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
Border, quarantine
Katie Scotcher (RNZ): Rigorous border system ‘matter of life or death’, public health expert says
Hannah Kronast and Delphine Herbert (Newshub): Siouxsie Wiles defends Government’s decision not to test for COVID-19 at border
1News: Health expert calls for New Zealand to change the way new Covid-19 cases are reported
Gordon Campbell: On managing Covid-19 better than the Australians, and the Ellis case
Richard Harman (Politik): Testing times for Bloomfield
Kristin Hall (1News): Opinion: Don’t direct anger at returning Kiwis over managed isolation
Nicola Alpe (Herald): Why those returning to New Zealand need to ‘surrender’ some rights
Gehan Gunasekara (Newsroom): We’ll need that red tape if we want to beat Covid
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Audrey Young (Herald): 51 of 55 people who left quarantine early were not tested; Ashley Bloomfield and David Clark announce new tests
Matt Shand (Stuff): Scotland to NZ and two weeks’ quarantine but no test
Derek Cheng (Herald): Why key questions were unanswered after more than a week (paywalled)
Jo Moir (RNZ): Seven days and counting and still no answer from Bloomfield
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): Government still can’t say how many people released from quarantine without mandatory COVID-19 tests
Jo Moir (RNZ): National Party demands answers on Covid-19 testing in isolation
Mark Quinlivan (Newshub): ‘Proof is in the pudding’ with quarantine measures as no community transmission – Megan Woods
RNZ: Minister rules out ballot to limit returning NZers
Audrey Young (Herald): Health Minister David Clark steps up testing as Govt faces further pressure
Audrey Young (Herald): Government’s new Covid-19 testing strategy revealed
Anna Whyte (1News): Govt ramps up border testing after Opposition calls lack of data ‘national disgrace’
Thomas Manch (Stuff): Border workers and airline crew to be tested for Covid-19 as Government grapples with incoming Kiwis
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): Government ramps up testing at the border
Herald: Air crews on flights from virus hotspots must go into isolation – Health Minister David Clark
Zane Small (Newshub): Border staff, air crew and quarantine workers to be prioritised in COVID-19 testing
Jamie Ensor and Delphine Herbert (RNZ): Priority testing for aviation workers welcomed by union
Zane Small (Newshub): Winston Peters’ harsh words for returnees refusing COVID-19 managed isolation: ‘They can go off to prison’
Alan Kenyon (1News): Todd Muller questions PM on whether ‘country can take her seriously’ after recent Covid-19 testing bungles
Payment for quarantine, isolation facilities
Luke Malpass (Stuff): Why Kiwis coming home shouldn’t pay for Covid quarantine
Stuff Editorial: Should returning Kiwis pay price for quarantine?
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Managed isolation co-payment ‘complicated’, Kiwis have right to return home – Megan Woods
1News: ‘User pay’ quarantine for those entering NZ could mean more compliance, less staff needed
Henry Cooke (Stuff): National against charging Kiwis for returning home, NZ First appears keen
Newstalk ZB: David Seymour: Managed isolation and quarantine should be user pays
Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): Seven new isolation facilities to open in Rotorua and Christchurch
Amy Williams (RNZ): Isolation hotels making potential travellers wary
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Southern quarantine an option
Community testing
Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Health experts criticise Government’s community testing strategy
Rowan Quinn (RNZ): High demand at Covid-19 testing centres as cases cross the border
RNZ: Checkpoint: Covid-19 test queues grow as cold season hits
Georgia-May Gilbertson (Stuff): Woman frustrated after getting Covid-19 test, but no result after three days
Homeless man isolation hotel claim
Amelia Wade (Herald): Urban myth? CCTV reviewed, staff interviewed and 1700 records traced but no homeless man
Collette Devlin (Stuff): Housing Minister Megan Woods hits back at National Party over alleged homeless man isolation breach
1News: Tale of homeless man sneaking into managed isolation hotel may be ‘urban myth’ – Dr Bloomfield
George Block (Stuff): Woodhouse sticks by story of homeless man’s isolation hotel caper
Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Homeless man who allegedly stayed in Auckland quarantine facility ‘cannot be verified’
Charlie Dreaver (RNZ): Woodhouse sticks with claim homeless man entered isolation hotel
Lockdown
Dan Satherley (Newshub): Universal basic income needed to cure loneliness epidemic after COVID-19 – Helen Clark Foundation
Wilhelmina Shrimpton (Newshub): New study finds Kiwis lonelier than ever during lockdown
Hannah Kronast (Newshub): Youthline had ‘massive’ increase in calls for help during COVID-19 lockdown
Election
Graham Adams (Stuff): Taking the high road: National’s strategy to neutralise Jacinda Ardern
RNZ: The Detail: The minor parties – their place in our political arena
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): For National to win the election, NZ has to lose to the pandemic
Newstalk ZB: Artist behind Jacinda Ardern poster denies it’s political advertising
Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Māori Party co-leader John Tamihere explains why Pākehā are ‘asymptomatic racists’
Ihumātao
Thomas Manch and Melanie Earley (Stuff): Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says deal over Ihumātao is not near
RNZ: Potential Ihumātao decision: How we got here
Zane Small (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern hits out at ‘inaccurate’ claims over Ihumātao dispute settlement
Jason Walls (Herald): Ihumātao: Finance Minister Grant Robertson ‘certainly hopeful’ of resolution before election
Māori TV: Ihumātao settlement may be imminent
Justice
Derek Cheng (Herald): Courtroom overhaul: A fair go for rape complainants or a pathway to miscarriages of justice? (paywalled)
Collette Devlin (Stuff): NZ First raises concerns about proposed sexual violence law
1News: Defence lawyers concerned bill to protect victims of sexual assault could lead to unfair trials
Sam Hurley (Herald): Lawyers say Sexual Violence Bill is ‘flawed’, fear changes may compromise right to a fair trial
Newstalk ZB: Female lawyers criticise Green Party’s proposed sexual violence bill
Auckland water shortage
Lana Andelane (Newshub): Waikato Regional Council chair says Phil Goff is ‘not going to take water’ from Waikato River
Todd Niall (Stuff): Waikato ripples over bid to fast-track river water take
Duncan Garner (Newshub): Hamilton’s narrow-minded leaders should grow up, help Auckland amid water crisis
Tom McRae (Newshub): Auckland water crisis: Council considering extreme measures should dilemma worsen
Joel Cayford (Herald): Auckland Council’s ‘dictatorial and remote’ response to water shortage
Environment
Andrea Vance (Stuff): Lost at Sea: Labour and Greens split over Campbell Island sanctuary
Andrea Vance (Stuff): Controversial plans for Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park restarted
Eric Frykberg (RNZ): Restricting forest planting ‘at odds with NZ’s climate change goals’
Jacob McSweeny (ODT): Forestry, farming sectors face off
Māori TV: East Coast locals unhappy with Billion Trees Project
Olivia Wannan (Stuff): Heating without fossil fuels: Shovelling coal out the door
Olivia Wannan (Stuff): Curbing consumption the key to halting global warming – economist
Tom Sainsbury (Stuff): Climate change – it’s a real thing. And a big deal too!
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): Government floated fast-tracking conservation approvals
Farah Hancock (Newsroom): Kauri still waiting for dieback plan
Business
Hamish Rutherford (Herald): NZ First said to have pulled support for Covid-19 commercial rent legislation (paywalled)
RNZ: Māori more likely to be hit hardest economically
BusinessDesk: Law firms pay back wage subsidy, shed staff
Damian Rowe (Stuff): Insurance company IAG propose to close all 53 AMI stores
1News: Insurance giant IAG looks to close 53 AMI stores in New Zealand
RNZ: IAG plans to shut up shops
Grant Miller (ODT): AMI branches earmarked for closure
RNZ: RBNZ approves sale of AMP Life to UK business
Harry Lock (RNZ): Wellington hospitality businesses’ sales still down
Nicholas Pointon (RNZ): Hotels struggling to make profit despite government spend up
Employment
RNZ: Employment confidence at lowest in 16 years, but unemployment might not get as bad as predicted
Catherine Harris (Stuff): Employment confidence faltering: Westpac
Emma Turton (Newshub): Temperzone employees want leave reinstated after lockdown letdown
Rob Campbell (Newsroom): The thinking behind sacking workers
Health
Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): Healthcare overhaul unaffordable without tax changes
Natalie Akoorie (Herald): Review into care of mental-health patient Rhys Thomassen before his death shows errors
Anna Leask (Herald): Undignified: ACC delays force teen paralysed after being hit by car to use outside bathroom for more than a year
Welfare, migrants
Dileepa Fonseka (Newsroom): Three-tier welfare system ‘lacks dignity’
Jo McKenzie-McLean (Stuff): Queenstown social agencies buckling under mounting pressure
Local government
Aaron Leaman (Stuff): Statue debate: threats to Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate
Georgina Campbell (Herald): Charity donations muddle pay cut promise
Tina Law (Press): Developer says slash contracts; MP slams Christchurch’s ‘austerity’ budget
Luisa Girao (ODT): Union fighting Invercargill City Council cuts
Jono Galuszka (Manawatū Standard): No more free lunches: Horizons Regional Council saves $10,000 a year
Education
Jason Walls (Herald): Government quietly makes major changes to fees-free policy, significantly shifting its focus
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Australian fee changes could benefit New Zealand universities
Yvonne O’Hara (ODT): Polytech safety net for many
Simon Collins (Herald): NCEA maths exam mistake: Expert panel surprised that no one picked up error
Transport
Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): Transport projects could be on the block if Government doesn’t plug Covid-19 funding hole
Joel Maxwell (Dominion Post): Transmission Gully delays, Covid-19 leave market uncertain for house sellers
Ripu Bhatia (Stuff): Pets allowed on Auckland trains after surge in public approval
Aaron van Delden (RNZ): Gisborne council wants ‘shovel-ready’ funding for rail line
Media
Bailey Mackey (Spinoff): Māori Television needs to go – here’s what should replace it
Damien Venuto (Herald): TV changes – why 6pm news not the only platform at risk (paywalled)
Canterbury quakes
Logan Church (RNZ): Southern Response quake damage claims still rising
Conan Young (Herald): Botched repairs still turning up in Christchurch
GJ Gardner ad pulled for mispronunciation
Matthew Rilkoff (Stuff): Correct pronounciation is something to be proud of
Te Rina Triponel (Māori TV): GJ Gardner apologises for mispronunciation of Taranaki, pulls TV ad
Provincial Growth Fund
Newstalk Zb: Provincial Growth Fund has only spent a sixth of promised funding
Jessica Tyson (Māori TV): Jones disappointed with Taranaki Crossing delays but says it’s up to iwi to drive it
Jacob McSweeny (ODT): Dunedin’s game makers welcome $700,000 funding
Police
Collette Devlin (Stuff): Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters tells Parliament ‘police lives matter’ after death of Constable Matthew Hunt
Amelia Wade (Herald): ‘My beautiful boy’: Mother’s touching tribute to slain officer Matthew Hunt
Luke Appleby (1News): Number of drivers failing to stop for police hits new record high in first quarter of 2020
Tourism
1News: Visitor drought a ‘golden opportunity’ for a Milford Sound tourism overhaul
Tess Brunton (RNZ): Tourism operators call for overhaul outdated concessions of national parks
Foreign affairs and trade
Asha Sundaram (Newsroom): High trade hopes between old allies
John Minto (Daily Blog): Peters criticism of Israeli annexation plan ‘all gums and no teeth’
Other
Lisa Owen (RNZ): Boy with disability living in garage, as family waits on Housing NZ for home
Holly Walker (Stuff): Loneliness and the digital divide
Isaac Davison (Herald): Trans law change won’t happen before election, Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin says
Emma Hatton (RNZ): Concerns regulatory changes moved to backburner due to Covid-19
Katie Todd (RNZ): Protesters march against Ravensdown ‘blood phosphate’ import
Delphine Herbert and Hannah Kronast (Newshub): Cruise ship industry disappointed about COVID-19 ban extension
RNZ: Renewable energy project waiting on Tiwai decision
RNZ: $15m pumped into electric vehicles, renewable energy at CentrePort Wellington
John Gibb (ODT): Otago Museum will struggle without assistance: director
Rukuwai Tipene-Allen (Māori TV): Hone Harawira wants more focus on shutting down ‘P’ use
RNZ: NZ and Australian flights repatriate ni-Vanuatu
George Block (Stuff): Navy’s brand new ship on way to New Zealand
