Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Click here to subscribe to Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup and New Zealand Politics Daily.
Today’s content
Covid-19 – Government announcement on border management
Claire Trevett (Herald): PM Jacinda Ardern’s Covid-19 plan a tough love message to vaccine holdouts – the clock is ticking (paywalled)
Matthew Hooton (Herald): Jacinda Ardern shows courage in Covid fight, but will she hold her nerve? (paywalled)
Derek Cheng (Herald): The political hot potato Jacinda Ardern refused to touch – and may not need to (paywalled)
Luke Malpass (Stuff): The Covid roadmap: Underpromising, overdelivering and keeping options open
Richard Harman (Politik): Why the Government is opening the borders (paywalled)
Michael Plank (The Conversation): Phased border reopening, faster vaccination, be ready for Delta: Jacinda Ardern lays out NZ’s COVID roadmap
Michael Neilson (Herald): Government’s plans for opening ‘Fortress New Zealand’ hinge on vaccination campaign
RNZ: Govt’s border announcement ‘a wise stance’ – experts
Science Media Centre: Govt resets Covid-19 approach, announcing steps to reopen NZ – Expert Reaction
Stuff Editorial: Plans to vaccinate, educate and eliminate
ODT Editorial: Opening up the hermit queendom
Heather du Plessis-Allan (Newstalk ZB): Turns out John Key was right
RNZ: Reconnecting New Zealand to the world: The speeches and statements
1 News: ‘Allies have let us down’ in fight against Covid – NZ epidemiologist
Eva Corlett and Tess McClure (Guardian): New Zealand to pursue Covid elimination strategy indefinitely, says Ardern
Claire Trevett (Herald): The plan to re-open NZ – home isolation, shorter MIQ for vaccinated travellers
Justin Giovannetti (Spinoff): The big plan for ‘reconnecting New Zealanders with the world’: what you need to know
RNZ: Risk-based border to open from early 2022 – PM Jacinda Ardern
Zane Small (Newshub): How self-isolation could work in New Zealand and why Sir David Skegg is sceptical
RNZ: National and Greens sceptical of trial to allow home isolation for some travellers
Anna Whyte (1 News): NZ to trial self-isolation for some vaccinated returnees – Ardern
Vita Molyneux (Newshub): New Zealand’s reopening plan: COVID-19 vaccine rollout brought forward, self-isolation trial for vaccinated returning Kiwis, no MIQ for ‘low-risk’ travellers
Henry Cooke (Stuff): NZ resets approach with faster vaccine roll-out, border reopening trial this year
RNZ: PM Jacinda Ardern details new Covid-19 protection measures
Eva Corlett (Guardian): ‘Light at the end of the tunnel’: New Zealand welcomes border reopening plans
Siobhan Downes (Stuff): Border opening: Who will be eligible for the self-isolation travel trial?
Lorna Thornber (Stuff): The new health declaration every traveller to and from New Zealand will have to make
Lorna Thornber (Stuff): Which overseas destinations could Kiwis visit in 2022?
Anna Whyte (1 News): Govt mulls ‘what to do’ with trans-Tasman bubble
John Anthony and Debbie Jamieson (Stuff): Tourism and business leaders welcome clarity around when and how New Zealand reopens
Tess Brunton (RNZ): NZ border reopening: ‘We need to recover, rebuild and reconnect’ – Tourism industry
Lawrence Gullery (Stuff): Reset Covid-19 plan provides turning point for tourism and business operators
Guy Williams (ODT): Border easing ‘logical’
Jem Traylen (BusinessDesk): A slow path to open NZ ‘will affect competitiveness’
Kate Gregan (RNZ): Border reopening plan ‘will give exporters confidence’ – NZ Winegrowers
RNZ: Checkpoint: Rob Fyfe optimistic about govt border news, but vaccination rates must rise
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Ministry of Health assures Kiwis rumours of imminent lockdown not true
Herald: Ministry of Health officials shut down rumours of a Covid lockdown
Covid-19 – Vaccination rollout
Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Expert urges vaccine prioritisation of all essential workers in groups 3 and 4
RNZ: Vaccine age groups and second dose changes: What you need to know
Dan Satherley (Newshub): Gap between Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses extended to six weeks
1 News: Covid jab available to all from September; gap between doses widens
Vandhna Bhan (1 News): Expert calls for second jab delay, as Government responds to re-opening report
Bridie Witton (Stuff): Decision to jab 12- to 15-year-olds coming in next few weeks
Dan Satherley (Newshub): New Zealand ‘naïve to Delta’, at risk of ‘vicious spread’ if Kiwis don’t get vaccinated – top US doctor
Alice Angeloni (RNZ): Port satisfied with vaccine progress despite low uptake early on
Hannah Kronast (Newshub): Former National Party MP Dan Bidois backtracks after accidentally appearing to endorse anti-vax group Voices for Freedom
Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Australia’s Scott Morrison called out for COVID-19 vaccine ‘failures’ after comparing numbers to New Zealand’s population
Covid-19
Jane Patterson (RNZ): Defence Force role in MIQ ‘reduces capability’ to deal with major disaster
Laura Walters (Spinoff): The study searching out Covid exposure in NZ and its long-term impacts
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): Would we accept more level 4 lockdowns?
Benn Bathgate (Stuff): Bluetooth contact-tracing cards canned, Ashley Bloomfield announces
Bernadette Basagre (Stuff): Defence Force medivac Niuean MP in critical condition to Auckland City Hospital
Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Critically ill Niuean MP flown to New Zealand following medical emergency
Environment, climate change, conservation
Chris Trotter (Daily Blog): The future of Act: Climate change cannot be stopped, but it can be ridden
Bernard Hickey (Spinoff): Without political ‘air cover’, climate action is all but doomed
James Shaw (Spinoff): For decades, politicians have failed on climate. Now we face our last chance
RNZ: The Detail: How much climate catastrophe can one world absorb?
RNZ: Farmers raised concerns about nutrient monitoring tool for ‘over 10 years’
Laura Hooper (Stuff): Groundswell NZ presents petition on ‘unworkable regulations’ to parliament
1 News: Māori landowners take bid to prevent 1080 drop back to court
Craig Ashworth (Local Democracy Reporting): Conservation millions also help Taranaki hapū and whānau
Jared Morgan (ODT): The Manuherikia: Twists and turns in river’s history
Energy
Brian Fallow (Herald): Power games prolong climate danger (paywalled)
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Electric Kiwi files ‘UTS’ complaint over Monday’s electricity market failure
1 News: Claims ‘market power or abuse’ at play in electricity outages
No Right Turn: The real cost of Huntly
Hamish Rutherford (Herald): Lake Onslow, a thousand pound gorilla ‘kneecapping’ a solution to Monday’s problem (paywalled)
Housing
Max Rashbrooke (Stuff): Sorry, homeowners: prices must fall
Miriam Bell (Stuff): House prices could fall 6% by the end of next year as mortgage rates rise, investment firm warns
Anne Gibson (Herald): Reserve Bank to get bigger hose as housing heat becomes ‘unbearable’
Brent Melville (BusinessDesk): ‘Unbearable heat’ in housing market (paywalled)
RNZ: Still booming: ‘House prices have continued to rise across the country’
Miriam Bell (Stuff): House prices up 25 per cent to hit new record
1 News: House prices continue to rise in July, new REINZ data shows
Sam Olley (RNZ): Housing shortage harm ‘the weight of the world’
Brent Melville (BusinessDesk): The lucky new homeowners
Geraden Cann (Stuff): Cost of property valuations jumps 20 per cent in two years
Logan Church (1 News): Homeowners fail to prove James Hardie cladding caused leaks and rot
RNZ: Leaky home owners lose case against James Hardie
Skara Bohny (Nelson Mail): Housing proposals put forward for $1b government fund
Samantha Gee (RNZ): Nelson Council approves four housing projects for Govt funding
Skara Bohny (Nelson Mail): In their words: what councillors said about housing fund proposals
Water reforms
Damian George (Stuff): Wellington City Council considers referendum on water reforms
Aaron Leaman (Waikato Times): Hamilton steps back from water reforms
Bonnie Flaws (Stuff): Up to 75,000 water suppliers could be affected by water reforms, Feds say
Local government
Matthew Rosenberg (Local Democracy Reporting): Invercargill mayoralty: Sir Bob Harvey speaks out on Sir Tim Shadbolt’s ‘hoarding’, offers to mediate
Matthew Rosenberg (Local Democracy Reporting): Council turmoil: call for minister to intervene
Isobel Ewing (Newshub): Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt clinging to leadership despite calls for vote of no confidence
Evan Harding (Southland Times): Shadbolt’s bullying claim ‘absolute nonsense’: Deputy mayor
1 News: Shadbolt says he was intimidated before under-fire meeting performance
Southland Times Editorial: Free speech trumps ICC’s media protocol
Tom Kitchin (RNZ): Council infighting over Māori wards exposed
Todd Niall (Stuff): Electric cars, high density housing not enough to hit Auckland emissions targets: Report
Ellen O’Dwyer (Stuff): Hamilton councillors put Te Huia train into Auckland’s Waikato river water deal
Mike Mather (Stuff): ‘Sad’ day as councillors alter apartment design rules to foil ‘perverts’
Tina Law (Press): Council cleaners and rubbish collectors to get the living wage
David Williams (Newsroom): The danger of stadium costs, a Dunedin study
Tina Law (Press): Christchurch to get 30,000-seat stadium after council bends to the will of the people
Katie Stevenson (1 News): Council votes to add 5000 more seats to new Christchurch stadium
Nadine Porter (Stuff): Former Mana party organiser with a criminal past vies for council seat
Tim Newman (Nelson Mail): Three-ward system for Nelson elections gets backing from council
Chloe Ranford (Local Democracy Reporting): Marlborough pensioners worried rent increase will never let them ‘get ahead’
Rachel Moore (Manawatū Standard): Childcare allowance of $6k approved for Horowhenua councillors
Local Democracy Reporting: Hokitika and Hari Hari floodwalls on cards
Kerrie Waterworth (ODT): Residents reject bid to disband Wanaka Community Board
Winston Churchill portrait spat
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Winston Churchill’s grandson weighs into National-Greens portrait controversy
Newstalk ZB: Historian: Absurd, Green Party removing Winston Churchill painting in Parliament
David Farrar (Kiwiblog): Greens hate Churchill, remove his portrait
Parliament
Pete McKenzie (Newsroom): Stuart Nash received $51,000 in donations from Troy Bowker
Brent Edwards (NBR): National, Greens both seek togetherness – but in very different ways (paywalled)
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Paula Bennett: Politician, real estate director, and now entertainer
Health
Graham Adams (Democracy Project): Ardern’s winter of discontent far from over
RNZ: National frustrated as Labour stymies bid to probe ACC changes
Dan Satherley (Newshub): Call for parents to get ACC payouts when their kids get hurt
Newstalk ZB: Study reveals differing wait times, staffing issues across EDs
Matt Burrows (Newshub): Dad of suicidal 12yo girl condemns NZ mental health system as ‘huge letdown’, says Mike King’s Gumboot Friday ‘the only way we got help’
Rachel Thomas (Stuff): Health Minister ‘confident’ Govt can meet striking midwives’ demands
Hamish Cardwell (RNZ): Midwives rally in capital: ‘Women have had enough’
Robin Martin (RNZ): Delays in police vetting force midwives to stop working or work without pay
Carly Gooch (Stuff): Burnt out doctors and dentists say wellbeing ‘ignored’ by DHBs
Waatea News: Remove ‘blockers’ from health system
Cameron Grant (Newsroom):Is NZ ready for what comes after RSV?
Stephen Forbes (Local Democracy Reporting): Thousands could benefit from Medsafe approving new diabetes drug
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Drawings give first impression of hospital
Labour market, industrial relations, migrant workers
Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Labour Inspectorate cracking down on courier companies mislabelling employees as contractors
Dan Satherley (Newshub): There are jobs ‘for Africa’, so why does NZ still have unemployment? An economist explains
1 News: Charges filed over Auckland port worker’s death
RNZ: Auckland port faces charges over stevedore’s death
Laura Hooper (Stuff): Mooney submits petition for MIQ placements for dairy workers
Rukuwai Tipene-Allen (Māori TV): More Māori in jobs and more getting trained
Hannah Kronast (Newshub): Employment law expert warns employers can make employees pay for broken equipment
Aotearoa or New Zealand?
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Simon Bridges hits out at Government’s ‘compulsive’ use of ‘Aotearoa’, says he’s not ‘an Aotearoan’
Te Aniwa Hurihanganui (RNZ): The racist aftermath of the Aotearoa debate
Immigration
1 News: MPs urged to allow overstayers compassionate residency pathways
Danielle Clent (Stuff): ‘So thrilled’: Auckland girl with autism facing deportation granted visa
Business
RNZ: What really grinds your gears? Top five consumer complaints
Marta Steeman (Stuff): Consumer NZ to complain to the Commerce Commission about potentially misleading advertising by retirement villages
Catherine Harris (Stuff): Here’s what board directors are being paid
Primary industries
1 News: NZ’s dairy industry kills two million calves a year, but they don’t have to
RNZ: Damning report of Overseer programme prompts Hawke’s Bay to change approach
Sport
Hamish Bidwell (RNZ): Olivia Podmore’s death must prompt rethink on attitudes to sport
Melanie Carroll (Stuff): Troy Bowker comments will force Hurricanes to act, says sport management expert
Will Trafford (Māori TV): Sponsor to Hurricanes: Boot racist board member
RNZ: Strong stance urged against ‘insulting, racist’ Hurricanes board member
Transport
Phil Pennington (RNZ): Police and IPCA disagree over tow truck safety issue
Phil Pennington (RNZ): IPCA on police tow truck report: ‘People deserve to be worried’
Georgina Campbell (Herald): Race to finish Transmission Gully: Waka Kotahi NZTA brings in experts and independent chair
RNZ: Transmission Gully deadline: Dozens of incomplete tasks revealed
Cherie Sivignon (Stuff): Tree felling in Motueka sign of ‘silo thinking from the 60s’
Media
Emily Brookes (Stuff): MediaWorks fined over ‘denigrating’ comments about Māori
Herald: MediaWorks fined $3000 after Magic Talk host John Banks supports racist call
Bryan Gould: The Herald’s uncertain reporting
Police
John Bishop (Stuff): When the police fail us, but nothing happens
RNZ: Officer’s decision to chase car before fatal crash was ‘flawed’ – IPCA
Education and training
Ellen O’Dwyer (Stuff): Government’s school lunch programme helps most disadvantaged kids, inconclusive about school attendance
RNZ: Otago Uni’s Wellington campus shut due to earthquake risk
Conversion therapy
Eddie Clark (The Conversation): Why New Zealand’s proposed law banning conversion practices is so unlikely to criminalise parents
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): Why cancelling Judith from Pride might be a really dangerous decision
Crime
1 News: Nats join Adesanya in calling for tougher ‘coward punch’ laws
Elizabeth Binning (Herald): Gangs, 501 deportees, excess drinking: Sharp rise in post-lockdown city violence
International relations
Thomas Manch (Stuff): New Zealanders concerned about ‘killer robots’ as Government pushes against new arms race
David Cumin (RNZ): The only viable, realistic path to peace for Israel, Palestinians
Other
Kurt Bayer (Herald): New Zealand Government reviewing cases of Afghan interpreters amid Taliban resurgence
Thomas Manch (Stuff): Government to reconsider plea for help from Defence Force-employed Afghan citizens
Charlotte Cook (RNZ): Long wait for rehab, psych help in prison: ‘It’s quite dire’
Anne Gibson (Herald): PlaceMakers’ customers get price rise warning up to 15%: freight, raw material costs cited (paywalled)
Catherine Harris (Stuff): Tradies, plumbers in short supply as skills shortage deepens
Karl Puschmann (Herald): TVNZ’s series The Panthers teaches us what school didn’t (paywalled)
James Croot (Stuff): The Panthers: TVNZ’s evocative, provocative retelling of a turbulent time
Michelle Duff and Kirsty Johnston (Stuff): ‘We can’t rely on the police’: Māori women on edge after escalating threats
