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.
Shane Jones’ comments at forestry conference
Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): Shane Jones’ funding cut threat a step too far
Jason Walls (Herald): ‘This utu [revenge] is best served cold’ – Minister Shane Jones vows revenge on forestry rivals
Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): Shane Jones issues warning to forestry companies – ‘political utu is a dish best served cold’
Zane Small (Newshub): ‘His language should be tighter’: Shane Jones gets telling off from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
RNZ: Forestry comments: Jones’ language should be much tighter, says PM
Herald: Shane Jones on vote-buying allegations: ‘Spurious National Party rubbish’ (paywalled)
Herald Editorial: Extraordinary words from Shane Jones overstep propriety (paywalled)
Parliament TV attack ads
Graeme Edgeler (RNZ): Parliamentary video: a rule whose time has passed
ODT Editorial: National going on the attack
Richard Harman (Politik): Brownlee challenges Mallard
Jo Moir (RNZ): Parliament TV attack ads: Rule review brought forward
Herald: Parliament considers video rule shake-up
Zane Small (Newshub): Simon Bridges accuses Speaker of acting ‘outside of his powers’ over attacks ads ruling
Banking
Newshub: Farmers welcome regional banking ‘hubs’ trial
Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): Government reaches deal with banks to push pause on regional branch closures
Jason Walls (Herald): Banks promise not to shutdown regional branches as Government trials ‘banking hubs’
Zane Small (Newshub): Banks in New Zealand to trial ‘hubs’ in regions hit by lack of branches
Anna Whyte (1News): Major NZ banks to trial regional hubs, as branches continue to close
RNZ: Regional banking hubs to be trialled in towns
David Hargreaves (Interest): Big banks have promised not to close any regional branches while trial of banking hubs is under way from early next year
Julie Iles (NBR): Banks to trial regional hubs in 2020 (paywalled)
Tamsyn Parker (Herald): ANZ insider describes Bonus Bonds as massive ‘rort’ (paywalled)
Transport
Audrey Young (Herald): Simon Bridges receives apology from Ministry of Transport over ‘spam’
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Transport Ministry will review processes after National Party submissions labelled as spam
Jo Moir (RNZ): Submissions forwarded from National Party flagged as spam
Government
Chris Trotter (Daily Blog): Keeping The Hope Of “Delivery” – And “Jacinda” – Alive
Jason Walls (Herald): Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern didn’t give much away when asked about a peace prize nomination
Climate change
TVNZ: Q+A: James Shaw denies climate change strategy just talk, admits it doesn’t fly with student protestors
Brent Edwards (NBR): New Green fund to be commercial but tax-exempt (paywalled)
1News: Jacinda Ardern approached by other nations to share climate change ideas after UN speeches
David Cormack (Herald): National’s climate change position means they’re not fit to govern (paywalled)
Peter McKenzie (Spinoff): The climate strike smashed it for scale. But is it all too … polite?
1News: Jacinda Ardern speaks out in defence of climate activist Greta Thunberg, expresses ‘deep admiration’
Cas Carter (Stuff): Greta Thunberg and student climate action leaders stick to their core values
John Hosking (Newsroom): NZ scientists’ carbon footprint dilemma
Environment and conservation
Mike Joy (Spinoff): For once, could we please just listen to the scientists?
Gerard Hurtching (Stuff): Bathurst Coal buys land to expand mining for dairy factories
Anna Whyte (1News): ‘It’s morally unacceptable’ – Three containers from NZ confirmed in Indonesia’s plastic crackdown
Michael Daly (Stuff): Spill risks among reasons public needs input into Otago oil exploration plan: Greenpeace
Katie Todd (RNZ): Protesters surround Petroleum New Zealand conference
Daisy Hudson (ODT): Protesters make their point at conference
Brent Melville (ODT): Oil and gas permits will lower emissions, claims sector
RNZ: Fishing industry ‘rolls with punches’ on tarakihi catch 10 percent cut
Laurel Stowell (Whanganui Chronicle): Company applies to bottle and sell Whanganui bore water
Tracy Neal (RNZ): Cruise ship emissions in New Zealand to be kept in check
Local government
Phil Pennington (RNZ): Councils’ public relations spending jumps, latest figures show
Todd Niall (Stuff):Local body elections: Five tips to get you voting
Spinoff: No voting papers? Don’t panic. You can still exercise your democratic right
Lois Williams (RNZ): Far North elections: Growing population heats up 10-strong mayoral race
Todd Niall (Stuff): Auckland mayoral race: No worries about low voter turnout
Jennifer Dann (Herald): 12 Questions: Phil Goff on ambitions, successes – and regrets (paywalled)
Andrew McRae (RNZ): Hamilton’s mayoral fight heats up as younger candidate steps in
Samantha Motion (Bay of Plenty Times): Election 2019: Tauranga City Council candidates detail sign vandalism (paywalled)
RNZ: Napier pool: Residents’ court case against council decision begins
Janine Rankin (Manawatū Standard): Election signs at the mercy of vandals, thieves and weather
Tina Law and Dominic Harris (Press): Christchurch city councillor Deon Swiggs not returning to electioneering yet
Thomas Mead (1News): Christchurch City Council still using potentially cancer-causing weed killer
RNZ: Chch councillor accused of inappropriate behaviour taking more leave
Cate Broughton (Press): Religion, race increase risk of attack for candidate posters
Gary Moore (Press): Zero rates rises mean taking the ‘build’ out of ‘rebuild’
Peter McDougall (Press): Zero rates increase is achievable, says council candidate
Mark Price (ODT): Alleged conflict of interest draws second complaint
John Gibb (ODT): Positive messages from meeting
Gil Barbezat (ODT): Hospital board faces juggling act, challenges
Chris Morris (ODT): DCC: hydrogen could aid carbon-neutral goal
Wellington
Nicholas Boyack (Dominion Post): Wellington Report 2019: City or village? The age-old question
Dileepa Fonseka (Dominion Post): Wellington Report: Wellington ‘bursting at the seams’, consents go backwards and social housing backlog balloons
Virginia Fallon (Dominion Post): Wellington Report 2019: Cheapest and most expensive homes to buy and rent
Rob Mitchell (Dominion Post): Wellington Report 2019: Getting too big for our boots?
Nicholas Boyack (Dominion Post): Wellington Report 2019: Smaller and taller – How to house a growing population
Rob Mitchell (Dominion Post): Wellington Report 2019: Why the Matrix is not always about the future
Max Rashbrooke: Pressure for mayoral candidate transparency begins to bear fruit
Dileepa Fonseka (Stuff): Wellington mayoral candidates debate what Wellywood can do to bring Lord of the Rings back
Sophie Bateman (Newshub): Wellington council candidate wants women to be able to swim topless at public pools
Auckland Council Southern and Molyneux decision
Nick Truebridge (Stuff): High Court rejects judicial review of decision to block controversial Canadian pair from Auckland venue
Nikki Preston (Herald): High Court rules Auckland Council within rights to cancel Lauren Southern, Stefan Molyneux event
Scott Palmer (Newshub): High Court backs decision to block Lauren Southern, Stefan Molyneux
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): ACT Party leader David Seymour’s freedom of speech talk interrupted by ‘lame’ protesters
Education
Southland Times Editorial: Mason Pendrous: Death in a lonely crowd
Daniel Meech (Spinoff): Auckland University won’t remove white supremacist signs from campus
Dave Armstrong (Stuff): Parents’ decile choices have widened gap between rich and poor suburbs
Eric Crampton (Newsroom): A better measure of school performance
Benn Bathgate (Stuff): Education Minister says addressing ECE pay ‘top of the pile’ issue
Jessica Long (Stuff): Kindergarten teachers’ roles a commodity as pay gap widens for early childhood educators
EducationHQ: Compulsory history should open the door for national curriculum: academic
Australia-New Zealand relationship
TVNZ: Q+A: Aussie senator vows to fight ‘absolutely disgusting’ visa system for Kiwis living across Tasman
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Influx of criminal deportees from Australia a ‘major irritant’ to relationship – Jacinda Ardern
Duncan Garner (Newshub): Not a surprise Australia’s criminals re-offended in New Zealand
State sector pay rates
RNZ: State sector pay rates ‘have got completely out of control’
Jason Walls (Herald): Act leader David Seymour says the Government’s pay increase veto for top boards is ‘image trumping policy’
Michael Reddell: A rather well-paid Governor
Police
Jared Savage (Herald): New clause allows State Services Commission to ask for anonymous, confidential feedback on Police Commissioner candidates (paywalled)
James Fyfe (Newshub): Police carrying guns at all times may be ‘inevitable’ – Police Association
Boris Jancic (Herald): NZ First halts festival drug-testing policy proposed by Labour
Health
Michael Hale (Spinoff): When treat foods become the norm: A doctor on our childhood obesity epidemic
1News: Survey reveals how much time Kiwi parents let their kids spend on devices
Guyon Espiner (RNZ): Seizures, driving stand-downs as Pharmac pulls epilepsy drug funding
Giles Dexter (Newshub): Pharmac’s reduced funding for epilepsy drug raises concerns over driving, seizures
Nicholas Boyack (Stuff): Should hospices have to rely on sausages sizzles for funding?
Imran Ali (Northern Advocate): Weeks to get GP appointments in Northland (paywalled)
Cameo Turner and Megan Harvey (Herald): US doctor saves life of Kiwi woman with cancer after her call for help on Facebook
Melanie Earley (Stuff): Radio personality Michael Kooge says he’s being ‘left to die’ as he can’t afford cancer treatment
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Facilities at Wakari not fit: report
Lee Kenny (stuff): Open days at Christchurch Hospital building delayed as building work incomplete
Felix Desmarais (Stuff): What are you supposed to do when a friend is in a mental health crisis?
Aaron Hendry (Noted): How we can all try to slow down New Zealand’s rising suicide rate
Tourism
Amanda Cropp (Stuff): New Zealand tourism sees threat if climate change deters long-haul flyers
1News: Environmental impact of travel a threat to Aotearoa’s tourism industry, report finds
Dave Goosselink (Newshub): New Zealand tourist operators warned as visitor numbers ‘level off’ after rapid growth
Tess Brunton (RNZ): Tourism NZ welcomes chance to share data on Kiwi tourists
Primary industries
Maja Burry (RNZ): Government rejects blame for low farmer confidence
Maja Burry (RNZ): Farmers’ inner-city BBQs aim to boost urban connections, mental health
Pacific
Anna Whyte (1News): Government looks to deepen business ties with Fiji
Dominic Godfrey (RNZ): Emotional scars remain in American Samoa from tsunami
RNZ: Climate logic must be accepted says Samoa PM
RNZ: Vanuatu PM calls for UN action on West Papua
Economy
Liam Dann (Herald): Grim business confidence becomes a political football (paywalled)
Bonnie Flaws (Stuff): Businesses expect conditions to deteriorate over the next year despite rate cut, says ANZ
RNZ: Business confidence keeps dropping
Immigration
Lincoln Tan (Herald): Immigration adviser who faked emails from Associate Immigration Minister suspended
Teuila Fuatai (Herald): Pacific people treated differently (paywalled)
Spark Sport complaints, rugby broadcasting
RNZ: Spark stands by RWC coverage after more complaints
Debrin Foxcroft (Stuff): Rugby World Cup 2019: Commerce Commission assessing 13 Spark Sport streaming complaints
Herald: 2019 Rugby World Cup: Commerce Commission receiving complaints about Spark Sport
Stuff: Sky TV lost the Rugby World Cup, will fight to broadcast other rugby champs
Justice, corrections
Jamie Morton (Herald):Prison violence: Can we predict it before it happens?
Elena McPhee (ODT): Ex-prisoner’s plight not uncommon – Pars
Donna Chisholm (Noted): Child testimony: Could the Peter Ellis case happen again?
Defence industry forum
Thomas Manch (Stuff): Defence forum abandons military expo as ‘aggressive protesters’ claim success
Nicholas Pointon (RNZ): Defence industry forum canned over protester concern
Mongrel Mob women’s chapter proposed
RNZ: ‘Wāhine have got nothing to do with the patch’ – gang member
Simon Collins (Herald): Mongrel Mob says women’s chapter won’t wear back patches
Scott Palmer (Newshub): Mongrel Mob divided over plans for women’s chapter
Other
Isaac Davison (Herald): Auckland landlords charging Government $300 a night to house homeless (paywalled)
Rawiri Taonui (Stuff): Ihumātao: What are the options for the Labour Government?
Sarah Robson (RNZ): Oranga Tamariki social workers face assaults, abuse and threats
RNZ: The Detail: The story behind the sex abuser at the sexual abuse inquiry
John Anthony (Stuff): Who bought John Key’s mansion? ‘U have to wait and see,’ former PM texts
Boris Jancic (Herald): Marama Fox’s business debts hang over Māori Party, president says
Michael Hayward (Stuff): Public submissions on EQC’s performance critical of ‘difficult’ agency
Laura Walters (Newsroom): Who is watching NZ’s Chinese-language media?
Denise Piper (Stuff): Hapū from Northland’s Bay of Islands sad its story missed from Tuia 250 events
Gavin Evans (BusinessDesk): Market studies: too valuable to get wrong (paywalled)
Gareth Vaughan (Interest): Faafoi waves stick of royal commission in otherwise conciliatory speech
Rob Stock (Stuff): Borrowers can shop around for loans without being judged ‘desperate’
Stephen Forbes (Interest): Government seeks to address construction industry volatility with new Crown contracting guidelines
Evan Harding (Southland Times): Reform proposal ‘big blow’ to Tiwai aluminium smelter
Gerard Hutching (Stuff): Synlait rival warns of risk to infant formula from proposed quarry
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Metservice, NIWA under investigation by Commerce Commission for anti-competitive behaviour
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): More Kiwis looking at alternatives to term deposits, says Financial Markets Authority
Clare de Lore (Listener): Springboks tour veteran Trevor Richards on the purpose of protest
Anna Knox (Spinoff): Gender bias and art in Aotearoa: a Spinoff survey reveals the harsh reality
1News: As those with no religion overtake Christians in NZ Census, church leaders confirm findings
Herald: Kiwis less suspicious of foreign investment if rules clear
