Independent Analysis and Reportage
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ Explainer – Everybody knows what a stalker is. But until this month, stalking wasn’t officially a crime. The Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Bill creates a new offence for stalking and will take effect on Tuesday 26 May, after a years-long battle by anti-stalking advocates pushing for change. “This…
Source: Radio New Zealand Kirsten Saunders, the co-owner of Smith the Grocer, says the announcement of more job cuts is tough for the city’s morale. RNZ / Ellen O’Dwyer An economist says more than 3500 jobs could be cut in Wellington, and the capital is set to “bear the brunt” of a major shake-up to…
Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF A national study has found New Zealand children’s enjoyment of reading, writing and maths has dropped, in some cases significantly. The number of older primary school children who do not enjoy the subjects has doubled since 2018/19, as has the percentage who believe they are not good at them. The…
Source: Radio New Zealand Fiscal drag is a constant pressure on taxpayers’ wallets. RNZ Are you paying more tax, but no better off? Fiscal drag, or bracket creep, is the process by which taxpayers move up through the marginal tax bands as they get pay increases, and end up paying higher proportions of their income…
Source: Radio New Zealand The government plans to slash public service jobs by about 14 percent over the next three years. RNZ / Quin Tauetau A public servant affected by the sweeping cuts of two years ago is “terrified” their job will soon be on the line again. The government plans to slash public service…
Source: Radio New Zealand Fisheries New Zealand is reviewing management measures for recreational shellfish harvesting in Auckland and Coromandel. 123RF More than 300 people have submitted feedback to Fisheries New Zealand as part of a review into shellfish gathering in Auckland and Coromandel. Last month, the regulator announced it was reviewing management measures for recreational…
Source: Radio New Zealand A senior public servant was replaced as acting chief executive of a government organisation following revelations she once used cocaine prior to starting in the public service. 123rf A senior public servant was replaced as acting chief executive of a government organisation following revelations she used cocaine once “a number of…
Source: Radio New Zealand “Offering us 0.6 percent is just frankly disgusting,” says one officer. File photo. RNZ / Richard Tindiller Some police officers say they are beginning unlawful industrial action – such as a go slow on issuing traffic tickets – following a 0.6 percent pay rise labelled a “kick in the guts”. The…
Source: Radio New Zealand The cordon in Papatoetoe after Tangaru-Noere Turia was shot by police in 2021. RNZ / Simon Rogers Tangaru-Noere Turia was showing signs of psychosis and wielding a shotgun when he was killed by police. But a coroner says better mental health support and interventions could have helped prevent the 2021 shooting.…
Source: Radio New Zealand Christchurch Council wants the government to make accommodation platforms like Airbnb share data. AFP A property investment expert says councils should crack down on short-term holiday rental providers who are not paying business rates without the government’s help. The Christchurch City Council wants the government to make accommodation platforms like Airbnb…
Source: Radio New Zealand The government’s latest job cuts in the public sector have a “DOGE-type approach” say the Greens, but it is “just what the doctor ordered”, according to ACT. The government announced today that public service jobs are to be slashed by about 14 percent over the next three years in a shake-up…
Source: Radio New Zealand New solar and geothermal generation means New Zealand no longer faces the same risk of running out of power in winter in so-called “dry years”, according to Contact Energy Chief Executive Mike Fuge. Hydro-generation is the country’s largest power source but can be limited in years when rain and snow melt…