The Democracy Project

The Democracy Project

News Briefing

News Briefing: 16 May 2025

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Bryce Edwards
May 15, 2025
∙ Paid

PARLIAMENT, PAY EQUITY, THE C-WORD
Joel MacManus (Spinoff): Echo Chamber: A C-bomb explodes in parliament
Cherie Howie (Herald): Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters blasts behaviour in Parliament as ‘degradation’
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Inside ‘the House of Chaos’: Six days that saw Parliament go bizarre
Audrey Young (Herald): C-bomb brings explosive end to appalling fortnight in politics (paywalled)
Gordon Campbell On The Mock Horror Over Political Profanity
Greg Dixon (Listener): Shock new law makes Nicola Willis “Feminist of the Year” (paywalled)
Jamie Ensor (Herald): Labour’s Chris Hipkins admits question that led to Brooke van Velden c-bomb was ‘mistake’
Jo Moir (RNZ): Chris Hipkins takes responsibility for Labour MP's question that led to C-bomb
1News: Hipkins admits question that led to Parliament C-bomb a 'mistake'
Sam Smith and Bridie Witton (Stuff): Labour contributed to ‘distraction’ on pay equity with question about column, Hipkins says
Thomas Manch (Post): Chris Hipkins admits mistake after Labour raised 'c...' column in House (paywalled)
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): My take on the c-word debate
Stuff: The first time Parliament heard the C word
David Farrar: Stuff’s hypocrisy laid bare
1News: Why is it still so unacceptable to say the C-word?
RNZ: Linguistics expert explains why the c-word 'still has the ability to shock
Mihingarangi Forbes (RNZ): Mata: Pay equity issue will not go away
Lianne Dalziel (Newsroom): Ramming through retrospective repeal of pay equity is unacceptable
Louisa Wall (The Standard): This Is Not Feminism – It’s Fiscal Evasion Dressed in Lipstick
John MacDonald (Newstalk ZB): Gun salutes and c-bombs don't belong in Parliament
Kerre Woodham (Newstalk ZB): Slipping Parliamentary standards are a reflection of us
1News: Labour's Willie Jackson booted from House
Gaurav Sharma (RNZ): Stanford spars with Radhakrishnan over email ‘spam’ remark in House

TE PĀTI MĀORI SUSPENSION
Andrew Geddis (Spinoff): The many inconsistencies in Te Pāti Māori MPs’ haka suspensions
Matthew Hooton (Herald): Te Pāti Māori should leave Parliament voluntarily (paywalled)
No Right Turn: Brownlee stands up for democracy
Heather du Plessis-Allan (Newstalk ZB): Will we ever get order back into Parliament?
Russell Palmer (RNZ): Privileges Committee report on Te Pāti Māori's haka to be debated, voted on next Tuesday
Eva Corlett (Guardian): New Zealand MPs who performed haka in parliament given unprecedented punishment
Rachel Maher (Herald): Judith Collins condemns ‘lack of civility’ from Te Pāti Māori but not van Velden’s c-bomb
Karanama Ruru (Stuff): Collins says ‘lack of civility’ to blame for Te Pati Māori haka
Liam Rātana (Spinoff): A definitive list of when it is and isn’t acceptable to perform a haka

GOVERNMENT
Chris Trotter: Knowing who your friends are
Peter Dunne (Newsroom): National’s worst week in office
Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): NZ First wants changes to Regulatory Standards Bill
Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (Spinoff): Waitangi Tribunal hears evidence against another ‘dangerous’ principles-based bill
Metiria Stanton Turei (ODT): Is democracy locked in an arms race with the government? (paywalled)
Adam Pearse (Herald): Union accuses minister of ‘passing the buck’ on pay equity changes in ‘frank’ meeting
Russell Palmer (RNZ): Brooke van Velden meets with Council of Trade Unions after pay equity changes
Thomas Manch (Post): Union leaders say meeting with Brooke van Velden yielded little
Oliver Lewis (BusinessDesk): Treasury questioned urgency, raised 'significant concerns' about $1b transport fund changes (paywalled)

BUDGET
Catherine McGregor (Spinoff): Government unveils $190m social investment fund with focus on early intervention
Craig McCulloch (RNZ): Nicola Willis announces $190m 'Social Investment Fund'
Herald: Budget 2025: Nicola Willis announces $190m for Social Investment Fund
Luke Malpass (Post): Budget 2025: Govt announces new social investment fund (paywalled)
Dennis Wesselbaum (ODT): A tight Budget vs a good Budget
Herald Editorial: Political noise drowns out economic reality for Kiwis (paywalled)
RNZ: Taxpayers forking out almost 5% more than last year, despite income tax cuts, tax adviser says
Jenée Tibshraeny (Herald): KiwiSaver tax cut off the cards – will boosting balances boil down to you and I contributing more? (paywalled)
Davina Zimmer (RNZ): Big numbers for Budget 2025 - but will they be big enough?
Cameron Bagrie (BusinessDesk): How bad is the Government’s fiscal position?
Jenée Tibshraeny (Herald): Treasury buckles to pressure and gives the Council of Trade Unions and other groups accreditation to attend the Budget lock-up (paywalled)
Thomas Manch (Post): Treasury reverses restriction on Budget lock-up, accepts CTU economist (paywalled)
Taxpayers’ Union: The Taxpayers' Union *Will* Be Reporting From Inside The Budget Lock-Up

HEALTH
Nicholas Jones (Stuff): Fundraising to stay alive: ‘Life’s come down to dollars and cents’
Emma Andrews (RNZ): 'More needs to be done' to reverse dire well-being ranking
Claire Achmad (Herald): Pink Shirt Day: We sit at the wrong end of global bullying rankings (paywalled)
Peter Davis (Post): Reshaping health care requires new ways of thinking - and operating (paywalled)
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): ACC could offload responsibility for sexual abuse claims, new minister suggests (paywalled)
RNZ: Booze delivery fuelling alcohol-related harm, public health experts warn
RNZ: Health NZ pays Wellington region more than $60 million after holiday pay botch-up
Rachel Graham (RNZ): Christchurch health workers share struggles as sector faces increasing pressure
Nicholas Jones (Stuff): $23 for four hours: Hospital car parking costs driving patients away - doctor
Tim Hunter (NBR): A window on the world of general practice (paywalled)

POLICE, CRIME
Catrin Owen (Stuff): Foreign bribery: SFO launches tool to support whistleblowing
RNZ: NZ launches world first anonymous reporting platform to combat foreign bribery
Raphael Franks (Herald): Foreign bribery: Serious Fraud Office launches campaign and online reporting tool
RNZ: IPCA probing complaint from member of public about Jevon McSkimming
David Farrar: Objectional material is very serious stuff
Alecia Rousseau (Manawatū Standard): Gang members fight for return of sentimental sweatshirt and patches
Susan Edmunds (RNZ): Businessman Peter Huljich reveals himself as convicted inside trader
Matt Nippert (Herald): Peter Huljich is Pushpay insider trader, flagging further appeal (paywalled)
Rob Stock (Post): Rich-lister Peter Huljich revealed as Pushpay ‘true insider’
Hamish McNicol (NBR): Trust sold several million shares in Pushpay insider case (paywalled)

JUDICIARY
Neil Sands (Law News): Chief Justice says independent judiciary under attack worldwide, rule of law in decline
David Harvey: Ko Aotearoa tēnei? Personal attacks on judiciary out of order – A Critique

GREENS
Chris Trotter: The Greens’ 2025 Alternative Budget is brilliant, shame about all the other stuff
David Farrar: Greens propose more welfare, more tax

PUBLIC SERVICE
Russell Palmer (RNZ): Judith Collins defiant over survey involvement: 'The Greens are frankly bonkers'
Kate Green (RNZ): Department of Conservation could lose another 68 roles in effort to cut costs
Sam Smith (Stuff): Mediation between union and Government over working from home rules for public servants fails

TREATY SETTLEMENTS
Phil Smith (RNZ): The House: Wake-up call to MPs over building relationships after Treaty settlements
Pokere Paewai (RNZ): Parliament passes Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Ranginui Claims Settlement Bill

ORANGA TAMARIKI
Lillian Hanly (RNZ): Social services react to damning report into Oranga Tamariki Report
Lillian Hanly (RNZ): Auditor-General releases scathing report on Oranga Tamariki
Jamie Ensor (Herald): Auditor-General blasts Oranga Tamariki contracting process after concerns raised
Bridie Witton (Stuff): Auditor-General: Oranga Tamariki must ‘urgently’ improve its social services contracting

DEFENCE
Phil Pennington (RNZ): A surplus of defence riches, but lack of skill and experience
Alexander Gillespie (The Conversation): A law change will expand who we remember on Anzac Day – the New Zealand Wars should be included too
ODT: Conscientious Objectors Day marked for a second year

LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WATER
Jonathan Milne (Newsroom): Mayors adamant ratepayers won’t pick up tab for big fast-track projects (paywalled)
Ethan Manera (Herald): Senior National Minister Chris Bishop says Andrew Little ‘favourite’ for Wellington mayoralty
Justin Wong and Andrea Vance (Post): Upper Hutt council in ‘messy’ situation over mall deal (paywalled)
Lois Williams (Local Democracy Reporting): Standing for council? ‘Be ready for personal abuse' says mayor
Harriet Laughton (Post): Spike in Wellington City Council frontline staff abuse concerns (paywalled)
Emily Ireland (Local Democracy Reporting): Doubts remain over proposed joint water entity
Alexa Cook (RNZ): 'This is another insult' : Water rates to triple in Central Hawke's Bay
Local Democracy Reporting: Why Mahé Drysdale isn’t moving his family into his Papamoa home yet
Samantha Gee (Local Democracy Reporting): Councillor adamant Nelson well-placed to host Te Matatini

EDUCATION, TRAINING
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Principals worried by ERO report changes
Stephen Blumenfeld (Newsroom): Skills training overhaul risks the same old pitfalls
Matthew Littlewood (ODT): Staff call for Israel ties to be cut

HOUSING
Mary Argue and Nick James (RNZ): Two years on from Loafers Lodge fire Newtown building looms virtually unchanged
Maria Slade (BusinessDesk): Townhouse sold for $275k profit in three weeks (paywalled)
Greg Ninness (Interest): Housing market suffered 'autumn chill' in April, REINZ says

SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
Samantha Hayes (Stuff): The one thing the architect of Australia’s social media ban for under 16s would do differently
Juha Saarinen (Interest): How workable is a social media ban for under 16s?

BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT
Kaya Selby (RNZ): 'Easier to live in the islands' - Pasifika families 'in survival mode' amid joblessness
Rob Stock (Post): NZ shoppers get a good deal from supermarkets, Woolworths says (paywalled)
Raphael Franks (Herald): ‘Possible cartel conduct’: Sparky association changes policy after anti-competition accusation
RNZ: NZ Trade Group put on notice over concerns around anti-competitive behaviour
Susan Edmunds (RNZ): Why you might need to be careful of that job offer
Cheryl Adamson (Post): We need to stop and consider how, when and where we spend

ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION, PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
David Williams (Newsroom): Farmers in ‘impossible’ situation if rule quashed, court hears
RNZ: New welfare code for sheep and beef cattle proposed
ODT Editorial: The wapiti exception (paywalled)
Lisa Futschek (Post): Fishing industry deserves credit where it’s due (paywalled)
RNZ: Sanford doubles half year profit to $34m

MEDIA
Madeleine Chapman (Spinoff): Huge and true: Madeleine Chapman to step down as editor of The Spinoff
Poppy Clark (Stuff): NZ Herald pulls out of media award top category
Shayne Currie (Herald): Former Breakfast host Kamahl Santamaria releases internal TVNZ emails, messages; SportsCafe expands its empire; The Spinoff editor steps down (paywalled)

RESERVE BANK, BANKS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Jamie Ensor (Herald): Reserve Bank governer Adrian Orr’s plan to resign not discussed with Finance Minister Nicola Willis in multiple exchanges in weeks before bombshell (paywalled)
Lane Nicholas (Herald): UK bank accuses Westpac of ‘critical errors’ after customer sent $158k to wrong account (paywalled)
Roger Beaumont and Philip Joseph (Post): Fixing faulty legislation, not protecting big banks, the goal of these law changes (paywalled)
Gareth Vaughan (Interest): Co-operative Bank 'delighted', ANZ says own research shows better results, after contrasting placings in Consumer NZ survey

OTHER
Tim Brown (RNZ): Unclear how much abuse in care redress will reach survivors
Mike Grimshaw (Plain Sight): New Zealand – the way we have it…?
Rob Stock (Post): Natural disasters have cost Government, private insurers $64 billion since 2010
1News: Five Gisborne marae to move to safer ground with Govt support
Hamish MacLean (ODT): Opinions split on inland port sites (paywalled)
Eloise Gibson (RNZ): Transpower warns of higher blackout risk in winter 2026

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