Independent Analysis and Reportage
Source: Radio New Zealand Disability advocate Jane Carrigan. RNZ / Ana Tovey A disability advocate says a bill to clarify the purpose of Disability Support Services is the worst piece of legislation she’s ever seen. The government introduced the Disability Support Services Bill on Monday, aimed at “providing clarity and stability” to the system supporting…
Source: Radio New Zealand The Prime Minister says the public service isn’t a “make-work” scheme as he signals there will be job losses as a result of proposed government changes. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will set out three proposals in her Auckland pre-Budget speech on Tuesday afternoon in an effort to create efficiencies in the…
Source: Radio New Zealand Danni Duncan documents her decision to live a child-free life. Danni Duncan The number of babies born in New Zealand continues to fall with the latest data from Stats NZ showing more than 1500 fewer babies were born last year. The total fertility rate now sits at 1.53 births per woman.…
Source: Radio New Zealand AFP/ Thibaut Durand/ Hans Lucas The head of the dental association says some clinics are waiting as long as a year to employ a dentist, and are having to close temporarily or even permanently. NZDA chief executive Dr Mo Amso told Nine to Noon the number of dentists coming through the…
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ The government is set to announce proposals which RNZ understands will seek to reduce the number of government agencies, with amalgamation, more work on digitisation and using AI, and setting a target to reduce the public service headcount to 1 percent of the total population by 2029. There are 42…
Source: Radio New Zealand Labour leader Chris Hipkins says bigger government departments aren’t always more efficient than smaller departments. RNZ / Marika Khabazi Labour leader Chris Hipkins says public servant caps can be “arbitrary” and bigger government departments aren’t always better at doing the job, as the finance minister looks to downsize the public service.…
Source: Radio New Zealand The pension only covers the basics. (File photo) 123rf As the cost of living climbs and Trump’s war on Iran drives fuel costs sky-high, how are Kiwis coping? What are they doing without? How are they saving money? An RNZ series examines the ways it’s impacting different groups. The increasing cost…
Source: Radio New Zealand The pension only covers the basics. (File photo) 123rf The increasing cost of living is hurting most, but those on fixed incomes have even less room to move with some forced to forego coffee and meat. Petrol and oil prices have crept exponentially higher after the war in Iran, while statistics…
Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford reveal a $131 million education package. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone School leaders say the government is better to spend up on teacher development rather than workbooks if it wants to improve kids’ reading, writing and maths. Education Minister Erica Stanford on Monday…
Source: Radio New Zealand Australia’s latest government Budget has prompted some strong reactions. 123rf A recent headline in The Australian newspaper declared: Budget increases New Zealand’s appeal as a tax haven. It said, with no capital gains tax, no stamp duty or land tax, and the opportunity to negatively gear, business owners and property investors…
Source: Radio New Zealand In some cases average scores in the subjects edged up, but in others they dropped lower by statistically insignificant amounts. RNZ / Marika Khabazi The first national results show new English and maths curriculums have had little effect on children’s achievement so far. In some cases average scores edged up, but…
Source: Radio New Zealand Professor Bev Lawton holding an HVP swab Charlie Dreaver Health experts in New Zealand say that cervical cancer is not only preventable, we have the ability to eliminate it once and for all. On average, about 175 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and about 55 people die…