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.
Media
Peter Thompson (Stuff): A new model for public media – but have the old lessons been learned?
Damien Venuto (Herald): Faafoi’s conundrum: The toughest political call left in 2019 (paywalled)
Colin Peacock (RNZ): Mediawatch: Government ponders proposal for public media
Mark Jennings (Newsroom): Back in time as Government considers new state broadcaster
Duncan Greive (Spinoff): Five key questions about the new super-broadcaster to replace TVNZ and RNZ
Audrey Young (Herald): Kris Faafoi wants to set public broadcasting policy to last for up to 25 years
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): TVNZ chief executive Kevin Kenrick breaks silence on public media merger
Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): Govt media plan won’t weaken commercial players – TVNZ (paywalled)
RNZ: ‘Bolstering public broadcasting is the answer’ – Ardern
RNZ: No mandate for creating single public broadcaster – Simon Bridges
Jane Patterson (RNZ): Govt to consider replacing RNZ, TVNZ with new public broadcaster
Vita Molyneux (Newshub): Government may disestablish TVNZ, RNZ to create one entity
Primary industries
Guyon Espiner and Kate Newton (RNZ): NZ First-linked forestry company pushed for govt funds
Gordon Campbell: On why the public is losing patience with the farming sector’s persecution complex
No Right Turn: Climate Change: We need more trees, not less
Jason Walls (Herald): NZ First Minister Shane Jones calls hundreds of farmer protesters outside Parliament ‘rednecks’
Zane Small (Newshub):‘Ngati-redneck-ery’: Shane Jones bites back at jeering 50 Shades of Green marchers
1News: Shane Jones lashes out at protesting farmers – ‘rednecks’ and ‘incredibly vitriolic’
1News: Hundreds of farmers march on Parliament protesting emissions targets, water regulation
Felix Desmarais (Stuff): Shane Jones calls protesting farmers ‘rednecks’ following rowdy march on Parliament
Shane Jones (Herald): Tree planting not a case of ‘farters vs radiatas’ (paywalled)
Greens on budget responsibility rules
Jason Walls (Herald): Leaked Greens discussion document suggest the party plans to scrap its spending limit support
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Green Party review of budget rules suggests party scrap them and spend more
Parliament
Richard Harman (Politik): Shaking up Select Committees
Audrey Young (Herald): Parliament to loosen rules around use of television footage in advertising
Anna Whyte (1News): Quickfire: Mark Mitchell and Meka Whaitiri on vaping, euthanasia and recycling labels
Zero Carbon Act
Matthew Hooton (Herald): James Shaw’s victory double-edged (paywalled)
Mike Treen (Daily Blog): We need a Green New Deal for a Just Transition with democratic empowerment
Simon Upton (Newsroom): There are no costless ways forward on carbon
Jamie Mackay (Herald): James Shaw on working with the enemy on the Zero Carbon Act (paywalled)
Police
RNZ: People with mental health problems will be shot by new armed police – Mental Health Foundation
Leigh-Marama McLachlan (RNZ): Armed Response Teams: change in remit worries Māori leaders
Ruby Nyika (Stuff): New armed units in Hamilton suburbs sparks mother’s fear
Harrison Christian (Stuff): Police review alert system after teenage girl left at the home of her alleged rapist
Isaac Davison (Herald): IPCA ‘racist’ says former top police officer Hurimoana Dennis after watchdog finds he abused powers
Zac Fleming (Newshub): Former officer Hurimoana Dennis found to have abused his power claims watchdog is ‘racist’
Leigh-Marama McLachlan (RNZ): Former inspector repeatedly abused power – IPCA
Dubby Henry (Herald): ‘Abuse of power’: IPCA says teen unlawfully detained by top cop Hurimoana Dennis
1News: Former senior police officer Hurimoana Dennis unlawfully detained teen, influenced outcome of son’s case – IPCA
Trevor Bradley (Newsroom): ‘Plural policing’ should come at a cost
Local government – Christchurch
Kamala Hayman (Press):Christchurch City Council secrecy outrageous
Tina Law and Dominic Harris (Stuff): Damning report alleges Christchurch City Council staff kept negative information secret, manipulated reports
RNZ: Senior Chch Council managers altered negative reports – ombudsman
Local government
Denise Piper (Stuff): Pensioners in Mangawhai, Northland, worried council will ditch their homes
Melanie Earley (Stuff): Pregnant dog and puppies ‘starved’ at Northland pound, needed emergency care
Anne Gibson (Herald): ‘Price of human safety’: Aotea Centre refurbishment to cost $66.8m (paywalled)
Anusha Bradley (RNZ): Patangata Bridge closure means 1km ‘trek on foot’ for families’ tangi
Georgina Campbell (Herald): Money, money, money: Litigating Wellington’s Shelly Bay (paywalled)
Cannabis and euthanasia referendums
Andrew McRae (RNZ): Voters may be overwhelmed by both referendums and election – analyst
Derek Cheng (Herald): Andrew Little: With euthanasia and cannabis, the election is going to get ugly
Justice, corrections
Collette Devlin (Stuff): Review of prisoner mail rules finds ‘absurd’ law thwarts effective intelligence-gathering
Craig McCulloch (RNZ): Review over prison letter management suggests ‘urgent’ law change
Zane Small (Newshub): Corrections creating ‘dedicated mail-monitoring team’ after Christchurch-accused sent hate letters
Herald: Prison mail changed after Christchurch attack blunder
Alison Mau (Stuff): Courts should be about justice, not more trauma
Collette Devlin (Stuff): Proposed sexual violence laws to debunk myths and improve the court system
RNZ: Bill to help sexual violence victims testify passes first reading
1News: Many survivors say courtroom experience is ‘worse’ than sexual assault – victims’ advocate
Derek Cheng (Herald): Courtroom shake up: New rules in rape cases hailed as decades-overdue
Immigration
Chris Trotter (Daily Blog): When Worlds Collide
Meng Foon (Stuff): Don’t vilify minorities to make your political point
Peter Dunne (Newsroom): We don’t need more intolerance and political scapegoating
RNZ: Partnership visa change: Confusion over singling out arranged marriages
1News: Shane Jones says he won’t be ‘cowed by people’ who disagree with his views on immigration
ODT Editorial: Immigration consensus far away
Emma Russell (Herald): Russian family saddled with half a million dollars of medical bills after baby born with rare condition
Euthanasia
Claire Trevett (Herald): Euthanasia vote moves from politicians to the people – but can we handle it? (paywalled)
Graham Adams (Noted): David Seymour’s euthanasia bill triumph
Wendi Wicks (Guardian): New Zealand’s euthanasia bill is a step into the unknown for disabled people
David Fisher (Herald): Euthanasia: Whangārei’s Shane Reti only Northland MP to oppose End of Life Bill
Jenna Lynch (Newshub): End of Life Choice Bill: Euthanasia put to public vote in 2020
AAP: ‘Get back to the garden’ – David Seymour’s swift retort to Maggie Barry amid ‘major war’ claim after euthanasia Bill passes
RNZ: End of Life Choice Bill: lines drawn as debate goes to public
Jo Moir (RNZ): End of Life Choice Bill on euthanasia goes to referendum
Phil Smith (RNZ): The End of Life Choice Debate: in pictures and the words of MPs
Sophie Trigger (Stuff): Death a ‘learning experience’, says at-home hospice worker
Kim Moodie (Herald): ‘She’d be very happy:’ Lecretia Seales’ widower applauds End of Life Choice vote
Freedom of speech
Chris Trotter: Could There Be Method In Massey University’s Madness?
Spinoff: David Seymour to host controversial Feminism 2020 event in parliament
Martyn Bradbury: Feminism 2020 Conference to be held at Parliament
Transport
Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): Ministers’ ‘fishy’ Wellington dinner during NZTA board appointment process
Phil Pennington (RNZ): NZTA sees increase in contractors despite govt orders otherwise
Phil Pennington (RNZ): Transmission Gully motorway project has concerns about the technology it’s using
Damian George (Stuff): Wheels slowly starting to move on Wellington’s $6.4 billion transport revamp
RNZ: Contracts for Wellington transport projects put to tender
Rahul Bhattarai (Marlborough Express): Slower speeds on SH6 could hit consumers in the pocket, truckies say
Tracey Roxburgh (ODT): Minister faults pay rates in bus driver issue
Brent Edwards (NBR): Air New Zealand defends focus on competitive advantage (paywalled)
Census
RNZ: Census jobs stats: Women welcome Kiwis into the world, men see them out
Herald: New Census reveals Kiwis still working in traditionally gendered jobs
Catherine Harris and Debrin Foxcroft (Stuff): Cafes and supermarkets the country’s biggest employers: Census
Peter Ellis appeal
Joel MacManus (Stuff): Peter Ellis appeal derailed by legal curveball on possible tikanga Māori approach
Melissa Nightingale (Herald): Peter Ellis Supreme Court hearing into Christchurch creche case begins today
Sam Farrell (Newshub): Supreme Court weighs whether sex offender Peter Ellis’ appeal can continue after death
Jonathan Mitchell (RNZ): Peter Ellis appeal case taken to Supreme Court
Health and disability
Natalie Akoorie (Herald): Crystal Beavis took $5000 course because Health Ministry training of boards lacking
Janine Rankin (Manawatū Standard): New mental health ward plans in Palmerston North provide bittersweet progress for families
RNZ: PM says $30m mental health facility upgrade transformative
RNZ: Palmerston North Hospital mental health unit set for $30 million upgrade
Mike Houlahan (ODT): ‘Strong oversight’ of SDHB maternity sought
Lydia Lewis and Dan Satherley (Newshub): Coca-Cola’s use of Māori words a ‘real tragedy’ – health expert
Taroi Black (Māori TV): Māori Dentist backs reo Māori on Coke bottles
1News: Meningococcal vaccine boost for youth in close-living situations
RNZ: Measles outbreak: NZ sends vaccines, medical staff to Samoa
RNZ: Spread of measles expected to continue over holidays
RNZ: USP Samoa cancels graduation ceremony over measles
RNZ: American Samoa declares health emergency over measles
RNZ: Measles outbreak: Tongan govt primary schools, kindergartens close
Charlie Gates (Stuff): Medicinal cannabis company raises $1 million in just over a week
Georgia Forrester (Stuff): The rise of syphilis in NZ: The worst STI hot-spots as disease make a comeback
Laura James (1News): Government reveals new plan to help more than 1 million Kiwis with disabilities
Abuse in care inquiry
RNZ: Judge Shaw appointed chairperson of historical abuse in care inquiry
1News: New chairperson appointed for Commission into abuse in state care
Housing
Doug Laing (Hawkes Bay Today): First Hawke’s Bay KiwiBuild homes on sale in Maraenui, Napier in stormy market (paywalled)
MIchael Daly (Stuff): Housing affordability gains may be over as median price tops $600,000 for first time
1News: New Zealand’s median house price at record high after passing $600k for first time
Education
Jake Kenny and Lee Kenny (Stuff): Canterbury schools opt in to Govt payment scheme to ‘support the community’
Katy Jones (Stuff): Donations scheme confusing and unfair, some excluded schools say
Elena McPhee (ODT): Graduation fears for students
RNZ: More Otago uni students speak up on abused overseas placements
Katy Jones (Stuff): NMIT staff in talks after course closures
Amanda Saxton (Stuff): Cyber attacks on Auckland University systems come at ‘worst time possible
Robin Martin (RNZ): MAINZ audio production course closure shocks unaware students
Cira Olivier (Rotorua Daily Post): Rotorua teacher aides working multiple jobs to survive (paywalled)
Drug laws, alcohol
Newshub: New Zealand’s alcohol problem getting worse – survey
Ben Strang (RNZ): Fewer low-level drug charges laid, health referrals increase
Vita Molyneux (Newshub): Teenagers suffer higher rates of addiction when recreational cannabis is legalised – study
Duncan Garner: Legalising weed could cause teen addiction to skyrocket
Laura Walters (Newsroom): Synthetics market evolves post-law changes
Ports of Auckland move
Lewis Holden (Noted): Why the Ports of Auckland move matters
Dileepa Fonseka (Newsroom): ‘We bloody own the land’ – Goff questions port report
Herald Editorial: Auckland port’s move north to Whangārei looking likely (paywalled)
Monetary policy
Jenée Tibshraeny (Interest): Adrian Orr tones down calls for more govt spending, saying he has been heard
Jenny Ruth (BusinessDesk): The Reserve Bank’s element of surprise (paywalled)
Brent Edwards (NBR): Reserve Bank looks for positive inflation to grow economy (paywalled)
Genital mutilation ban
Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): MPs band together for female genital mutilation ban
Derek Cheng (Herald): Historic first: Bill from women MPs of colour to fight female genital mutilation
Manus Island refugee Behrouz Boochani in NZ
RNZ: Manus Island refugee Behrouz Boochani lands in Auckland
Ben Doherty (Guardian): Behrouz Boochani, voice of Manus Island refugees, is free in New Zealand
Foreign affairs and trade
Brent Edwards (NBR): Trade agenda about protecting NZ from super-power politics (paywalled)
RNZ: Cook Islands to ratify PACER Plus
Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): China’s ‘business of greening’, and what it means for the world
John Minto (Daily Blog): Foreign Affairs tweet an outrage in a decent society
RNZ: Australia Pacific Security College launched
Terrorism bill
Alexander Gillespie (Herald): Terrorism Suppression Bill is the lesser of the evils we face (paywalled)
Zane Small (Newshub): Minister William Sio ‘distressed’ by anti-terror law submitter’s March 15 remarks
Space
RNZ: Space sector contributes $1.7 billion to NZ economy
Brent Edwards (NBR): Potential for New Zealand space earnings to blast off (paywalled)
Pam Jones (ODT): Space sector’s net worth to economy $1.69 billion
Environment and conservation
Cherie Sivignon (Stuff): Julie Anne Genter urges climate change action as road maintenance costs climb
Rose Davis (Herald): Motiti battle a victory for Bay’s marine reserves (paywalled)
Mark Price and Laura Mills (ODT): Whitebaiting policy document date doubt
Mare Haimona-Riki (Māori TV): Less than 400 Hoiho left in Aotearoa
Hawkes Bay Today: Kiwi linked to PM Jacinda Ardern’s daughter Neve hatches at Tararua wildlife centre
OK boomer
RNZ: The Detail: The anger behind the OK Boomer viral meme
Rosemary McLeod (Stuff): It’s the Boomers’ fault: we created these Millennial monsters
Ihumātao
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Top musician Tom Scott condemns Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at NZ Music Awards
Hearld: ‘Go to Ihumātao’: Tom Scott takes aim at PM Jacinda Ardern at NZ Music Awards
Other
Brent Edwards (NBR): Public service policy: to tell or not to tell (paywalled)
Simon Wilson (Herald): Auckland political power rankings: The top 25 (paywalled)
Peter Dunne (Interest): How sustainable is Sustainable New Zealand?
No Right Turn: The IGIS annual report: Dead letters and secret law
Peter Williams (Newshub): Why is New Zealand offering tax breaks to make Chinese propaganda films?
Jessie Chiang (RNZ): Auckland alcohol licensing trusts guilty of misleading public
Herald: ZM host gets Justice Minister’s name changed to Andrew ‘Daddy Thicc Snacc’ Little
Brianna McIlraith (Stuff): Andrew Little plays along with radio gag and changes Twitter name to ‘Daddy Thicc Snacc’
Zane Small (Newshub): The Justice Minister’s new Twitter name
Teresa Ramsey (Stuff): Michael Jackson songs back on New Zealand radio airwaves
James Fyfe (Newshub): Judith Collins calls herself a ‘woman of colour’ in deleted tweet
Māori TV: “Pass the Rua Kēnana Bill” – Hone Te Rire
Daisy Hudson (ODT): Baxter Peace Garden funded
Brent Melville (ODT): Transpower revenue restricted
Paul McBeth (BusinessDesk): Broadband providers to expand GCSB’s cyber blanket (paywalled)
Brian Fallow (Herald): Don’t write off Tiwai Point (paywalled)
