Glenn McConnell
@glennmccnz.bsky.social
đ€ 253
đ„ 41
đ 177
Journalist covering politics in New Zealand. See my work on Stuff.co.nz and Three News.
Chinaâs ambassador is not happy about MPs going to events that recognise Taiwanâs independence - and he also knows who, exactly, was at the most recent event.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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China's ambassador to NZ scolded Kiwi MPs in a highly unusual letter. Few want to talk about it
Sources at Parliament believe China is spying on events related to Taiwan in New Zealand.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360873662/china-scolds-kiwi-mps-brazen-letter-few-want-talk-about
about 1 month ago
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In the post, he challenges two Te PÄti MÄori MPs, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and TÄkuta Ferris, to resign if they are unhappy with the partyâs direction.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Te PÄti MÄori president urges MP critics to do the 'honourable thing' and quit party
In the post, John Tamihere challenges two Te PÄti MÄori MPs, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and TÄkuta Ferris, to resign if they are unhappy with the partyâs direction.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360874051/white-feeding-frenzy-john-tamihere-launches-attack-against-his-te-pati-maori-supporting-critics
about 1 month ago
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www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Powerful group of MÄori leaders steps in to Te PÄti MÄori fallout
The Iwi Chairs Forum has taken an unprecedented step, deciding to intervene to try and sort out the internal political strife of Te PÄti MÄori.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360872210/powerful-group-maori-leaders-steps-te-pati-maori-fallout
about 1 month ago
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The former Free Speech union boss says heâs excited to have a school that could âremember the virtue of civilisation that has come from the Westâ.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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A new school built on âwestern civilisationâ is coming to Wellington
The former Free Speech union boss says heâs excited to have a school that could âremember the virtue of civilisation that has come from the Westâ.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360870634/former-free-speech-union-boss-heads-charter-school-build-western-civilisation
about 1 month ago
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www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Keisha Castle-Hughesâ struggle: Waitangi Tribunal finds MÄori children denied NZ citizenship under outdated law
The law allows one generation of citizenship by descent, but does not reference the Treaty of Waitangi or MÄori as tangata whenua.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360870573/maori-children-denied-nz-citizenship-under-outdated-law-waitangi-tribunal-finds
about 1 month ago
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The teachers union says itâs a ârushed rolloutâ which will cause âchaosâ in schools. And the ACT Party is celebrating getting rid of âMarxismâ. But what does the draft curriculum actually include? I gave it a read...
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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What the Government wants to teach kids, and why it's controversial
The teachers union says itâs a ârushed rolloutâ which will cause âchaosâ in schools. And the ACT Party is celebrating getting rid of âMarxismâ.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360869154/heres-what-government-wants-teach-kids-and-why-its-so-controversial
about 1 month ago
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However, the cut given to community groups from online casinos would be far smaller than what in-person pokies paid.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Minister backtracks on gambling regulations to fund community clubs
The cut given to community groups from online casinos would be far smaller than what the in-person pokies paid.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360868738/minister-confirms-gambling-backtrack-fund-community-clubs
about 1 month ago
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An Israeli minister who hit out at Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has made an unofficial trip to Auckland. During the short trip she had time to meet the leaders of Destiny Church, but no Government ministers.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Israeli minister who trolled PM visits NZ, meets Brian Tamaki
Israelâs deputy foreign minister met with the leaders of Destiny Church, but no Government minister, during a brief trip to Auckland.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360867523/israeli-minister-who-trolled-christopher-luxon-visits-auckland-meets-brian-tamaki
about 1 month ago
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The Chief Ombudsman has sided with an ACC whistleblower who complained that their organisation was trying to hide the true cost associated with a top dogâs farewell function.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Whistleblower who broke ranks to reveal ACCâs party bill gets a win
Thanks to the whistleblowerâs complaint, the Ombudsman revealed how ACC managers pressured staff not to reveal the full cost.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360852616/ombudsman-sides-acc-whistleblower-who-broke-ranks-reveal-farewell-partys-true-bill
about 2 months ago
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New Zealand First has broken away from its coalition partners to raise alarm about the proposed Gene Technology Bill.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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NZ First joins Opposition parties raising alarm over Nationalâs GE bill
The National Party campaigned on liberalising New Zealandâs gene editing laws, but NZ First worries it could go too far,
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360852711/nz-first-joins-labour-and-greens-raising-alarm-over-gene-tech-bill
about 2 months ago
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Each call to the Road Cone Tipline leads to fewer than one cone being removed
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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After 5 months of the heralded âtiplineâ, just 204 road cones are confirmed gone
In Whanganui, information from the Governmentâs own Road Cone Tipline had actually led to more cones being put out than taken away. In Wellington, 110 complaints resulted in just two cones being remov...
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360852097/each-call-road-cone-tipline-leads-fewer-one-cone-being-removed
about 2 months ago
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Across the country, 25 regions voted to remove their MÄori wards, while 17 regions voted to keep them.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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âI donât know if MÄori will be electedâ: Concerns raised over MÄori ward result
Across the country, 25 regions voted to remove their MÄori wards, while 17 regions voted to keep them. One councillor says there is a real fear about how councils will ensure they have a democratic ma...
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360851867/honestly-i-dont-know-if-maori-will-be-elected-says-councillor-after-maori-wards-result
about 2 months ago
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Government almost halves methane reduction target, farmers celebrate
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Government almost halves methane reduction target, farmers celebrate
Ministers describe their new goal as âscience-basedâ, while Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says the plan appears to be âcooked up by lobbyistsâ working for farming companies.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360851892/government-halves-methane-reduction-target-farmers-celebrate
about 2 months ago
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whoops
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Watch: House thrown into confusion as MPs knock off early, blocking bill from becoming law
There werenât enough MPs at Parliament on Thursday afternoon to vote on a bill to allow Sunday morning advertising.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360850311/mps-knock-early-blocking-tv-advertising-bill-becoming-law
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Glenn McConnell
Charlie Mitchell
about 2 months ago
Big scoop by Nicky Hager
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/09/s...
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Secret defence notes pointing to sensitive China preparation left at op shop
The National-led government has been avoiding questions about whether it is joining in preparations for a US military confrontation with China. A series of Official Information Act requests on this su...
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/09/secret-defence-notes-pointing-to-sensitive-china-preparation-left-at-op-shop/
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The loss of Te KÄea last year was a big blow. Now the future of both Te Karere and The Hui is uncertain, as Te MÄngai PÄho looks to amalgamate MÄori news and current affairs. What does that mean for debate and plurality of voices in our democracy?
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Future in doubt for flagship MÄori news shows Te Karere and The Hui
Stuff understands funding for both Te Karere and The Hui is on the line, following funding reductions for Te MÄngai PÄho.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360847807/future-doubt-flagship-maori-news-shows-te-karere-and-hui
about 2 months ago
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Israel has assured it that the New Zealanders taken by the Israeli navy are âsafeâ, but consular staff still havenât been able to speak to the three Kiwis in custody.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Officials yet to hear from captured Kiwis in Israel as PM urges others not to go
Humanitarian groups say Israel breached international law by blocking a Gaza-bound flotilla, but Christopher Luxon isnât criticising Israel.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360843625/officials-yet-hear-captured-kiwis-israel-pm-urges-others-not-go-gaza
2 months ago
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The Government has served up $5 million for a roof to cover the main court of Aucklandâs Stanley St tennis arena.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Stuff
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360842940/taxpayers-fund-5-million-roof-auckland-tennis-stadium
2 months ago
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Pressure is building on Te PÄti MÄori, with ToitĆ« Te Tiriti - the activist movement behind last yearâs huge HÄ«koi MĆ Te Tiriti - now speaking out against the party.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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HÄ«koi MĆ Te Tiriti leader calls out Te PÄti MÄori âdictatorship modelâ
Eru Kapa-Kingi, a leader of ToitĆ« Te Tiriti and former Te PÄti MÄori vice president, says the partyâs leadership system is problematic.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360841912/hikoi-mo-te-tiriti-leader-calls-out-te-pati-maori-dictatorship-model
2 months ago
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I went to speak to Samuel Leason's father, Adi, in Ćtaki. Others from the flotilla have told that "Israeli commandos" have taken 18-year-old Samuel, but neither the New Zealand nor Israeli governments have confirmed this. Nevertheless, Adi is very proud of his son.
www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/3...
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How Kiwi teen ended up in Israeli detention as part of Gaza flotilla protest
Samuel Leason had at first tried to get to Gaza by land, marching across the Sinai desert, his dad says.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360841563/gaza-aid-flotilla-enters-danger-zone-activists-say-israeli-navy-has-begun-intercepting-vessels
2 months ago
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A group of more than 11,000 health workers are the first to commit to a massive coordinated strike being planned by public sector unions.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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More than 11,000 health workers locked in for mega strike
And more public sector workers are likely to join the massive strikes planned for later this month.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360841278/11500-health-workers-locked-mega-strike-more-follow
2 months ago
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How will we end the power price pinch? On this issue, Simon Bridges and the Greens agree
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Power companies make record profits while we pay more. Whatâs going to fix it?
The cost of power is costing jobs and driving inflation. This is how the powerbrokers want to lower prices.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360840442/how-will-we-end-power-price-pinch-issue-simon-bridges-and-greens-agree
2 months ago
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Forty-one days before the Prime Minister sent Labour a letter pleading for a âcredible, bipartisan approachâ to solving the gas shortage, Labour had sent one to his energy minister asking for the same.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Labour asked for energy bipartisanship 41 days before Luxonâs letter
Turns out the Energy Minister received a letter from Labour on August 20 asking to work together on a long-term solution to New Zealandâs dwindling supply of natural gas.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360840782/labour-asked-energy-bipartisanship-41-days-luxons-letter
2 months ago
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It's hard to keep up with Trump's tariffs...
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Films, now forests? Trump launches another surprise tariff on key NZ industry
As Trade Minister Todd McClay responded to threats of a â100% tariffâ on films, US President Donald Trump launched another tariff for a key Kiwi industry.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360839822/first-films-then-forests-trump-launches-another-tariff-while-nz-trade-minister-responds-film-threat
2 months ago
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Fewer than one in five countries donât recognise Palestine.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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NZ is in a small club of countries that donât recognise Palestine. What links them?
New Zealand is one of just 33 nations who donât recognise Palestine. What does that say about our country?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360837773/nz-small-club-countries-dont-recognise-palestine-what-links-them
2 months ago
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Why are police spending so much time chasing cannabis?
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Police celebrate âwinâ on cannabis, but Kiwis arenât all on board
The Drug Foundation says police are playing âwhack-a-moleâ and âdevoting enormous amounts of resourcesâ to finding weed growers.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360834945/why-are-police-spending-so-much-time-chasing-cannabis
2 months ago
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The incoming Reserve Bank governor will be the first woman to hold the office. She will travel across the world to take up the position - but sheâs been watching New Zealand for some time.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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What the next Reserve Bank Governor wants - and what it means for your money
The incoming governor will travel across the world to take up the position - but sheâs been watching New Zealand for some time.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360833575/who-anna-breman-new-reserve-bank-governor
2 months ago
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Big money, big problems.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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âItâs a death trapâ: Why $2.1b is being spent on this road
Transport Minister Chris Bishop says this âdeath trapâ road near Wellington kills and injures, on average, 14 people each year.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360832995/its-death-trap-why-nzta-spending-21-billion-road
2 months ago
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Winston Peters is (sort of) right about migrants moving to Australia
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Winston Peters is (sort of) right about migrants moving to Australia
Is New Zealand being used as a âstepping stoneâ for migrants wanting to move to Australia? Here are the facts.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360832380/winston-peters-sort-right-about-migrants-moving-australia
2 months ago
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reposted by
Glenn McConnell
AFP News Agency
2 months ago
Residents of Gaza City, the target of a major Israeli offensive, offer mixed opinions after a slate of Western nations recognised the State of Palestine. For Tawfiq Habib the move - condemned by Israel - means little. "I don't care about recognition while the killings are still going on here"
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Te Ariki TÄ Tumu Te Heuheu TĆ«kino VIII, the paramount chief of NgÄti TĆ«wharetoa, has died, aged 84.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Paramount chief, Te Ariki Sir Tumu Te Heuheu, dies
Te Heuheu was one of the longest serving and most respected leaders of te ao MÄori. He died, aged 84.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360832169/paramount-chief-te-ariki-sir-tumu-te-heuheu-dies
2 months ago
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reposted by
Glenn McConnell
Newsroom NZ
4 months ago
TV current affairs programmes are virtually extinct in New Zealand. The return of Paddy Gower Has Issues could be the genre's last hope.
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Paddy Gowerâs TV comeback and the hunt for a fugitive father
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/08/20/paddy-gowers-tv-comeback-and-the-hunt-for-a-fugitive-father/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Bluesky#Echobox=1755649674-2
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Two private helicopters took the Australian and NZ prime ministers to a mountain top lunch in Queenstown. This week I asked, what was the purpose of that trip?
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Two helicopters, two prime ministers and a pavlova. Was this $27,000 lunch worth it?
Christopher Luxon hailed his Queenstown catch-up with Australiaâs Anthony Albanese as a success for tourism and trans-Tasman relations. But what did it achieve?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360788480/two-helicopters-two-prime-ministers-and-pavlova-was-27000-lunch-worth-it
4 months ago
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reposted by
Glenn McConnell
ICIJ
4 months ago
From
@aljazeera.com
: An Israeli strike on a journalists' tent on Sunday killed four Al Jazeera staff members. Israel has killed nearly 270 journalists and media workers since it launched its war on Gaza, making it the single deadliest conflict for journalists.
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Here are the names of the journalists Israel killed in Gaza
Israel has killed nearly 270 journalists and media workers since it launched its war on Gaza.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/11/here-are-the-names-of-the-journalists-israel-killed-in-gaza
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Prime minister Christopher Luxon says a decision is weeks away. This issue was first raised with his Government in 2023.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Why hasnât NZ worked out whether to recognise Palestine?
Prime minister Christopher Luxon says a decision is weeks away. This issue was first raised with his Government in 2023.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360788012/why-hasnt-cabinet-been-able-agree-whether-recognise-palestine
4 months ago
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reposted by
Glenn McConnell
AFP News Agency
4 months ago
Al Jazeera says 5 journalists killed in Israeli strike in Gaza. Israeli military admits to targeting Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif, calling the reporter a "terrorist" affiliated with Hamas
u.afp.com/SMDV
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80% of the military style academy's pilot cohort allegedly re-offended within the year
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Bootcamp re-offending rate revealed
Most of the young people went on to re-offend. But that doesnât mean the Government views this as a failed experiment.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360784864/bootcamp-re-offending-rate-revealed-80-allegedly-offended-within-year
4 months ago
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Government email accounts were hacked in June, to send scam emails to around 56,000 people.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Government emails hacked to send scams to 56,000 people
âPhishingâ messages seeking sensitive information were sent from Tertiary Education Commission system.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360783046/governments-fees-free-email-was-hacked-spamming-thousands-people
4 months ago
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Interesting to compare the cost of Covid-19 to other emergencies. Covid equated to 20% of GDP. The Canterbury earthquakes, 11%. The 2023 storms and flooding, 1.7%. And the BNZ failure in 1990 is in fourth spot, at 1%.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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The $66 billion Covid spend up: Treasury asks if NZ went too far
The briefing also notes that officials had urged the previous Government to pull the brakes on Covid-related spending after the initial shock.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360784463/66-billion-covid-spend-treasury-asks-if-government-went-too-far
4 months ago
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The Government says New Zealandâs â30 crazy labelling lawsâ are driving up your supermarket bill.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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âCrazyâ safety and ingredient label rules are the next target in red tape war
The Government says New Zealandâs â30 crazy labelling lawsâ are driving up your supermarket bill.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360783553/seymour-eyes-product-safety-and-ingredient-labels-red-tape-war
4 months ago
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When will unemployment reduce? Nicola Willis holds hope for improvement this year
www.tickaroo.com/e/G5BHcqtjJi...
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When will unemployment reduce? Nicola Willis holds hope for improvement this year
When will unemployment reduce? Nicola Willis holds hope for improvement this yearFinance Minister Nicola Willis remains hopeful that unemployment will start to reduce sometime this year, but given glo...
https://www.tickaroo.com/e/G5BHcqtjJi1Fd4jc
4 months ago
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The Government has revived its plan to make it harder for MÄori to claim customary title to marine and coastal areas.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Minister confirms seabed and foreshore change, limiting MÄori rights
The Government has revived its plan to make it harder for MÄori to claim customary title to marine and coastal areas.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360781195/minister-confirms-seabed-and-foreshore-change-limiting-maori-rights
4 months ago
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Erica Stanford: âIt never made sense to me that an E was better than A." Minister? Really???
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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Will replacing NCEA make New Zealand smarter?
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Since NCEA, numeracy and literacy standards have fallen. Was it NCEAâs fault though?
Since NCEA was introduced, the average high school graduate in New Zealand has become worse at understanding numbers and words.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360780016/will-replacing-ncea-make-new-zealand-smarter
4 months ago
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There are issues with NCEA, but the clarity of its marking system isnât one of them. You canât get any clearer than âNOT ACHIEVEDâ. Millennials need to stop trying to revive their alphabet scores.
4 months ago
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As nurses protested this week, I spoke to Naomi Waipouri about why she was striking. She said patients are being let down due to understaffing - and she saw that last week, when her cousin died.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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'It's personal': Tearful nurse at protest just lost a relative
Naomi Waipouri tells Stuff a cousin had a heart attack and it took 5 hours for healthcare services to respond. "So I'm standing here not only as a nurse, but as a support person for my whÄnau."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360774569/its-personal-tearful-nurse-protest-just-lost-relative
4 months ago
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Bizarre handling of this announcement. 1) US initially refused to confirm Patel as was here. 2) The Police Minister wouldnât confirm the new FBI base in Wellington, despite Patel announcing it. 3) Patel said the base would combat CCP power. NZ quite about that.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Why the FBI is âprioritisingâ opening a new base in Wellington
FBI director Kash Patel confirmed the US would be establishing a FBI base in Wellington to combat the influence of China in the Pacific.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360776778/fbi-opening-base-wellington-after-director-kash-patel-makes-secret-visit-capital
4 months ago
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The message was urgent: Do not go for a mid-winter morning swim, do not go âsightseeingâ or for a walk on the beach, and evacuate your house boats.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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âIt was criticalâ: Why Civil Defence issued a 6.30am tsunami alert
The Emergency Management Minister says thousands of dog walkers and other early risers were at risk.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360776581/why-civil-defence-issued-630am-tsunami-alert
4 months ago
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The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is one of the most severe, distressing and incomprehensible issues to have faced the current generation. And yet, New Zealand and the world's response to this issue has been quite lumbersome. I analysed how New Zealand has responded:
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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How NZ has responded to the Israel-Gaza crisis - and the tensions that complicate it
While the Government has spoken out against specific acts from Israel, its has not moved to sanction Israelâs Government.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360771994/how-new-zealand-has-responded-israel-gaza-war
4 months ago
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Despite ongoing restructures across the public service, the total number of public servants hasnât actually decreased since the coalition Government came to power.
www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...
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Despite ongoing âcutsâ, the public service isnât really smaller
By the official count, the public service has not shrunk. But as Glenn McConnell explains, that number only tells part of the story.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360770397/despite-ongoing-cuts-public-service-isnt-really-smaller
4 months ago
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