Collected stories
Newsroom
The Government’s dithering smacks of a resurgence of the old paternalistic “we know what is best for you” attitude that the Pacific Reset was supposed to be about overcoming.
RNZ
The government has given a green light to invest $3.75 million in the Thermal Explorer Highway, a North Island tourism alliance aimed at developing events for visitors.
Newshub
"We had a situation that was on its way to being my generation's Bastion Point."
Newsroom
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw say they've learned to adjust to campaigning and policymaking in the era of Covid-19.
Stuff
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been described by UK science journal Nature as a "crisis leader" amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Newsroom
The Government will pay Fletcher Building $29.9 million to purchase and build houses at Ihumātao, which was confiscated by the Crown under false pretences and sold to private owners.
www.politik.co.nz
By Richard Harman - December 17, 2020
The Standard
The Government's finances are in remarkably good shape. Who would have predicted that dealing properly with a global pandemic would have had better results for the economy than timidly dealing with it and trying to ensure that economic activity continued? But by international levels our Government debt is already low and maybe now is the time to spend on vital areas such as poverty, climate change and the housing crisis.
RNZ
From 1 April 2021, the minimum wage will rise to $20 - up from $18.90. The boost is expected to lift the incomes of almost 200,000 people.
www.stats.govt.nz
Gross domestic product (GDP) rebounded 14.0 percent in the September 2020 quarter, following a revised 11.0 percent fall in the previous quarter where COVID-19 restrictions impacted economic activity.
RNZ
National Party finance spokesperson Michael Woodhouse says the government should not be raising the minimum wage to $20 an hour, especially not now. Woodhouse told Morning Report the wage increase comes at a time when other costs are being imposed on businesses as well. [audio_play] "It's not just minimum wage, its total cost of doing business including doubling sick leave, an extra public holiday, and the possibility of fair pay agreements going ahead will all act as a handbrake on businesses ability and willingness to employ more staff." He said the economy may be looking better than expected, but that does not mean it is in a good shape. "You described the HYEFU [Half Year Economic Fiscal Update] as more rosy I would say it's less dire."
Kiwiblog
Stuff reports: The man who sued Speaker Trevor Mallard over a “rape” comment has an ongoing employment case against Parliamentary Service, it has been revealed. Having had the Speaker settle a defa…
Newshub
"Increases to the minimum wage can also promote productivity, which is good for businesses too."
RNZ
Business deposits have boomed and borrowing has dropped according to latest Reserve Bank figures - strengthening calls for more wage subsidies to be repaid. Today retirement villages Summerset and Ryman both announced they are paying back the millions they took - citing improved economic outlooks. It comes as figures released to Checkpoint show business bank deposits are up more than $17 billion on the same time last year. Critics say that's because the rich are getting richer - and companies which are making bumper profits need to rethink their wage subsidy take. Nita Blake-Persen reports.
RNZ
Opinion - "Show me the money!" became popular from 1996's Jerry Maguire but the Royal Commission into abuse has been more about "show me the data!", David Cohen writes.
RNZ
Māori in particular have been victimised in institutions but a lack of data and the release of an interim report means in-depth analysis will not be done by the Royal Commission, an expert says.
Newshub
"I'm here today because I believe deeply in parliamentary accountability and transparency."
NZ Herald
The Government says a six-year cut-off for complaints against the state could be scrapped.
Stuff
ANALYSIS: Looking beyond the better-than-expected forecasts, next year remains full of economic challenges, not least of which is housing.
1 NEWS
Chris Bishop claimed it would have saved the taxpayer “the best part of $330,000” if Trevor Mallard had cleared it up sooner.
Newshub
Trevor Mallard is appearing before the Governance and Administration Select Committee.
Newsroom
Te Paati Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi started off the term with clashes with the Speaker and a bit of interior redecorating.
1 NEWS
The National leader says Mallard should resign after incorrectly accusing a parliamentary staffer of rape.
www.politik.co.nz
By Richard Harman - December 16, 2020
Stuff
OPINION: Labour's supermajority will weaken the institution of Parliament unless urgent changes are made.
RNZ Summer
2020 was a punishing and relentless year in politics, both abroad and at home. We take a look back at the ‘unprecedented’ year.
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