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
Green private school
Chris Trotter: A Sorry Excuse For A Green Party
Matthew Hooton (Herald): James Shaw dives straight into the Metiria Turei trap (paywalled)
Simon Wilson’s (Herald): James Shaw and the honour of politicians (paywalled)
Malcolm Bell (Stuff): Green School should be celebrated and supported
Jane Patterson (RNZ): James Shaw contradicts Chris Hipkins on implicit approval in leaked video
Catherine Groenestein (Taranaki Daily News): Council rebuts assertion over Green School funding
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): James Shaw may need to dust off another apology for Chris Hipkins after ‘mischaracterising’ their conversation
Audrey Young (Herald): Chris Hipkins disputes James Shaw’s version of their conversation
Zane Small (Newshub): Chris Hipkins accuses James Shaw of ‘mischaracterising’ their conversation over Green School funding
Jane Patterson (RNZ): Green School funding saga continues as Chris Hipkins rejects claims made in James Shaw video
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): Shaw tries to drag down Chippy- Chippy tells him to bugger off
Sophie Trigger (Stuff): Green School grant could pay for Marlborough school’s revamp almost four times over
No Right Turn: When you are in a hole, stop digging
UNICEF report on child wellbeing
Florence Kerr (Stuff): Want more up-to-date figures? That’s down to the Government, says Unicef boss after PM’s criticism
Sarah Robson (RNZ): Support groups call for action following NZ’s poor showing in Unicef child wellbeing ratings
Florence Kerr (Stuff): New Zealand continues to fail children, Unicef report shows
RNZ: NZ ranked near bottom of UNICEF child wellbeing ratings
VIta Molyneux (Newshub): New Zealand ranked one of the worst places to be a child in ‘woeful’ new UNICEF report
Alice Webb-Liddall (Spinoff): NZ ranked fourth-worst in Unicef child wellbeing report of 41 countries
Charles Anderson (Guardian): New Zealand given ‘F for failure’ on child obesity and youth suicide in Unicef report
Labour Party
Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): Taxpayer foots bill for Labour electorate funds in decades-old subletting arrangement
Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): Ginny Anderson, undeclared donations, and the mysterious 1993 property transaction
David Farrar: Hutt Labour profiting from the taxpayer
Jason Walls (Herald): A Labour Party video featuring director general Ashley Bloomfield raised eyebrows at SSC
Simon Louisson (The Standard): Will Jacinda Ardern meet her promise to transform?
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Catrin Owen (Stuff): Young Labour camp assaults: Man succeeds in bid for permanent name suppression
Sam Hurley (Herald): Labour Party summer camp case: Permanent suppression for young man guilty of assaulting two people
Anneke Smith (RNZ): Court allows Young Labour camp offender to keep name secret
NZ’s coronavirus response
Hannah Martin (Stuff): Māori more likely to die from Covid-19, study finds
Emma Russell (Herald): Māori more likely to die from the virus, says new study
Dan Satherley (Newshub): Covid-19 a much bigger threat to Māori, Pacific Islanders than other ethnic groups – study
Leonie Hayden (Spinoff): Māori are 50% more likely to die from Covid-19 – at a bare minimum
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Peter Dunne (Newsroom): A shake and a shift in the messaging
Mark Thomas (Newsroom): Why a Plan B when Plan A is working so well?
Ananish Chaudhuri and Simon Thornley (Newsroom): Plan B: Healthy debate essential for good public policy
Sophie Trigger (Stuff): Nobel Prize winner weighs in on NZ’s Covid strategy from a poolside in Portugal
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Derek Cheng (Herald): How contained is the outbreak and how close are we to level 1?
Nicholas Jones (Herald): Confidence ahead of today’s Cabinet meeting on alert levels (paywalled)
RNZ: Ministers meet to review alert levels
Georgia Forrester (Stuff): What we know so far about alert level 1, and when we might move there
Simon Collins (Herald): ‘Don’t want to get ahead of ourselves’: Jacinda Ardern on NZ’s alert levels
Anna Whyte (1News): Jacinda Ardern outlines what Cabinet will consider at tomorrow’s alert level review
Newstalk ZB: Jacinda Ardern defends allowing Aucklanders to leave the city during level 2.5
Hannah Kronast (Newshub): Queenstown mayor calls for Aucklanders to follow COVID-19 gathering advice as conference begins
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Brittney Deguara (Stuff): Health Minister Chris Hipkins quashes rumours Covid-19 vaccine will be compulsory
1News: Health Minister takes aim at ‘deliberate misinformation’ claiming potential Covid-19 vaccine will be mandatory
Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Chris Hipkins hits out at ‘deliberate misinformation’ on COVID-19 vaccines
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Brittney Deguara (Stuff): The government was slow to act on face masks
Briar Marbeck (Newshub): Dozens of Kiwi bus drivers flouting COVID-19 public transport mask rules
David Williams (Newsroom): In-house testing at rest homes mulled
Lincoln Tan (Herald): Ex-immigration minister calls for halt on deportations during pandemic
Economy
Jenée Tibshraeny (Interest): The largest economic intervention under this “centre-left” government provides a form of welfare to the wealthy
Rebecca Stevenson (BusinessDesk): Let’s shovel regular people some money (paywalled)
Brian Fallow (Herald): Would negative interest rates be a positive move? (paywalled)
Liam Dann (Herald): Nation of Debt: How Covid is changing the way we borrow (paywalled)
David Hargreaves (Interest): Chartered accountants say Govt Covid support measures have had unintended consequence of propping up businesses that would have failed in normal times
1News: Grant Robertson admits there’s ‘more to do’ in Government’s economic response to pandemic
Dan Satherley (Newshub): Nobel Prize-winning economist praises NZ’s handling of COVID-19, slams United States
Election
Shamubeel Eaqub (Interest): This election should be a test of our values, ambitions & courageous policy making
Henry Cooke (Stuff): National and Judith Collins step up Facebook ad spend, while Labour spends almost nothing
1News: First day of election campaigning – again – as politicians prep for rescheduled election
Jo Moir (RNZ): A political battle is brewing in Northland with three candidates facing off
Jenna Lynch (Newshub): Grant Robertson tells business leaders National is risky and dangerous when it comes to economy
1News: Explained: What going on the Māori roll means
Sherry Zhang (Spinoff): Rainbow Election 2020 highlights LGBTQI+ issues – and a lack of policy
Dita De Boni (NBR): Green-Labour tax dust-up marks Auckland Central pre-election debate
Brittany Keogh (Stuff): US-based ex-Auckland mayoral candidate John Palino stands for NZ Parliament
Gavin Ogden (Herald): Local Focus: Rotorua candidates talk tax
Matthew Mckew (ODT): Five Southland candidates questioned on election policies
Cherie Sivignon (Nelson Mail): Close to Home: Four Nelson candidates outline what they would do about the housing crisis if elected
Matthew Littlewood (Timaru Herald): Judith Collins confident National can win Rangitata seat
Parliament, week in politics
Jane Clifton (BusinessDesk): Blame the Babylonians (paywalled)
ODT Editorial: More open government welcome
Cannabis referendum
Peter Dunne: I will be voting “Yes” in the cannabis referendum
Carmen Parahi (Stuff): Cannabis referendum: Would legalisation change the ‘race-based’ targeting of Māori?
Joel MacManus (Stuff): A cannabis cafe on Cuba St? Why not, says TOP leader
RNZ: Cannabis referendum: Opportunities Party wants supporters to vote in favour of bill
Dan Satherley (Newshub): Which regions of New Zealand are most interested in the cannabis referendum
Anuja Nadkarni (Stuff): How legalisation could affect medicinal cannabis companies
National’s child policy, Paula Bennett
Thomas Manch and Matthew Littlewood (Stuff): National launches ‘first 1000 days’ policy, promises $3000 for new parents
Amelia Wade (Herald): National promises $3000 to all expectant mothers in ‘First 1000 days’ $226m package
Anna Whyte (1News): National promise $3000 for all expecting parents to spend on child-related services
Zane Small (Newshub): National promises $3000 for parents to spend on baby services, paid parental leave choices
RNZ: National Party reveals pregnancy support package proposal
Zane Small (Newshub):ACT’s David Seymour hits out at National’s ‘irresponsible’ spending promise for expecting parents
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1News: Paula Bennett reveals her new job after departing politics
Newshub: Paula Bennett ‘excited’ to start new real estate career at Bayleys
Catherine Masters (Herald): Paula Bennett swaps politics for real estate
Missing ship, live exports
RNZ: Live cattle exports suspended after ship goes missing – MPI
Herald: MPI suspends live cattle exports after ship goes missing from Napier to China
Dita De Boni (NBR): Question mark again over growing livestock trade after sea disaster
Sophie Kevany (Guardian): New Zealand suspends live animal exports after ship sinks
RNZ: Missing cattle export ship: Rescue efforts to continue amid second typhoon
Sophie Cornish (Stuff): One person rescued from missing ship with two New Zealanders onboard
Shannon Johnstone (Hawkes Bay Today): One rescued from sea, Kiwis still missing after live export ship that left Napier for China capsizes in storm
AP: Survivor confirms livestock ship carrying missing New Zealanders capsized, sunk in storm
RNZ: Ship carrying two NZ crew members and live export missing in East China Sea
Esther Taunton (Stuff): Why were 6000 cattle at sea?
Education
Nita Blake-Persen (RNZ): Auckland school rolls low despite govt urging return to class
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Students want more NCEA changes: Lockdown ‘just pulled away all the motivation’
Simon Collins (Herald): University agrees to admit some students without University Entrance due to Covid lockdowns
Simon Collins (Herald): South Auckland principals want to cancel NCEA exams for Auckland students this year
Jackson Thomas (Stuff): Bible studies ‘opt-in’ clause explained: What the new law means for schools
Te Aniwa Hurihanganui (RNZ): Academics demand racism within University of Waikato be dealt with
Canterbury DHB
Meriana Johnsen and Phil Pennington (RNZ): Canterbury DHB confirms part of new hospital will not open due to lack of funds
Cate Broughton (Press): Staff shortage at $525 million dollar yet-to-open Christchurch hospital
Maddy Lloyd (1News): After decades of campaigning, Christchurch Hospital finally has a helipad
Health
Emma Russell (Herald): Racism within New Zealand health system – ‘It’s killing our people’
Danielle Clent (Stuff): Death rates for heart attacks three times higher for Māori, Pasifika patients
RNZ: Better education on strokes needed in NZ Pacific communities
Youth mental health
Eleisha Foon (RNZ): New Zealand young people facing ‘silent pandemic of psychological distress’
1News: Unified approach needed to turn around ‘pandemic of psychological distress’ among NZ youth – expert
Employment
Cate Broughton and Matthew Tso (Stuff): ‘Undervalued’ and ‘underpaid’: Frontline nurses across the country striking for pay parity
Louisa Steyl (Stuff): Primary nurses earn 10pc less than their DHBs colleagues, union says
Dan Satherley (Newshub): Doctors back nurses’ pay parity fight
Ruth Hill (RNZ): Some GP clinics close as primary care nurses and admin staff strike
Charlotte Cook (RNZ): PSA union takes legal action against Access Community Health
Stuff: Union alleges Access Community Health failed to pay staff, give them breaks
Vera Alves (Herald): Increased paid sick leave key to fight the virus
Welfare
Bronson Perich (Māori TV): Auckland Action Against Poverty calls for end to benefit sanctions
Bronson Perich (Māori TV): Coalition should have reformed welfare before Covid-19 outbreak – economist
Environment
Newstalk ZB: David Parker addresses winter grazing concerns in heated interview
Rachael Kelly (Southland Times): Environment Southland seeks legal advice around freshwater rules
Catherine Groenestein (Stuff): Farmers count costs of new freshwater regulations
Brittney Deguara (Stuff): Warmest winter on record a ‘dress rehearsal’ for winters to come
1News: Climate contributes to New Zealand’s warmest winter ever recorded
Alice Wilkins (Newshub): New Zealand records its warmest ever winter
Nikki Macdonald (Stuff): Will climate change mean the end of the snowy weather?
Lois Williams (RNZ): West Coast Conservation Board asked to challenge DOC over scenic flight ‘inaction’
Housing
Dileepa Fonseka (Newsroom): ‘Garage’ rooms went for motel rates
Isla Stewart (Spinoff): ‘Keeping Wellington’s character’ means keeping people in cold and mouldy homes
Local government
Tom Hunt (Dominion Post): $4450 in legal costs as Wellington Mayor tries to muzzle councillors and media
Damian George (Stuff): City councillor set to move Lambton Quay business after more than 60 years
Martin van Beynen (Stuff): Mystery funder of litigation against Queenstown mayor Jim Boult named
Guy Williams (ODT): Maori ward numbers ‘do not stack up at the moment’
Felix Desmarais (RNZ): Rotorua’s Climate Action Plan: ‘we’ve come a long way’ – mayor
Jane Matthews (Stuff): Stratford’s Govt and ratepayer-funded pool now has $20m price tag
RNZ: Natural burials now an option in the Whakatāne District
Canterbury quakes
Press Editorial: The opening act in an unpredictable decade
Philip Matthews (Press): Munted: ‘It was quite simple. It was good versus evil’
Charlie Gates (Press): Munted: ‘We had no toilet and no water. We were laughing’
Mariné Loure (Press): Christchurch homeowner’s insurance battle continues a decade after earthquakes
Charlie Gates (Press): Developer still miffed 2010 earthquake rebuild plans scuppered by blueprint
Press: Ten years on: September 2010 earthquake in pictures
Charlie Gates (Press): Shopkeeper still in ‘temporary’ premises, a decade after 2010 quake
Business
Jamie Gray (Herald): Reporting season – NZ corporate earnings better than expected, but some take a mauling (paywalled)
Katie Bradford (1News): Hundreds of jobs expected to be cut at NZ Steel
Melanie Carroll (Stuff): New Zealand Steel plans to cut 150 to 200 jobs after review
Anuja Nadkarni (Stuff): SkyCity posts $235 million profit, up 62 per cent despite impact of Covid-19
1News: Online gambling helps Sky City make profit this year, despite Covid-19 lockdown setbacks
Emma Hatton (NRZ): SkyCity reports 60% drop in normalised profit
Foreign affairs
1News: Poisoning of Russian opposition leader with nerve agent ‘deeply troubling’ – Winston Peters
Zane Small (Newshub): Winston Peters weighs in on ‘deeply troubling’ evidence Russian opposition leader was poisoned
Other
John Weekes (Stuff): Police Armed Response Teams dumped because they ‘created fear’, documents show
Paula Penfold and Eugene Bingham (Stuff): New Zealand documentary forces clean-up of deadly Afghanistan firing ranges
Laura Walters (Newsroom): I was part of a Russian meddling campaign
RNZ: Morning Report: Internet users need to be savvy about political memes – expert
David Williamson (Herald): Just say no to screaming memes and TikTok politics (paywalled)
RNZ: Hawke’s Bay farmer drought fund set for $200,000 underspend
Robin Martin (RNZ): Tour reinforces Taranaki residents’ fears over stinking plant
RNZ: Jamie-Lee Tuuta and Dr Carwyn Jones appointed co-presidents of the Māori Law Society
Peter Parussini (Newsroom): The Moore-Palmer coup, 30 years on
John Anthony (Stuff): ‘You don’t want to be like them, do you?’: The ominous message that precedes a DDoS attack
Toby Manhire (Spinoff): Jacinda Ardern voted second on list of world’s top thinkers
Herald: Jacinda Ardern voted second in world’s top 50 thinkers
Matt Burrows (Newshub): Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick makes Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list of world’s most influential people
Stuff: German museum agrees to return mummified Māori heads to NZ
