New Zealand Politics Daily is a collation of the most prominent issues being discussed in New Zealand. It is edited by Dr Bryce Edwards of The Democracy Project.

Today’s content

COMCOM MARKET STUDY INTO BANKING
Sam Stubbs (Stuff): Nine questions the Commerce Commission’s banking inquiry should ask
Bernard Hickey: Why the banking study was needed and where it should look
Luke Malpass (Stuff): Commerce Commission market study into banks: A bonanza for lawyers and consultants
Dan Brunskill (Interest): Banking market study timed for political gain but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea
Emile Donovan (Stuff): Newsable: Big NZ banks making profits of $300-per-second
Herald Editorial: Commerce Commission inquiry into banks overdue (paywalled)
Amelia Wade (Newshub): Banks’ response to Government’s inquiry called ‘fantasy-land comment’ by competition advocate
Bridie Witton (Post): ‘It’ll make some people feel good’: Banking experts sceptical of Labour’s market study (paywalled)
Jonathan Mitchell (NBR):  What’s a banking market study really going to achieve? (paywalled)
Anan Zaki (RNZ): Banks will engage with Commerce Commission market study but don’t think it’s needed
David Cunningham (Stuff): Why a market study into banking will make little difference
Jenée Tibshraeny (Herald): Banking sector inquiry: Government has no immediate plans to inject more capital into Kiwibank (paywalled)
Rob Stock (Post): Commerce Commission must probe why Kiwibank failed to disrupt big banks, says anti-monopolist (paywalled)
Felix Desmarais (1News): ‘Raise corporate taxes’: Greens on banking fairness study
Rob Stock (Stuff): Commerce Commission to probe retail banking competition
Rebecca Stevenson and Dan Brusnkill (Interest): Government launches Commerce Commission probe into bank competition & profitability
RNZ: Watch: Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced a market study to investigate banking competition
Jenée Tibshraeny (Herald): Government announces major market study into banking
Felix Desmarais (1News): ‘The best deal possible’: Banking probe launched as profits soar
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Government confirms Commerce Commission market study of banking
Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): Govt orders ‘personal banking’ competition probe
James Perry (Whakaata Māori): Māori encouraged to take part in banking sector study

HEALTH
Barry Soper (Herald): National rollout of surgery race-ranking seems on ice as Hipkins, Verrall not on same page (paywalled)
Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): The Government intended to roll out equity adjustor scores before media scrutiny
Damien Venuto (Herald): The Front Page: Ethnicity in healthcare: Is Te Whatu Ora’s new policy ethical?
Jo Moir (Newsroom): Ethnicity a factor in surgery waitlists for years
James Perry (Whakaata Māori): Top Māori doctor says ethnic queue needed to address health inequities
Mark Quinlivan (Newshub): Prime Minister Chris Hipkins defends surgery equity tool
William Hewett (Newshub): ACT’s Brooke van Velden calling for open, public conversations around new surgery equity tool
Don Brash: Is racism justified in the health sector?
Kate Hawkesby (Newstalk ZB): Is this Government going out of its way to lose the upcoming election?
Jenna Lynch (Newshub): Accusations of racism, identifying ‘as Māori conveniently’ in tense day at Parliament
1News: Surgery waitlist racism row: Davidson booted from Parliament debate
Russell Palmer (RNZ): Opposition parties accused of racism over health equity claims
Adam Pearse (Herald): Greens co-leader Marama Davidson accuses Act of racist questioning, Speaker ejects her from the House
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Watch: ACT leader’s reo Māori backfires, Green co-leader booted from the House
Mana Wikaire-Lewis (Whakaata Māori): Labour and National weigh in on ethnicity equities for surgical waitlists
No Right Turn: More Parliamentary racism
Gabi Lardies (Guardian): New Zealand starts giving priority to Māori and Pacific elective surgery patients
Nicole Bremner (1News): Research reveals alarming ageism against elderly within health sector
Fiona Ellis (ODT): Learning centre decision seen as generational loss (paywalled)
John Boynton (Newshub): The Hui: Overseas operations help Kiwis transform their lives with weight loss surgery
John Lewis (ODT): New Māori mental health model developed

LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Richard Harman (Politik): Review’s political nightmare (paywalled)
RNZ: Future for Local Government review: What you need to know
Derek Cheng (Herald): Council overhaul? Mergers and billions in extra funding floated to future-proof local government
Andrea Vance (Stuff): The future of local government? Smaller, but able to raise more money
Sue Teodoro (Local Democracy Reporting): Local government review: Raft of changes recommended
Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Local government report proposes raft of changes to get better outcomes for communities
Jonathan Milne (Newsroom): Independent review proposes new tools to finance local roads, parks and homes
Oliver Lewis (BusinessDesk): Local government reforms suggested (paywalled)
David Farrar: The future of local government
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Georgina Campbell (Herald): Wellington City Council data breach: Investigation launched, Mayor Tory Whanau disappointed, frustrated
Matt Cowley (Stuff): The future of local government depends on setting councils up for success
Alisha Evans (Local Democracy Reporting): Tauranga’s 9.4% rates increase ‘appropriate’ – Commissioner
Brendon McMahon (Local Democracy Reporting): Hokitika agreement ‘actively’ benefits community

ELECTION, PARLIAMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE
Dita De Boni (NBR): Right wing try dog-whistles to excite the wet and whiny ones (paywalled)
Jenna Lynch (Newshub): National leader Christopher Luxon appears to have claimed Clean Car Discount on new Tesla
Claire Trevett (Herald): Poll shows bounce-back for Labour, bad news for National’s Christopher Luxon and NZ First
Andy Fyers (BusinessDesk): Election 2023: Polls remain deadlocked
Adam Pearse (Herald): Former Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon finally accepts he’s resigned, doesn’t rule out future work in public sector
Tukoroirangi Morgan (Herald): Shane Jones follows a well-worn political strategy of feeding the baser instincts (paywalled)
Aaron Smale (Newsroom): What if all Māori went on the general roll
Wiremu Doherty (Herald): Requiring Māori to ‘opt in’ to Māori roll impacts how we engage in politics
Stuff: Minor parties sue over election broadcasting advertising funding
Ethan Griffiths (Open Justice Reporting): Minor parties launch judicial review against Electoral Commission, Sue Grey alleges advertising allocations are ‘unfair’
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Heather Te Au Skipworth ditches Māori Party role after Meka Whaitiri switch
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Nanaia Mahuta won’t stand on Labour list, goes all in on Hauraki Waikato seat
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Nanaia Mahuta takes herself off Labour’s list, will stand as electorate-only
Kris Faafoi (Stuff): It’s a fine line between being a head case and headstrong at parliament
Jem Traylen (BusinessDesk): Business of Government: advice takes its toll, politicised public servants and more (paywalled)

SIMON COURT, STUART NASH, JAN TINETTI
Anna Whyte (Stuff): ACT MP Simon Court referred to Privileges Committee
Russell Palmer (RNZ): ACT MP Simon Court to be investigated for sharing committee information
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): Act MP Simon Court referred to privileges committee
Felix Desmarais (1News): Stuart Nash ‘wrong’ to withhold official information – watchdog
Anna Whyte (Stuff): Stuart Nash wrong in official information refusal – Ombudsman
RNZ: Ombudsman finds ex-minister Stuart Nash wrong not to release emails after official request
Gianina Schwanecke (Post): Public Service Watch: Embattled Education Minister back before the Select Committee (paywalled)

ECONOMY, INEQUALITY, COST OF LIVING
Susan St John (The Conversation): NZ’s housing market drives inequality – why not just tax houses like any other income?
RNZ: New report calls for future-focused commissioner to tackle disadvantage
Eric Crampton (Newsroom): Why Labour should rule out a wealth tax
Richard Prebble (Herald): Feeling negative about the economy? You’re not the only one (paywalled)
Newshub: Economist Cameron Bagrie calls New Zealand’s economic decline a ‘reset’ rather than recession
Rob Stock (Stuff): Recession bites: More than 40% of households ‘went backwards’ in last 12 months
RNZ: Consumer confidence still in the doldrums despite slight lift
Jonathan Mitchell (NBR): Consumers in a winter funk amid financial pressure: Westpac (paywalled)
Mark Quinlivan (Newshub): Chris Hipkins says Government ‘doing quite a lot’ to improve supermarket competition as it prepares to launch banking sector probe
Esther Taunton (Stuff): Unemployment set to rise: Where might the effect be felt first?

IMMIGRATION, MIGRANT WORKERS
Lucy Xia (RNZ): Migrant living in garage, working illegally after paying thousands for work visa
Anna Whyte (Stuff): Greens welcome proposal for added protections of migrant workers
Felix Desmarais (1News): Govt to remove cap on skilled migrant workers
Anna Whyte (Stuff): Government shakes up path to residency to attract workers, plug skills gap
Newshub: Government announces simplified path to residency for skilled workers to tackle shortages
Dileepa Fonseka (BuinessDesk): Govt softens proposed skilled migrant changes (paywalled)
Jonathan Mitchell (NBR): Govt gives skilled workers an easier entry into NZ (paywalled)
Lillian Hanly (1News): MPs urged to create rainbow refugee sub-category in petition

GANGS
Christopher Stevenson (Post): Gangs a visible symptom of our much deeper societal problems (paywalled)
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer (Herald): When subject is crime, cue old blame and shame game
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): Let’s remind everyone what is actually driving the Gangs again
Luke Kirkness (Herlad): Police inaction during Mongrel Mob Barbarian Steven Taiatini’s funeral a national disgrace (paywalled)

WAGE SUBSIDY
Robert McCulloch: How did the wealthiest 300 Kiwi families each make $50 million in 2021 when our economy busted?
John Weekes (Herald): Covid wage subsidy fraud, money laundering claims as MSD files charges in biggest prosecution yet (paywalled)

RUAPEHU SKIFIELDS
RNZ: Both options to take over Ruapehu Alpine Lifts management fail
Brianna Mcilraith and Matthew Martin (Stuff): ‘Looking at hard times’- ski season uncertain as liquidation beckons for RAL
Herald: Ruapehu Alpine Lifts goes into liquidation: Community concerned ahead of ski season for Turoa and Whakapapa
Leo Zaugg (1News): ‘Worst case scenario’ as Ruapehu ski operation liquidated
Newsroom: Ruapehu creditors fail to approve sale options
Tim Hunter (NBR): Protest vote torpedoes Ruapehu sale scheme (paywalled)

TRANSPORT
Oliver Lewis (BusinessDesk): Auckland mayor Wayne Brown prefers surface light rail (paywalled)
Mark Quinlivan (Newshub): Chris Hipkins keen for Auckland Transport, Greater Wellington Regional Council to ‘get their act together’ over free, half-price fares
Georgina Campbell (Herald): A Capital Letter: Rising costs prompt review of new Interislander ferry terminals (paywalled)
Erin Gourley and Tom Hunt (Post): Support for 30kph speed limits in question after data blunder discovery (paywalled)

EDUCATION
Gianina Schwanecke (Stuff): Secondary teachers’ union open to arbitration if Government ‘publicly commits’ to outcome
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Secondary teachers’ pay dispute to go to arbitration as PPTA agrees to ERA recommendation
Gianina Schwanecke (Stuff): Ministry of Education stops $568k monthly rent payment for quake-prone head office
Melanie Earley (Stuff): Ten students at Auckland’s Wesley College left due to ‘bullying and violence’ in 2022
Andy Brew (Malborough Express): NCEA Level 1 not worth the ‘stress’ (in students), decides Marlborough college
RNZ: U-turn on 20 hours policy avoidable with consultation – ECE leader
Anna Campbell (ODT): The value of human assets and universities

FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE
Thomas Manch (Post): More New Zealanders view China as threat than friend, Taiwan conflict a concern – survey (paywalled)
Thomas Manch (Stuff): Defence Force hosts Wellington Earthquake exercise involving 19 countries

HOUSING
Natasha Frost (New York Times/Herald): Where house prices have crashed and billions in wealth have vanished (paywalled)
Miriam Bell (Stuff): Auckland rents soar after weather events hit supply: Trade Me

MEDIA
Sapeer Mayron (Stuff): Broadcasting watchdog unveils new rules on transphobic complaints
RNZ: Broadcasting Standards Authority issues new guidance on media coverage of gender identity issues
Joanna Norris (Stuff): Stuff and the machines – our policy on generative AI

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
Guy Trafford (Interest): A better fit-for-purpose scheme?
Riley Kennedy (BusinessDesk): Act’s double rural act (paywalled)
Sarah Heeringa and Ben Fahy (Stuff): Regeneration nation: What might our future farms look like?

CYCLONE GABRIELLE
Hawke’s Bay Today: Chris Finlayson to lead Cyclone Gabrielle negotiating team
Monique Steele (RNZ): Cyclone Gabrielle: Rural insurer pays out more than $120 million in claims so far

FIREARMS REGISTRY
Sarah Robson and Sharon Brettkelly (RNZ): The Detail: Tracking the guns
Bill Hickman (RNZ): Firearms Registry to launch this week, nearly four years after it was proposed

OTHER
Rachel Thomas (Stuff): Shift work among the top 10 carcinogens in NZ workplaces
Brigitte Morten (NBR): Signed, sealed, delivered… you’re ours, NZ Post (paywalled)
Rob Stock (Stuff): NZ left off Google’s global anti-scam plan while victims lose millions
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): Southern Green Hydrogen poses $12b+ cost to society – report
Open Justice Reporting: Explainer: What is diversion and how do people get it?
Stuff: Charges against former Lake Alice psychiatric hospital nurse stoppedly: Trade Me
Joseph Los’e (Herald): Pensioner punched at Posie Parker protest wants to sit down with attacker and ask where his anger came from