Today’s content

Govt Covid strategy
Charlotte Cook (RNZ): Delta outbreak here to stay – Covid-19 modeller Rodney Jones
Collin Tukuitonga (The Conversation): New Zealand cannot abandon its COVID elimination strategy while Māori and Pasifika vaccination rates are too low
RNZ: ‘We may not get back to zero’ – Bloomfield on Delta outbreak
1 News: It was time for Auckland to move alert levels – Bloomfield
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Judith Collins says Government has abandoned elimination strategy
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Judith Collins talks to Stuff about Delta outbreak
Newstalk ZB: Des Gorman: Shift from zero tolerance for cases, to zero tolerance for deaths
Keith Lynch (Stuff): New Zealand’s elimination strategy, explained
Richard Harman (Politik): The trade offs ahead (paywalled)
Bernard Hickey (The Kākā): Dawn Chorus: Last gasp for elimination (paywalled)
1 News: Covid-19 modeller warns Auckland could return to Level 4 if Covid cases increase
ODT Editorial: The hardest decision yet?
Gordon Campbell: On the Great Covid Mask Debate, plus a music playlist
Ben Leahy (Herald): Aucklanders celebrate level 3 freedoms – but some say it’s a gamble
Zane Small (Newshub): Sparks fly in Parliament as Jacinda Ardern, Chris Hipkins deny pace of COVID-19 vaccine rollout meant inevitable lockdown
Herald editorial: Good things come in threes (paywalled)
RNZ: Further $36 million funding for Māori health providers’ Covid-19 response announced
1 News: Siouxsie Wiles on what Kiwis can do to help ensure summer freedom
Hayden Donnell (Spinoff): Opinion: My opinion on NZ’s Covid strategy is bold, unwavering and probably wrong
RNZ: Covid-19 wrap for 21 September: Call for more testing as Auckland drops alert levels

Waikato case, Corrections Covid protocols
Michael Morrah (Newshub): Rules for prisoner transfers out of Auckland to change after Waikato COVID-19 debacle
Michael Morrah and Amelia Wade (Newshub): Kelvin Davis reveals ‘about two dozen’ prisoners released, left Auckland since lockdown began
1 News: Corrections reveals more info on Mt Eden prisoner’s trip back to bail address
1 News: Prisoner with Covid bailed outside Auckland ‘very troubling’ – Bishop
Herald: Covid positive Black Power gang member bailed despite Corrections’ concerns
RNZ: ‘This community is amazing’: Health service pleased at Waikato testing
1 News: Whakatīwai community ‘worried’ over Covid-19 cases

Glasgow talks, climate change
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): Why James Shaw going to Glasgow is a hollow virtue signalling joke
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): Manufactured outrage over Shaw’s Glasgow trip
Amelia Wade (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern grants James Shaw and entourage MIQ spots for UK climate conference
Tova O’Brien and Zane Small (Newshub): James Shaw hasn’t secured MIQ spot for UK climate conference, only 1 of 14-person entourage has
Michael Neilson (Herald): Climate Change Minister James Shaw taking nine staff to Glasgow, Scotland for COP26 talks
Russell Palmer (RNZ): Shaw says COP26 conference most important since Paris Agreement
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Pat Baskett (Newsroom): The climate clock is ticking
George Driver (Spinoff): Cleaner, greener cars are finally on their way to our roads. But at what price?
RNZ: Clean vehicles bill passes its first reading in Parliament

Border, MIQ, immigration
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): How ‘traffic light’ system for reopening borders will work
Adam Pearse (Herald): Four Jet Park MIQ staffers tested more than 100 times
David Farrier (Webworm): Being number 14,694 in line
Matthew Scott (Newsroom): MIQ hopefuls – holidaymakers or just trying to come home?
Dileepa Fonseka (Stuff): MIQ should be an economic opportunity, not a punishment for living overseas
Ian Taylor (ODT):Time to look to the bench to solve misfiring MIQ
Tess McClure (Guardian): Frustration for New Zealand returnees as Covid quarantine waiting list hits 30,000
Blair Jackson (Stuff): ‘Incredibly overwhelmed, frustrated, stressed and sad’, says former Southlander trying for MIQ spot
Tom Hunt (Stuff): Moving back for good, seeing dying relatives: The real reasons Kiwis want to come home
Jamie Tahana (RNZ): ‘We’ve drawn a line’: Rotorua rails against any extra MIQ hotels
Gill Bonnett (RNZ): Google boss Larry Page hoped to keep child’s medical evacuation quiet
Louisa Steyl (Stuff): Alternative isolation plans underway 
Sophie Trigger (Stuff): Wellington Airport ‘happy’ to take more international flights, as capital’s MIQ capacity cut
Rotorua Daily Post: MP Rawiri Waititi claims Govt plans quarantine facility for Rotorua
Melanie Carroll (Stuff): Claim that Kiwis paying for pre-departure Covid-19 tests being ripped off

Vaccine rollout
John Weekes (Herald): ‘No jab, no entry’ policies mulled as hungry businesses want to open up
Matt Burrows (Newshub): Jacinda Ardern challenges Auckland to reach 90 percent vaccination rate in next two weeks
Herald: When can children get vaccinated?
Teuila Fuatai (Herald): Covid 19 vaccinations and worker rights – can my boss make me get jabbed? (paywalled)
Rachel Thomas (Stuff): ‘Comfortableness’ blamed for Wellington’s low vaccination rates
Te Aorewa Rolleston (RNZ): ‘Shot Cuzz’ vaccination bus joins drive to stamp out Covid-19
1 News: Shot Cuz vaccine bus aims to boost Māori, Pasifika jab numbers
Herald: ShotCuzz! Bringing vaccinations to the people
Robin Martin (RNZ): Bacon butties add sizzle to Taranaki Covid-19 vaccination rollout
Marama Royal (Herald): Vaccination only viable path to avoid devastation of lockdown
Kate Hannah (Spinoff): How to talk to loved ones who are vaccine hesitant
Reuters (Newshub):UN boss slams entire world, describes vaccine distribution an ‘obscenity’
Vaughan Gunson (Northern Advocate/Herald): Covid-19 Delta outbreak – world needs ‘people’s vaccine’ (paywalled)

Cases, demographics
Anna Whyte (1 News): More than 200 under 12s caught Covid in Delta outbreak
Herald: Up to 20 North Shore Hospital staff stood down after contact with Covid positive man who evaded security
Nathan Morton and Hannah Martin (Stuff): North Shore Hospital staff stood down after man with Covid-19 evaded security
Herald: Covid spreads to Hells Angels gang member

Alert level rules, compliance, enforcement
Tom Kitchin (RNZ): Union claims McDonalds failing social distancing guidelines at drive throughs
Anna Whyte (1 News): Fines for breaching Covid-19 rules soar, maximum for individual to be $12k
Bridie Witton (Stuff): Government hikes fines for pandemic rule breakers to $12,000 
RNZ: Covid-19 breaches: Infringement fines to increase dramatically
Craig Kapitan (Herald): No charges yet against Wānaka holidaymakers
Catrin Owen (Stuff): No charges for Wānaka lockdown breachers 12 days on, police inquiries ‘ongoing’
incoln Tan (Herald): Dame Jenny Gibbs gets police talking to for level 4 driveway drinks
Vita Molyneux (Herald): Wellington business owner removes sign welcoming maskless customers
RNZ: Otago high school student isolating after arriving from Auckland
Sam Sherwood (Stuff): Aucklander allegedly collected caravan from Christchurch
Hamish McNeilly (Stuff): Schoolboy without exemption leaves Auckland, attends class in Dunedin 
Miriam Burrell (Herald): Man found in car boot at Auckland checkpoint
1 News: Police looking into report student flew from Auckland to Dunedin without exemption
1 News: Auckland man allegedly travelled to Christchurch to pick up caravan
1 News: Visitor who evaded security at North Shore Hospital has Covid
Hannah Kronast (Newshub): Person who snuck past North Shore Hospital security tests positive, staff stood down
Helen Castles (1 News): Reti claims thousands of Aucklanders may’ve fled to Northland in hours before lockdown
Tess McClure (Guardian): New Zealand police arrest pair trying to enter Auckland with ‘large amount’ of KFC
Nathan Morton (Stuff): Up to 50 crimes a week unreported by Auckland businesses in level 4, group claims
Josephine Franks (Stuff): Manurewa food bank says police threatened to shut it down
Aaron Leaman (Stuff): Border exemptions for Waikato residents in need of food
Matthew Tso (Stuff): Stay gnome, save lives: Fantasy and real worlds unite against Covid-19
Nathan Morton (Stuff): Clingy and relieved – how experts say we’ll feel about Auckland’s move to level 3
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Keith Rankin (Evening Report): New Zealand Superannuation: The Rules versus Common Sense
No Right Turn: Let them vote
1 News: Aucklanders with exemptions can attend funerals of family outside city under Level 3
Matt Burrows (Newshub): Grieving Aucklanders now able to leave region for funerals or to farewell dying relatives

Business, economy
Bernard Hickey (The Kākā): Dawn chorus: From hawkish to heron-ish (paywalled)
Liam Dann (Herald): Lockdown barely dents consumer confidence – young stay most upbeat (paywalled)
RNZ: Consumers ‘cautiously optimistic’ despite lockdowns – report
Jessica Roden (1 News): Kiwis spending more as lockdown restrictions ease
Riley Kennedy (ODT): Subsidy rules’ new focus on Auckland labelled unfair
Tamsyn Parker and Rahul Bhattarai (Herald): Wage subsidy criteria harder to meet for those under level 2 restrictions (paywalled)
John Anthony (Stuff): Barber left struggling to buy groceries for family because of wage subsidy delays
Brooke van Velden (Herald):Illogical Covid alert level rules add stress for small businesses
Phil Pennington (RNZ): ‘It’s not very efficient’ – Auckland builders expect obstacles in level 3
Amy Williams (RNZ): Construction company ‘delighted’ to be back at work in Auckland’s alert level 3
Herald: Big takeaway chains open for businesses – but no cash accepted at some
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Auckland fast food shops get ready for the ‘diehard fans’ expected at level 3
Brittney Deguara (Stuff): Website crowdsourcing wait times at Auckland fast food joints in level 3
Herald: Clucky for Kentucky: Aucklander sets up tent outside KFC drive-thru ahead of level 3
Bernadette Basagre and Geraden Cann (Stuff): Auckland restaurants rush as they prepare to serve customers at level 3
Emily Brookes (Stuff): Covid could cost Auckland restaurateur both his businesses
Stephanie Ockhuysen (Stuff): New Plymouth’s only vegan restaurant to close due to Covid-19 lockdowns
Jennifer Eder (Stuff): The ‘umming and ahhing’ of an event organiser in any level but 1
Tina Morrison (Stuff): Kathmandu warns first-half profit will fall as lockdowns hurt 
Bryce Wilkinson (Herald): Past illusions and future follies mar Grant Robertson’s economic strategy (paywalled)
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Reserve Bank invokes the heron to explain thinking on interest rates
Rob Stock (Stuff): Urgent hardship payments of $2500 to $10,000 from City Rail Link hardship fund
Anuja Nadkarni (Newsroom): Courier delays expected as Auckland businesses open up to fulfil backlog orders

Housing
Zane Sabour (Stuff): Our housing situation is driving inequality, and it’s dangerous
Ethan Te Ora (Stuff): What if Wellington’s housing crisis could be solved overnight? 
Liam van Eeden (Renews): 1 in 3 students facing housing deprivation had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year
RNZ: First-home values rise higher than national average
Jade Kake (Stuff): How do we slow the property market?
Miriam Bell (Stuff): Buying a first home has become even harder, as prices of cheap houses bolt ahead over winter
Diana Clement (OneRoof): ‘Fiendish’ impact of Covid lockdown: Auckland to lose out on 1900 new homes
Ashley Church (OneRoof): Do-nothing flippers are leeches and deserve to be booted out
Zoe Hunter (Herald): Tauranga housing shortage: Squatters, overcrowded homes seen as city struggles to find answers (paywalled)
RNZ: Apartment development at Sylvia Park to be first of its kind
Andrew Bevin (NBR): ’A city within a city’: Kiwi Property’s strategic shift
Dan Heyworth (Stuff): Do we really need to rip up our house building textbook?
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Property investors’ interest deductability tax change to kick in next week despite lack of details

AUKUS, foreign affairs, trade
Audrey Young (Herald): China’s bid to join CPTPP trade deal set to open up new power plays (paywalled)
Stuff Editorial: Hawkish Aukus not for us
No Right Turn: AUKUS has consequences
Emanuel Stoakes and Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): Concern over ‘censorship’ rules of NZ-Chinese news site

National Party
Claire Trevett (Herald): Simon Bridges declares himself a man of no intentions on rolling Judith Collins (paywalled)
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): Simon Bridges plays coy about a coup as Judith Collins vows to never resign as National Party leader
1 News: Judith Collins ‘very secure’ in role of National leader despite low polling
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Judith Collins says she will never resign as National Party leader
Herald: National Party leadership: Judith Collins shrugs off questions about coup rumours
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): National Party leader Judith Collins says she will never resign, not even if polls dip to record lows
Henry Cooke: (Stuff): Judith Collins won’t resign as National leader – even if polls slip below 
20 per cent
Zane Small (Newshub): Judith Collins denies criticism of Siouxsie Wiles was hypocritical despite her own mask breach in Queenstown

Afghanistan
Eva Corlett (Guardian): Afghan interpreters beg Jacinda Ardern to grant New Zealand visas to ‘at risk’ families
Thomas Manch (Stuff): Govt considers using refugee quota for at-risk Afghans, as former interpreters continue protest 

Counter-terrorism bill 
Graeme Edgeler (Legal Beagle): Not too late to make the Counter Terrorism Legislation Bill clearer
Thomas Manch (Stuff):‘There are safeguards’: Parliament progresses new counter-terrorism laws despite concerns
Anna Whyte (1 News): Counter-terrorism bill passes second reading
RNZ: Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill passes second reading
Ashleigh Yates (1 News): Exclusive: Taxpayers fork out over $125k in legal aid for New Lynn terrorist

Education
Dan Satherley (Newshub): ‘Cheapens the grade’: Mixed reaction from students after University of Auckland rules out ‘grade bump’ for 2021
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Auckland schools prepare for small classes during alert level 3
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Nelson College needs to sell assets to repay nearly $3 million in debt – principal
Herald: Nelson College to repay historical debt as school looks to the future
Josephine Franks (Stuff): Auckland schools prep for level 3 with bubbles, masks, spaced-out desks
Ellen O’Dwyer (Stuff): Schools call on the Government to provide timeline for international students return

Employment
Elliot Weir (Critic): Behind the Counter: Employment Law Breaches, Bullying, and Sexual Harassment in Uni Hall Kitchens
Anita Rosentreter (Stuff): Will the kiwifruit industry abandon living wages?
Mariné Lourens (Stuff): Liquor company co-director only concerned about alleged illegalities when licences faced threat
Susan Hornsby-Geluk (Stuff): Lockdown is no excuse for careless, rushed redundancies

Health
Herald: Major Pharmac review report delayed by lockdown
Adam Pearse (Herald): ACC pays out almost $130,000 in Covid claims
Russell Brown (Listener/Herald): Medicinal cannabis: Are we there yet? (paywalled)

Sport
RNZ: Panel to investigate athlete welfare in top flight cycling unveiled
Todd Niall (Stuff): America’s Cup: Team NZ says home defence backer Mark Dunphy called rival yacht club
RNZ: Tit-for-tat debate over proprosed Auckland America’s Cup bid continues
RNZ: Black Caps on flight home after evacuating Pakistan
Mark Reason (Stuff): Pakistan has been let down badly by New Zealand Cricket 
RNZ: White Ferns increase security

Local government
Craig Ashworth (RNZ): Taranaki regional councillors reject Māori call for two seats at table
Stuff: Taranaki Regional Council confirms its make-up for 2022 elections
Simon Wilson (Herald): Loading, drop-offs, cycling, fewer cars: Queen St plans unveiled at last (paywalled)
Tina Law (Stuff): Job losses proposed in senior management shake up at Christchurch City Council
Matthew Tso and Nicholas Boyack (Stuff): Hutt City Council puts positive spin on staff survey results
Brianna Mcilraith (Stuff): New Plymouth District Council approves feedback to Government on Three Waters reform
Alan Sutherland (Herald): What would Scotland know about the Three Waters scheme? (paywalled)
Local Democracy Reporting: Upset as Covid-19 rules bar public presence at Barrytown mine hearing
Adam Jacobson (Stuff): Auckland MP urges Government to help revive dilapidated St James Theatre 
Georgina Campbell (Herald): Wellington’s closed central library packed up under supervision of heritage expert

Transport
Phil Pennington (RNZ): Cab owners tell NZTA to drop clampdown or pay up: ‘It’s their fault’
Chris Hyde (Herald): Life in a warming Hawke’s Bay, where 0.5pc of workers take public transport (paywalled)
Chris Tobin (Stuff): Covid a wake-up call to NZ’s fragile logistics chain, says union
Mike Dinsdale: (Herald): Air NZ to fly from Whangārei to bypass Auckland’s level 4 lockdown

Energy
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Electricity Authority expects to release power market review in late October
Olivia Wannan (Stuff): What happened with our hydro lakes this year?
Rob Stock (Stuff): Turning our roofs into a weapon to fight climate change

Primary industries
Shawn McAvinue (ODT): Fear forestry conversions impacting farming communities
Paul Mitchell (Stuff): Drop in farm sales across Manawatū-Whanganui reflects busy sector and impact of Covid-19, says institute
Mary-Jo Tohill (ODT): Charity funding rural counselling
Amber Allott (Stuff):Cutting methane using a comfy cow ‘Mootel’

Other
John Tamihere (Waatea News): What’s in a name
Waatea News: Lorde’s Te Ao Marama knocking down fences for waiata reo
Phil Smith (RNZ): Parliament’s back to business plan
Susan Botting (Local Democracy Reporting): Department of Conservation appealing controversial Aupōuri
Ethan Griffiths (Herald): ‘A shocking day’: Six greyhounds injured during one race meet at Whanganui’s Hatrick Raceway (paywalled)
Laura Smith (ODT): Contamination at Bluff’s Ocean Beach on agenda
Mihiata Pirini and Anna High (Spinoff): Dignity and mana in Aotearoa law
Ben Strang (RNZ): Rising gang tensions blamed for jump in gun crime
Chris Keall (Herald): Boards to blame for increasing cyber attacks – EY report (paywalled)
Bronson Eruera Perich (1 News): Hawke’s Bay iwi launches budgeting service to boost community’s prosperity
Sam Sherwood (Stuff): Major changes for police armed offenders squads to bolster support for frontline officers 
John Lewis (ODT): Planned port building demolition lamented
Kayla Hodge (ODT): Consent fee policy endorsed; call for heritage expertise
RNZ: Women’s rights leader Dame Jocelyn Fish dies at 90