earley (Stuff): Measles outbreak at Manurewa High School cancels Auckland mayoral candidate meeting
Dubby Henry (Herald): Auckland high school cancels mayoral event due to measles outbreak
Health
Emma Russell (Herald): Overcrowded ED’s ‘dangerous’ practice revealed: Paramedics told to keep patients in ambulances because hospitals too busy (paywalled)
Andrew Young (Herald): Why the Cancer Society believes ‘change is better’ (paywalled)
Elspeth McLean (ODT): Relief report authors can meet minister
1News: Confirmed meningitis cases in New Zealand up 40 per cent so far this year
Hannah Martin (Stuff): Northern district health boards pay out more than $16m on weight loss surgery in five years
James Baker (Stuff): No plans to close Franklin Memorial Hospital says CEO
Chloe Ranford (Stuff): A ‘pure water’ plan takes time. Ask Seddon
Education
Dan Satherley (Newshub): Lack of NZ history teaching behind ‘negative’ views on Māori issues – teacher
Jessica Long (Stuff): Teachers’ final stoush to have New Zealand history mandatory in schools’ teachings
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): Historians critical of education ‘double standard’
RNZ: MPs urged to make teaching New Zealand history in schools compulsory
1News: Manurewa High School students asked to provide proof of immunisation as 300 sent home due to measles outbreak
Melanie Earley and Danielle Clent (Stuff): Auckland measles outbreak: Unvaccinated Manurewa High School students told to stay home
Mary-Jo Tohill (Southland Times): Invercargill school cans ski trip because of Health and Safety reasons
Simon Collins (Herald): School census: Do our kids get enough sleep? (paywalled)
John Lewis (ODT): Call for action over ‘tidal wave’ of pupils
1News: Māori and Pasifika lecturers vastly underrepresented in New Zealand universities – research
Employment
Liu Chen (RNZ): Burger King manager suggests staff work after clocking out
Sophie Bateman (Newshub): Auckland Burger King manager asks staff to work overtime for free
Michael Neilson (Herald): Māori hospitality workers stand with Auckland waitress Mia Griffiths, share work stories
Parliament
Daniela Maoate-Cox (RNZ): Budget is the ‘centerpiece’ of the Parliamentary year – Hipkins
Newshub Nation Backstory: Chlöe Swarbrick on her childhood in Papua New Guinea, having three parents and managing clinical depression
Newshub Nation Backstory: Denise Lee on living life to the fullest after losing her two-year-old son Riley
Economy, monetary policy
Pattrick Smellie (Herald): Bone-headed debt debate ahead (paywalled)
Priscilla Dickinson (Newshub): NZ recession 10-15 percent likely within next year – experts
Primary industries
Shanti Ahluwalia (Newsroom): Winter grazing furore not out of the blue
Jamie Mackay (Herald): Listen: Is the Government too tough on the primary sector? (paywalled)
RNZ: Dairy Industry Restructuring Act passes first reading at Parliament
Guy Trafford (Interest): Mike Joy’s foray into the US will largely fall upon deaf ears, but the risks from synthetic milks are a greater long-term threat to New Zealand dairying
Kamal Fadel (Newsroom): NZ must stop imports from illegal occupier
Police
Sam Sherwood (Stuff): Caller waited over an hour to speak to police on 105 non-emergency number
Brittney Deguara (Stuff): What power do police officers have on private property?
Ripu Bhatia (Stuff): Calls for better police training on trespass laws after drink-drive conviction is overturned
Christchurch
Oliver Lewis (Stuff): Christchurch: Sad and soulless or progressive and beautiful?
Johnny Moore (Stuff): Christchurch: ‘We are a broken people’
Brook Sabin (Stuff): Is Christchurch our biggest tourism failure
RWC and alcohol
Yvette McCullough (RNZ): Greens labelled ‘wowsers’ after opposing venues staying open during RWC
Anna Whyte (1News): Bars can stay open for all RWC games despite Green Party not backing law change
Jason Walls (Herald): Law extending bar hours for World Cup passes despite Greens opposition
Zane Small (Newshub): Greens oppose extended hours for bars during Rugby World Cup 2019
Tahu Potiki has died
RNZ: Ngāi Tahu rangatira Tahu Potiki remembered as a great leader
Hamish McNeilly (Stuff): Tahu Potiki remembered as ‘quick witted, loving and a beautiful dad’
George Block (ODT): Potiki death a ‘serious loss’
Elena McPhee (ODT): Mayor pays tribute to Tahu Potiki
Māori TV: Iwi leader Tahu Pōtiki has passed away
Other
Chris Trotter (Daily Blog): What If Jacinda Was Suddenly Taken From Us – Like “Big Norm”?
Michael Morrah (Newshub): ‘Exploitative’: Beer cheaper than a can of coke targeting poor Auckland communities
Peter Dunne: Compulsory Kiwisaver and Flexi-Super are the real superannuation issues we ought to be discussing and debating
1News: Victims of serious crime lack trust, confidence in justice system – report
Kevin Dew (Stuff):We need to understand how end of life decisions are likely to be made
Nikki Mandow (Newsroom): Business Roundtable has a Damascus moment
Susan Edmunds (Stuff): Hisco paid $3.1m for former PM John Key’s beach house
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): Reserve Bank Governor pushing his angst into our pockets
Herald: New map reveals the true size of Auckland
Katarina Williams (Dominion Post): KiwiBuild presses fast-forward to get more Wellington offerings to the market
Mānia Clarke (Māori TV): King Tuheitia to visit Cook Islands
Daily Blog: PUB POLITICS 8pm Monday 2nd live streamed from Chapel Bar – The Cannabis Referendum with Paula Bennett, Chloe Swarbrick, David Seymour & Chris Fowlie
Te Aniwa Hurihanganu (RNZ): Iwi calls out artist over use of haka lyrics in T-shirt range
University of Auckland: Q+A: How do we measure far-right violence?
Scott Palmer (Newshub): The Kiwis’ Trade Me data requested by the government
1News: Do you want the right to pay in cash?
RNZ: New generation of Pacific leadership recognised in NZ
Lani Wendt Young: Speech: Adapt or die
Greg Ninness (Interest): Work visa approvals are growing strongly while residence visa approvals are declining and student visas flat
Frank Greenall (Whanganui Chronicle) Government should recommend Royal Pardon for Peter Ellis
RNZ: Former trustee of a Far North Māori trust Stephen Henare jailed
Herald: Jacinda Ardern reveals her favourite All Blacks player
