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
Nikki Kaye and Amy Adams retire from politics
Audrey Young (Herald): Live: Revolt – National Party MPs Nikki Kaye, Amy Adams quit politics
RNZ: Nikki Kaye announces she is quitting politics
Audrey Young (Herald): Exclusive: National Party MP Nikki Kaye quits politics
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Nikki Kaye to ‘make announcement about future when ready’ Gerry Brownlee says amid speculation of resignation
Richard Harman (Politik): Speculation that Nikki Kaye may quit
1News: More National upheaval with Nikki Kaye planning to quit politics
Georgia Forrester and Henry Cooke (Stuff): National MP Nikki Kaye expected to quit politics
Henry Cooke (Stuff): National’s Amy Adams set to announce departure from politics
1News: National in turmoil as Nikki Kaye and Amy Adams quit
Ardern, Peters respond to Collins as leader
Henry Cooke Stuff): Jacinda Ardern looks to stay above electoral politics – and Judith Collins
Joel Maxwell (Stuff): PM heads up the road to red seat as Nats reset with new leader
Zane Small (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern’s reaction to Judith Collins rising to the top of the National Party
Anna Whyte (1News): PM says she’s spending more time on Covid-19 response than National leadership changes
Brent Edwards (NBR): PM ‘focused on Covid response’, not Collins (paywalled)
Newstalk ZB: The Country: Why Winston Peters is not worried about Judith Collins
Judith Collins, National Party
Chris Trotter: The Judith Collins-Led National Party: Be Scared – Be Very Scared
Claire Trevett (Herald): Can Judith Collins disrupt Jacinda Ardern’s ‘nonsense’? (paywalled)
Luke Malpass (Stuff): Time to see Judith Collins the leader, not just the crusher
Sandeep Singh (RNZ): Here comes Judith, are we ready for a battle royale?
Cat MacLennan (RNZ): Collins as National leader: Country needs constructive approach, not aggression and negativity
Gordon Campbell: On National’s Great Leap Backwards (paywalled)
Stuff Editorial: It’s back to the past with Collins and Brownlee
Herald Editorial: Judith Collins has mountain to climb, but already looks more plausible than Todd Muller
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): Write off Judith Collins at your peril (paywalled)
Heather du Plessis-Allan (Newstalk ZB): Judith Collins’ ‘impressive’ first 24 hours as National’s leader
Claire Robinson (Guardian): If anyone can demand New Zealand’s National party pull its socks up, it is Judith Collins
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): From the chaos rose Judith Collins
Duncan Garner (Newshub): Why a short run-in to the election might suit Judith Collins
Bob Jones: The National Party leadership
Bronson Perich (Māori TV): Todd Muller and Simon Bridges were novices – Matt McCarten
RNZ: Judith Collins, Gerry Brownlee ‘can win’ – Dame Jenny Shipley
Newstalk ZB: Former National Minister praises ‘feisty spirit’ of Judith Collins
1News: National leadership a ‘last hurrah’ for Judith Collins, Gerry Brownlee – political commentator
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Judith Collins’ rise changes ‘energy’ ahead of election, but commentators debate if National is showing ‘desperation’
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): Still leaking: Details of National Party leadership caucus meeting revealed
Thomas Manch (Stuff): Judith Collins: The ‘fortuitous’ start in politics for National’s new leader
Matt Burrows (Newshub): Judith Collins’ biggest controversies: Troublesome tweets, resignations and Dirty Politics
RNZ: The Detail: The many sides of Judith Collins
Aziz Al-Sa’afin (Newshub): Judith Collins’ best and worst moments
Olivia Wannan (Stuff): Five things Judith Collins has said on climate change
Scott Palmer (Newshub): Where Judith Collins stands on cannabis, same-sex marriage, abortion and euthanasia
RNZ: Nine to Noon: Judith Collins on her plans for National
RNZ: New National Party leader Judith Collins: National won’t ‘repeat any mistakes’
Georgia Forrester and Collette Devlin (Stuff): New National Party leader Judith Collins has ‘learned from mistakes’ and shedding dirty politics
1News: Dirty Politics author doubts Judith Collins will ‘change her spots’ as she steps up to lead National
1News: Judith Collins aims dig at author Nicky Hager while defending old Dirty Politics accusations
Newstalk ZB: New deputy leader Gerry Brownlee feeling confident ahead of election
1News: Psychologist praises ‘role model’ Todd Muller for stepping down despite NZ’s unhealthy ‘suck it up’ culture
Newstalk ZB: National MP Mark Mitchell “100 per cent” behind Judith Collins
1News: ‘Poor darling’ – Judith Collins’ cat Minnie dies aged 17
Georgia-May Gilbertson (Stuff): National leader Judith Collins mourns the loss of her cat, Minnie
Michael Woodhouse, Shane Reti, caucus reshuffle
Newstalk Zb: New claims Muller leadership stopped Woodhouse speaking on Boag email
Newstalk ZB: ‘Disappointed’: Woodhouse speaks after losing National’s health portfolio
Jo Moir (RNZ): National Party caucus reshuffle another chance for Collins to make her mark
1News: New National Party leader Judith Collins to make decision on shadow cabinet today
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Woodhouse takes medicine
Brittney Deguara (Stuff): ‘Just Shane, a Māori boy from Northland’: Who is National’s new health spokesman?
Jason Walls (Herald): New National leader Judith Collins stamps her mark on National with reshuffle opening salvo
Jason Walls (Herald): New National leader Judith Collins demotes Woodhouse, makes Shane Reti new health spokesman
Katie Scotcher (RNZ): Michael Woodhouse stripped of National Party’s health portfolio
Anna Whyte (1News): New National leader Judith Collins strips health portfolio from Michael Woodhouse
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Judith Collins drops Michael Woodhouse from health role, replacing him with Shane Reti
Zane Small (Newshub): Judith Collins gives Māori MP Shane Reti health portfolio, Michael Woodhouse demoted
Bronson Perich (Māori TV): Shane Reti rises to front bench, Michael Woodhouse ‘crushed’
Matt Burrows (Newshub): Judith Collins won’t consider diversity as she tweaks National Party line-up
RNZ: National leadership change: Gerry Brownlee backs Judith Collins’ unapologetic diversity stance
Election, parliament
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Politics has become too brutal, which is a major issue
Karl du Fresne: Politics: brutal, petty, vain and alarmingly disconnected from the world most of us inhabit
Suze Wilson (Stuff): Choosing a new PM: What does research tell us about good leaders?
Polls
Newshub: New political poll skyrockets Judith Collins’ favourability for Prime Minister
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): National struggles in poll released before Judith Collins’ rise
NZ’s community transmission strategy
Anna Whyte (1News): NZ could go into regional lockdown if Covid-19 re-emerges in community, says PM
RNZ: Covid-19 response: PM Jacinda Ardern outlines what’s next
Justin Giovannetti (Spinoff): Checkpoints, soldiers, door-to-door testing: NZ’s new Covid outbreak plan
Zane Small (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern’s COVID-19 re-emergence plan: The scenario that could lead to nationwide lockdown
Charlotte Graham-McLay (Guardian): Ardern warns New Zealanders against Covid-19 complacency
1News: Devil is in execution for regional lockdown if Covid-19 re-emerges, says Judith Collins
Susan Edmunds (Stuff): Even local lockdowns would be shock to ‘business as usual’ Kiwis
—————
Jihee Junn (Spinoff): Three in four New Zealanders think the country will overcome Covid-19
RNZ: GPs welcome new Covid-19 testing guidelines: ‘You can’t be complacent’
Tracer App
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): Government belatedly pleas for Kiwis to use app
Amelia Wade (Herald): Is the Covid Tracer app the ‘gold standard’? No, experts say, but use it anyway
RNZ: Hipkins urges use of contact tracer app – ‘Step up your efforts’
Matthew Theunissen (RNZ): Aucklanders question use of Covid-19 tracing app: ‘Why would we scan it?’
Zane Small (Newshub): Health Minister Chris Hipkins not ruling out forcing businesses to use COVID Tracer App
Jacob McSweeny (ODT): Firms open to compulsory contact tracing
1News: ‘Probably’ something wrong with the Covid-19 tracing app if uptake is low – Judith Collins
Economy
Susan Edmunds (Stuff): Will Covid-19 just make New Zealand’s rich richer?
1News: Tax increases ‘not inevitable’ despite economic focus of looming election, economist says
Daniel Dunkely (Stuff): Covid-19: Where would you rather be, New Zealand?
Travel bubbles
Barbara Dreaver (1News): Opinion: Attempt by Cook Islands to force Jacinda Ardern into quick travel bubble ‘an embarrassment’
Dan Lake (Newshub): ‘Practical things need to be in place’ before opening a Cook Islands travel bubble – Jacinda Ardern
1News: Judith Collins keen on travel bubble with Pacific Islands which rely on tourism
Environment and conservation
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): Boris Johnson has done more for the climate than Jacinda Ardern
No Right Turn: Climate Change: Fudging the numbers
1News: Government announces $124m boost for recycling infrastructure, waste levy expansion
RNZ: Plans to reduce waste released by government
Kendall Hutt (Stuff): Government invests $124 million in recycling infrastructure to reduce waste
Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Government spending $124m on waste management, landfill levy increasing six-fold
Brent Melville (Spinoff): $124m for waste management; six-fold jump in landfill levy
RNZ: Supreme Court rejects Buller conservation land coal mining appeal
Joanne Carroll (Stuff): Supreme Court decision another blow for proposed West Coast coal mine
Rachael Kelly (Stuff): Rio Tinto remains committed to removing toxic substance
RNZ: DOC exaggerating Cape Kidnappers risk – tour operator
RNZ: Cape Kidnappers track to reopen this year
Tiwai Point
Blair Jackson (Stuff): Prime Minister in Southland to front leaders on Tiwai closure
Blair Jackson (Stuff): Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Finance Minister Grant Robertson arrive in Invercargill amidst smelter closure
Winston Peters (Heald): The future of Tiwai is a matter of national interest (paywalled)
Gavin Evans (BusinessDesk): Tiwai Point smelter jobs sacrificed to confused energy policy (paywalled)
Simon Terry (Herald): How to retain Tiwai Pt and unlock the power of Manapouri (paywalled)
Immigration, migrant workers
Dileepa Fonseka (Newsroom): Hungry and scared in Hawkes Bay
Susan Murray (RNZ): Concerns for shearing as overseas workers can’t get in
Media
Anneke Smith (RNZ): Newstalk ZB payout to fund Māori Party election campaign
Catrin Owen (Stuff): NZME apologises to John Tamihere over Mike Hosking’s Newstalk ZB comments
Sam Hurley (Herald): NZME reaches settlement with John Tamihere over Mike Hosking comments
Newstalk ZB: Apology from Newstalk ZB to John Tamihere
Local government
Todd Niall (Stuff): Auckland Council Budget: Councillors to agree ‘toughest-ever’ cuts post-Covid
Bernard Orsman (Herald): Auckland households face 4.4 per cent rates rise and higher water bills
Brent Melville (BusinessDesk): Auckland Council needs to fill $750m shortfall
Kendall Hutt (Stuff): Auckland Council finally moving homeless man along over complaints, ill health
Georgina Campbell (Herald): Documents prove Wellington’s wastewater collapse was avoidable (paywalled)
RNZ: Checkpoint: Claims Kaipara Council wasted millions chasing rates
Housing
Catherine Harris (Stuff): Tribunal upholds $700 ‘break fee’ for tenant with dementia
Melanie Carroll (Stuff): New Zealanders take cautious approach to Covid-19 mortgage holidays
Education
Simon Collins (Herald): Redundancy notices start for workers on wage subsidy
Hamish Cardwell (RNZ): New school bus tendering ‘a phenomenal cock-up’, Bus and Coach Association boss says
Huawei
Rachel Thomas (RNZ): Andrew Little says New Zealand won’t follow UK’s Huawei 5G ban
Nicholas Pointon (RNZ): New Zealand government urged not to follow UK in banning Huawei 5G equipment
Police
RNZ: Police investigate potential hack of data it sent to research company
Hamish Cardwell (RNZ): Steven Wallace case: Lawyer tells court contradictory evidence never addressed
Stuff: Police ‘blundered in’ the night Steven Wallace was shot, judge told
Freedom camping
Susan Botting (RNZ): Whangārei vehicle dwellers stay for weeks as freedom campers moved on
Susan Botting (RNZ): Council considers limits on freedom camping as numbers soar
RNZ: Freedom camping issues put in the past as numbers grow
Shelly Bay
Tom Hunt (Dominion Post): Sir Peter Jackson comes out swinging after Shelly Bay damages threat
Tom Hunt (Dominion Post): Want to buy a $1m Shelly Bay home? An electric car may be a must
Other
David Fisher (Herald) New review finds a ‘code of silence’ among the problems dooming plan to eliminate sexual violence in our military
Matthew Theunissen (RNZ): Anxious wait for New Zealand deportees as Australian guards isolate due to Covid-19 risk
Lewis Holden (Pundit): And Now, Some Policy: The Case For National Insurance
John Anthony (Stuff): WorkSafe commits more than 20 staff to Whakaari/White Island investigation
Khylee Quince (Spinoff): Cannabis: Why we don’t need a halfway house
Jamie Gray (Herald): NZ gender pay gap estimated at 18pc – consultants (paywalled)
Brad Flahive (Stuff): Awataha Marae: Crown renews controversial lease to Wilson family
Lois Williams (RNZ): Historic West Coast alliance to oversee Jobs for Nature cash
ODT: $25m lift for work in South
RNZ: Southland and Otago flood protection projects secure $30 million in funding
RNZ: Checkpoint: Qantas puts international bookings onhold until 2021
RNZ: Electricity Authority faces court action over pricing plans
Frances Cook (Herald): Cooking the Books podcast: The pros and cons of a Universal Basic Income (paywalled)
Herald: Seven-year prison term for kissing a stranger could not be overturned
Tamsyn Parker (Herald): NZ banks expected to weather Covid-19 storm but risks remain (paywalled)
Jody O’Callaghan (Stuff): 42 requests for international flights to mosque shooter sentencing
Anneka Smith (RNZ): District court awaits special group’s recommendations to improve efficiency
Bridie Witton (Stuff): Junk food tax would help people lose weight and save thousands – study
Bethany Reitsma (Herald): Dame Valerie Adams never had a Barbie growing up. Now she’s become one
RNZ: Former Niue premier Sir Toke Talagi dies after lengthy illness
