Today’s content
Govt Covid strategy
Tess McClure (Guardian): ‘Calculated risk’: Ardern gambles as New Zealand Covid restrictions eased
Jenée Tibshraeny (Interest): The Government is still trying to eliminate Covid-19, but has made the political decision to stop throwing everything at it
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): Government listens to science, until it doesn’t
Siouxsie Wiles (Spinoff): Why we need to stay the course on elimination
Jamie Morton (Herald): Experts answer five questions we’re all asking (paywalled)
Newstalk ZB: Epidemiologist: New Zealand is echoing events in Melbourne and New South Wales
1 News: Collins remains critical of Govt response to Covid-19
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Judith Collins says level 4 should be all but ruled out, Government lacks mandate to lock people down
Matt Burrows (Newshub): Hipkins insists zero cases goal ‘still within reach’ after Bloomfield admits NZ may never get there
Richard Harman (Politik): The big vaccination question (paywalled)
Glen McConnell (Stuff): This level 3, we face a tough question: What is the new normal?
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): Level 3 – Winners & Losers
Mike Hosking (Herald): Elimination strategy was doomed from the start (paywalled)
Mare Haimona-Riki (Māori TV): South Island whānau use up $1.8m of Covid response fund in four weeks
1 News: Expert says wider mask mandates needed in NZ after seeing Covid ‘ravage’ US
Mark Longley (Newshub): Satirical show Spitting Image lampoons Ardern, New Zealand’s latest lockdown
Vaccine rollout
Katie Scotcher (RNZ): Banning unvaccinated people from Parliament grounds could set precedent – expert
Benedict Collins (1 News): Plans afoot to ban unvaccinated from Parliament
Zane Small (Newshub): Speaker Trevor Mallard acknowledges ‘anxiety’ caused by comments on COVID-19 vaccination requirements at Parliament
Herald: Surprise vaccine proposal from Speaker Trevor Mallard catches MPs unawares
1 News: Calls grow for easing of lockdowns to be based on Māori vaccination rate
Dan Satherley (Newshub): Fears low vaccination uptake will increase inequities for Māori once borders open
Maxine Jacobs (Stuff): Rangatahi vaccine campaign to launch as Govt feels sting of low Māori vaccination rates
Cecile Meier and Nadine Porter (Stuff): What would a 90 per cent vaccination rate mean for New Zealand?
Rowan Quinn (RNZ): Race on to get Auckland 90 percent vaccinated by 4 October
Rachel Thomas (Stuff): New vaccine data shows first doses have doubled in Auckland and Wellington since Delta outbreak
Henry Cooke and Kate Newton (Stuff): New Zealand’s vaccine rollout explained in 13 charts, as Government talks up 90 per cent target
Adam Pearse and Michael Neilson (Herald): Disparity in DHB staff vaccination levels revealed
Anna Whyte (1 News): Govt seeks advice on mandatory vaccination for most health workers
Ben Leahy (Herald): Push for mandatory vaccination for key health workers
RNZ: 75 percent of frontline health workers have had two Covid-19 pfizer vaccine doses
Irra Lee (RNZ): ‘Dishonest’ – Bishop, Hipkins in standoff over delayed jab rollout claims
Newstalk ZB: Chris Hipkins: Denies Pfizer doses were delayed; doesn’t believe lockdown is holding people hostage
Newstalk ZB: Chris Bishop: National’s leaked MOH document showing all Pfizer doses were due to arrive in September
1 News: Kiwi immunologist: Covid jab ‘safest vaccine I’ve ever seen’
Herald: More than half of businesses not planning to offer incentives for vaccination
Melanie Carroll (Stuff): Warehouse Group to give $100 to staff who get Covid vaccine
John Anthony (Stuff): Auckland construction company not allowing unvaccinated people on site under alert levels 2 and 3
RNZ: Maritime union casts doubt on vaccination deadline
Claire Trevett (Herald): 96 per cent of border workers vaccinated, a week before deadline
Dan Satherley (Newshub): Judith Collins urges employers not to reject the unvaccinated
Sarah Helm (Spinoff): We are the 10%
Herald: One Auckland councillor’s finger lickin’ idea gets the ball rolling
Troels Sommerville (Stuff): Idea for vaccinations at Auckland fast food stores catching on
Robin Martin (RNZ: Bacon buttie Covid-19 vaccination initiative hailed a success
Helen Harvey (Stuff): A jab and bacon butty to go: Free breakfast incentive sees 130 people given Covid-19 jab in two hours in Taranaki
Samantha Gee (RNZ): Free breakfast offer proves incentive for Nelson tradies to get Covid-19 vaccination
Justin Latif (Local Democracy Reporting): ‘Hey cuz, come on down’: Manurewa marae’s vaccination bus is already a hit
Denise Piper (Stuff): Unique vaccine plan between iwi health and Northland rugby teams
Herald: Advertising agency uses fake funeral home to push vaccination message
Emma Russell (Herald): Chronically ill patients confused by mixed messaging around vaccine
Cate Broughton (Stuff): Relief in disabled community as at-home vaccinations are rolled out
Cases, demographics
Marena Mane (Māori TV): Māori dominating the tail of the outbreak
1 News: Bloomfield says breaches ‘not confined’ to any part of society after gang cases
Herald: Dr Ashley Bloomfield confirms transmission between households
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Interaction between households led to new cases, Ashley Bloomfield says, confident most Aucklanders will follow rules
Marena Mane (Māori TV): Corrections and Police failed to do their job – National MP Simeon Brown
Alert level rules, compliance, enforcement
Grant Miller (ODT): Pupil may have made trip south for rugby
Craig Kapitan (Herald): Charges filed against Auckland couple for Wānaka holiday
Matt Burrows (Newshub): Wānaka couple William Willis, Hannah Rawnsley to face court over alleged COVID-19 breach after police investigation
Herald: New figures confirm Auckland exodus to Northland, MP says the Government should have stopped it
Denise Piper (Stuff): ‘Lucky’ Northland avoided Delta after thousands fled Auckland
Will Trafford (Māori TV): Thousands fled Auckland for Northland ahead of lockdown
Stephen Forbes (Local Democracy Reporting): Clover Park locals concerned about lockdown breaches
Brianna Mcilraith (Stuff): Aucklander who used forged documents to breach lockdown suffers medical event at Taranaki petrol station
Border, MIQ, immigration
Tom Hunt (Stuff): NZ diplomats join the queue for MIQ when coming home
Newstalk ZB: Wellington Mayor unsure why capital’s MIQ facilities are being halved
Benn Bathgate (Stuff): Rotorua’s three MPs united in opposition against additional MIQ hotels in tourism hub
Luke Kirkness and Kelly Makiha (Rotorua Daily Post/Herald): New MIQ in Rotorua ‘unlikely’ but protest going ahead (paywalled)
Rotorua Daily Post: ‘Disastrous’: MP claims Govt planning quarantine facility for Rotorua
Jamie Tahana (RNZ): ‘We’ve drawn a line’: Rotorua rails against any extra MIQ hotels
Lincoln Tan (Herald): NZ at risk of losing skilled migrants we need post-pandemic, expert says
Steven Walton (Stuff): 450 foreign mariners to go through MIQ before joining NZ fishing boats
Testing
Christine Rovoi (RNZ): Pasifika health experts call for more testing as Auckland drops alert levels
Stephen Forbes (Local Democracy Reporting): Clover Park residents roll up to new pop-up testing centre
Business, economy, wage subsidy
James Graham (Stuff): Wage subsidy was essential to save jobs during lockdowns
Tamsyn Parker (Herald): More than 37,000 businesses still waiting for first round of August wage subsidy payment (paywalled)
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): What your house has in common with a nuclear submarine (paywalled)
Sam Stubbs (Stuff): Don’t worry, an economic renaissance is likely just around the corner
Herald: Govt business adviser Rob Fyfe frustrated over lack of progress
Liam Dann (Herald): China’s Lehman Brothers moment? Not now, please (paywalled)
Michael Reddell (Croaking Cassandra): Illusions of History
1 News: Auckland’s shift to Level 3 results in 15% boost in economic activity
Daniel Smith (Stuff): Restaurants Association: 1000 businesses gone, taking 13,000 jobs
Anne Gibson (Herald): Dawn karakia marks return of City Rail Link workers (paywalled)
Amber Allott (Stuff): Several A&P shows fall victim to alert level uncertainty
David Beck (Herald): Uppercrust Bakery in Tauranga eager to reopen after Covid scare (paywalled)
1 News: Struggling South Island businesses want clarity about future Covid restrictions
Rob Stock (Stuff): Monthly mortgage lending of $8 billion drives banks’ $1.45b profit
RNZ: Bank profits fall from record highs but performance remains strong
RNZ: Economy missing out on billions due to slow shift to circular, sustainable business, report says
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
AUKUS, foreign affairs, trade
Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): What happened to the dream of a peaceful nuclear-free Pacific?
Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): Political Roundup – Why Australia’s nuclear-sub defence plans are unpopular in NZ
RNZ: The Detail: Why it’s not awkward to be left out of AUKUS
Gordon Campbell (Werewolf): On Canada’s election, and the AUKUS defence pact
Thomas Manch (Stuff): No ‘extra heat’: Defence Minister Peeni Henare stays the course on defence spending after Aukus announcement
World Socialists: New Zealand PM “pleased to see” AUKUS military pact
Peter Griffin (BusinessDesk): AUKUS deal threatens to crimp our quantum ambitions (paywalled)
Afghanistan
Katie Scotcher (RNZ): Government fails to front for Afghan interpreters who made trip to Parliament
Zakaria Hazaranejad (Herald): A plea for humanity from a humble Tampa refugee (paywalled)
1 News: Cantabrian group rally behind Afghan refugees
National Party
Tova O’Brien (Newshub): Some National MPs incredulous over leadership’s ‘war with the media’
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): Judith Collins defends decision to cancel radio interview
Newstalk ZB: Judith Collins: National leader on vaccination incentives and the party leadership
Herald: National Party leadership: Judith Collins shrugs off questions about coup rumours
ODT Editorial: Collins missing the mark
Housing
Daniel Dunkley (Stuff): Buying a first home about to go from hard to near-impossible
Rosie Collins (Spinoff): The costs of nimbyism
Catherine Smith (OneRoof): Buyers may get upper hand as tidal wave of Auckland houses set to hit the market
RNZ: Calls for council to vote against Nelson housing project
Ethan Te Ora (Stuff): Life in a ‘vertical neighbourhood’ — the housing young buyers covet
Janine Rankin (Manawatū Standard): New homes for all budgets planned in Palmerston North
Tayi Tibble (Renews): Māori and the City: finding a flat in Wellington is the second-worst trauma after colonisation
Counter-terrorism bill, NewLynn mall attack
Eva Corlett (Guardian): New Zealand: rushing anti-terror law could lead to surveillance overreach, minor parties say
Tumamao Harawira (Māori TV): Government in undue rush to change terrorism laws
Marc Daalder (Newshub): Govt won’t review derailed efforts to rehabilitate terrorist
Justice
Anusha Bradley (RNZ): No performance reviews and 20% pay hikes for some judges
Anusha Bradley (RNZ): Complaining about a Family Court judge isn’t safe – advocate
Anusha Bradley (RNZ): Judges, bullying and a ‘broken’ complaints system
Police
Liu Chen (RNZ): Opinions divided on new funding for police tactical teams, training and staff
John Weekes (Herald): Police armed training move a clear break with past, repudiation of Armed Response Team style
Māori TV: Simeon Brown backs tactical response teams to keep police safe
Amelia Wade (Newshub):Police Commissioner Andrew Coster’s promise as firearms units and training ramps up in response to gun crime
Sophie Cornish and Sam Sherwood (Stuff): No return of controversial armed teams as part of police shakeup
RNZ: Officers ‘will not be routinely armed’ under new tactical model – police
RNZ: Watch: Police tactical teams, extra staff and training announced in $45m safety package
Anna Whyte (1 News): Police safety gets $45m for two-person dog teams, frontline response
Georgina Campbell (Herald): Police commissioner says death of Auckland officer behind new frontline safety training
Katie Doyle (RNZ): Spit hoods used on 117 children, young people by police
Climate change, conservation, environment
1 News: Allegation Climate Commission ignored own advice on cutting synthetic nitrogen
Peter Dunne: Don’t get too excited by the “ute” tax delay
Justin Giovannetti (Spinoff): James Shaw on the road to Glasgow
Rob Stock (Stuff): Turning our roofs into a weapon to fight climate change
Olivia Wannan (Stuff): Life in the ‘burbs without a car — or why Aucklanders drive so much
Stuff: Government announces $35,000 worth of funding for Fiordland landfill remediation
Charlotte Cook (RNZ): DOC’s Orca care excedes budget by $17k
Kim Moodie (RNZ): DOC was advised to euthanise orca calf Toa, documents reveal
Vita Molyneux (Herald): Toa the orca kept alive by DoC despite some experts repeatedly calling for euthanasia
Kate Green and Matthew Tso (Stuff):Chances of survival for baby orca Toa were low, euthanasia the ‘ethical’ choice
1 News: DOC were advised to euthanise stranded orca Toa, stop human contact with him
Susan Botting (Local Democracy Reporting): Department of Conservation appealing controversial Far North water consents
Lois Williams (Local Democracy Reporting): Iwi withdraws opposition to proposed West Coast mine
Robin Martin (RNZ): Waka Kotahi using builder’s foam to block off potential bat roosts at Mt Messenger bypass site
RNZ: $2m boost for Predator Free apprenticeship programme
Education
Jimmy Ellingham (Stuff): Taihape Area School doesn’t accept apology over land fiasco
Logan Church (1 News): Auckland students need more help if schools can’t resume by Term 4, principals say
RNZ: Labour MPs reject Paul Goldsmith’s request for briefing on Covid-19 impact by education officials
Josephine Franks (Stuff): Extra credits for Auckland NCEA students due to time in lockdown
1 News: Auckland students get NCEA credit top-up to recognise lockdown
Edward O’Driscoll (Newshub): Auckland high school students relieved they’ll get extra NCEA credits
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Auckland students need more help for NCEA – principal
Lee Kenny (Stuff): Children need to be taught how to deal with bullies, says principal ahead of major project
Daisy Hudson (ODT): Sex abuse panel proposed
Health
Bridie Witton (Stuff): New Health New Zealand and Maori Health Authority board members announced
RNZ: Mental health 10-year plan to guide government decisions – Minister Little
Henry Cooke (Stuff): Mental health: Government creates new 10-year plan and monitoring body
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Long-term plan for cross-Government action on mental health announced
1 News: Govt introduces 10-year plan to target mental distress
Stuff: Waikato DHB winds back its restrictions after numerous tests come back negative
Sapeer Mayron (Stuff): Counties Manukau DHB restarts elective surgeries after five-week pause
Annemarie Jutel (Newsroom): Covid, by any other name
Local government
Jonathan Milne (Newsroom): Water reforms: Beleaguered Govt offers olive branch to mayors
Brent Edwards (NBR): Three waters reform queried by Treasury as govt ponders next steps (paywalled)
Tina Law (Stuff): Government’s water reforms ‘not right for Christchurch’, mayor says
Evan Harding (Stuff): Southern councils may work together in bid to retain ownership of water assets: Councillor
Alan Sutherland (Stuff): We’re 10,000 miles apart, but on water we’re closer than we think!
Nicholas Boyack (Stuff): Jo Miller, the council chief executive who’s making waves in Lower Hutt
Moana Ellis (Local Democracy Reporting): Ruapehu council holds workshop to help decide on karakia at meetings
Tracey Roxburgh (ODT): Trees to be felled despite mounting opposition
Transport
Adam Jacobson (Stuff): Aucklanders ‘still in the dark’ about key light rail details, AA says
Driven: New Zealand’s Clean Car ‘feebate’ Scheme delayed until April 2022
Geraden Cann (Stuff): ‘Ute tax’ delayed until April as a result of Delta outbreak
Georgina Campbell (Herald): Analysis: The radical change to increase length of Wellington’s cycleways from 23km to 147km
1 News: Petrol prices not up due to Covid-19, expert says
Primary industries
Adam Burns (Local Democracy Reporting): ‘Poor migrant treatment’ adds labour woe in Mid Canterbury
Keith Woodford (Interest): The Government never foresaw the land-use forces they were unleashing with the ETS
Andrea Fox (Herald): Fonterra’s big Thursday unveiling: Just how much about its plans will the dairy heavyweight reveal? (paywalled)
Media
Kirsty Lawrence and Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Amanda Gillies and Mark Richardson forced out as part of AM Show makeover
Newshub: Amanda Gillies, Mark Richardson leaving The AM Show at end of 2021
Herald: ’Beating Breakfast’: AM Show claims ratings victory – so why are all the hosts leaving?
Sport
Hamish Rutherford (Herald): Former Team NZ director questions Grant Dalton’s role of CEO, acting chairman and trustee (paywalled)
Herald: Grant Dalton opens up on ‘devious plans’ as Team New Zealand ‘cease all correspondence’ with Mark Dunphy
Todd Niall (Stuff): America’s Cup: Team NZ closes door on Mark Dunphy plan and releases email
1 News: Final shot at hosting America’s Cup in Auckland appears over
Reuters (Newshub): Details of threat leading to aborted Blackcaps tour revealed
Herald: Pakistan government claim email from India led to Black Caps tour cancellation
Other
Alexa Cook (Newshub): NZ’s digital divide: Elderly, poor families, rural Kiwis, farmers still missing out on internet
Virginia Fallon (Stuff): The Aotearoa debate: It’s time for a name change
Jo Cribb (Newsroom): Much at stake for women workers
Vanya Bailey (Stuff): Ongoing work by women’s organisations part of equality solution
Bev Chesney (Stuff): Empowering women is a step towards nondiscrimination
Margaret Cook (Stuff): Are we there yet? The road to women’s rights is long but we will get there
Martyn Bradbury (Waatea News): Māori Party rebuilding politics with digital Marae
Tina Law (Stuff): Community board says no to greyhound racing at Christchurch’s QEII Park
Arena Williams and Stuart Smith (Stuff): Be it Māori or English, it is a love of the spoken word I want for all New Zealanders
Herald: Public have their say on law change to make it easier to change sex on birth certificates
Sandra Conchie (Herald): Tauranga man admits inciting racial hostility towards Māori in online video (paywalled)
Andre Chumko (Stuff): ‘We could do better’: Symphony Orchestra on diversity, access, engagement
Alice Angeloni (Local Democracy Reporting): Te Araroa community call for end to barge plan as new designs released
Rob MacCulloch (NBR): How to swing Kiwis right: A cunning plan
RNZ: Abuse in Care royal commission: Helen Potiki appointed executive director
Dylan Reeve (Spinoff): Overdue to be ‘pwned’? Here’s how to keep hackers out of your online accounts |