Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. You can sign up to NZ Politics Daily as well as New Zealand Political Roundup columns for free here.
Today’s content
Govt Covid strategy
Charlotte Cook (RNZ): Delta outbreak here to stay – Covid-19 modeller Rodney Jones
Collin Tukuitonga (The Conversation): New Zealand cannot abandon its COVID elimination strategy while Māori and Pasifika vaccination rates are too low
RNZ: ‘We may not get back to zero’ – Bloomfield on Delta outbreak
1 News: It was time for Auckland to move alert levels – Bloomfield
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Judith Collins says Government has abandoned elimination strategy
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Judith Collins talks to Stuff about Delta outbreak
Newstalk ZB: Des Gorman: Shift from zero tolerance for cases, to zero tolerance for deaths
Keith Lynch (Stuff): New Zealand’s elimination strategy, explained
Richard Harman (Politik): The trade offs ahead (paywalled)
Bernard Hickey (The Kākā): Dawn Chorus: Last gasp for elimination (paywalled)
1 News: Covid-19 modeller warns Auckland could return to Level 4 if Covid cases increase
ODT Editorial: The hardest decision yet?
Gordon Campbell: On the Great Covid Mask Debate, plus a music playlist
Ben Leahy (Herald): Aucklanders celebrate level 3 freedoms – but some say it’s a gamble
Zane Small (Newshub): Sparks fly in Parliament as Jacinda Ardern, Chris Hipkins deny pace of COVID-19 vaccine rollout meant inevitable lockdown
Herald editorial: Good things come in threes (paywalled)
RNZ: Further $36 million funding for Māori health providers’ Covid-19 response announced
1 News: Siouxsie Wiles on what Kiwis can do to help ensure summer freedom
Hayden Donnell (Spinoff): Opinion: My opinion on NZ’s Covid strategy is bold, unwavering and probably wrong
RNZ: Covid-19 wrap for 21 September: Call for more testing as Auckland drops alert levels
Waikato case, Corrections Covid protocols
Michael Morrah (Newshub): Rules for prisoner transfers out of Auckland to change after Waikato COVID-19 debacle
Michael Morrah and Amelia Wade (Newshub): Kelvin Davis reveals ‘about two dozen’ prisoners released, left Auckland since lockdown began
1 News: Corrections reveals more info on Mt Eden prisoner’s trip back to bail address
1 News: Prisoner with Covid bailed outside Auckland ‘very troubling’ – Bishop
Herald: Covid positive Black Power gang member bailed despite Corrections’ concerns
RNZ: ‘This community is amazing’: Health service pleased at Waikato testing
1 News: Whakatīwai community ‘worried’ over Covid-19 cases
Glasgow talks, climate change
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): Why James Shaw going to Glasgow is a hollow virtue signalling joke
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): Manufactured outrage over Shaw’s Glasgow trip
Amelia Wade (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern grants James Shaw and entourage MIQ spots for UK climate conference
Tova O’Brien and Zane Small (Newshub): James Shaw hasn’t secured MIQ spot for UK climate conference, only 1 of 14-person entourage has
Michael Neilson (Herald): Climate Change Minister James Shaw taking nine staff to Glasgow, Scotland for COP26 talks
Russell Palmer (RNZ): Shaw says COP26 conference most important since Paris Agreement
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Pat Baskett (Newsroom): The climate clock is ticking
George Driver (Spinoff): Cleaner, greener cars are finally on their way to our roads. But at what price?
RNZ: Clean vehicles bill passes its first reading in Parliament
Border, MIQ, immigration
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): How ‘traffic light’ system for reopening borders will work
Adam Pearse (Herald): Four Jet Park MIQ staffers tested more than 100 times
David Farrier (Webworm): Being number 14,694 in line
Matthew Scott (Newsroom): MIQ hopefuls – holidaymakers or just trying to come home?
Dileepa Fonseka (Stuff): MIQ should be an economic opportunity, not a punishment for living overseas
Ian Taylor (ODT):Time to look to the bench to solve misfiring MIQ
Tess McClure (Guardian): Frustration for New Zealand returnees as Covid quarantine waiting list hits 30,000
Blair Jackson (Stuff): ‘Incredibly overwhelmed, frustrated, stressed and sad’, says former Southlander trying for MIQ spot
Tom Hunt (Stuff): Moving back for good, seeing dying relatives: The real reasons Kiwis want to come home
Jamie Tahana (RNZ): ‘We’ve drawn a line’: Rotorua rails against any extra MIQ hotels
Gill Bonnett (RNZ): Google boss Larry Page hoped to keep child’s medical evacuation quiet
Louisa Steyl (Stuff): Alternative isolation plans underway
Sophie Trigger (Stuff): Wellington Airport ‘happy’ to take more international flights, as capital’s MIQ capacity cut
Rotorua Daily Post: MP Rawiri Waititi claims Govt plans quarantine facility for Rotorua
Melanie Carroll (Stuff): Claim that Kiwis paying for pre-departure Covid-19 tests being ripped off
Vaccine rollout
John Weekes (Herald): ‘No jab, no entry’ policies mulled as hungry businesses want to open up
Matt Burrows (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern challenges Auckland to reach 90 percent vaccination rate in next two weeks
Herald: When can children get vaccinated?
Teuila Fuatai (Herald): Covid 19 vaccinations and worker rights – can my boss make me get jabbed? (paywalled)
Rachel Thomas (Stuff): ‘Comfortableness’ blamed for Wellington’s low vaccination rates
Te Aorewa Rolleston (RNZ): ‘Shot Cuzz’ vaccination bus joins drive to stamp out Covid-19
1 News: Shot Cuz vaccine bus aims to boost Māori, Pasifika jab numbers
Herald: ShotCuzz! Bringing vaccinations to the people
Robin Martin (RNZ): Bacon butties add sizzle to Taranaki Covid-19 vaccination rollout
Marama Royal (Herald): Vaccination only viable path to avoid devastation of lockdown
Kate Hannah (Spinoff): How to talk to loved ones who are vaccine hesitant
Reuters (Newshub):UN boss slams entire world, describes vaccine distribution an ‘obscenity’
Vaughan Gunson (Northern Advocate/Herald): Covid-19 Delta outbreak – world needs ‘people’s vaccine’ (paywalled)
Cases, demographics
Anna Whyte (1 News): More than 200 under 12s caught Covid in Delta outbreak
Herald: Up to 20 North Shore Hospital staff stood down after contact with Covid positive man who evaded security
Nathan Morton and Hannah Martin (Stuff): North Shore Hospital staff stood down after man with Covid-19 evaded security
Herald: Covid spreads to Hells Angels gang member
Alert level rules, compliance, enforcement
Tom Kitchin (RNZ): Union claims McDonalds failing social distancing guidelines at drive throughs
Anna Whyte (1 News): Fines for breaching Covid-19 rules soar, maximum for individual to be $12k
Bridie Witton (Stuff): Government hikes fines for pandemic rule breakers to $12,000
RNZ: Covid-19 breaches: Infringement fines to increase dramatically
Craig Kapitan (Herald): No charges yet against Wānaka holidaymakers
Catrin Owen (Stuff): No charges for Wānaka lockdown breachers 12 days on, police inquiries ‘ongoing’
incoln Tan (Herald): Dame Jenny Gibbs gets police talking to for level 4 driveway drinks
Vita Molyneux (Herald): Wellington business owner removes sign welcoming maskless customers
RNZ: Otago high school student isolating after arriving from Auckland
Sam Sherwood (Stuff): Aucklander allegedly collected caravan from Christchurch
Hamish McNeilly (Stuff): Schoolboy without exemption leaves Auckland, attends class in Dunedin
Miriam Burrell (Herald): Man found in car boot at Auckland checkpoint
1 News: Police looking into report student flew from Auckland to Dunedin without exemption
1 News: Auckland man allegedly travelled to Christchurch to pick up caravan
1 News: Visitor who evaded security at North Shore Hospital has Covid
Hannah Kronast (Newshub): Person who snuck past North Shore Hospital security tests positive, staff stood down
Helen Castles (1 News): Reti claims thousands of Aucklanders may’ve fled to Northland in hours before lockdown
Tess McClure (Guardian): New Zealand police arrest pair trying to enter Auckland with ‘large amount’ of KFC
Nathan Morton (Stuff): Up to 50 crimes a week unreported by Auckland businesses in level 4, group claims
Josephine Franks (Stuff): Manurewa food bank says police threatened to shut it down
Aaron Leaman (Stuff): Border exemptions for Waikato residents in need of food
Matthew Tso (Stuff): Stay gnome, save lives: Fantasy and real worlds unite against Covid-19
Nathan Morton (Stuff): Clingy and relieved – how experts say we’ll feel about Auckland’s move to level 3
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Keith Rankin (Evening Report): New Zealand Superannuation: The Rules versus Common Sense
No Right Turn: Let them vote
1 News: Aucklanders with exemptions can attend funerals of family outside city under Level 3
Matt Burrows (Newshub): Grieving Aucklanders now able to leave region for funerals or to farewell dying relatives
Business, economy
Bernard Hickey (The Kākā): Dawn chorus: From hawkish to heron-ish (paywalled)
Liam Dann (Herald): Lockdown barely dents consumer confidence – young stay most upbeat (paywalled)
RNZ: Consumers ‘cautiously optimistic’ despite lockdowns – report
Jessica Roden (1 News): Kiwis spending more as lockdown restrictions ease
Riley Kennedy (ODT): Subsidy rules’ new focus on Auckland labelled unfair
Tamsyn Parker and Rahul Bhattarai (Herald): Wage subsidy criteria harder to meet for those under level 2 restrictions (paywalled)
John Anthony (Stuff): Barber left struggling to buy groceries for family because of wage subsidy delays
Brooke van Velden (Herald):Illogical Covid alert level rules add stress for small businesses
Phil Pennington (RNZ): ‘It’s not very efficient’ – Auckland builders expect obstacles in level 3
Amy Williams (RNZ): Construction company ‘delighted’ to be back at work in Auckland’s alert level 3
Herald: Big takeaway chains open for businesses – but no cash accepted at some
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Auckland fast food shops get ready for the ‘diehard fans’ expected at level 3
Brittney Deguara (Stuff): Website crowdsourcing wait times at Auckland fast food joints in level 3
Herald: Clucky for Kentucky: Aucklander sets up tent outside KFC drive-thru ahead of level 3
Bernadette Basagre and Geraden Cann (Stuff): Auckland restaurants rush as they prepare to serve customers at level 3
Emily Brookes (Stuff): Covid could cost Auckland restaurateur both his businesses
Stephanie Ockhuysen (Stuff): New Plymouth’s only vegan restaurant to close due to Covid-19 lockdowns
Jennifer Eder (Stuff): The ‘umming and ahhing’ of an event organiser in any level but 1
Tina Morrison (Stuff): Kathmandu warns first-half profit will fall as lockdowns hurt
Bryce Wilkinson (Herald): Past illusions and future follies mar Grant Robertson’s economic strategy (paywalled)
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Reserve Bank invokes the heron to explain thinking on interest rates
Rob Stock (Stuff): Urgent hardship payments of $2500 to $10,000 from City Rail Link hardship fund
Anuja Nadkarni (Newsroom): Courier delays expected as Auckland businesses open up to fulfil backlog orders
Housing
Zane Sabour (Stuff): Our housing situation is driving inequality, and it’s dangerous
Ethan Te Ora (Stuff): What if Wellington’s housing crisis could be solved overnight?
Liam van Eeden (Renews): 1 in 3 students facing housing deprivation had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year
RNZ: First-home values rise higher than national average
Jade Kake (Stuff): How do we slow the property market?
Miriam Bell (Stuff): Buying a first home has become even harder, as prices of cheap houses bolt ahead over winter
Diana Clement (OneRoof): ‘Fiendish’ impact of Covid lockdown: Auckland to lose out on 1900 new homes
Ashley Church (OneRoof): Do-nothing flippers are leeches and deserve to be booted out
Zoe Hunter (Herald): Tauranga housing shortage: Squatters, overcrowded homes seen as city struggles to find answers (paywalled)
RNZ: Apartment development at Sylvia Park to be first of its kind
Andrew Bevin (NBR): ‘A city within a city’: Kiwi Property’s strategic shift
Dan Heyworth (Stuff): Do we really need to rip up our house building textbook?
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Property investors’ interest deductability tax change to kick in next week despite lack of details
AUKUS, foreign affairs, trade
Audrey Young (Herald): China’s bid to join CPTPP trade deal set to open up new power plays (paywalled)
Stuff Editorial: Hawkish Aukus not for us
No Right Turn: AUKUS has consequences
Emanuel Stoakes and Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): Concern over ‘censorship’ rules of NZ-Chinese news site
National Party
Claire Trevett (Herald): Simon Bridges declares himself a man of no intentions on rolling Judith Collins (paywalled)
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): Simon Bridges plays coy about a coup as Judith Collins vows to never resign as National Party leader
1 News: Judith Collins ‘very secure’ in role of National leader despite low polling
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Judith Collins says she will never resign as National Party leader
Herald: National Party leadership: Judith Collins shrugs off questions about coup rumours
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): National Party leader Judith Collins says she will never resign, not even if polls dip to record lows
Henry Cooke: (Stuff): Judith Collins won’t resign as National leader – even if polls slip below
20 per cent
Zane Small (Newshub): Judith Collins denies criticism of Siouxsie Wiles was hypocritical despite her own mask breach in Queenstown
Afghanistan
Eva Corlett (Guardian): Afghan interpreters beg Jacinda Ardern to grant New Zealand visas to ‘at risk’ families
Thomas Manch (Stuff): Govt considers using refugee quota for at-risk Afghans, as former interpreters continue protest
Counter-terrorism bill
Graeme Edgeler (Legal Beagle): Not too late to make the Counter Terrorism Legislation Bill clearer
Thomas Manch (Stuff):‘There are safeguards’: Parliament progresses new counter-terrorism laws despite concerns
Anna Whyte (1 News): Counter-terrorism bill passes second reading
RNZ: Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill passes second reading
Ashleigh Yates (1 News): Exclusive: Taxpayers fork out over $125k in legal aid for New Lynn terrorist
Education
Dan Satherley (Newshub): ‘Cheapens the grade’: Mixed reaction from students after University of Auckland rules out ‘grade bump’ for 2021
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Auckland schools prepare for small classes during alert level 3
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Nelson College needs to sell assets to repay nearly $3 million in debt – principal
Herald: Nelson College to repay historical debt as school looks to the future
Josephine Franks (Stuff): Auckland schools prep for level 3 with bubbles, masks, spaced-out desks
Ellen O’Dwyer (Stuff): Schools call on the Government to provide timeline for international students return
Employment
Elliot Weir (Critic): Behind the Counter: Employment Law Breaches, Bullying, and Sexual Harassment in Uni Hall Kitchens
Anita Rosentreter (Stuff): Will the kiwifruit industry abandon living wages?
Mariné Lourens (Stuff): Liquor company co-director only concerned about alleged illegalities when licences faced threat
Susan Hornsby-Geluk (Stuff): Lockdown is no excuse for careless, rushed redundancies
Health
Herald: Major Pharmac review report delayed by lockdown
Adam Pearse (Herald): ACC pays out almost $130,000 in Covid claims
Russell Brown (Listener/Herald): Medicinal cannabis: Are we there yet? (paywalled)
Sport
RNZ: Panel to investigate athlete welfare in top flight cycling unveiled
Todd Niall (Stuff): America’s Cup: Team NZ says home defence backer Mark Dunphy called rival yacht club
RNZ: Tit-for-tat debate over proprosed Auckland America’s Cup bid continues
RNZ: Black Caps on flight home after evacuating Pakistan
Mark Reason (Stuff): Pakistan has been let down badly by New Zealand Cricket
RNZ: White Ferns increase security
Local government
Craig Ashworth (RNZ): Taranaki regional councillors reject Māori call for two seats at table
Stuff: Taranaki Regional Council confirms its make-up for 2022 elections
Simon Wilson (Herald): Loading, drop-offs, cycling, fewer cars: Queen St plans unveiled at last (paywalled)
Tina Law (Stuff): Job losses proposed in senior management shake up at Christchurch City Council
Matthew Tso and Nicholas Boyack (Stuff): Hutt City Council puts positive spin on staff survey results
Brianna Mcilraith (Stuff): New Plymouth District Council approves feedback to Government on Three Waters reform
Alan Sutherland (Herald): What would Scotland know about the Three Waters scheme? (paywalled)
Local Democracy Reporting: Upset as Covid-19 rules bar public presence at Barrytown mine hearing
Adam Jacobson (Stuff): Auckland MP urges Government to help revive dilapidated St James Theatre
Georgina Campbell (Herald): Wellington’s closed central library packed up under supervision of heritage expert
Transport
Phil Pennington (RNZ): Cab owners tell NZTA to drop clampdown or pay up: ‘It’s their fault’
Chris Hyde (Herald): Life in a warming Hawke’s Bay, where 0.5pc of workers take public transport (paywalled)
Chris Tobin (Stuff): Covid a wake-up call to NZ’s fragile logistics chain, says union
Mike Dinsdale: (Herald): Air NZ to fly from Whangārei to bypass Auckland’s level 4 lockdown
Energy
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Electricity Authority expects to release power market review in late October
Olivia Wannan (Stuff): What happened with our hydro lakes this year?
Rob Stock (Stuff): Turning our roofs into a weapon to fight climate change
Primary industries
Shawn McAvinue (ODT): Fear forestry conversions impacting farming communities
Paul Mitchell (Stuff): Drop in farm sales across Manawatū-Whanganui reflects busy sector and impact of Covid-19, says institute
Mary-Jo Tohill (ODT): Charity funding rural counselling
Amber Allott (Stuff):Cutting methane using a comfy cow ‘Mootel’
Other
John Tamihere (Waatea News): What’s in a name
Waatea News: Lorde’s Te Ao Marama knocking down fences for waiata reo
Phil Smith (RNZ): Parliament’s back to business plan
Susan Botting (Local Democracy Reporting): Department of Conservation appealing controversial Aupōuri
Ethan Griffiths (Herald): ‘A shocking day’: Six greyhounds injured during one race meet at Whanganui’s Hatrick Raceway (paywalled)
Laura Smith (ODT): Contamination at Bluff’s Ocean Beach on agenda
Mihiata Pirini and Anna High (Spinoff): Dignity and mana in Aotearoa law
Ben Strang (RNZ): Rising gang tensions blamed for jump in gun crime
Chris Keall (Herald): Boards to blame for increasing cyber attacks – EY report (paywalled)
Bronson Eruera Perich (1 News): Hawke’s Bay iwi launches budgeting service to boost community’s prosperity
Sam Sherwood (Stuff): Major changes for police armed offenders squads to bolster support for frontline officers
John Lewis (ODT): Planned port building demolition lamented
Kayla Hodge (ODT): Consent fee policy endorsed; call for heritage expertise
RNZ: Women’s rights leader Dame Jocelyn Fish dies at 90
