NZ Politics Daily – January 11, 2022
Omicron, border
Pete McKenzie (tutor): New Zealand unprepared for Omicron outbreak expected in “weeks”, experts warn
Jean Bell (RNZ): Covid-19 experts fear Omicron will soon be in the community as border cases increase
Hamish MacLean (ODT): Fears that the start of the school year will cause an increase
Ellen O’Dwyer (Tips): Epidemiologist calls for delaying reopening of schools over Omicron, but pediatricians disagree
Emma Russell (Herald): Epidemiologist warns government to delay start of school
Dubby Henry (Herald): Chris Hipkins wants kids to go back to school full-time – but expert warns Omicron could force rethink
Newshub: Siouxsie Wiles urges people to get booster shots as Omicron puts us back ‘where we started’
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Omicron unleashes new plans
ODT Editorial: Government must work with business
Bill Hickman (Tips): Covid uncertainty founds New Zealand season of international musical
Greg Presland (The Standard): Human rights and MIQ
Green vegetables
Chris Trotter (Daily Blog): News from nowhere If the Greens want a future, they have to listen to their past
Newstalk ZB: Catherine Delahunty: James Shaw falls short of green vision
Herald’s Editorial: The discontent of the Greens surfaces (paying)
Harete Hipango, anti-vaccine, protests
David Farrier (Webworm): Has New Zealand Found Its Marjorie Taylor Greene?
William Hewett (Newshub): Maori Council leader Matthew Tukaki calls on MP Harete Hipango to step down after witnessing anti-vaccine warrant and protest against lockdown
David Fisher (Herald): National MP who took selfie with protesters claims ‘sinister’ motive behind government powers Covid (paying)
Maxine Jacobs (Tips): ‘Cut it’: direct message from a Maori lawyer to hawkers of disinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine
Mark Quinlivan and Conor Whitten (Newshub): Canterbury doctor Jonie Girouard struck off registration for issuing medical certificates as COVID-19 vaccine exemptions
Anna Leask (Herald): The fake vax exemption doctor Jonie Girouard “can no longer practice in New Zealand”
RNZ: Anti-vaccination doctor Jonie Girouard can no longer practice in New Zealand
Amber Allott (Tips): Canterbury’s ex-vax doctor looks set to pursue new career as a chocolatier
Cate Broughton (Tips): Kaiapoi’s vax doctor can no longer exercise
Mark Quinlivan (Newshub): Brian Tamaki insists attending ‘family picnic’ in Christchurch to share ‘public message of hope’ did not violate bond
Anna Leask (Herald): Brian Tamaki defends Christchurch visit, denies bail breach
1 News: Cops “investigate” Brian Tamaki in anti-warrant event
Tina Law (Tips): Council Sends $ 14,000 Traffic Bill to Anti-Government Protesters
Employment, business, wage subsidy
David Williams (press room): Hospo accused of abuse of wage subsidies
Simon Mercep (1 News): Many workers struggling with wages, conditions during pandemic
Chris Keall (Herald): Workers say wages are late, expert says they can vote with their feet (paying)
Riley Kennedy (ODT): Ignorance is no excuse: former taxi company owners may have to pay
Melanie Carroll (Tips): Facts Outweigh Employers’ Beliefs, Court of Appeal Says in Southern Taxis
Louisa Steyl (tips): What Murihiku has learned from past transformations
Brianna Mcilraith (tips): The number of buyers drops as customers are “reluctant” to venture, according to First Retail Group
Covid
Caitlan Johnston (Herald): Union criticism after Auckland bus driver tested positive
James Halpin (Tips): Health ministry admits misreporting intensive care data
1 News: 27 new community Covid-19 cases today
RNZ: Jetboat passengers establish close contact with Covid-19 case – Ministry of Health
1 News: Auckland Music Festival Covid-19 Place of Interest
Lee Kenny and Hamish McNeilly (Tips): Mayor urges people to ‘don’t panic’ at Queenstown places of interest
Herald: Golden Lights festival-goers urged to watch for symptoms
1 News: Wellington Covid-19 case attended Auckland block party
Alexa Cook (Newshub): Hawke’s Bay positive case linked to summer cricket camp
Denise Piper (Tips): Northland’s information is false, but testing and vaccinations are still recommended
Vaccine deployment, mandate, tests
Cate Broughton (Tips): Ministry of Health remains silent on rapid antigen testing strategy
Sophie Cornish (Tips): ‘Bumpy start’: New Zealand vaccine booster rollout faces problems with online reservations, long lines and distribution
Georgia Forrester (Tips): Do you have your booster this summer? Here’s what you need to know to book it
Sophie Trigger (Herald): A third of eligible Wellingtonians rose as the third case was confirmed on Monday
Hannah Martin (Tips): Over half a million boosters donated across New Zealand
ODT: Vaccine mandate set up at the university
Karen Coltman (Tips): Foodstuffs advises its supermarket owners to require their staff to be vaccinated
Lodging
Mayor Leadbeater (Herald): Why it’s harder and harder to ignore the war next door (paying)
1 News: The national average asking price for a property reaches its highest level in 14 years
Jade Kake (Tips): Could “build to rent” be our solution to housing affordability?
Anne Gibson (Herald): “Do not underestimate the impact of rising interest rates”: expert on changes in the housing market (paying)
Anne Gibson (Herald): Police called after property manager failed to pass $ 52,000 in rent: guilty of misconduct (paying)
Environment, conservation
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Tips): It’s time to put the brakes on the ads for new gasoline cars
No right turn: Climate change: a decision without integrity
Anna Radford (press room): The politically charged issue of saving Auckland’s trees
Ben Kepes (Tips): Fast fashion is bad for the environment, and certification is not the solution
RNZ: Aucklanders urged to reduce water consumption despite sufficient supply
Léa Tebutt (RNZ): Tauranga’s water supply hits record high, pipe ban possible
Jane Matthews (tips): Launch of a petition to ban the exploitation of the seabed in Aotearoa
Catherine Groenestein (Tips): Fear that the Taranaki pāua beds will be “stripped” by summer visitors
Chloé Blommerde (Tips): Failure at the Pukete wastewater treatment plant, bathing “not recommended”
Rachael Kelly (Tips): RealNZ moves towards zero carbon future by appointing conservation officer
Health
Andrew Marshall (ODT): ChatBus children’s counseling service forced to close
Hamish McNeilly (Tips): Staff issues led to a temporary change of maternity ward at Dunedin Hospital
Holly Henry (Newshub): Queen Mary maternity center in Dunedin forced to close on weekends as burnout causes staff shortage
Jimmy Ellingham (RNZ): Non-alcoholic beer ‘soars’ as sales of low-alcohol beer increase by 1116%
Local government
Todd Niall (Tips): Omicron aside, Auckland has big decisions to make
Todd Niall (Tips): Auckland ferry services canceled until March as staff shortages hit commuting
Called Callahan (Newshub): Proposed landfill near Dunedin Airport could be dumped due to serious risk of bird strike on passenger planes
Guy Williams (ODT): Reduced freedom camping
Kiri Gillespie (Herald): Tauranga council staff targeted as assault and abuse skyrocket amid Covid ‘stress’ (paying)
Other
Philip McKibbin (The Guardian): In today’s New Zealand, it’s not about just being Maori or pākehā – everyone has to belong
Soumya Bhamidipati (RNZ): GPS location and equipment determining if offenders go to jail
Damien Grant (Tips): Arthur Taylor’s life and crimes are as complicated as the man himself
Miriam Burrell (Herald): ‘No man’s land’: the judicial force, the victims demand a post-Delta solution to the paralyzing backlog of the courts (paying)
Luke Kirkness (Herald): How often have defense force personnel tested positive for illegal drugs (paying)
RNZ: Arrival of the new Chinese Ambassador Wang Xiaolong in New Zealand
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): New Chinese Ambassador arrives in Wellington
Chloé Blommerde (Tips): Survey the Waikato School following complaints from staff about bullying, fears for safety, “feeling of espionage”
Mike Yardley (Tips): Safety upgrades are urgently needed to improve automotive safety for all
Melanie Carroll (Tips): Bunnings customers among victims of FlexBooker data breach
Claire Trevett (Herald): Politicians’ Gardens: Christopher Luxon, Trevor Mallard, Steven Joyce and Nicole McKee (paying)
