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
Coronavirus – govt rescue package & reaction, economy
Brad Olsen (Guardian): New Zealand’s coronavirus stimulus leaves the working poor most exposed
Hamish Rutherford (Herald): A massive, economy-wide wage subsidy shows how serious the situation is
Max Rashbrooke (Stuff): Delivery of promised change better late than never
Shamubeel Eaqub (RNZ): Covid-19 fund – a bold world-leading stimulus package
Jennifer Curtin (Newsroom): The politics of the Covid-19 relief package
Bernard Hickey (Newsroom): They’re back on track and in touch
Audrey Young (Herald): Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson deliver coronavirus rescue package with a dose of nationalism (paywalled)
Luke Malpass (Stuff): The winter of stimulus has only just begun
Jane Patterson (RNZ): Government preparing for hard grind of economic recovery
Richard Harman (Politik): The ghost of Michael Joseph Savage
Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): Where the Government will get the billions to spend on its coronavirus response
Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): Govt’s Covid-19 package hits the right spots, but Bridges does not
Jo Moir and Charlie Dreaver (RNZ): Simon Bridges criticised for ‘politics-as-usual’ pot shots amid covid-19 crisis
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): The Government has fired its ‘fiscal bazooka’
Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): Coronavirus package is $12b that we’d rather not be spending
Spinoff: Covid-19 economic rescue package: The experts weigh in
Priscilla Dickinson (Newshub): Government relief package ‘a nice balance’ – economist
Eric Crampton (Stuff): Appropriate steps, more to address in Budget
Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk):Bold, simple covid-19 package still comes with a warning
Brian Fallow (Interest): Initial thoughts on the Government’s coronavirus relief package
Mike Treen (Daily Blog): Solidarity of working people needed for system change during crisis
Steven Cowan: An historic opportunity lost
Heather du Plessis Allan (Newstalk ZB): Government knocked their fiscal package out of the park
Tony Alexander (Stuff): Economy today: Govt stimulus helps markets
Liam Dann (Herald): NZ’s three economic pillars hold the line (paywalled)
Herald Editorial: Government response to Covid-19 on the right track (paywalled)
ODT Editorial: Preparing for the fight
David Farrar: Coronavirus Economic Package
No Right Turn: A good first step
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Newstalk ZB: ‘There will inevitably be more cases’: Govt may fast-track Budget to tackle coronavirus
Newstalk ZB: Jacinda Ardern: Coronavirus outbreak to be bigger than GFC
Kim Moodie (Herald): Jacinda Adern explains Government’s $12 billion economy rescue package
Anna Whyte (1News): ‘Be strong, be kind, we will be OK’ – PM’s message in face of coronavirus impact
Anna Whyte (1News): ‘Tough times ahead’ – Recession due to coronavirus ‘now almost certain’, Finance Minister says
Alan Kenyon (1News): ‘Confused and muddled priorities’ – Simon Bridges slams Govt’s coronavirus relief package
Jason Walls (Herald): National Leader Simon Bridges slams Government’s Covid-19 package – not ‘hard or fast enough’
Vita Molyneux and Zane Small (Newshub): Simon Bridges and others react to Government’s financial package
Derek Cheng (Herald): Act leader David Seymour calls for cut to MPs’ pay
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Aimee Shaw (Herald): Small business, hospitality sighs with ‘relief’ over Covid-19 rescue package
Tom McRae (Newshub): Unions keeping a close eye on Government’s economic support package
Karoline Tuckey (RNZ): Business figures hopeful economic package will help Covid-19 crisis
Jacob McSweeny (ODT): Wage subsidies provide businesses with vital relief
ODT: Govt ‘to be congratulated’ for virus response: Boult
Guy Williams and Mark Price (ODT): Businesses pleased with support
Jacob McSweeny (ODT): Govt’s coronavirus package welcomed in Otago
Laura Smith and Daniel Birchfield (ODT): Package welcome, more to help
Melanie Carroll and Amanda Cropp (Stuff): Government’s $12.1 billion package still misses out some businesses
Dileepa Fonseka (Newsroom):$8.7b business package ‘the beginning, not the end’
Press: Business help welcomed for travel ban with ‘far reaching’ effects
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Herald): Wage subsidies a ‘fraction of what is needed’ says Hospitality NZ boss
Zoe Hunter and Leah Tebbutt (Rotorua Daily Post): Coronavirus response package a ‘fraction’ of what’s needed in Rotorua: business (paywalled)
Jenna Lynch (Newshub): Job losses in tourism and related sectors could reach 100,000 – Tourism Industry Aotearoa
1News: Tourism operators ‘feeling the pinch’ as visitor numbers dry up following coronavirus travel restrictions
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Jason Walls (Herald): Government’s ‘unprecedented’ $12.1b spending plan – what’s in it for you?
Jason Walls (Herald): Government’s $12b support plan for businesses, beneficiaries
Isaac Davison (Herald): Working families, beneficiaries get boost from Government coronavirus package
Derek Cheng (Herald): $500m for health resources including testing, treatment and contact tracing
Zane Small (Newshub): Relief for COVID-19 self-isolators: Here’s how much Kiwis will get paid to stay home amid coronavirus pandemic
Anna Whyte (1News): A closer look at the $8.7b injection for business and jobs
Anna Whyte (1News): ‘We will get through this crisis’ – Govt announces $12.1 billion coronavirus rescue package
Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): What employers need to know about wage, sick leave support
Paul McBeth (BusinessDesk: Robertson rolls out historic $12.1b virus lifeline (paywalled)
Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): $12.1b Govt response ‘NZ’s biggest peacetime plan’
Collette Devlin (Stuff): $8.7b boost to cushion blow for businesses
Thomas Manch (Stuff): Low-income families and pensioners target of major payment boost
Jenée Tibshraeny (Interest): Govt to inject $12.1 billion into the economy
Brent Edwards (NBR): Coalition launches $12.1b stimulus package (paywalled)
Charlotte Graham-McLay (Guardian): New Zealand launches massive spending package to combat Covid-19
Bronson Perich (Māori TV): $12.1 billion package help workers, businesses and health authorities
Alex Braae (Spinoff): Huge $12bn package to fight Covid-19 downturn: what you need to know
Dileepa Fonseka (Newsroom): The $8.7b plan to save jobs
Ben Uffindell (The Civilian): What’s in the Coronavirus Package?
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Craig McCullough (RNZ): Peters says coronavirus rescue package ‘more significant’ than any he’s seen worldwide
Jason Walls (Herald): NZ facing worst-case economic scenario, says Grant Robertson
Collette Devlin (Stuff): Finance Minister Grant Robertson says New Zealand ‘well and truly’ planning for recession
Zane Small (Newshub): Shane Jones confirms some Provincial Growth Fund money to be repurposed
1News: Economic impact of coronavirus ‘easier to manage’ than GFC, Reserve Bank governor says
Simon Chapple (Newsroom): How much is a NZ life worth?
Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): The coronavirus pandemic is slaying the economy – but it could get worse
Anna Campbell (ODT): Previous economic shocks changed way the world trades
Rob Stock (Stuff): Consumer confidence dips as coronavirus recession reality bites
Coronavirus – communities rally
Courtney Addison (Newsroom): Science won’t save you (yet), but your boss or neighbour might
Simon Wilson (Herald): The world is closing down around us (paywalled)
Mark Reason (Stuff): We can be silly and arrogant, but we can also be magnificent
Anne Salmond (Stuff): This virus will be a test of our national value
Herald: Communities rally online as thousands self-isolate
Nik Dirga (RNZ): Finding a community in isolation at Palmer and Gaiman’s show
Coronavirus – school closures, universities
Sam Sherwood and Hamish McNeilly (Stuff): Dunedin student 12th positive coronavirus case – high school to close
1News: Health experts say all schools in NZ should close, but Education Minister disagrees
Brittany Deguara (Stuff): Time to increase social distancing and close schools, expert says
Katarina Williams (Stuff): No scientific reason for school closures’, Education Minister says
Amelia Wade (Herald): Send your kids to school – it’s the safest place for them, says Education Minister Chris Hipkins
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Families of absentee pupils over-reacting to coronavirus – Principals’ Federation
Newstalk ZB: Ministry of Education on how coronavirus is affecting schools
Rahul Bhattarai (Stuff): ‘Google classrooms’ and library internet as schools consider shut-down options
Simon Collins (Herald): Melville High School closing for day to plan longer closure
James Fyfe (Newshub): Experts doubt feasibility of home learning amid COVID-19 pandemic
Simon Collins (Herald): University of Canterbury recalls exchange students from overseas
RNZ: Otago students party on amid calls to limit large events
Molly Houseman (ODT): Celebrations go ahead despite virus
John Moremon (Herald): History’s pandemics lost on young (paywalled)
Coronavirus – testing
Amelia Wade (Herald): When you’ll be tested for Covid-19 revealed
1News: Up to 1500 people a day could be tested for coronavirus in NZ
Cate Broughton (Stuff): Fever clinics set to open around New Zealand as testing ramps up
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): PM to doctors: test more people for Covid-19
Zane Small (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern urges clinicians to do more COVID-19 testing: ‘We have the capacity’
Derek Cheng (Herald): Jacinda Ardern defends Govt testing regime as WHO calls for ‘test, test, test’
RNZ: More testing for Covid-19 needed – National
Siouxsie Wiles (Spinoff): How testing for Covid-19 works
Coronavirus – health
Rowan Quinn (RNZ): Hospitals planning to cancel operations if needed
Nikki Preston (Herald): Healthline blames Spark fault for call delays
Herald: Healthline inundated – when to call and when not to
Anna Bracewell-Worrall (Newshub): Health sector concerned not enough boots on the ground to tackle COVID-19 in New Zealand
Michael Morrah (Newshub): Auckland doctor takes action to protect staff from COVID-19
Danielle Clent (Stuff): Medical centres place new restrictions on patients over coronavirus fears
Libby Wilson (Stuff): Waikato DHB preparing ‘as if it’s a lot’ coming their way
RNZ: Michael Baker on how to self-isolate effectively (audio – interview with Jesse Mulligan)
RNZ: Māori health providers set up communication hub to combat covid-19
RNZ: The Detail: Keeping anxiety in check amidst uncertainty
Coronavirus – travel ban, self-isolation requirements
1News: Two ‘completely irresponsible’ tourists taken into custody by INZ after failing to comply with coronavirus rules
Jamie Ensor and Perry Wilton (Newshub): Foreigners in custody ignored ‘obvious’ rules in ‘almost willful act of not self-isolating’
Sam Sherwood (Stuff): Tourist expected to be deported from NZ for having no plans to self-isolate
Kurt Bayer (Herald): Tourist faces deportation after arriving in Christchurch without self-isolation plans
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Backpackers claiming to be unaware of self-isolation rules being turned away – hostel manager
RNZ: David Clark vows to deport tourists flouting self-isolation requirements
Lana Andelane (Newshub): How New Zealand’s self-isolation rules compare to other countries
Coronavirus – Pacific
Regina Scheyvens (The Conversation): Why NZ’s tough coronavirus travel rules are crucial to protecting lives at home and across the Pacific
Dubby Henry (Herald): Pacific Islands-bound passengers face health, temperature checks at Auckland Airport
RNZ: Cooks prepared for economic downturn over coronavirus – deputy PM
RNZ: Stricter measures introduced in Guam, Cook Islands
Coronavirus – aged care
Kirsty Lawrence (Stuff): Radius Care aged care facilities around New Zealand are in lockdown
1News: Elderly care homes across NZ block all non-essential visitors in bid to combat coronavirus
Sophie Trigger (Stuff): Retirement village boss urges relatives to rethink visits amid Covid-19 outbreak
Imran Ali (Northern Advocate): Restricted access to rest homes in Northland due to Covid-19
Farah Hancock (Newsroom): Elderly people’s double pandemic risk
Coronavirus – Air New Zealand
John Anthony (Stuff): Air New Zealand excluded from $600m aviation injection
BusinessDesk: Govt still in talks with Air NZ
John Anthony (Stuff): Air New Zealand suspends 13 Australian routes, cuts trans-Tasman capacity by 80 per cent
Grant Bradley (Herald): Air New Zealand cuts flights to Australia by 80 per cent cut as coronavirus bites
1News: Air New Zealand axes 13 trans-Tasman routes for three months due to coronavirus upheaval
ODT: Air NZ suspends Q’town flights to Australia
Coronavirus – local government
Cherie Sivignon and Skara Bohny (Stuff): Nelson and Tasman councils roll out pandemic plans
Felix Desmarais: Governing from home: Self-isolating mayor’s ‘biggest challenge’
Mike Mather (Stuff): Rates freeze an option as income dwindles for Hamilton City Council
Chloe Ranford (Stuff): Council ‘spreading chairs’ to slow virus spread
Coronavirus – other
Claire Trevett (Herald): Political parties adjust campaign plans for Covid-19
Keith Woodford (Interest): Jacinda, just do it
Jenée Tibshraeny (Interest): ‘Only people working in jobs that cannot be done from home should still be in their normal places of work’ – BusinessNZ and The NZ Initiative
Mitch McCann (Newshub): COVID-19 halts Australia’s deportation regime
Amelia Wade (Herald): Deportees from Australia paused amid Covid-19 travel restrictions
Lincoln Tan (Herald): INZ urges travellers unable to return home to get in touch
Wang Zhijian (ODT): World can learn from China’s lead
Southland Times Editorial: Faith in the time of coronavirus
Melissa Nightingale (Herald): Lawyer criticises courts for continuing jury trials
Jordan Bond (RNZ): Events continue to fall, but what about malls, casinos and churches?
Lana Andelane (Newshub): Guidelines for public transport safety amid COVID-19 crisis – Auckland Transport
Tim Murphy (Newsroom): The Christchurch quake, 9/11 and GFC rolled into one
Chris Keall (Herald): ‘No Paywave’ is now a political issue
Herald: New World, Pak’nSave to start putting limits on some products
Emma Perry (ODT): Stores urge calm over supplies
Taroi Black (Māori TV): Panic buying in Tūranganui a Kiwa
Pike River
Joanne Carroll (Stuff): Government approves another $15 million for Pike River recovery
RNZ: Pike River mine: Entry tunnel recovery cost blows out to $47 million
Laura Mills (Greymouth Star): Pike River mine tunnel re-entry cost doubles to over $50m
Local government
Dave Armstrong (Dominion Post): Wellington mayor’s high-priced leadership course
Georgina Campbell (Herald): Wellington’s mayor Andy Foster playing Where’s Wally?
Damian George (Dominion Post): Wellington property owners face massive rates hike amid looming economic downturn
Mandy Te (Stuff): Rates in Wellington could increase by 9.2 per cent in order to fix pipes and Civic Square
Marcus Anselm (Stuff): Wairarapa won’t pay for capital’s water crisis
Michael Neilson (Herald): Tree wars: Western Springs pines survive as Waitematā Local Board remains undecided
Laura Smith (ODT): Wastenet talks on tomorrow
Migrant labour, immigration
Anusha Bradley (RNZ): Samoan chief Joseph Auga Matamata found guilty of human trafficking and slavery charges
1News: Samoan chief found guilty on multiple charges of slavery and human trafficking
Hawkes Bay Today: Napier court: Samoan chief guilty of slavery and trafficking
Gill Bonnett (RNZ): ‘Like swimming in crocodile waters’ – Immigration officials’ data analytics use
Justice, corrections
1News: Police ‘designing into their policies and practice the right to kill Māori’, justice advocate says
Māni Dunlop (RNZ): Māori justice advocates want Police Armed Response Teams stopped immediately
Sarah Roth Shank (Newsroom): Time to change the ‘carceral state’
Melissa Nightingale (Herald): Victim of invasive searches in prison ‘disgusted’ at Corrections response
Christchurch mosque shootings
Carmen Parahi (Stuff): Where is the Government’s promised national action plan on racism?
Colin Peacock (RNZ): Mediawatch: Marking an awkward anniversary
Ben Strang (RNZ): Police warning after mosque shooting video shared
Hate speech, free speech
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): Maybe hiding free speech debate in secret is the smartest move for the Left?
David Farrar: Hate speech laws are imminent
Education
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Principals concerned as fees for camps, field trips dry up
RNZ: Kōhanga reo renovation for a bright future
Environment and conservation
Rachael Kelly (Stuff): Mataura ouvea premix petition gains more than 3000 signatures
Laurel Stowell (Whanganui Chronicle): Biodiversity ‘almost past the breaking point’, warn Forest & Bird (paywalled)
1News: DOC concerned over number of endangered juvenile great white sharks killed by fishers
Kaitlin Ruddock (1News): First of their kind protection measures recommended for Golden Bay’s Te Waikoropupū Springs
RNZ: Water conservation order recommended for Te Waikoropupū Springs
Health
Phil Pennington (RNZ): Greymouth hospital opening delayed again to repair earthquake restraints
Hamish McLean (ODT): Green build rating tricky
1News: Defibrillators gifted to rural communities in bid to save lives
Other
Bevan Rapson (North&South): Should the Prime Minister harden up and show NZ First who’s in charge?
Rob Stock (Stuff): Fines for breaching petrol fair-price reforms to be set at $5 million
Jarrod Gilbert (Herald): Anti-social media – the gangs have gone online (paywalled)
RNZ: ‘Unnecessary’ use of force on man flipped in police cell
ODT: National announce Dunedin South candidate
RNZ: SkyBus operator set to buy Go Bus from two iwi
Jonathan Mitchell (RNZ): Dunedin’s Aurora Energy accepts it failed to improve ailing infrastructure
ODT: Aurora Energy faces $5 million penalty
