NZ Politics Daily: 12 August 2024
ENERGY
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): Electricity Crisis: why we are ‘forked’ (paywalled)
RNZ: Pressure on power companies to act as energy woes mount
Press Editorial (Post): The exercising of power (paywalled)
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Winston Peters says he ‘knows’ power companies are profiteering during ‘crisis’
Luke Malpass (Post): The long cold winter may warm next week - power or not (paywalled)
RNZ: Heat goes on power regulator as prices spike
Steven Cowan: Public ownership of energy is the only answer
Dan Brunskill (Interest): Energy companies are playing blackjack with the economy
Heather du Plessis-Allan (Herald): We’re getting close to an energy crisis (paywalled)
Dileepa Fonseka (BusinessDesk): Will New Zealand be able to power itself? (paywalled)
Duncan Greive (Spinoff): Our electricity market is short-circuiting. Can it be fixed?
Steven Joyce (Herald): Energy sector needs a telco moment (paywalled)
Eric Crampton (Post): How politicians undermined the energy market (paywalled)
Greg Presland (Standard): We should have kept the power company shares
Bryan Bruce: Cold Comfort (paywalled)
Susan Edmunds (RNZ): How high wholesale power prices could push up the cost of food
Oliver Lewis (BusinessDesk): Another sawmill shutters operations over energy costs (paywalled)
Riley Kennedy (BusinessDesk): High energy prices hitting meat processors (paywalled)
Ian Llewellyn (BusinessDesk): Meridian welcomes move to free up access to stored lake water (paywalled)
Tim Scott (ODT): City firm in hydro scheme fast-track bid (paywalled)
HEALTH, DISABILITY
Guyon Espiner (RNZ): David Seymour's ‘whole of society’ plan for tipping millions of dollars more in to Pharmac - and Big Pharma
Andrea Vance (SST): Why ‘rolling crisis’ in health will dominate the next election (paywalled)
Brian Easton (Pundit): Hierarchy Or Colleagues?
Ian Powell: Message from health professionals to health bosses: Please stop the spin
NZ Doctor: Leaked report shows Te Whatu Ora plan to create special business unit (paywalled)
Ruth Hill (RNZ): Wairarapa Hospital short-staffed by 40 nurses
Lee Scanlon (Westport News): Westport's hospital closes again
Isaac Davison (Herald): Shortage of doctors and nurses at Counties Manukau mental health crisis team leads to delays
Peter de Graaf (RNZ): Return to regionalised health system will ease staff shortages, Health Minister says
RNZ: Prisoners waiting up to three months to see healthcare professional
Marc Daadler (Newsroom): Cancer patient may die after months languishing on waitlist
Sapeer Mayron (SST): Pathologists fear sector collapse without urgent change (paywalled)
Mariné Lourens (Press/Post):Is our primary care sector headed for collapse? (paywalled)
Kamala Hayman (Press/Post): Fractures on the frontline: What is happening to our GPs? (paywalled)
Annemarie Quill (Stuff): GP fees explained: why you might pay 3 times more in the same city
Cecilia Robinson (Herald): Why women’s health should have its own week (paywalled)
Isaac Davison (Herald): 'I’m on my way out': Suffering patients say right-to-die law still doesn't help them (paywalled)
Rachel Helyer Donaldson (RNZ): New postgraduate dentistry course hopes to improve dental care access
Anusha Bradley (RNZ): NZ study finds parents of children with autism have lower quality of life
Brittany Keogh (Post): Eighteen months of pain, $50K out of pocket – but no ACC cover (paywalled)
GOVERNMENT, CROWN-MĀORI RELATIONS
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): Government risks being overwhelmed by race (paywalled)
Danyl McLauchlan (Listener): National party’s centrist policies a stark departure from John Key era (paywalled)
Vernon Small (Post): High time for the Government to abandon ‘deeply weird’ policy pitches (paywalled)
Janet Wilson (Herald): National opts to deepen the divisions with Māori (paywalled)
Justin Tipa (E-Tangata):This government is going out of its way to attack Māori
Ian Taylor (Herald): Dear Prime Minister, you’re not measuring up to my KPIs (paywalled)
Duncan Garner (Listener): Is this your modern New Zealand, Mr Luxon? (paywalled)
Herald Editorial: Coalition’s rapid policy changes hit tangata whenua hard (paywalled)
Martin Williams (E-Tangata): Our Treaty future: A place for us all to stand
Maiki Sherman (1News): Axe understood to be hanging over Office for Māori Crown Relations
Laura Walters (Newsroom): Now, Te Arawhiti the Crown-Māori relations agency could close
Liam Rātana (Spinoff): What just happened in Kaipara, and what’s next for Māori wards?
Kirsten Wise (Hawke’s Bay Today): Māori wards not racist, important for representation
Zita Campbell (Local Democracy Reporting): Gisborne council retains Māori wards, public poll to take place
Arena Williams, Stuart Smith (Stuff): Forcing referenda on Māori wards is ugly politics
Mountain Tui: Paul Goldsmith: The Man Who Wanted Te Reo Māori Gone
Victor Billot (Newsroom): An Ode to .. Paul Goldsmith
David Williams (AAP): FactCheck: No, declaration doesn’t grant Maori veto over NZ laws
Greg Presland (Standard): What does this Government have against Te Ao Māori?
RNZ: Ngāti Kahungunu celebrates promoting Māori language to thousands
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ECONOMY, COST OF LIVING
Liam Dann (Herald): The real price we pay for inflation is becoming clear (paywalled)
David Hargreaves (Interest): Will the Reserve Bank will stick to its own script - or acquiesce to the urgings of financial markets for cuts YESTERDAY, please
Nona Pelletier (RNZ): Economists largely backing cut for official cash rate
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): Reserve Bank choice: small cuts starting Wednesday or bigger cuts starting later (paywalled)
Jamie Gray (Herald): OCR preview: The odds of a rate cut from the Reserve Bank (paywalled)
1News: Watch: Q+A: Economist: Why Govt shouldn't worry about budget deficits
Susan Edmunds (RNZ): Things are getting better - it just might not feel like it yet: Kiwibank
Shane Te Pou (Herald): Unemployment rising: Tax cuts mean nothing when you’ve lost your job (paywalled)
Louise Ternouth (RNZ): Crunching the numbers: How does a grocery shop compare to 2022?
Hillmarè Schulze (NBR): What is the biggest challenge for our economy? (paywalled)
PARLIAMENT
Andrea Vance (SST): Marae whistle-blower: Wellness QR code crafted to ‘clandestinely’ collect census data (paywalled)
Phil Smith (RNZ): The House: Taking their word for it: Lying and MPs
ODT: Civis: Democratic republic of greater openness (paywalled)
Peter Wilson (RNZ): The Week in Politics: Sir John Key - still a powerful presence
Greg Dixon (Listener): If our MPs were school pupils, they’d be expelled (paywalled)
Jenna Lynch and Tova O’Brien (Stuff): Watch: Tova O’Brien and Jenna Lynch review the week in politics
RNZ: Political editors panel: RNZ’s Jo Moir and Stuff’s Thomas Manch on Power, water and bad behaviour
Nick Truebridge (Stuff): National Party’s Indian wing blindsided by former candidate’s domestic violence case
Damien Grant (Stuff): The MP who provoked a drunk PM to call an early election
John Weekes (Herald): Christian Hoff-Nielsen ordered to do community service, says he has split with former Green MP Darleen Tana, thanks friends for support (paywalled)
FIREARMS
Russell Palmer (RNZ): Police Association urges PM to strip gun reform portfolio off Nicole McKee
Julia Gabel (Herald): Police Association says it was ‘deliberately excluded’ from gun law consultation, urges PM to intervene
Bridie Witten (Stuff): Police Association raises ‘serious concerns’ about ACT minister Nicole McKee
Michael Morrah (Herald): Police push to ban 3D-printed gun blueprints amid rise in manufacturing by organised crime (paywalled)
Laura Frykberg (Stuff): Changes to some shooting club regulations ‘made in the shadows’ with no consultation
ORANGA TAMARIKI, CHILD WELFARE
Frances Chin and Hanna McCallum (Post): The culture of silence around child abuse (paywalled)
Phil Pennington (RNZ): Watchdogs press Oranga Tamariki on plans to cut children's service contracts
Jenna Lynch (Stuff): ‘Disappointed’: Children’s Commissioner slams Oranga Tamariki provider cuts
Jenna Lynch (Stuff): Watch: Jenna Lynch sits down with chief children’s commissioner
Anna Whyte (Post): Chief Children’s Commissioner wants answers from Oranga Tamariki (paywalled)
Lillian Hanly (RNZ): 7AA repeal: Why ACT's policy faces heartfelt resistance
Sam Sherwood (Stuff): Medical professionals raised concerns with Oranga Tamariki before baby’s death
HOUSING
Jason Walls (Herald): Kāinga Ora sold $80 million of state housing in five years
RNZ: Critics doubt govt claims 1000 children now in homes, not emergency housing
Phil Pennington (RNZ): Ministry of Social Development to introduce new rules for cutting emergency housing numbers
Kelvin McDonald (Whakaata Māori): Te Matapihi asks MSD to ‘please explain’ tough new rules to cut emergency housing numbers
Herald: Government says households living in emergency housing down 32% over six months
Benn Bathgate (Stuff): 1000 fewer children in emergency accommodation, associate housing minister reveals
Georgina Campbelll (Herald): Six key issues with remote inspections as Government moves to make building homes easier (paywalled)
Greg Ninness (Interest): New dwelling consents back to 2018 levels - build costs stabilising
Greg Ninness (Interest): Auction activity bouncing along the wintry bottom
Janine Starks (Post): ‘Fed up’ retirement village residents uniting for change (paywalled)
Harriette Boucher (Post): There may be tax breaks ‒ but it’s not all rosy for property investors (paywalled)
TRANSPORT
Gordon Campbell: On Making Profits From The Ferries Fiasco
Laura Frykberg (Stuff): ‘Satisfaction levels low’ with Cook Strait ferries, some Aratere repairs complete after latest incident
RNZ: Interislander ferry Aratere resumes sailings
Tom Hunt (Post): Cook Strait Ferry Aratere back in action after latest prang (paywalled)
Martin Glynn (Herald): Congestion charging: Motorists deserve transparency, fairness and affordability – Automobile Association
Erin Johnson (Stuff): Decisions over $830m road raise ire of community it’s meant to serve
Rachel Helyer Donaldson (RNZ): Warning out-of-date law could penalise regional airports' ambitions
RNZ: Three new appointments to Waka Kotahi board
RNZ: Business to offer AI cameras for front of buses
THREE WATERS
Thomas Manch (Post): Water reforms: What you need to know (paywalled)
Catherine McGregor (Spinoff): The new way New Zealanders will get their water
John MacDonald (Newstalk ZB): Come back 3 Waters. All is forgiven
Grant Miller (ODT): DCC’s shuffling of funds still secret (paywalled)
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Brooking battles through the watery preliminary round (paywalled)
Alisha Evans (Local Democracy Reporting): Government’s water plan ‘significant step forward’, says Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale
Rachel Helyer Donaldson (RNZ): Broken sewerage pipe an 'extremely complex' repair - Wellington Water
1News: Wastewater discharging into Wellington Harbour after pipe breaks
RNZ: Wastewater being discharged into Wellington bay after pipe breaks
Stuff: Wastewater discharge into Days Bay after pipe breaks
Jonathan Killick (SST): When will Auckland central’s beaches be faeces-free? (paywalled)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Tom Hunt (Post): Claims majority of Wellington City councillors calling to ditch airport share sale (paywalled)
Simon Wilson (Herald): Do we need another report, or do we need some better heroes? (paywalled)
RNZ: Auckland's liveability drops in global rankings amid crime, housing, congestion woes
David Long (Stuff): Auckland slipping backwards against similar international cities
Tom Raynel (BusinessDesk): Auckland slipping in global perceptions, report says (paywalled)
Dita De Boni (NBR): Auckland still losing appeal for investors, migrants (paywalled)
RNZ: Future plans for Auckland's Wynyard Quarter announced
Anthony Hōete (E-Tangata): The Māori city
Catrin Owen (Stuff): Former Auckland Council building inspector admits bribery and corruption charges
Max Rashbrooke (Post): Compulsory purchase of mall could create unrealised potential (paywalled)
Joel MacManus (Spinoff): Windbag: The shadowy conspiracy-aligned group targeting Wellington City Council
Zita Campbell (Local Democracy Reporting): Confusion in Gisborne: Councillors mistakenly vote for stricter alcohol rules
Laura Smith (Local Democracy Reporting): Rotorua council injunction bid for sewerage works fails - for now
Dianne McCarthy (Local Democracy Reporting): Cat register too big an ask for Ōpōtiki animal control
Mahé Drysdale (SST): Getting to work as NZ’s newest mayor (paywalled)
FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TRADE, NATIONAL SECURITY
David Williams (Newsroom): Labour was working on a new security agency, Hipkins reveals
Myra Williamson (The Conversation): The World Court says Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land is illegal: 4 steps NZ can take now
David Fisher (Herald): NZSAS elite soldiers injured in accidents, raising questions about training (paywalled)
Natasha Hill (Te Ao Māori News): Winston Peters arrives in the Marshall Islands, marking his first visit in 17 years
Lydia Lewis (RNZ): Vanuatu leader talks marijuana, seasonal workers and cyclones in New Zealand
RNZ: New Zealand inks customs cooperation deal with India
Kelly Dennett (Post): India trade talks to intensify, Todd McClay off to Delhi (paywalled)
RNZ: NZ, Australia pour almost NZ$50 million for Pacific humanitarian warehouses program
RNZ: Samoan government has urged its citizens to surrender guns ahead of CHOGM
Paula Penfold (Stuff): Caught on camera, but police won't investigate attack on Chinese human rights activists
Tom Peters (World Socialist Web Site): New Zealand Labour Party feigns opposition to anti-China AUKUS military pact
Nadine Roberts (Stuff): Appeal for help to repatriate Kiwi pilot's body from Indonesia
EDUCATION
1News: Labour vows to 'get rid of' charter schools if it regains power
Hanna McCallum (Post): UK teacher warns charter schools will increase privatisation of education (paywalled)
Thomas Mead (1News): Schools struggle to staff classes amid relief teachers 'crisis'
Sasha Borissenko (Herald): Truancy and the law: crisis or smokescreen? (paywalled)
David Pomeroy and Lisa Darragh (The Conversation): The numbers don’t add up: why the government needs to slow down on sweeping changes to NZ’s maths curriculum
Steve Braunias (Newsroom): The Secret Diary of .. Luxon’s maths crisis
Michael Johnston (Newsroom): Hey, innumerate teacher, leave them kids alone!
Hanna McCallum (Post): No shoes and hungry: The growing reality of middle income schools (paywalled)
Steve Maharey (SST): Funding questions at the heart of our incredible shrinking polytechnics (paywalled)
ENVIRONMENT
Lauren Crimp (RNZ): 'War on nature': Proposed Environmental Protection Authority cuts 'deeply disappointing'
Jamie Morton (Herald): Why environment groups are accusing the Government of a ‘war on nature’ (paywalled)
Robin Martin (RNZ): New Plymouth former chemical plant investigation finds potential for contamination
Lois Williams (Local Democracy Reporting): Councils right to pause hearings: Hoggard
Matthew Littlewood (ODT): ‘Confusion’ over rules on areas of significance (paywalled)
RNZ: Frank Film: Plans for more mining on the West Coast divides locals
Pat Baskett (Newsroom): The free market won’t solve our emissions problem
MEDIA
Colin Peacock (RNZ): Media in the middle of angst over race
RNZ: Te Pāti Māori boycott NZ Herald over Hobson's Pledge ad
Herald: Te Pāti Māori ‘will no longer engage’ with NZ Herald after Hobson’s Pledge ad
Spinoff: ‘Scared the shit out of me’: Patrick Gower on his biggest story yet
Frances Chin (Post): RadioActive now 4k from safety (paywalled)
IMMIGRATION
Corazon Miller (1News): Immigration NZ warns of 'trend' duping unsuspecting migrants
Russell Palmer (RNZ): Visa fee revenue more than four times Immigration NZ's forecast deficit
Liu Chen (RNZ): Visa fee hikes will discourage migration to New Zealand - immigration advisors
RNZ: Visa fees for most migrant categories set to increase from October
BUSINESS
RNZ: Little public trust left for Foodstuffs North Island after fine, grocery advocate says
1News: Supermarket supplier cost growth slowest in almost three years
Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): Construction sector productivity stuck in ’80s
Brent Melville (NBR): Building supplies: Some low-hanging fruit, but no quick fixes (paywalled)
CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL
Heather du Plessis-Allan (Newstalk ZB): There has to be a limit to funding Christchurch's Cathedral
1News: Christ Church Cathedral 'likely' to be mothballed
RNZ: Christ Church Cathedral: No more taxpayer funding for rebuild
OTHER
Phil Pennington (RNZ): The surveilled society: Who is watching you and how
Martien Lubberink: New Zealand Minister of Finance wants to lower capital requirements—Is she crossing the Rubicon?
Rob Stock (Post): Govt will have to act to stop house insurance being ‘luxury good’ only for rich (paywalled)
Anna Whyte (Post): Environmental alarm bells ring after latest leak (paywalled)
Post: Beehive Briefing: 127 Ministry of Justice jobs to go (paywalled)
Amelia Wade (Post): ‘Wage theft’: Nurses say Health NZ delaying payouts for Holidays Act breaches (paywalled)
Christina Stringer (Newsroom): Modern slavery NZ – it’s real, and it’s a priority
Lincoln Tan (Herald): Police data reveals 2024 retail crime spike: Business group says situation ‘continues to worsen’ despite Government promises
David Farrar (Kiwiblog): Why I have resigned from the Research Association of New Zealand
Derek Cheng (Herald): 'A cruel hoax': How a minister, a property mogul, a ‘good bloke’, and the pandemic combined to resolve a 170-year injustice (paywalled)
1News: The case for and against banning greyhound racing
Peter de Graaf (RNZ): Multi-million dollar scheme for Northland aims to put cork in constant flooding
Lane Nicols (Herald): ASB, Kiwibank strike financial settlements with scam victims who lost $400k, Consumer NZ blames lax banking protections
Emma Hatton (Newsroom): Kordia backs out of $1.4b emergency network deal
Cartoons
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