Government inquiry into Operation Burnham
Thomas Manch (Stuff): An apology from the Defence Force, but redemption has just begun
Stuff Editorial: A mix of shock and relief in the SAS report
ODT Editorial: Operation Burnham
Katie Scotcher (RNZ): Former Minister Wayne Mapp ‘forgot’ about civilian casualties
RNZ: Call for NZ Defence Force to apologise to villages where civilians were killed
Zane Small (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern recognises ‘major failings’ in Defence Force over Operation Burnham findings
Thomas Manch (Stuff): ‘It’s damaged our reputation’: Defence Chief apologises for misleading ministers
Matt Burrows (Newshub): NZ Defence Force chief ‘deeply sorry’ after damning report into deadly Afghanistan raid
RNZ: Operation Burnham report: NZDF ‘deeply sorry’ for misleading ministers and public
Thomas Manch (Stuff): Child was likely killed, SAS soldiers misled, prisoner was tortured
Vita Molyneux and Rosie Gordon (Newshub): Damning report finds civilians likely killed during New Zealand Defence Force raid, officials covered it up for seven years
Katie Scotcher (RNZ): Operation Burnham: Child killed, but death was justified, inquiry finds
Anna Whyte (1News): ‘Likely a child was killed’ – Inquiry into Afghanistan operation finds ‘significant failings’ by NZDF
Point of Order: Watchdog is proposed to keep a check on NZDF – but ‘Hit & Run’ authors take a drubbing, too

National Party
Richard Harman (Politik): Nats’ President breaks party rule
Bernard Orsman (Herald): National Party fails to follow its own rules when selecting a candidate for Auckland Central
Audrey Young (Herald): National in danger of listing too far right after exit of Nikki Kaye and Amy Adams (paywalled)
Martin van Beynen (Stuff): National’s identity crisis is bad for NZ’s democracy
Keith Rankin: Rob Muldoon And Judith Collins
Sandeep Singh (Herald): National’s polling problem – driving too fast for Covid conditions (paywalled)
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): National ‘in the game’ despite recent polling, ‘contest of ideas’ needed – Simon Bridges
Steve Braunias (Herald): The secret diary of … The Collins Gang (paywalled)
Andrew Gunn (Stuff): I’m E1. And I’m E2. We’re Judith Collins’ eyebrows!
Daniela Maoate-Cox (RNZ): Scarlet woman, elephants, triangles – Retiring National MPs reflect on Parliament
Hamish Rutherford (Herald): Matthew Hooton, who helped Todd Muller to leadership, leaves National Party
RNZ: Political lobbyist Matthew Hooton resigns as National Party staffer
Stuff: Matthew Hooton resigns as National Party staffer

Labour Party
Andrea Vance (Stuff): Why Jacinda Ardern won’t delete her Facebook account
1News: ‘Never a moment’s regret’ – Andrew Little pays tribute to Labour leader Jacinda Ardern
Newshub: ‘Never had a moment’s regret’: Andrew Little remembers the day he stepped aside for Jacinda Ardern
Brittney Deguara (Stuff): Andrew Little celebrates his ‘mate’ and ‘boss’ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s leadership milestone
Herald: Andrew Little on his handover to Jacinda Ardern – ‘I’ve never had a moment’s regret’
1News: Jacinda Ardern overcomes stiff competition to be named world’s most eloquent leader
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern tops list of ‘eloquent leaders’, Boris Johnson, Donald Trump’s communication criticised
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Clare Curran: fighting for causes, staying true to oneself
Matt Robson (Evening Report): Labour should have the courage of National and rule out NZ First
Lawrence Gullery (Stuff): First-time candidate Kerrin Leoni launches Labour’s bid for the Waikato electorate

Election
Henry Cooke (Stuff): With just one more week of Parliament, the coalition looks close to falling apart right on the finish line
Luke Malpass (Stuff): Election 2020: How do you run against elimination?
Stuff: Tick. Tick: Stuff launches podcast to cover 2020 election campaign
1News: Q+A: New Zealand a ‘prime target’ for foreign interference ahead of election says expert
Vita Molyneux (Newshub): Gender-neutral option included in voting enrolment forms for first time
Andre Chumko (Stuff): Mx pronouns on voting enrolment forms for first time
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Judith Collins accuses ‘opponents’ of stealing billboards, suspects they will show up again on election day
1News: National leader Judith Collins blames ‘opponents’ after election hoardings go missing
Herald: ‘Stupid behaviour’: Judith Collins blames political opponents for theft of billboards
Dan Satherley (Newshub): Judith Collins accuses ‘opponents’ of setting her up after hoardings vanish
Herald: Damaged billboards: Labour MP spends Sunday fixing hoardings
Maxine Jacobs (Stuff): Tensions rise at Palmerston North election candidate meeting
Daisy Hudson (ODT): Being understood by MPs important to rural folk
Vera Alves (Herald): Waitaki candidate Daniel Shand says he doesn’t know anything about politics

Minor parties
1News: Analysis: ACT will be celebrating latest poll, but Greens will be nervous
RNZ: New political poll: Assessing the fortunes of the minor parties
Mark Boyd (Stuff): Labour and National are polls apart, but the ‘minor’ parties could find comfort in the margins
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Greens determined in face of 5% threshold
Newstalk ZB: James Shaw on the Greens disappointing result in latest poll
1News: Outgoing MP trading his suit for a pair of gumboots on Quarantine Island
Katie Doyle (RNZ): Top five contenders who could join ACT leader David Seymour in Parliament
Heather du Plessis-Allan (Herald): Small parties can have a big influence (paywalled)
Zoe Madden-Smith:I don’t know anything about politics: what’s the deal with the minor parties

Micro parties
Charlie Mitchell (Stuff): The conspiracists’ election: How the farthest fringes of politics are making a play for the centre
Andrea Vance (Stuff): Fringe party leader alleges campaign of harassment by Billy TK supporters
Deena Coster (Taranaki Daily News): Outspoken councillor launches bid to become MP

Maori seats
1News: Labour launches Maori seats campaign as predictions show M?ori unemployment will soar to higher levels than after GFC
Maori TV: ‘Lots of hard work’ needed to retain Maori seats – Labour Maori caucus campaign launch
Audrey Young (Herald): PM Jacinda Ardern launches campaign to keep Maori seats
1News: Q+A: Maori Party fighting to get back in Parliament in this election
1News: Maori Party candidate hoping to bring back tomo, a type of arranged marriage
Bronson Perich (Maori TV): Could this be Rino Tirikatene’s easiest re-election run ever?

NZ First
Claire Trevett (Herald): Jacinda Ardern backs Winston Peters on ‘trust’ after poll
Jane Bowron (Stuff): Winston Peters’ manners deteriorate as poll suggests voters losing faith
Dan Satherley (Newshub Nation): Winston Peters thinks both recent polls are rogue
Andrea Vance (Stuff): NZ First Minister Tracey Martin: ‘I didn’t think I was good enough’
John Roughan (Herald): Time is up for time-wasting Winston Peters (paywalled)

MP scandals, week in politics
Bruce Munro (ODT): Wise choices
1News: Disgraced politicians keep pay despite being absent from Parliament
Peter Wilson (RNZ): The Week in Politics: Polls point to a Labour landslide
Brent Edwards (NBR): Fact or Fiction: Polls, quarantine and criticism of the media (paywalled)
Jane Clifton (BusinessDesk): Swirl-o-meter meets the Brow of Mirth (paywalled)

Euthanasia and cannabis referendums
RNZ: The Detail: What you need to know about election 2020’s referendums
Muriel Newman: Two referenda: Euthanasia and the recreational use of cannabis
Mary Cannon (Herald): Cannabis is harmful for young adults and teens (paywalled)
Nicholas and Anne Nixon (Stuff): A few puffs of cannabis led our son to drug addiction
Jack Tame (Newstalk ZB): Why is booze OK, but cannabis isn’t?
Denise Piper (Stuff): Whang?rei ACT candidate says yes vote will give him choice

Managed isolation charges, border restrictions
1News: Public opinion differs from Government over charging Kiwis for managed isolation, 1 NEWS poll shows
Josephine Franks (Stuff): Majority of Kiwis support quarantine fee for all returning travellers, poll shows
1News: Gerry Brownlee slams Govt over ‘inconsistent’ treatment of unwelcome Warriors duo
Natalie Sutherland (1News): Kiwis with partners overseas wanting to enter NZ frustrated with confusing immigration rules

Covid document release
Amelia Wade (Herald): Covid 19 coronavirus document release: Isolation cost underestimated; vaccination ‘best case’ end of 2021
RNZ: Covid-19 document dump: Budget blowouts, transit visas, social costs
Herald: Covid 19 document release: More homelessness expected
Hannah Kronast (Newshub): Covid-19 document dump: Government significantly underestimated border costs
Zane Small (Newshub): Covid-19 document dump reveals $450 million cost of staying at alert level 2 a week longer
Zane Small (Newshub): Covid-19 document dump: Government considered mandatory QR codes with up to six months in prison for defiance

Covid-19: – public health measures
Tracy Watkins and Brittney Deguara (Stuff): Health Minister Chris Hipkins says Government will use any method necessary to track Covid-19 contacts
Michael Morrah (Newshub): Ministry of Health blasted as ‘far too slow’ to act in NZ-linked Korean COVID-19 case
1News: Concerns New Zealanders becoming complacent about threat of second wave of Covid-19
1News: Covid-19 expert Siouxsie Wiles urges Kiwis not to get complacent – and get tested
Tracy Watkins (SST Editorial): We’re all covidiots if we let complacency rule
Siouxsie Wiles (Newshub): Four possible scenarios for the Australian and South Korean travellers

Foreign affairs
Anan Zaki (RNZ): Critics deplore China’s NZ ads defending policies
Anne-Marie Brady (Guardian): New Zealand’s relationship with China is at a tipping point
Charles Finny (BusinessDesk): Disagreeing with China is vital – and OK (paywalled)
1News: Q+A: NZ should ‘keep its head down’ as global tensions rise with China – analyst
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Suspension of Hong Kong extradition treaty not interference from New Zealand – Winston Peters
Dan Satherley (Newshub Nation): Korean diplomat accused of sexual assault in Wellington urged to come back to NZ and defend himself
Simon Draper (Stuff): Relationships with Asia may bear fruit in era of vaccine diplomacy

Environment and conservation
Anna Whyte (1News): Hard-to-recycle plastic waste needs permit to leave NZ from 2021
Olivia Wannan (Stuff): Uncertain fate for cash raised in emissions auctions
Sally Murphy (RNZ): Man hands over climate change hunger strike after 21 days
Adam Smith (The Conversation): Sharks are thriving at the Kermadec Islands, but not the rest of New Zealand, amid global decline
John Gibb (ODT): Need for penguin protection
RNZ: Rakit? Island declared predator free after rats eradicated

Resource Management Act 
Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): Changing times and policy use-by dates (paywalled)
Leighton Heikell (Newshub): Proposed Resource Management Act changes come too late for Kiwis facing coastal erosion

Local government
RNZ: Iwi takes over council’s functions for first time in NZ
Todd Niall (Stuff): It’s time Auckland Council lifted the veil on secret decision-making
Tina Law (Press): Christchurch City councillors enjoy a bit (of work) on the side
Aaron van Delden (Stuff): Do models of the Endeavour belong in Gisborne?
Phil Pennington (RNZ): Councils miss deadline for identifying quake-prone buildings
1News: ‘Unacceptable’ – Auckland councillors cry foul over online attacks
Martin Gregory (ISO): The Corruption of Local Government: Plimmerton Farm, Porirua

Housing
Melanie Carroll (Stuff): K?inga Ora retrofit works out at $333k per state house – is it cheaper to build new?
Piers Fuller (Stuff): More new public housing being delivered in Porirua
Harry Lock (Stuff): Wellington Council to consider higher building limits for housing
Anne Gibson (Herald): Landlords, tenants beware: Law change due to go back to Parliament next week (paywalled)
1News: Queenstown rental prices fall 28% amid Covid-19 border closures
Ben Leahy (Herald): ‘The brakes are on’: House-price growth halts after early Covid-19 recovery
Matthew Mckew (ODT): Let foreigners buy in Queenstown: Seymour

Health
Robin Martin (RNZ): Health checks for residents near Paritutu chemical plant a ‘sham’
Mike Houlahan (ODT): SDHB catch-up may have backfired
Emma Russell (Herald): Judith Collins slams Greens’ water-only drinks policy for sports clubs
Henry Cooke (Stuff): National supported ‘water-only’ policies it has attacked Green Party over in Government
1News: New Zealand’s health sector providing offshore appeal like never before
1News: Govt aims to boost measles vaccination rates among Maori and Pasifika as it pledges millions for campaign
Newshub: Government campaign to boost measles vaccination rates
RNZ: Loneliness spikes among New Zealand youth
Jess Berentson-Shaw (RNZ): The Pursuit of Wellness: Wellness is for the wealthy
Patrick Gower (Newshub): Kiwi teen with cystic fibrosis sees ‘miracle’ results with new drug Trikafta, but it costs $470k a year

Education
Josephine Franks (Stuff): Coronavirus made our education system even more unequal, leaders say
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Call to axe $100m learning scheme and redirect funding
Kate Nicol-Williams (1News): Primary students to access counselling through school for first time
Ryan Anderson (Stuff): Student hardship grants too hard to access in lockdown, union say

Economy
Brian Easton (Pundit): The Holistic Perspective Of Bryan Philpott
Liam Dann (Herald): NZ faces unwelcome new economic divide (paywalled)
Tony Alexander (Stuff): Here’s why this recession is different
1News: Q+A: List of shovel-ready projects to be revealed by end of next week, Finance Minister says
1News: Q+A: Wage subsidy extension not stretched to limits in positive sign for NZ economy – Grant Robertson
Jenee Tibshraeny (Interest): ACT Leader David Seymour on how slashing tax and government spending will get New Zealand through the economic crisis
Vita Molyneux (Newshub Nation): National MP Louise Upston blasts ‘two tier’ COVID-19 benefit system as ‘grossly unfair’, despite National using similar policy after quakes
Damien Grant (Stuff): The Government’s Covid-19 spending will be an economic albatross for decades
Fran O’Sullivan (Herald): Business needs Jacinda Ardern to use trust wisely (paywalled)
RNZ: Chatham Islands gets government funding for coronavirus recovery
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Reserve Bank says banks ‘stepped up’ during Covid-19 – despite slap from Government
RNZ: Reserve Bank gives outlook on banking sector post-lockdown
Jenee Tibshraeny (Interest): RBNZ doesn’t want abrupt end to mortgage repayment deferrals

Unemployment, migrant workers
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): 7% of Kiwis think they will lose job in next year and struggle to find another
Liam Dann (Herald): Unemployment: What will this week’s labour force unemployment data tell us? (paywalled)
Madison Reidy (Newshub): Union calls on Government to pause visa applications for foreign labour workers
1New: Farmers doubtful Government plans will keep industry afloat
Maia Hart (Stuff): Overseas worker scheme in ‘limbo’ as border restrictions bite
Riley Kennedy (RNZ): Modern slavery rife in NZ and Pacific Islands, charity claims
Tom Kitchin (RNZ): Kiwi company developing survey to help uncover worker exploitation

Primary industries, animal welfare
Esther Taunton (Stuff): Is there justice for animals? Tougher fines for pollution than abuse
Cleo Fraser (Newshub): The Hui: Kiwi companies buying ‘stolen goods’ accused contributing to oppression in Africa
Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): Government agreed to buy 12,000 pigs during lockdown over animal welfare concerns
RNZ: Legal action begins as kiwifruit plantings in China soar
Sally Rae (ODT): ‘Blown away’ by response to wool petition

Tiwai Point
Michael Fallow (Stuff): How Muldoon mugged Tiwai’s owners
Eric Frykberg (RNZ): How Meridian, Fonterra and Tiwai Point’s electricity are linked
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Smelter closure: Why Ullrich and Stabicraft are already importing aluminium
Gary Tong (Stuff): With great power comes great responsibility

Media
Atakohu Middleton (E-Tangata): Balancing tikanga and journalism
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): Sarah Dowie is right about the media’s treatment of politicians
Colin Peacock (RNZ): Mediawatch: North & South takes new direction under new management
Hayden Donnell (Mediawatch): Research looks at media’s ‘unprecedented’ response to the March 15 attacks

Defence force
Alison Mau (Stuff): History shows Defence chief could change the course of Mariya Taylor case
Chris Keall (Herald): They won’t let you go far: NZ Defence Force sites offline

Justice
Sasha Borissenko (Herald): Judge dread – bullying and harassment from the bench
Shannon Redstall (Newshub): Initiative launched to give young offenders more support, stop reoffending
Georgia-May Gilbertson (Stuff): Residents neighbouring new ex-prisoner facility sell-up
Mike White (Stuff): Scott Watson says he’ll never get justice

Behrouz Boochani
Lana Hart (Stuff): Boochani and Collins raise unsettling questions about refugees

Transport
Kiri Gillespie (Herald): Tauranga built a $2.2m cycleway. Drivers turned it into a carpark (paywalled)
Eloise Gibson (Stuff): Lobby group wants 250,000 EVs on road in five years 
Michael Cullen (Herald): National’s plan for roads shows it’s trapped on a highway to the past (paywalled)
1News: Drivers adjusting well to lower Auckland speed limits, police say – but warn of tickets if necessary
1News: Auckland Airport among busiest in Asia-Pacific region last month, outpacing Sydney, Singapore and Hong Kong

Oranga Tamariki
Meriana Johnsen (RNZ): Oranga Tamariki Waitangi Tribunal hearing: Social workers describe frustrations
Bonnie Sumner (Newsroom): What will it take for OT to listen to Maori

Energy
Tom Pular-Strecker (Stuff): $4 billion Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme could ‘tip electricity market on head’
Donna Lee Biddle (Stuff): Government spends $17m in bid to cut household electricity bills
RNZ: New fund aims to alleviate household energy hardship
Dan Satherley and Simon Wong (Newshub): Pandemic inspires new energy efficiency scheme to lower electricity costs
Sally Murphy (RNZ): Power bill rise on the cards for Central Otago

Other
RNZ: Sunday Morning: Politicians, journalists rated NZ’s least trusted figures
Martin van Beynen (Stuff): Falling foul of anti-money laundering laws results in multi-million dollar fines for Kiwi companies
Jonathan Barrett (The Conversation): Forget a capital gains tax – what New Zealand needs is a tax on inherited wealth
Mava Enoka (1News): Sunday: ‘I can’t breathe’ – How Alo Ngata died in police custody in a spit hood
Imogen Wells (1News): Exclusive: Former firefighters say they were sexually assaulted by colleagues while working at FENZ
Geraden Cann (NBR): Beware the racist algorithm (paywalled)
Maori TV: Ihumatao decision before election?
Dilwin Santos, Dr Arama Rata & Tina Ngata (Spinoff): We’re still giving a lot to racism
Reweti Kohere (NBR): Auckland iwi’s private law ancestral land claims dismissed (paywalled)
Jehan Casinader (BusinessDesk): Modern teens will always be stalked by their digital shadows (paywalled)
1News: Government earmarks $18 million for business park near Te Puke
Stephen Forbes (Stuff): Funding boost for budgeting services gets M?ori authority’s support
Joanna Santa Barbara (Nelson Mail): Inequality is a growing problem in the Nelson Tasman region
Brittney Deguara (Stuff): Labour throws support behind Matariki becoming a public holiday
Tom Dillane (Herald): Maori cultural appropriation, or simply a fish? Restaurateurs in stoush over ‘kingi’ name
Kethaki Masilamani (Newshub): Auckland’s water shortage so bad it starts shifting homes
Mike Mather (Stuff): Hamilton a headquarters haven: Big business, Govt organisations, beating a path to Waikato
Robin Martin (RNZ): Meth lab busts on the rise as pandemic hits drug imports
1News: Kelly Tarlton’s among tourism businesses to benefit from $311 million Covid-19 recovery boost

Any content that has been made publicly available is attributed to general as an author. This content does not necessarily reflect the views of the site or its editor. This content is offered for discussion...