News Briefing: 17 February 2025

GOVERNMENT, PARLIAMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): Can Christopher Luxon grow his way out of a buyer’s remorse election? (paywalled)
Andrea Vance (Post): Can Christopher Luxon turn it around? (paywalled)
Damien Grant (Stuff): ACT’s clarity a sticking point for Luxon in his apparent struggle to explain ‘why’
Vernon Small (Post): Economic good news risks being suffocated by coalition antics (paywalled)
Shane Te Pou (Herald): David Seymour’s Philip Polkinghorne police letter highlights a weak Prime Minister, coalition partners off the leash (paywalled)
Gabi Lardies (Spinoff): Analysing the attachment styles of the coalition throuple
Anna Whyte (Post): Chris v Christopher: Who would you rather have a beer with? (paywalled)
Steve Braunias (Newsroom): The Secret Diary of .. Sheriff Seymour
Luke Malpass (Post): Nicola Willis charts a new course - now she has to deliver (paywalled)
Thomas Nash (Post): Cost, value and the return on investment from public goods (paywalled)
Bruce Cotterill (Herald): Time for decisive Government action to get NZ back on track (paywalled)
Brent Edwards (NBR): The polls, the economy, the Cook Islands, and a supermarket scrap
Greg Dixon (Listener): Is David Seymour a jackass or a troll?
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Blithe spirits, the cavalry, and filling every minute of the day (paywalled)
Phil Smith (RNZ): The House: Fighting over growth, forgetting to mention the plan
Herald: David Seymour accuses Labour of radical leftward shift, calls for policy reform
RNZ: Watch: Time for 'significant reset' on red tape, David Seymour says
RNZ: Public Service sector 'not fit for purpose', new commissioner says
Anna Whyte (Post): Public service to be asked to find more savings (paywalled)
Stuff: Poll: National and Labour are taking on TikTok trends. Which party's videos are the cringiest?
Thomas Manch (Post): The benefits of having a regional lobbyist as a minister (paywalled)
1News: Infrastructure key for new South Island Minister
Stuff: ‘I make no apologies’: Chris Luxon doubles down on T-shirt ‘fashion crime’
Varsha Anjali (Herald): Prime Minister Christopher Luxon auctions off ‘fashion crime’ T-shirt after getting roasted online
RNZ: PM's 'fashion crime' T-shirt now up for auction
Jenna Lynch (Stuff): ACT MP Simon Court asks woman if she’s ‘aware of the menstrual cup’ during hearing on benefit sanctions
Audrey Young (Herald): MP Lemauga Lydia Sosene shares cancer journey, urges health priority (paywalled)
Sam Smith (Stuff): Auckland to get mural in honour of the late Fa’anānā Efeso Collins
Kasia De Vydt-Jilling (Woman’s Weekly): Ex-MP Kiri Allan’s fresh start: ‘I’m a better version of myself’
Catherine Smith (OneRoof): Paula Bennett’s $10m island finally finds a buyer

HEALTH
Michael Morrah & Chris Knox (Herald): How does your hospital emergency department ED rate? Herald investigation into the best and worst-performing EDs
Adam Pearse (Herald): Health Minister Simeon Brown denies three senior health resignations connected
Press Editorial (Post): Who can heal a sick system? (paywalled)
Ruth Hill (RNZ): 'Bloodbath': Director-General of Health resignation a huge blow, doctors say
1News: Director-General of Health Diana Sarfati resigns
RNZ: Director-General of Health Diana Sarfati resigns
Alan Perrott (NZ Doctor): Director-general of health Diana Sarfati gives week’s notice of leaving (paywalled)
Sue Pullon (Post): The realities of establishing a new medical school (paywalled)
Luka Forman (RNZ): Patients speak out on pauses and delays to colonoscopies, some waiting years
Rachel Helyer Donaldson (RNZ): Whakatāne Hospital obstetrics closure: hīkoi organiser pans 'deeply dysfunctional' health system
Ruth Hill (RNZ): GP earns less than minimum wage after rejecting 'flawed' funding system
Jenna Lynch (Stuff): ‘I feel blindsided’: Texts reveal tension between Pharmac bosses over menopause patches
RNZ: Nurse practitioner training goes ahead despite funding uncertainty
Wayne Naylor (Sunday Star Times): Dying to be heard: National palliative care roles axed (paywalled)

FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TRADE
Danyl McLauchlan (Listener): A new world (dis) order (paywalled)
Alexander Gillespie (The Conversation): NZ depends on the rules-based world Trump is dismantling – why the silence?
Mick Hall: NZ Defence Minister signals military spending hike at Munich Security Conference
1News: Q+A: Scott Morrison: The company that could give NZ a big AUKUS boost
Richard Harman (Politik): McCully resurfaces; “don’t subcontract our foreign policy to Australia” (paywalled)
Simon Shepherd (NBR): Scott Morrison keeps mum on what he said to Trump about aluminum (paywalled)
Lydia Lewis (RNZ): 'Clandestine' Cook Islands-China deal 'damaged' NZ relationship - Helen Clark
Caleb Fotheringham (RNZ): "Deal with China complements, not replaces, NZ relationship," Cook Islands PM
Caleb Fotheringham (RNZ): Cook Islands signs China deal at centre of diplomatic row with New Zealand
Caleb Fotheringham (RNZ): Cook Islands seeks China's expertise in seabed mining
Herald: Cook Islands ‘deals’ with China - why NZ Government won’t comment
RNZ: Watch: Opposition MP says NZ has looked after Cook Islanders
Caleb Fotheringham (RNZ): China confirms 'in-depth exchange' with Cook Islands as New Zealand faces criticism for bullying
Tim Selwyn (Daily Blog): The dragon in the room: Cooks v NZ v China
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): Canada rejects NZ dairy protein ‘dumping’ claim (paywalled)

ECONOMY
Robert MacCulloch: The speakers at Waikato University's 2025 Economic Forum, "Unconstrained Thinking for Constrained Times", Symbolize NZ's Stagnation
Bernard Hickey (The Kākā): Rennie, Roche & Willis want faster GDP growth, smaller Govt, lower debt, more competition & risk-taking public servants
Brian Easton (Pundit): Preparing For The Next Financial Earthquake
Anan Zaki (RNZ): Last big cut? Economists expect RBNZ to slow the pace of rate cuts
Ian Taylor (Stuff): Does a McDonald’s in Wānaka really count as growth?
Bridie Witton (Stuff): Does a declined Wānaka McDonald’s application represent ‘a culture of no’?
David Hargreaves (Interest): Reserve Bank set to deliver promised OCR cut - but what next?
Liam Dann (Herald): OCR preview: Big cut coming this week but future path is less certain (paywalled)
Gyles Beckford (RNZ): Inflation on the rise for New Zealand households
Liam Dann (Herald): Could an inflationary rebound ruin plans for a rate cut recovery? (paywalled)
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): Reserve Bank expected to stick to script and cut OCR by 0.5% (paywalled)
Kate McVicar (NBR): RBNZ expected to deliver last of ‘big cuts’ (paywalled)
Sam Stubbs (Post): How economic growth really happens (paywalled)
Jonathan Mitchell (NBR): Talking economic, environmental trade-offs in a Trump 2.0 world (paywalled)
Lloyd Burr (Stuff): The New Zealand economy, explained

FISHING, CONSERVATION
Andrea Vance (Post): NZ rebuked for behaviour at fisheries forum (paywalled)
Andrew Bevin (Newsroom): Fisheries overhaul aims to reverse case law putting environment above industry
Andrea Vance (Post): New marine reserve delayed as boundary dispute heads to court (paywalled)
Jaime Lyth (Herald): More than 400 weka killed, DoC justifies trapping methods amid concerns
Tony Wall (Stuff): Rotting animals left in traps; claims of pest control neglect in former National Park

IMMIGRATION
1News: Q+A: Minister quizzed on decision for NZ-born teen facing deportation
Steve Kilgallon (Stuff): The Kiwi kid who faces being deported to a country he’s never been to (paywalled)
Mary Argue (RNZ): New Zealand-born teen faces deportation to India due to mother's invalid visa
Tara Shaskey (Open Justice Reporting): Immigration NZ to deport Fijian teen over concerns he would burden the country’s special education services
Tony Wall (Stuff): From preachers to prostitutes: who's exploiting our RSE workforce?
Arena Williams, Stuart Smith (Stuff): This is about leadership

EDUCATION
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Courses at risk with universities expecting Budget funding cut
Monique Steele (RNZ): Rural schools hit back against government's 'unfair' bus route changes
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Teacher only days saved: Education Minister says Seymour ‘overstepped’
RNZ: Teacher-only days continue after Seymour oversteps, Education Minister says
Julia Gabel (Herald): Teacher-only day crackdown: Erica Stanford says David Seymour was ‘overstepping the mark’
Emma Ricketts (Stuff): Wellington mayor asks Government to save capital’s creative polytech campus
Stuff: What’s going wrong with the new school lunch programme?
Maia Ingoe (RNZ): Government accused of 'othering' Muslim community after failing to provide halal-certified school lunches
1News: More scrutiny for school lunches: 'Talking about valuing diversity'
Giles Dexter (RNZ): School lunch provider Compass admits halal meals 'friendly' but not certified
Giles Dexter (RNZ): School lunch pies 'a celebration', David Seymour says
Zita Campbell (Local Democracy Reporting): Gisborne students unhappy with repetitive free lunches
Hanna McCallum (Post): Onslow College calls for delivery on decade of ‘broken promises and underinvestment’
Phil Pennington (RNZ): Facial recognition used on students, NZ university confirms

HOUSING, BUILDING
Ryan Boswell (1News): Poll reveals Kiwis' thoughts on issue of homelessness in their community
Chelsea Daniels (Herald): Front Page; Homelessness crisis: Advocates call for better housing solutions
Benn Bathgate (Waikato Times): Value of Waikato Kāinga Ora tenants’ rent arrears revealed (paywalled)
Anne Gibson (Herald): Tenancy Tribunal claims eight-week wait for hearings: what landlords say back (paywalled)
Miriam Bell (Post): Will the new 'golden visa' affect the housing market? (paywalled)
Susan Edmunds (RNZ): Why developers are offering to pay your mortgage or give you a car
Brianna McIlraith (Stuff): If the OCR is lowered further, what will happen to mortgages?
Olivia Wannan (Stuff): Why some iconic buildings in Wellington are abandoned

TOURISM
RNZ: Everyone must… joke? Listeners mock NZ's new tourism slogan
Russell Palmer (RNZ): Opposition pans 'Everyone Must Go' ads for toilet-queue tone
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): NZ tells Australia: 'Everyone must go'
Mary Williams (ODT): Call for change: ‘Milford is just chaos’ (paywalled)
Matthew Littlewood (ODT): Cruise emissions ‘challenge’ (paywalled)
RNZ: 'Everyone must go': Australians targeted in new tourism campaign
Julia Gabel (Herald):Government announces new tourism push to entice Aussie holidaymakers to New Zealand
Mike McRoberts (NBR): Māori tourism a $1.2 billion dollar industry (paywalled)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT
David Farrar: The survey data WCC hid
Georgina Campbell (Herald): James Cameron brings titanic star power to Wellington’s ‘crisis of confidence’ (paywalled)
Tom Hunt (Post): Private schools and Jehovah’s Witnesses: 550 rates-exempt Wellington properties (paywalled)
Tracy Watkins (Sunday Star Times): Begonias or bust: Why the Begonia House lies at the heart of the local government dilemma (paywalled)
Jonathan Killick (Sunday Star Times): Rates rage: Homeowners ‘furious’ in face of crushing council increases (paywalled)
Jonathan Killick (Sunday Star Times): Tensions flare at Auckland’s council table as election looms (paywalled)
Erin Johnson (Stuff): Auckland resident’s 8-year, $1m battle with council over building heights
Lois Williams (Local Democracy Reporting): Council chair calls for apology over mayor's conflict of interest remarks
Simon Wilson (Herald): More news from the cone wars (paywalled)
Alisha Evans (Local Democracy Reporting): BOP Regional Council sets guidelines for sale of Port of Tauranga shares
RNZ: Whanagnui East Pool fate to be decided by citizens assembly
Matthew Martin (Waikato Times): Likely contenders line up for South Waikato mayoral race (paywalled)
RNZ: Residents fed up after ten year boil water notice, water supplier says there's been 'no complaints'
Max Frethey (Local Democracy Reporting): $3m overspend frustrates Tasman councillors
Grant Miller (ODT): Regional deal proposal in pipeline (paywalled)
Julie Asher (ODT): Rates rise increased to 14.03%
Grant Miller (ODT): DCC’s capital programme falls behind (paywalled)
Grant Miller (ODT): Most councillors wanted more info on complaint (paywalled)
Brendon McMahon (ODT): Call for government to investigate road closure (paywalled)

DESTINY CHURCH
1News: Police investigate assault allegations at Destiny Church pride protest
David Williams (Herald): Destiny Church violent protests: Politicians condemn actions, Police open assault investigation
Stuff: Police investigating assault allegations as Destiny Church followers ‘crossed line’ with anti-Pride protests
Herald: Destiny Church protests: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says protestors went ‘too far’
RNZ: Destiny Church protesters 'went too far' - Luxon
Caroline Williams (Stuff): Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown slams Destiny Church ‘thuggery’ after protest at pride event
Herald: Destiny Church protests: Teenager concussed after violent attack at Te Atatū, West Auckland event
Herald Editorial: Destiny’s rainbow protests not fit for a tolerant, liberal society
Caroline Williams (Stuff): Destiny Church slammed for ‘non-peaceful’ protest at Auckland library pride event
Herald: Auckland Rainbow Parade: Destiny Church members disrupt procession, storm Ponsonby Rd
RNZ: Pride and Rainbow event in Auckland disrupted by Destiny Church
Mountain Tui: Who's Helping Destiny Church?

ENVIRONMENT, FAST-TRACK
Eloise Gibson (RNZ): Environmental Protection Authority will end up defaulting on loan if too few developers use government's fast-track process
RNZ: Australian mining giant surrenders 15 NZ exploration permits
Chris Lynch: ECan criticised for failing to provide free drinking water testing
Hamish MacLean (ODT): Plan to reduce climate risk reporting criticised (paywalled)
Virginia Fallon (Post): ‘I quite like my neighbour’: A district-wide battle summed up in one street (paywalled)

BOOTCAMPS
Adam Pearse (Herald): Why Oranga Tamariki won’t reveal bootcamp pilot re-offending (paywalled)
Adam Pearse (Herald): Oranga Tamariki stays quiet on bootcamp participant offending as first pilot review drops
Phil Pennington (RNZ): First official evaluation from government's youth bootcamp revealed
RNZ: Tick for 'short' bootcamp review too soon - children's commissioner

MEDIA
Guyon Espiner (RNZ): Tech safety agencies lawyer up after accusation they failed to protect Jacinda Ardern from ‘violence, misogyny, and hate’
Ben Strang (RNZ): Google's AI has been breaching New Zealand court name suppressions
Colin Peacock (RNZ): Mediawatch: Golden visas obscured by politics and talkback pushback
David Harvey:More Blood in the Water
Hamish McNicol (NBR): Nick Mowbray denies interest in NZME takeover (paywalled)
Shayne Currie (Herald: Media Insider: Sky TV’s new satellite placed into orbit, with ‘positive’ early results (paywalled)

EMPLOYMENT
Amanda Gillies (RNZ): The Detail: The Beehive doors are shut to the CTU
RNZ: Ten week mediation backlog due to government cuts says Labour
RNZ: Female-dominated professions struggle to catch up in cumulative earnings
Mary Argue (RNZ): Wellington trades programme aims to get rangitahi into further training

BUSINESS
Hamish McNicol and Calista Stuart-Menteath (NBR): Hey, Foodstuffs: cry more (paywalled)
ODT Editorial: More talk on supermarket competition (paywalled)
Maryana Garcia (Rotorua Daily Post): Kinleith Mill job cuts: 230 workers affected as paper machine shuts
Libby Kirkby-McLeod (RNZ): More than 200 jobs to be axed as Kinleith Mill closes paper division
Oliver Lewis and John Anthony (BusinessDesk): Kinleith paper operations to close, loss of 230 jobs (paywalled)
Dileepa Fonseka (BusinessDesk): On the Money: NZ's Don Johnson, Luxon, Investment Summits, TradeMe troubleshooting, and more … (paywalled)
Emma Andrews (RNZ): Māori businesses perform strongly despite economic hardships
RNZ: Right to Repair Amendment Bill reading a big win - consumer advocate
Chris Keall (Herald): Tech Insider: A big move ahead of Spark’s earnings, more Callaghan ‘chaos’, Southlander’s start-up raises A$5m – and who is NZ’s DOGE-master? (paywalled)
Jane Finlayson (Herald): How to turbocharge manufacturing in New Zealand (paywalled)
RNZ: Manufacturing sector back in expansion mode

Cartoons

Body - NZ Herald 17 February 2025

Emmerson - NZ Herald 16 February 2025

Bell - The Post 15 February 2025