NZ Politics Daily - 30 August 2019
30 August 2019
Today's content
Parliament
Andrew Geddis (Spinoff): So, you want to hack New Zealand’s democracy?
Herald: The Front Page podcast: How can we protect our elections from foreign interference? (paywalled)
Michael Reddell: Political donations, National, and Jami-Lee Ross
Richard Harman (Politik): Mallard and Robertson in constitutional tug of war
Nikki Macdonald (Stuff): Politcised, problematic and outdated: Ex public servant calls for OIA overhaul
Collette Devlin and Henry Cooke (Stuff): Ministers spend $1.6 million on travel and accommodation in four months
Boris Jancic (Herald): Prime Minister defends Shane Jones travel bill as he outspends her
Zane Small (Newshub): The highest-spending ministers revealed
Anna Whyte (1News): MP expenses: Highest spenders revealed
Local government
Julia Talbot-Jones (ODT): Beware of 'crowding out' civic-mindedness
No Right Turn: Local elections need STV
Susan Edmunds (Stuff): Campaigning for council: Expensive, with no certain reward
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Simon Wilson (Herald): What's John Tamihere really trying to do? (paywalled)
Bernard Orsman (Herald): Asian councillor complains to police about racist smear campaign
Anusha Bradley (RNZ): Napier City councillors consider complaint after staff searched Facebook posts
Hawkes Bay Today: Napier councillors hit out after CEO orders Facebook trawl
Alice Webb-Liddall (Spinoff): Race Briefing: Gisborne, aka the ‘farewell mayor Meng Foon’ election
Aaron Leaman (Stuff): Climate change takes back seat to social justice issues at council debate
Katie Todd (RNZ): Technicality denies 'popular' councillor chance at re-election
Mary-Jo Tohill (Stuff): Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt spends over $3k on wristbands
National Party
Graham Adams (Newsroom): Judith, Jami-Lee and the politics of publishing
Brian Fallow (Herald): It's the 1980s all over again with National (paywalled)
Matthew Hooton (Herald): Simon Bridges - beyond the cult of personality (paywalled)
Gun laws
Jeremy Wilkinson (RNZ): Kits to convert pistols into military style semi-automatic weapons still legally being sold
Gordon Campbell: On the cheap politics that National is playing with gun reform
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): Is the gun buyback a ‘fiasco’ or a success?
Chester Borrows (Herald): Pistols at dawn over gun control debate (paywalled)
Privacy
Peter Dunne (Newsroom): Govt needs a more dominant digital czar
ODT Editorial: A matter of privacy
Shelly Bay
Tom Hunt (Stuff): Smoking gun or dull thud? Council boss releases secret Shelly Bay paper
Laura Dooney (RNZ): Shelly Bay: Claims Sir Peter Jackson funding dissident iwi group
Environment
Craig McCulloch (RNZ): Julie Anne Genter defends 'feebate' emissions scheme after Treasury criticism
Zane Small (Newshub): Greenpeace not satisfied with proposed $1.2 billion oil industry insurance cover
Mike Watson (Stuff): Taranaki's $600,000 PGF grant maps pathway to low emission economy
James Shaw (Nerwshub): The world must unite to protect the Amazon rainforest
Jason Walls (Herald): Amazon fires: PM asked by Climate Change Minister to offer NZ firefighters
Meg Taylor (Stuff):Declaring urgent climate change action is a signal of strength
Anusha Bradley (RNZ): Hawke's Bay Fish and Game Council chairman Bruce Bates asked to step down
RNZ: Blocked hydro scheme on Waitaha River would have had minimal impact - power company
Hamish Cardwell (RNZ): Roading project likely suffocating wildlife in Porirua Harbour - Survey
Laura James (1News): Mako sharks now have greater protection
Zane Small (Newshub): Why New Zealand opposed further protections for mako sharks under global CITES consensus
Sam Kilmister (Stuff): Putorino landfill spills downstream after failed attempts to redirect Rangitīkei River path
Mike Watson (Stuff): Port Taranaki ready to dispose of toxic firefighting foam
Primary industries
1News: Controversial Forest & Bird ad on freshwater degradation ruled responsible, truthful
Derek Broadmore (Herald): Farming change is the key to environmental recovery (paywalled)
Angie Skerrett (Newshub): Continued reliance on seasonal migrant workers 'problematic', says Ag Minister
Maja Burry (RNZ): New grass could reduce methane emissions from animals
Te Awamutu Courier: Federated Farmers say Kiwis lead the way in low-emission farming
RNZ: Mycoplasma Bovis: MPI changes to reduce farms' waiting times
Water
Morgan Godfery: Tribunal urges claimants to take a test case on water rights
RNZ: Acknowledgement of Māori ownership of freshwater needed, leader says
Education
Samantha Olley (Rotorua Daily Post): A step in the right direction': Rotorua reacts to Prime Minister's news (paywalled)
Anna Whyte (1News): Government's free lunch for some schools scheme doesn't go far enough, critics say
1News: Ardern announces free lunch programme for 30 schools - 'You simply can't learn distracted by an empty stomach'
Jason Walls (Herald): Government launches free school lunch trial which is expected to eventually feed 21,000 children
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Government announces free school lunch trial
Steven Cowan: Free school lunches are not a solution to widespread poverty
RNZ: Secondary school principals agree to pay deal
1News: Secondary principals accept Government's latest pay offer
Imran Ali (Northern Advocate): Second statutory manager at troubled Northland school, Kamo High School
Tara McAllister and Sereana Naepi (The Conversation): Māori and Pasifika scholars remain severely under-represented in New Zealand universities
Harrison Christian (Stuff): Māori and Pasifika staff numbers in academia unchanged for five years, research shows
RNZ: Nine to Noon: Why isn't my professor Pasifika or Māori?
Elena McPhee (ODT): Polytechnic Bill `bad democracy'
Mojo Mathers (Stuff): Mocking of fellow student pathetic and shameful
Transport
Damian George (Stuff): NZTA admits it had no power over final package for Let's Get Wellington Moving programme
RNZ: NZTA rejects advice, making Transmission Gully free
Virginia Fallon (Stuff): No toll for Transmission Gully, New Zealand Transport Agency announces
Kapiti News: Transmission Gully will not be tolled
Eleisha Foon (RNZ): Residents in Tekapo demand speed reduction before serious accident happens
Donna-Lee Biddle (Stuff): Doctors call for law debate as unrestrained children die on roads
Melanie Earley (Stuff): WOF inspectors suspended over safety concerns, over 2000 cars recalled for tests
Hamish Cardwell (RNZ): E-scooter injuries as severe as car crashes - study)
Katie Fitzgerald (Newshub):E-scooter injuries requiring surgeries cost nearly $20,000 per person to treat - Auckland DHB
Isaac Davison (Herald):Auckland surgeons operating on more e-scooter injuries than motorbike injuries, with total costs passing $400k
Ripu Bhatia (Stuff): High trauma e-scooter injuries a burden on taxpayer and hospitals, study finds
Stephen Forbes (Interest): Phil Goff says the Super City needs light rail but he's frustrated with the lack of progress to date
Katie Fitzgerald and Jared McCulloch (Newshub): Railway level crossings under the spotlight after coroners report
Newstalk ZB: Teen killed when hit by train: Parents of Keenan Matthes speak out after release of coroner's report
Media
Bryce Edwards (Herald): Political Roundup: Democracy declines in media darkness (paywalled)
Mark Jennings (Newsroom): TVNZ: It’s time for a transformation
1News: TVNZ profit down as TV advertising dips but online revenue grows
Chris Keall (Herald): TVNZ can stand on its own two feet says CEO Kevin Kenrick, revealing his three-point plan (paywalled)
Chris Keall (Herald): TVNZ profit halves, cans dividend
RNZ: TVNZ's revenue and profits fall as global competition intensifies
Employment
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): Why it's crazy to force workers to reveal their pay
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Chorus to merge divisions with 'tens' of job losses possible
Chris Keall (Herald): 500 Chorus staff called into consultation meetings
Matthew Ronsenberg (Stuff): SkyCity Casino workers to strike in push for better weekend working conditions
Super
1News: 'Knackered' people in lower income jobs would lose most if retirement age upped - Chris Hipkins
Ben Uffindell (The Civilian): David Seymour says ACT would make retirement age 69
Kate MacNamara (Stuff): The young will pay for the rising retirement burden
Foreign affairs
Anna Bracewell-Worrall (Newshub): Andrew Little admits using burner phone in China
1News: MFAT to consider halting millions in funding for UN Palestine aid agency after serious allegations
Mental health
Anna Whyte (1News): Sir John Kirwan lays out mental health goal as MPs launch cross-party group
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Government moving too slow on mental health - National
Measles, vaccinations
Hannah Martin (Stuff): Mandatory vaccinations not the best way to encourage participation, study finds
Newshub: Willie Jackson tired of anti-vax parents being labelled 'nutters and maniacs'
Dan Satherley (Newshub): Measles: Death 'inevitable' if outbreak not contained - vaccinologist
RNZ: Concerns school sporting events to spread measles further
Hannah Martin (Stuff): Auckland measles outbreak: visitors to the city warned to get vaccinated
1News: Those not vaccinated for measles should stay away from Auckland as outbreak increases, Ministry of Health warns
RNZ: Auckland measles outbreak prompts travel warning
RNZ: Auckland measles outbreak prompts warning for Pasifika
Jared McCulloch and Dan Satherley (Newshub): Auckland's measles outbreak heads south
RNZ: Queenstown on alert for measles
Health
Mark Quinlivan (Newshub): 'No confidence': Authors of scathing report into colonoscopy procedures doubt Southern DHB
Phil Smith (RNZ): Big tobacco and the new generation at Parliament
Karen Rutherford (Newshub): Auckland high school principal calls on Government to get tough on vaping 'epidemic'
Dominic Harris (Stuff): Mayor slams 'jaundiced' Government view of blanket chlorination
RNZ: Christchurch water supply risk means chlorination will continue
RNZ: Doctors concerned over safety risks of 'ambulance ramping'
Samantha Gee (Stuff): Call for Nelson Marlborough DHB's budget 'crisis' to be addressed by Health Minister
Mike Houlahan (ODT): High-frequency ED attendees to be prioritised
Damian Rowe (Southland Times): Southern DHB's ED report finds no easy solution for people at harm
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Initiative freeing up GP appointments, SDHB told
Sophie Trigger (Marlborough Express): Health care from home helps capture Marlborough's unenrolled
Cannabis
Simon Collins (Herald): School census: Teens' parents firm against marijuana as cannabis referendum looms (paywalled)
Andrea Fox (Herald): Workplace drug testers just say no to legalised cannabis (paywalled)
Carly Gooch (Stuff): Former Nelson mayor Aldo Miccio behind plans for medicinal cannabis facility
ODT Editorial: High time OUSA took charge
Business
David Hargreaves (Interest): 'Dismal': Business confidence plunges to lowest level since 2008
Rebecca Howard (BusinessDesk): Business confidence deteriorates in August
1News: Challenges, opportunities for Māori businesses laid bare in new report
Police
Jared Savage (Herald): Chief Ombudsman forces Police Minister Stuart Nash to release unredacted letter following IPCA report into Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha (paywalled)
Katie Fitzgerald and Jared McCulloch (Newshub): New Zealand First calls for change to police pursuits
Housing
Ben Leahy (Herld): Careless damage law to become new tenant-landlord battleground
Debbie Jamieson (Stuff): Final eight special housing areas approved by Government
Ruby Macandrew (Stuff): Tiny home dream under threat in battle over what constitutes a vehicle
Infometrics: Chart of the Month: Auckland is Big
Peter Paraone
Lois Williams (RNZ): Pita Paraone funeral draws hundreds of mourners
James Caldwell, Piripi Taylor (Māori TV): Honest, kind and much loved politician laid to rest
Other
Cate Broughton (Stuff): Power pricing confusion hitting low-income families in the pocket
Emma Hatton (RNZ): Certified Builders Association's insurance policy drops builder insolvency cover
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): No details on anyone who worked on this were leaked
1News: 'The public deserve to know' - Paula Bennett accuses Govt of secretly planning Ihumātao purchase with taxpayer funds
Jim Rolfe (Incline): The Cost and Benefit of Frigates
Nick Smith (Herald): Pike River Mine re-entry is politics over common sense (paywalled)
Jessica Long (Stuff): 'Undervalued' social service workers make pay equity plea
Chris Keall (Herald): With Sir John Key onboard, US tech giant goes on NZ push (paywalled)
Mānia Clarke (Māori TV): Cook Islands pay special tribute to Māori King
Liz Beddoe (Newsroom): A hostility to women’s agency
1News: With cash no longer king, what will the future of money look like?
RNZ: Uncertain future for i-SITE visitor centres
Press Editorial: Boozers vs wowsers in the game of politics
James Perry (Māori TV): Minor parties continue to use RWC drinking laws as political football
Katie Fitzgerald (Newshub): Black Power member Denis O'Reilly: Gang members don't need life made harder
Newshub: Emergency services respond to smoke at Parliament's old Press Gallery building