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
Political donations
Yvette McCullough (RNZ): Transparency International warns need for political funding reform is urgent
Gordon Campbell: On where the politically-donated bucks should be stopping
Guyon Espiner and Kate Newton (RNZ): NZ First Foundation: Rich-listers donate $100k in a week
Derek Cheng (Herald): NZ First Foundation: Horse breeders, business owners and New Zealand’s richest among donors
No Right Turn: NZ First’s contradiction
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): Why the climate crisis demands public funding of Political Parties
Foreign affairs
Luke Malpass, Collette Devlin, and Henry Cooke (Stuff): Jacinda Ardern’s pitch to ScoMo: stop sending us your criminals
Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): Jacinda Ardern in Australia – as she meets Scott Morrison, deportation will darken lovefest
Dominion Post Editorial: Why ScoMo should be ashamed of deportations
Dan Satherley and Miriam Harris (Newshub): Call for UN to probe Australia’s tough deportation laws
1News: Climate change on the agenda as Jacinda Ardern, Scott Morrison prepare to meet in Australia
RNZ: Jacinda Ardern expected to raise climate change with Scott Morrison
AAP: Australian PM Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern to meet after year of trauma
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Australia’s deportation policy not just ‘corrosive’, it’s ‘abusive’ – deportee
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Henry Cooke (Stuff): Jacinda Ardern tells families of Fijian mosque victims NZ is doing all it can to stop any further attacks
Derek Cheng (Herald): ‘They were yours. And now they are part of us’ – Ardern honours fallen Muslim Fijians
RNZ: PM Jacinda Ardern pays tribute to Fijians killed in Christchurch mosque attacks
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern dons headscarf, acknowledges Fijian March 15 victims in mosque visit
Amber Allott (Herald): Christchurch mosque attacks: Heather from Papanui found, widow grateful to woman who drove her
Zane Small (Newshub): Search for Heather: Jacinda Ardern wants to find ‘kind’ Papanui woman who helped find mosque victim
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Brent Edwards (NBR): Cricket, trade and coronavirus
Coronavirus
Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): Universities drop self-isolation of stranded Chinese students (paywalled)
Laura Wiltshire (Stuff): Victoria University predicts $12 million loss from coronavirus, as Chinese students remain stuck in China
Stephen Forbes (Stuff): University of Auckland announces staff hiring freeze due to coronavirus travel ban
1News: Auckland University implements hiring freeze with $30 million losses expected from coronavirus travel ban
Donna-Lee Biddle (Stuff): Coronavirus outbreak impacts south Auckland campus
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Chinese education agency the latest group to oppose the govt’s Covid-19 travel ban
George Heagney (Stuff): Massey students stuck in China due to coronavirus travel bans
Zane Small (Newshub): The multimillion-dollar cost of blocking Chinese tourists from New Zealand
Maia Hart (Stuff): Coronavirus causes forestry harvest disruption
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John Anthony (Stuff): Finance minister lays out three possible coronavirus scenarios including ‘worst case’ pandemic
Jason Walls (Herald): Finance Minister Grant Robertson – Country is in shadow of the biggest economic uncertainty in recent times
1News: Government outlines plans to counter economic impact of coronavirus
Bernard Hickey (Newsroom): Robertson sees ‘short, serious’ virus impact
Gareth Vaughan (Interest): NZ ‘in a strong position to stand up to the economic and health impacts of coronavirus’
Jenny Ruth (BusinessDesk): Coronavirus to impact economy through 2020: Robertson (paywalled)
Bonnie Flaws (Stuff): Coronavirus has dealt a blow to business confidence, ANZ survey
RNZ: Business confidence drops amid coronavirus disruption
Nikki Mandow (Newsroom):‘It’s going to get worse’: Virus impact on NZ firms
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1News: Govt may have power to forcibly quarantine infected should coronavirus outbreak hit NZ
Jamie Morton (Herald): Coronavirus threatens NZ with flu season ‘double whammy’
Kate Green (Stuff): Coronavirus: Kiwi ports step up ship screening on instruction from health ministry
Bridie Witton (Stuff): Health workers need ‘higher level of suspicion’ of new Covid19 cases – Ministry of Health
RNZ: Coronavirus: More NZ tests as authorities prepare
Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Ministry of Health worried there are shortfalls in protective equipment at DHBs
Lawrence Gullery and Libby Wilson (Waikato Times): Waikato’s councils revise pandemic plans to prepare for coronavirus
Fuel industry
Perry Wilton and Mark Quinlivan (Newshub): AA sceptical the Government’s Fuel Market Bill will bring prices down
Hamish Rutherford (Herald): The AA warns motorists may never know how much fuel market changes will lower prices (paywalled)
Hamish Rutherford (Herald): Government warns petrol companies: Create competition or we will force it on you
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): Wholesale fuel to be regulated
Anna Whyte (1News):Government to introduce new law to pull petrol prices down, create fuel industry code of conduct
Susan Edmunds, Steven Walton and Debrin Foxcroft (Stuff): Petrol could soon be cheaper as the Government brings in new rules for the fuel industry
RNZ: New bill targets wholesale reduction in fuel prices
Holly Carran (Newshub): Petrol prices could drop up to 30 cents per litre with new Government Bill
Zane Small (Newshub): The new rules coming for fuel suppliers as Government tries to boost competition
Julie Iles (NBR): Wholesale fuel market changes confirmed for later this year (paywalled)
Jenée Tibshraeny (Interest): Terminal gate pricing regime to be introduced to make fuel market more competitive
Justice
Meriana Johnsen (RNZ): Justice system called ‘fundamentally racist’ – new study shows Māori more likely to go to court
Bronson Perich (Māori TV): Children’s Commissioner calls for national debate on silence laws
1News: Sexual violence victims still being ‘retraumatised’ in NZ courts, more changes needed, researchers say
Vita Molyneux (Newshub): New Zealand rape survivors humiliated with ‘irrelevant’ questions during trials – study
RNZ: Rape trial study leads to call to ban certain questions from courtrooms
Poverty, inequality
Bryce Edwards (Herald): Political Roundup: ‘Significant’ increases in benefits not necessarily enough (paywalled)
1News: Housing is a barrier, but Government ‘on the right track’ in addressing poverty, minister argues
Sarah Robson (RNZ): Citizens Advice Bureau lends a hand as people struggle with govt’s online services
Newshub: Poverty struggling with digital divide – report
Migrant workers, immigration
Debrin Foxcroft (Stuff): NZ Police fined $7000 and banned from hiring migrant workers for six months
RNZ: Police breach of Employment Relations and Holidays Act leads to hiring ban, fine
Brian Fallow (Herald): Time to draw the line on rising number of foreign workers? (paywalled)
Julian Wood (Stuff): New Zealand, it’s time we talked about our relationship with temporary migrants
1News: New Zealand too reliant on migrant workers, fuelling exploitation issues, new research suggests
Dileepa Fonseka (Newsroom): NZ filters immigration tap, turn-by-turn
Education
Jamie Morton (Herald): Massey shake-up: Top scientist tracking coronavirus could be axed
Danielle Clent (Stuff): Massey University: Students slam proposal to axe science from Albany campus
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Surge in Indian student visa refusals in 2019
Newstalk ZB: Concerns over foreign interference in tertiary institutions
1News: Proposal to merge science subjects sparks outrage from high school teachers
Local government
Miriam Harris and Mark Quinlivan (Newshub): Tauranga City Council repeals ban on rough sleeping and begging
Todd Niall (Stuff): Auckland Council agency dumps executive bonuses
Bernard Orsman (Herald): Bonuses worth $450,000 scrapped at Auckland Council’s Panuku development arm
Daisy Hudson (ODT): Memorial service to mark Christchurch terror attack unwanted
Robin Martin (RNZ): New Plymouth mayor calls for water infrastructure ‘warrant of fitness’ for local authorities
Phil Pennington (RNZ): Homeowners near Wellington complain council lost their paperwork
Chloe Ranford (Stuff): Marlborough exceeds ‘self-imposed’ rates cap to meet national standards
Felix Desmarais: Rotorua Lakes councillors divided over increased funding and Ashburton ‘junket’
Andrew Barnes (Herald): Facilities review necessary for creating a world class city (paywalled)
Canterbury earthquakes
Lisa Davies (1News): Christchurch mayor apologises to Japanese families who lost loved one in CTV building collapse
Eleisha Food (RNZ): Christchurch mayor gives formal apology to families bereaved in 22 February quake
Ihumātao
Michael Neilson (Herald): Ihumātao: Highest Heritage NZ status ‘positive’ but questioned as ‘politically convenient’ by mana whenua
RNZ: Ihumātao: Pania Newton says land should be protected after heritage recognition
Frances Hancock and Nicola Short (Newsroom): Ihumātao’s heritage listing win – what does it mean?
Golriz Ghahraman
RNZ: Green MP Golriz Ghahraman diagnosed with MS
Zane Small (Newshub): Messages of support flood in for Golriz Ghahraman – from Helen Clark to Judith Collins
Health
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Report: SDHB radiation oncology wait longer than ideal
Danielle Clent (Stuff): Auckland man fighting for wife’s cancer drug to be administered through public system
Nicky Pellegrino (Listener): How the Cancer Control Plan aims to stop NZ’s survival rates falling further behind
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Neurosurgery help on the way but not for up to a year
Iran Ali (Herald): Northland DHB’s forecast deficit to be close to $13m (paywalled)
Lois Williams (RNZ): West Coast DHB recruitíng ‘rural generalists’ to solve doctor shortage
Emma Russell (Herald): Fluoxetine depression pill shortage: Pharmac ‘playing with people’s lives’, pharmacist warns (paywalled)
Evan Harding (Southland times): Māori suicide in the spotlight
Newstalk ZB: Hopes New Zealand will copy Scotland on free sanitary products
Peter Singer
Ben Leahy (Herald): New Auckland venue for Peter Singer after SkyCity cancellation
Adam Dudding (Stuff): New Auckland venue for philosopher Peter Singer after SkyCity cancellation
Super
Chris Trotter (Daily Blog): Changing The Climate – One RNZ Broadcast At A Time.
Heather du Plessis Allan (Newstalk ZB): Latest superannuation outrage is just more baby boomer jealousy
Dan Satherley (Newshub): ‘Don’t expect future generations to look after you’: Economist’s warning for retirees
Susan St John (Newsroom): The NZ Super Fund’s ‘magical’ thinking
Environment and conservation
Michael Neilson (Herald): Hauraki Gulf: Calls for action after report shows crayfish in peril, increasing development pressures
Michael Morrah (Newshub): ‘Pretty embarrassing’: The poor state of the Hauraki Gulf
RNZ: Time to act to save the Hauraki Gulf, tangata whenua and environmentalists say
David Williams (Newsroom): New boss for delayed Mackenzie project
Marta Steeman (Stuff): Real estate responsible for 40 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions: Report
ODT Editorial: Losing track of an important debate
Luisa Girao (ODT): Deadline for embattled councillor’s resignation looms
Logan Savory (Southland Times): Underfire Fish and Game councillor yet to accept resignation request
1News: Growing fears for rare Hector’s dolphins as numbers in Banks Peninsula drop dramatically
Cherie Sivignon (Stuff): Tasman District Council to accept fewer plastics for recycling
Water
Marnie Prickett (Stuff): Regulation is about future protection of our water
Kelvin Hill (Stuff): Putting a price on our water – do we value it enough?
Hamish MacLean (ODT): ORC seeks ministerial help
Michael Neilson (Herald): Auckland water: Residents cut use after Watercare urged restraint over skyrocketing levels
Gangs
Jean Bell (Herald): Mongrel Mob gang member heckled at National leader Simon Bridges’ meeting
Sam Kelway (1News):Simon Bridges tells Mongrel Mob he’ll visit chapter once gang patches, guns are handed over
Richard Harman (Politik): Bridges and Mongrel Mob spokesperson in tense clash
Newstalk Zb: Simon Bridges: Govt not doing enough to combat gang violence in Christchurch
Transport
Listener Editorial: The feebate failure shows EV action must come from the people
Simon Wilson (Herald): Auckland Transport’s odd solution to SkyCity’s bus problem (paywalled)
Liz McDonald (Press): What does Red Bus’ loss of business mean for the future of this city council company?
Oliver Lewis and Michael Hayward (Press): History repeating: Red Bus loses out in Greater Christchurch bus shake-up
Damian Geroge (Stuff): Wellington drivers could be stung by night parking charges or hourly rate hike
1News: Teen acquitted of dangerous driving after 148kmh hoon sets dangerous precedent, safety group says
Primary industries
Angie Skerrett (Newshub): Farm open days aim to reconnect rural and urban New Zealanders
Brent Melville (ODT): Farmers call for ORC rates detail
Cheques
1News: Outrage as ACC, IRD refuse cheques from tomorrow
Brent Melville (ODT): Move away from cheques may hurt, Dunedin charities say
Other
Matthew Hooton (Herald): NZ First, Greens despise each other – why that’s OK for Jacinda Ardern (paywalled)
Peter Dunne (Newsroom): Bridges’ ego-juggling challenge
Tina Law (Press): Voting age should be lowered and civics education is needed in schools, council says
Jessica Mutch, Benedict Collins and Maiki Sherman (1News): Inside Parliament: Children of the poor
Derek Cheng (Herald): Safety expert says gun lobby is fighting for right not be inconvenienced
RNZ: The Detail: Should we be expecting more from the SFO?
Glen McConnell (Stuff): ‘Families are going without’: Problem gambling advocate’s concern for $50 million Lotto jackpot
Rob Stock (Stuff): Kiwis take note: Afterpay’s self-defence assault on credit cards in Australia
Hamish Rutherford (Stuff): Government offered to help Rio Tinto build business case for transmission discount (paywalled)
Jessica Tyson (Māori TV): First Māori power company shares profits with whānau
Marta Steeman (Stuff): Report questions if NZ workplaces are exploitative with too much unpaid overtime
Tema Hemi (Māori TV): #MeToo advocate Dr Hera Cook strives to protect wāhine
No Right Turn: Spies, whistleblowers, and oversight
Lana Andelane (Newshub): What is the Harmful Digital Communications Act and how are offenders penalised?
Maia Hart (Stuff): Forced to live in a tent: Marlborough couple’s struggle to find a permanent home
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): KiwiBuild’s ongoing failure as another government hype job falls flat
Chris Marshall (Stuff): Shane Jones drops the pūtea on a Taupō Airport upgrade
Alexander Gillespie (Stuff): A year from the Christchurch terror attacks, NZ sees a surge in extremist tip-offs
Jenée Tibshraeny (Interest): Treasury flags cost of new user pays infrastructure financing model
RNZ: Overseas Investment Office rejects Lake Pukaki venue bid
RNZ: Fiji studying New Zealand’s fisheries sector as model
Lincoln Tan (Herald): Facebook post inciting violence against politicians subject of police investigation
1News: ‘No Māori allowed’ – New book explores Pukekohe’s history of racial segregation
