National’s caucus reshuffle
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Date published: 7:49 am, December 7th, 2021 - 36 comments
Categories: chris bishop, Christopher Luxon, Judith Collins, national, nicola willis, paul goldsmith, same old national, Shane Reti, Simon Bridges, todd muller
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The deckchairs have been reshuffled. And Chris Luxon is confident that reorganising the pecking order of a deeply dysfunctional caucus will make all the difference.
Open mike 07/12/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 7th, 2021 - 27 comments
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Daily review 06/12/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, December 6th, 2021 - 28 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Some good news about Covid
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Date published: 7:58 am, December 6th, 2021 - 150 comments
In Auckland there ares welcome signs that the spread of Covid is declining and the Health system is holding up. And the Vaccination roll out has gone that well that Chris Luxon has described Auckland as having some of the highest vaccination rates of any city in the world.
Open mike 06/12/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 6th, 2021 - 323 comments
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Open mike 05/12/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 5th, 2021 - 391 comments
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Who will be the next Auckland Mayor?
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Date published: 8:00 am, December 4th, 2021 - 35 comments
Efeso Collins has announced that if Phil Goff does not stand as Mayor and Labour runs a selection process for the next Mayoralty he would be keen to nominate.
Open mike 04/12/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 4th, 2021 - 258 comments
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Daily review 03/12/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, December 3rd, 2021 - 38 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 03/12/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 3rd, 2021 - 225 comments
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Daily review 02/12/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, December 2nd, 2021 - 21 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Chris Luxon is not National’s messiah
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Date published: 9:16 am, December 2nd, 2021 - 245 comments
Two days into Chris Luxon’s reign as National leader and my initial impression is an overwhelming Meh.
Open mike 02/12/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 2nd, 2021 - 91 comments
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Daily review 01/12/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, December 1st, 2021 - 61 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 01/12/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 1st, 2021 - 167 comments
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Daily review 30/11/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, November 30th, 2021 - 20 comments
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National’s new leader is …
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Date published: 2:06 pm, November 30th, 2021 - 291 comments
Chris Luxon is set to be the next leader of the National Party.
Wanted: a new Leader of the Opposition
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Date published: 7:12 am, November 30th, 2021 - 70 comments
National needs a new leader of the opposition. The Standard has been leaked a list of the necessary qualifications …
Open mike 30/11/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 30th, 2021 - 118 comments
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Daily review 29/11/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, November 29th, 2021 - 37 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 29/11/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 29th, 2021 - 338 comments
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National’s factional problem
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Date published: 9:18 am, November 28th, 2021 - 91 comments
National’s basic problem is that it has three discrete factions, christian conservatives, urban liberals and the country grouping. And no coherent vision to reconcile these totally disparate groupings.
Open mike 28/11/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 28th, 2021 - 114 comments
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Class oppression and discrimination
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Date published: 12:45 pm, November 27th, 2021 - 79 comments
A brief analysis of power.
What National Needs To Do
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Date published: 9:04 am, November 27th, 2021 - 83 comments
Since the left are experts at internal knifing, National should learn from the left about how to recover. What National needsto do to recover.
Open mike 27/11/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 27th, 2021 - 64 comments
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Daily review 26/11/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, November 26th, 2021 - 49 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 26/11/2021
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 26th, 2021 - 59 comments
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The winners and losers from National’s leadership spill
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Date published: 8:12 pm, November 25th, 2021 - 146 comments
The winners and losers of today’s National Party leadership spill are …
Daily review 25/11/2021
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Date published: 5:30 pm, November 25th, 2021 - 34 comments
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How many centrist votes go to Labour?
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Date published: 12:38 pm, November 25th, 2021 - 105 comments
Judith Collins lost a vote of confidence. David Farrar seems to think that Act will get the inevitable flow. Sounds unlikely. The far right and nutbar fringe has already vacated to Act – who represent them so well. But Labour overwhelming won last election on a vote from previous National voters. History repeats in 2023?
- NZ Politics Daily: 7 December 2021
Today’s NZPD testimonial from Barrie Saunders, Former government relations consultant “I find the daily email service very useful in the way it summarises and provides links to all the news and commentators of interest and have missed when looking at the media sites directly.” Anyone can sign up to NZPD for free at: https://democracyproject.nz/nz-politics-daily/ ...2 hours ago - Graham Adams: Chris Luxon, abortion and the gender divideLabour commands around 65 per cent of the female vote but it will be worried that some will shift back to National now that Judith Collins has been despatched. The question of whether National made the right choice last week in selecting Christopher Luxon as its leader was immediately ...15 hours ago
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- Onward Luxon’s Soldiers (Sung to the tune of Onward Christian Soldiers)Marching As To War?Onward Luxon’s soldiers,Marching to class war,With the lust for profit,Going on before.Chris the new ringmaster,Leads against the foe;Forward into battleGoes this C.E.O!Onward Luxon’s soldiers,Marching to class war,With the lust for profit,Going on before.From Luxon’s religionVoters may yet flee;Surely someone’s focused-groupedHis Christianity?Bottom lips may quiver,When the news is ...4 days ago
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- Blowing a Hole in Your Own Wall: Idiotic Tampering with MIQManaged Isolation/Quarantine has been a fact of life for New Zealand for eighteen months. It’s not popular – there are only so many spaces available at any given time, and the process is famously opaque – but it is the key to saving New Zealand from rampant Coronavirus. That, ...2 weeks ago
- Now Labour wants secret trialsToday, the government introduced the Security Information in Proceedings Legislation Bill to the House. The Bill would allow the government to use classified information in civil or criminal proceedings and keep it secret from the other party. So people suing the government for human rights abuses could lose, and defendants ...2 weeks ago
- The end of a toxic leader2 weeks ago
- A transformative government in GermanyBack in September Germans went to the polls, and handed the politicians a tough job, with no easy majorities for anyone. The Social Democrats, Free Democrats, and Greens agreed to work together in a "traffic light" coalition, but given their political differences (its basicly ACT/Greens/Labour), expectations for real change were ...2 weeks ago
My 4,600-word ‘Capital Notions,’ has been accepted for the Winter 2021 edition of Midnight Manuscripts Quarterly. It’s one of those pieces that is a tad hard to categorise. It ... 
- Supporting families as we secure our recoveryProtecting Kiwis from COVID-19 has been and remains a central focus of our Government – but, even with the challenges of the pandemic, we’ve continued to make progress on long-term issues like housing affordability, water quality, climate change, and child poverty. ...2 days ago
- Housing legislation needs further changesThe Green Party welcomes changes Parliament’s Environment Select Committee has recommended to Labour and National’s housing legislation but says further improvements need to be made. ...4 days ago
- No new mines: It’s time to uphold your promiseThe Green Party has launched a campaign calling on the Minister for Conservation, Kiritapu Allan and Minister for Energy, Megan Woods to fulfil a promise the Prime Minister made in 2017 to ban new mines on conservation land. ...5 days ago
- Support needed for Auckland families and communities, not just tourismThe Green Party welcomes the additional support for Auckland this summer but said Labour needs to do more to ease the hardship many families in Tāmaki Makaurau are experiencing right now. ...6 days ago
- What is the traffic light system? Your questions answeredWe’re taking the next steps in our COVID response, with our plan to safely and carefully reopen. The COVID Protection Framework has been designed to protect lives and livelihoods while ensuring we can do more of what we love. New Zealand’s move into the framework, on Friday 3 December, marks ...1 week ago
- The next steps in our COVID-19 response planOver the past two years, keeping Kiwis safe from COVID-19 has been a key focus of the Government. As we move into a new phase of our COVID response, the traffic light system, protecting lives and livelihoods remains our priority. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party seeks post-enactment review for COVID BillThe Green Party is calling on Labour to commit to a review of the COVID legislation that will pass through Parliament today under urgency. ...2 weeks ago
- Test and refine COVID traffic light system firstThe Green Party says Labour should test and refine the COVID Protection Framework before opening the Auckland border. ...2 weeks ago
- Auckland border should remain in place for nowThe Green Party says the Labour Government is making a mistake by committing to opening the Auckland border before vulnerable communities are ready. ...3 weeks ago
- NZ secures new Pfizer COVID-19 medicineNew Zealand has secured supplies of another medicine to treat COVID-19, Health Minister Andrew Little announced today. “In October, New Zealand was one of the first countries in the world to make an advance purchase of a promising new antiviral drug, molnupiravir,” Andrew Little said. “Today I am pleased to ...20 hours ago
- Strong Pipeline for Construction SectorStrong pipeline ahead for the construction sector Infrastructure activity forecast to reach $11.2 billion in 2026 Construction sector now the fourth biggest employer with more than 280 000 people working in the industry Residential construction the largest contributor to national construction activity. Minister for Building and Construction Poto Williams says ...22 hours ago
- Regenerative agriculture research receives Government boostThe Government continues to invest in farm sustainability, this time backing two new research projects to investigate the impacts of regenerative farming practices, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. Soil health and regenerative agriculture “We’re contributing $2.8 million to a $3.85 million five-year project with co-investment by Synlait Milk and ...2 days ago
- David McLean appointed as KiwiRail chairDavid McLean has been appointed as Chair of KiwiRail Holdings Ltd, the Minister for State Owned Enterprises Dr David Clark and Minister of Finance Grant Robertson announced today. “Minister Clark and I are confident that David’s extensive business knowledge and leadership experience, including his time as former Chief Executive and ...4 days ago
- New Ambassador to Turkey announcedForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Zoe Coulson-Sinclair as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Turkey. “Aotearoa New Zealand and Turkey’s relationship is one of mutual respect and underpinned by our shared Gallipoli experience,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “Turkey is also a generous ANZAC Day host and has ...4 days ago
- Announcement of new Consul-General in GuangzhouForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Rachel Crump as New Zealand’s next Consul-General in Guangzhou, China. “China is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most significant relationships – it is our largest trading partner, and an influential regional and global actor,” Nanaia Mahuta said. “As the capital of ...4 days ago
- Government marks International Day of Persons with DisabilitiesThe Government joins the disabled community of Aotearoa New Zealand in marking and celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Minister for Disabilty Issues Carmel Sepuloni said. The theme for this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities is “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, ...4 days ago
- Deputy Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, and Advisory panel member appointedPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the appointments of Graeme Speden as the Deputy Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, and Ben Bateman as a member of the Inspector-General’s Advisory Panel. “These are significant roles that assist the Inspector-General with independent oversight of New Zealand’s intelligence agencies,” Jacinda Ardern said. “While ...4 days ago
- Five million COVID-19 tests processedAssociate Minister of Health, Dr Ayesha Verrall has congratulated testing teams right around New Zealand for reaching the five million tests milestone. Today, an additional 31,780 tests were processed, taking the total since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 to 5,005,959. “This really is an incredible and sustained team ...4 days ago
- Funding for extra ICU capacityCare for the sickest New Zealanders is getting a major boost from the Government, with plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on expanding intensive care-type services, Health Minister Andrew Little announced today. “Through good planning, we have avoided what the COVID-19 pandemic has done in some countries, where ...4 days ago
- “THE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF NEW ZEALAND’S FIGHT AGAINST COVID.”Speech to the New Zealand Centre for Public Law Tēnā koutou katoa Thank you for providing this opportunity to speak with you today as Attorney General. I’m here to talk about the constitutional consequences of Covid -19. I love the law. The way it exists with the consent of the ...5 days ago
- The legal and constitutional implications of New Zealand’s fight against COVIDSpeech to the New Zealand Centre for Public Law Tēnā koutou katoa Thank you for providing this opportunity to speak with you today as Attorney General. I’m here to talk about the constitutional consequences of Covid -19. I love the law. The way it exists with the consent of the ...5 days ago
- Pharmac Review interim report releasedHealth Minister Andrew Little has released an interim report by an independent panel reviewing the national pharmaceuticals-buying agency Pharmac. Pharmac was established in 1993 and is responsible for purchasing publicly funded medicines for New Zealanders, including those prescribed by GPs or administered in hospitals. The review, chaired by former Consumer ...5 days ago
- Appointment to Network for Learning boardFormer MP Clare Curran has been appointed to the board of Crown company Network for Learning (N4L), Education Minister Chris Hipkins says. Hon Clare Curran served as a Member of Parliament for Dunedin South from 2008-2010. During this time, she held a number of ministerial portfolios including Broadcasting, Communications and ...5 days ago
- Putting home ownership within reach of Pacific AotearoaPacific community groups and organisations will get tools to help them achieve home ownership with the implementation of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) Pacific Housing Initiative, said Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio. In July 2021, MPP launched the Pacific Community Housing Provider Registration Support programme and the Pacific ...5 days ago
- Coastal shipping will help keep New Zealand’s supply chain buoyantTransport Minister Michael Wood today welcomed the release of the Coastal Shipping Investment Approach State-of-Play report as an important step towards a more sustainable coastal shipping sector, which will further diversify New Zealand’s supply chain. “This Government is committed to strengthening our domestic supply chain by making coastal shipping a ...5 days ago
- Response to Human Rights Commission's reports into violence towards disable peopleTēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa. Thank you for that introduction Hemi and thank you for inviting me to respond on behalf of Government to the release of these two important reports (Whakamanahia Te Tiriti, Whakahaumarutia te Tangata -Honour the Treaty, Protect the Person and Whakamahia te Tūkino kore ...5 days ago
- Law change strengthens petroleum decommissioning regulationPetroleum permit and licence holders operating in New Zealand will now have an explicit statutory requirement to carry out and fund the decommissioning of oil and gas fields after a new law was given Royal assent today, says Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods. Once in effect The Crown ...6 days ago
- New Zealand Response to assist peace and stability in Solomon IslandsThe New Zealand government has announced that it will deploy Defence Force and Police personnel to Honiara to help restore peace and stability. “New Zealand is committed to its responsibilities and playing its part in upholding regional security,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. “We are deeply concerned by the recent ...6 days ago
- Continued growth in volume of new home consentsIn the year ended October 2021, 47,715 new homes were consented, up 26 per cent from the October 2020 year. In October 2021, 4,043 new dwellings were consented Canterbury’s new homes consented numbers rose 31% to higher than post-earthquake peak. New home consents continue to reach remarkable levels of growth, ...6 days ago
- Saddle up for summer with cycle trail fundingNew investment will keep the best of New Zealand’s cycle trails in top condition as regions prepare to welcome back Kiwi visitors over summer and international tourists from next year. “Cycle tourism is one of the most popular ways to see the country ‘off the beaten track’ but the trails ...6 days ago
- New Zealand provides additional funding to COVAX for vaccine deliveryForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced additional funding will be provided to COVAX to support vaccine delivery in developing countries. “New Zealand remains cognisant of the dangers of COVID-19, especially as new variants continue to emerge. No one is safe from this virus until we all are and this ...6 days ago
- COVID-19 Community fund providing support for 160 organisations focused on women and girlsMinister for Women Jan Tinetti today announced financial support will be allocated to the 160 successful applicants for the COVID-19 Community Fund, to support organisations helping women/wāhine and girls/kōtiro in Aotearoa New Zealand affected by the pandemic. “COVID-19 has had a disproportionate effect on women around the world including in ...6 days ago
- Government delivers reactivation package as Aucklanders reconnect for summerA new support package will help revive economic, social and cultural activities in our largest city over summer, and ensure those in hardship also get relief. The Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni and the Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash have announced a Reactivating Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland ...6 days ago
- Mobile services and broadband come to Chatham Islands for first timeWorld class mobile and broadband services have been switched on for the 663 residents of the Chatham Islands, Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications, David Clark and Minister for Economic and Regional Development, Stuart Nash announced today. “This eagerly awaited network will provide fast broadband and mobile services to ...6 days ago
- Crown accounts reflect strong economy amid pandemicThe Government’s financial accounts continue to reflect an economy that has performed better than expected, despite the latest Delta COVID-19 outbreak. The Crown accounts for the four months to the end of October factors in the improved starting position for the new financial year. Core Crown tax revenue was $2.5 ...6 days ago
- Applications open for new 2021 Resident VisaThe first round of applications for New Zealand’s new 2021 Resident visa open today (6am). “This one-off pathway provides certainty for a great many migrant families who have faced disruption because of COVID-19 and it will help retain the skills New Zealand businesses need to support the economic recovery,” Minister ...6 days ago
- More Vietnam Veterans to receive compensation for Agent Orange ExposureMinister for Veterans, the Hon Meka Whaitiri announced today that two new conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure have been added to the Prescribed Conditions List. Under the 2006 Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Crown and representatives of Vietnam veterans and the Royal New Zealand RSA. Vietnam veterans in ...7 days ago
- Government commits to international effort to ban and regulate killer robotsMinister of Disarmament and Arms Control Phil Twyford announced today that New Zealand will push for new international law to ban and regulate autonomous weapons systems (AWS), which once activated can select and engage targets without further human intervention. “While the evidence suggests fully autonomous weapons systems are not yet ...1 week ago
- New freedom camping rules – right vehicle, right placeTougher freedom camping laws will be introduced to prevent abuse which has placed an unfair burden on small communities and damaged our reputation as a high quality visitor destination. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has confirmed that new legislation will be introduced to Parliament following an extensive round of public consultation ...1 week ago
- Government invests to support a classic Kiwi summerVaccinated New Zealanders can look forward to Kiwi summer events with confidence, while artists and crew will have more certainty, following the launch of details of the Arts and Culture Event Support Scheme, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni announced today. “The Government recognises that the arts and ...1 week ago
- Grace period for expired driver licences cruises into 2022Due to the ongoing Delta outbreak and extended lockdowns, all New Zealand driver licences and licence endorsements that expired on or after 21 July 2021 will now be valid until 31 May 2022, Transport Minister Michael Wood announced today. “This further extension to the validity of driver licenses recognises that ...1 week ago
- Delivered: 1,000 extra transitional homesA further 1,000 transitional homes delivered New housing development starts in Flaxmere, Hastings The Government has delivered the next 1,000 transitional housing places it promised, as part of its work to reduce homelessness. Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods is marking the milestone in Hastings at a new development that includes ...1 week ago
- Traffic light levels announcedThe levels at which different parts of New Zealand will move forward into the COVID-19 Protection Framework this Friday have been announced. Northland, Auckland, Taupō and Rotorua Lakes Districts, Kawerau, Whakatane, Ōpōtiki Districts, Gisborne District, Wairoa District, Rangitikei, Whanganui and Ruapehu Districts will move in at Red The rest of ...1 week ago
- Financial support to move to traffic light systemA new transition payment will be made available particularly for affected businesses in Auckland, Waikato and Northland to acknowledge the restrictions they have faced under the higher Alert Levels. Transition payment of up to $24,000 as businesses move into traffic light system Leave Support Scheme and Short Term Absence Payment ...1 week ago
- New Ambassador to Russia announcedForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Sarah Walsh as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Russia. “Aotearoa New Zealand and Russia have a long-standing relationship, engaging on a range of regional and global interests including disarmament and Antarctica issues. We also work together as members of the East ...1 week ago
- New Permanent Representative to the UN announcedForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Carolyn Schwalger as Permanent Representative to the New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. “Aotearoa New Zealand is a founding member of the UN and we have worked hard to ensure our stance on human rights, ...1 week ago
- Further COVID-19 economic support for Cook Islands and Fiji announcedForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced a further package of support for the Cook Islands and Fiji for COVID-19 economic support and recovery. “Aotearoa New Zealand remains committed to supporting our Pacific fanau and vuvale to respond to the impacts of COVID-19 on their economies, and move towards long-term ...1 week ago
- New law will clear the air for tamariki in vehiclesFrom today, it’s illegal to smoke or vape in most vehicles carrying children aged under 18 years old - whether the vehicle is moving or not. “Second-hand smoke poses an unacceptable risk to our tamariki and rangatahi,” Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall said. “We know children in vehicles ...1 week ago
- Nine countries designated very high riskNine southern African countries are being added to the very high risk countries list following public health advice around the newly discovered COVID-19 variant Omicron, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said. This afternoon, a public health risk assessment was carried out to assess the emerging evidence and any risk to ...1 week ago
- Government Finance Statistics (general Government): Year Ended June 2021Government finance statistics (general government) gives an economic representation of New Zealand's central and local government financial activity. Key facts In the year ended June 2021: General government net operating balance shrank to a $904 million ...2 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – December 07 2021Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. You can sign up to NZ Politics Daily as well as New Zealand Political Roundup columns for free here. Today’s content National Party reshuffle, leadership change Audrey Young ...3 hours ago
- Government Launches Te Aorerekura National Strategy For Eliminating Family Violence And Sexual Viole...Today sees the launch of Te Aorerekura, a national strategy aiming to create an Aotearoa no longer scarred by the shameful and destructive family and sexual violence for which we are, sadly, internationally renowned. Te Aorerekura, rooted deeply and ...3 hours ago
- New ERO Research Finds Teachers And Principals Struggling During PandemicNew research published today by the Education Review Office (ERO) has found teachers and principals are increasingly struggling with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. "We know that Covid-19 has had a big impact on teachers and principals. They ...3 hours ago
- Latest Child Poverty Monitor Report Shows Maori, Pacific And Disabled Children Left BehindThe latest child poverty monitor report reveals that the government is meeting its targets in reducing child poverty for Pakeha children, but more targeted and focussed support is required for Pacific, Maori and Disabled children who continue to be left ...3 hours ago
- Government reveals 25-year plan to tackle family and sexual violenceTe Aorerekura represents an evolution in the journey to address violence in homes and in communities, says Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Marama Davidson. ...3 hours ago
- Mixed reaction to housing intensification bill recommendations ahead of second readingA change to a key part of the housing intensification bill has been enough to alarm supporters, but too little to placate critics. ...3 hours ago
- A Cigarette Butt Ban Now!...4 hours ago
- Covid-19 Has Caused A Further Decline In Wellbeing For Teachers And PrincipalsAn ERO survey released today shows that over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, teacher and principal wellbeing has markedly declined. Survey results show that teachers’ enjoyment of work has declined from 62 percent to 56 percent and only a third felt ...4 hours ago
- NZ’s unemployment insurance scheme will be the biggest welfare shakeup in generations – is it ju...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Chapple, Director, Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Finance Minister Grant Robertson with his 2021 Budget, which signalled an unemployment insurance scheme was coming. GettyImages When Minister of Finance Grant Robertson announced in ...4 hours ago
- Half of women over 35 who want a child don’t end up having one, or have fewer than they plannedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karin Hammarberg, Senior Research Fellow, Global and Women’s Health, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University Matthew Henry/Unsplash At age 35, one in four Australian women and one in three men were hoping to have a child or ...4 hours ago
- How much meat do we eat? New figures show 6 countries have hit their peakSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Diana Bogueva, Team Manager/ Adjunct Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Sydney Shutterstock Eating meat comes with an enormous environmental footprint, with food systems responsible for an estimated 34% of global emissions. And yet, in most countries, meat consumption is continuing to ...4 hours ago
- We are professional fire watchers, and we’re astounded by the scale of fires in remote Australia r...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rohan Fisher, Information Technology for Development Researcher, Charles Darwin University Shutterstock While southern Australia experienced a wet winter and a soggy spring, northern Australia has seen the opposite. Extreme fire weather in October and November led to bushfires across 120,000 ...4 hours ago
- Graduates lose pay advantage in tougher times, but overall workforce entrants seem surprisingly sati...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Roger Wilkins, Professorial Fellow and Deputy Director (Research), HILDA Survey, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Around 400,000 people under the age of 25 leave full-time education and embark on their careers each ...4 hours ago
- BHP’s vaccine policy ‘not lawful and reasonable’ – but this is no win for mandate opponentsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giuseppe Carabetta, Senior Lecturer, Sydney University Business School, University of Sydney Shutterstock Australia’s Fair Work Commission has made its first ruling against an employer mandating COVID-19 vaccination as condition of work. But this isn’t the decision those opposed to vaccine ...4 hours ago
- Even in the colourful world of video games, most players demand historical accuracySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Burgess, Associate Lecturer in International Business, University of the Sunshine Coast Ubisoft Some of the most popular video game series are those that use historical settings, and research has revealed players have extremely high standards when it comes to ...4 hours ago
- Watch live: Govt reveals 25-year plan to tackle family and sexual violenceTe Aorerekura represents an evolution in the journey to address violence in homes and in communities, says Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Marama Davidson. ...4 hours ago
- Newsroom daily crossword, Tuesday 7 December...7 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 7 December7 hours ago
- Unrest and riots in the troubled Solomon IslandsNew Zealand forces are being sent to the Solomon Islands to help calm growing unrest in what is most definitely not a tropical tourist paradise. But the portents for a lasting peace are not good. New Zealand has sent police and military personnel to the Solomon Islands in a response ...7 hours ago
- Renewed hope for migrant fighting to change the ‘ableist’ systemAfter a special exemption, Aisling Smyth can apply for residency following multiple failed attempts due to Immigration NZ's medical requirement. ...7 hours ago
- Horror at new plan to excavate pristine Fiji reefThey want to create ‘world class’ surf waves by excavating two channels through coral reef off a pristine Fijian island group. But this Kiwi-led group, backed by some serious heavy-hitters, is being slammed for pushing what’s been described as essentially a dredging project. A New Zealand-registered company is facing ...7 hours ago
- A new chapter in world champion rower's legendAfter falling out of love with rowing, world champion Fiona Bourke is back on Lake Karapiro, but now as a coach. And she's collecting the wisdom of other coaches to guide the next generation of promising Kiwi rowers. Fiona Bourke’s story has all the classic elements of a fairy tale. ...7 hours ago
- Pining for more profitable and sustainable native forestsThe real reason for NZ to help landowners switch from plantation pines ...7 hours ago
- Why NZ needs a women’s health strategyThe impending reform of the NZ health system needs to include a clear emphasis on improving women's health, writes Dr Orna McGinn ‘Mother of God! Sure you didn’t think I’d have had 8 children if I’d had a choice?’ I had always wondered why my granny had chosen to have ...7 hours ago
- Eric Crampton: The personal touch denied by impersonal bordersPerson to person interactions are vital for human relationships but our government officials don't seem to see the enormous benefits the border and immigration rules are denying NZ, writes Eric Crampton ...7 hours ago
- Christmas babyOne night very recently in Wellington The night began, and ended too, with snow, ice floes and perfect, terrifying isolation; men and their ship reduced to a smudge on polar whiteness. I was reading Ernest Shackleton’s account of his Antarctic expedition, a boring book as it turns out, overstuffed ...7 hours ago
- The Kiwi scientist and the failed surf breaksA Raglan based surfer-scientist involved in a company facing major opposition for its plans to create a surf break by excavating 2.5 hectares of a Fijian coral reef has courted controversy before for his role in attempts at creating surfable waves - including a project in the same part of ...7 hours ago
- Air NZ struggles to meet even conservative climate emissions targetsThe national carrier's carbon intensity has increased in the Covid slowdown, and it can't buy local forest offsets ...7 hours ago
- Solomons PM condemned during confidence debate, but survivesRNZ Pacific The Solomon Islands prime minister came in for searing criticism when he faced a confidence vote in Parliament today. A motion of no confidence against Manasseh Sogavare was debated amid tight security in the capital Honiara, where hundreds of regional security forces have deployed following major political unrest ...11 hours ago
- Yamin Kogoya: 60 years ago, Indonesia invaded West Papua with guns. 60 years later, they’re still ...Shocking footage has been circulating on social media showing National Armed Forces (TNI) Indonesian military helicopters firing indiscriminately at civilian villages in Suru-Suru District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua. Video: via Café Pacific SPECIAL REPORT: By Yamin Kogoya This past week marked 60 years since West Papua declared independence on 1 December ...11 hours ago
- Solomon Islands – where the world news talent is all localSPECIAL REPORT: By Sue Ahearn, co-editor of The Pacific Newsroom Did you notice anything different about the news coverage of the recent unrest in Honiara? Those fast-breaking stories on Australia’s television, radio and online networks were not presented by Australian journalists but by Solomon Islanders professionally reporting from the frontlines ...12 hours ago
- ‘Unthinkable’ referendum on New Caledonia independence challengedRNZ Pacific A group of citizens in New Caledonia has asked France’s highest administrative court to postpone next Sunday’s third and final independence referendum. In an urgent submission, 146 voters and three organisations said that given the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, it was “unthinkable” to proceed with such an ...12 hours ago
- ‘Don’t interfere’, Solomon Islands police tell opposition leaderBy Robert Iroga in Honiara The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has appealed to opposition leader Matthew Wale to “stop interfering” with police investigations in the wake of the rioting in Honiara last month. “It is unfortunate that the leader of opposition, Mr Mathew Wale, attempted to question an ...12 hours ago
- #HoldTheLine coalition demands charges against Maria Ressa be dropped before Nobel awardsReporters Without Borders One week ahead of the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony, the #HoldtheLine Coalition has called on the government of the Philippines to drop all pending cases and charges against veteran journalist and Nobel laureate Maria Ressa and grant her unrestricted permission to travel to Oslo to accept ...12 hours ago
- More NZ peacekeepers arrive to help defuse tensions in Solomon IslandsRNZ Pacific The latest members of New Zealand’s Defence Force and police contingent have arrived in Honiara after days of unrest in the Solomon Islands capital. They are part of a regional peacekeeping force that also includes teams from Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Two flights landed in Honiara ...12 hours ago
- ‘Shameless, misguided’ NZ anti-vax protesters cost Newmarket storesRNZ News An anti-vax protest that shut down the centre of Newmarket in New Zealand’s largest city Auckland today may have cost local businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost customers, says the local business association. Hundreds gathered at 11am at the Auckland Domain before heading to Westfield Newmarket ...12 hours ago
- Indonesian police charge 8 Papuan youths with ‘treason’ over flying Morning StarBy Dhias Suwandi in Jayapura Eight youths have been declared suspects on charges of makar (treason, subversion, rebellion) for flying the banned Papuan independence flag Morning Star at the Cenderawasih Sports Centre in the capital Jayapura this week on December 1. The Morning Star is a symbol used as a ...12 hours ago
- Vanuatu’s Shefa province recognises Wenda’s West Papua governmentRNZ Pacific Vanuatu’s Shefa province is recognising Benny Wenda as the interim president of a provisional “independent” West Papuan government. In a country that has historically been the most vocal in support of West Papuan self-determination rights, Shefa province is the first authority in the country to officially recognise an ...12 hours ago
- View from The Hill: Running Berejiklian ahead of ICAC report would send the worst of signals on inte...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Labor’s Chris Bowen made a very pertinent contribution on Monday to the debate over whether the Liberals should run Gladys Berejiklian, the subject of an ICAC investigation, in the Sydney seat of Warringah. What would ...13 hours ago
- Government releases proposals for changes to political donationsThe government quietly released a number of proposals, which are now out for public feedback. ...16 hours ago
- Covid-19 response: Waitangi Tribunal hearing into whether Te Tiriti breached beginsToday was the first day of a special hearing into whether the Crown has breached Te Tiriti in its Covid-19 response. ...17 hours ago
- 265,000 new dwellings in pipeline over next five years – MBIE reportMinistry of Business Innovation and Employment's National Construction Pipeline Report forecast 265,000 new dwellings would be consented between now and December 2026. ...17 hours ago
- Wool growers, too, have something to cheer about as dairy leads the charge in brightening farmers’...City dwellers, preoccupied by Covid, may not have observed that the country’s export economy is being sustained by its primary industries. Last week came the news that Fonterra had signalled a record payout to its suppliers, pumping $13.2bn into the regions. Some analysts think that may be on the conservative ...18 hours ago
- Luxon Called Out On Christianity ClaimsFollowing on from the implosion of the last National Party leader New Zealand has the fresh face of Christopher Luxon to lead the party with an aspiration to lead the country, come the next election In his opening speech Christopher Luxon promised ...19 hours ago
- Australia’s agriculture sector sorely needs more insights from First Nations people. Here’s how ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Gilbert, Researcher (Indigenous Policy) Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education & Research and Higher Degree Research Student at Charles Sturt University, University of Technology Sydney Much of the debate on Indigenous agriculture in Australia has focused on a contested pre-colonial definition as ...19 hours ago
- Here’s a worthy challenge for Judith Collins – asking why our Royal Society is investigating tw...Soon after the latest National Party line-up was announced this afternoon, Newshub was reporting who had finished up with higher rankings than before and who had slipped. Chris Luxon’s election as leader last week obviously led to his being catapulted from number 29 to number one. Nicola Willis, his deputy, ...19 hours ago
- Watch: Pharmac secures Pfizer's Covid-19 oral antiviral medication, subject to Medsafe approval...The government has purchased 60,000 courses of Pfizer's oral antiviral medication to treat early infections of Covid-19, subject to Medsafe approval, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed. ...19 hours ago
- Barnardos Calls For A Greater Increase In Government Benefits Following The Release Of The Child Mon...Today’s release of the Child Poverty Monitor is a joint project of the Children’s Commissioner, Otago University and the JR McKenzie Trust, designed to track the Government’s progress towards child poverty targets. The report shows poverty is declining overall ...19 hours ago
- Luxon's front bench shake-up and some wildcards tooNational leader Chris Luxon didn’t get dealt an easy hand trying to select a shadow Cabinet with three former leaders in the mix. For the most part he’s promoted MPs based on talent but has also taken a few risks, writes political editor Jo Moir. Former Air New Zealand chief ...20 hours ago
- Watch: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses media after Cabinet meetingPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield are addressing media after a meeting of Cabinet this afternoon. ...20 hours ago
- Labor offers extra university places, but more radical change is neededSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University The Coalition and Labor took very different higher education policies to the 2019 federal election. The contest was between tightly capped total spending under the Coalition and a restored ...20 hours ago
- Curious Kids: how did crocodiles survive the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mike Lee, Professor in Evolutionary Biology (jointly appointed with South Australian Museum), Flinders University Michael Lee, Author provided How did the crocodiles survive the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs? – Éamonn, age 5, Western Australia Hi Éamonn! ...21 hours ago
- Government consults on political donations clampdownAfter a series of high-profile political donation scandals, Kiwis are being asked to have their say on a short-term overhaul of the current system The Government has quietly set out its plans to overhaul the country’s political donations regime, with disclosure thresholds set to be slashed and an outright ban ...21 hours ago
- Labor maintains clear Newspoll lead, but there’s been an overall shift to the Coalition since Octo...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Dean Lewis/AAP This week’s Newspoll, conducted December 1-4 from a sample of 1,518, gave Labor a 53-47 lead, unchanged since the previous Newspoll, three weeks ago. Primary ...21 hours ago
- Timaru Port Workers Issue Seventh Strike NoticeMembers of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) working at the Port of Timaru have this afternoon issued a seventh strike notice following on from the six issued to date. RMTU South Island Organiser John Kerr says this gives notice of a further ...21 hours ago
- The crisis of a career in culture: why sustaining a livelihood in the arts is so hardSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine (Kate) Power, Lecturer in Management, School of Business, The University of Queensland La Boite’s artists company is embedding Queensland creatives in the theatre company for 18 months. Markus Ravik In the arts in Australia, precarious employment, unpaid work and short-lived careers ...21 hours ago
- Help Crime Stoppers Combat Cyber ScamsCrime Stoppers is after the public’s help to hold those responsible for internet scams. It is the ninth week of a series of Crime Stoppers crime awareness campaigns that will run until January next year. The aim is to encourage people to safely and ...22 hours ago
- Why New Caledonia’s final independence vote could lead to instability and tarnish France’s image...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denise Fisher, Visiting Fellow, ANU Centre for European Studies, Australian National University Mathurin Derel/AP France is persisting with its decision to hold the final of three independence referendums in New Caledonia on December 12, disregarding Indigenous independence leaders’ calls for ...22 hours ago
- National Party leader Christopher Luxon reveals new caucus lineupFormer leader Judith Collins has taken a tumble in the National Party rankings announced by new leader Christopher Luxon today. ...22 hours ago
- Animal Welfare Amendment Bill To ‘phase Out’ Live Animal Export Shows That MPI Represents The Ec...Direct Action Everywhere New Zealand (DxENZ) is speaking to the Primary Production Committee at 09:15am on Thursday 9 December on the proposal to phase out live export (Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2021). Sending cows who were born in New Zealand on ...23 hours ago
- Media inclusion of Indigenous peoples is increasing but there is still room for improvementSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Kennedy, Associate professor, Macquarie University Mainstream media is often understood as a reflection of national identity. Television media in Australia has documented Australian lives since its inception in 1956. For First Nations people however, their voices in this reflection have ...23 hours ago
- Watch live: National Party leader Christopher Luxon announces caucus reshuffleNational leader Christopher Luxon is making an announcement on his party reshuffle. ...23 hours ago
- Statement By Jim Farmer Qc As To Withdrawal Of Requisitions For Spg Of The Royal New Zealand Yacht S...On behalf of 34 RNZYS members I presented a requisition for a Special General Meeting of the RNZYS to consider a motion that the objects of the RNZYS Rules be amended to add an objective that Defences of the America’s Cup, when held by the Squadron, ...24 hours ago
- COVID saw us sitting longer – and diabetes rose globally by 16% in 2 years. Time to get movingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Brakenridge, PhD Candidate, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute New figures show global diabetes prevalence has increased by 16% in the past two years, with 537 million adults (aged 20-79) now estimated to be living with the chronic condition. Over this ...24 hours ago
- Autistic people need a greater say in where NZ’s autism research funding is spent – here’s a w...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Marie Emerson, Senior Lecturer in Child and Family Psychology, University of Canterbury Shutterstock Research has tremendous potential to help the estimated 93,000 autistic New Zealanders live the lives they want to live. The trouble is, funding for autism research ...24 hours ago
- Child Poverty Monitor 2021 Highlights Persistent Inequities In Rates Of Child PovertyChild Poverty Action Group (CPAG) welcomes the release of the Child Poverty Monitor today, which shows that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, poverty reduction targets were largely on track for Pākehā children, however significant inequities remained ...24 hours ago
- NZ Police Asked To Look Into NZ Phosphate Rock ImportsOn the 25th of November, 202, Western Sahara Campaign-NZ (WSC-NZ) asked the NZ Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to look into the imports of phosphate rock from Western Sahara. The New Zealand importers do not have the consent of the people of Western ...1 day ago
- Keith Rankin Analysis – Science, Scientists, and ScientismAnalysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin. Science, in the not-so-recent-past, has often had a bad press. It’s been personified, particularly by the political left, as Frankenstein, as agents of capitalism, classical liberalism, colonialism, sexism (yang over yin), eugenics, and god-like pretension. More recently though, in the zeitgeists of climate change ...1 day ago
- ‘Protecting Hector’s Means Prohibiting Set And Trawl Nets’ Say AdvocatesFisheries New Zealand has been consulting on protection options for South Island Hector’s dolphins. Submissions close today Monday 6 December at 5pm. But dolphin advocates say Fisheries officials' recommendations are fundamentally flawed. The ...1 day ago
- The Conservation Organisation Is Going Pro-Extinction To Save Endangered SpeciesWWF-New Zealand is calling on Aotearoa to become Pro-Extinction. Together, we need to make certain harmful human behaviours extinct to help protect our beaches, our ocean, and help save our taonga species, like the Bryde’s whale. Livia Esterhazy, ...1 day ago
- Changing Lives From Inside The WireThis month marks the third anniversary of the Navigate Initiative, a ground-breaking partnership between local not-for-profit Pathway Charitable Group and Ara Poutama Aotearoa/Department of Corrections which is changing lives from inside the wire! ...1 day ago
- Save The Children New Zealand Re: 2021 Child Poverty MonitorSave the Children New Zealand’s Advocacy and Research Director Jacqui Southey welcomed the findings of this year’s Child Poverty Monitor showing overall improvement in child poverty levels, but says more needs to be done to ensure every child in ...1 day ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – December 06 2021Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. You can sign up to NZ Politics Daily as well as New Zealand Political Roundup columns for free here. Today’s content National Party Morgan Godfery (Guardian): Christopher Luxon is ...1 day ago
- Prostitution Law Review: Benefits Exaggerated, Shortcomings Ignored, Denied Or HiddenAn indepth review of the effects of the 2003 prostitution law change has revealed a huge gap between the reputation of the law and its actual impact. The detailed analysis challenges the assumption that the decriminalisation of prostitution has ...1 day ago
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