US trade deal could scuttle Pharmac

Labour refers Liu case to Auditor-General

Labour Leader David Shearer has sent a letter to the Auditor-General asking her to investigate the decision-making process around the case involving Chinese businessman Bill Liu. More>>

Also:

• Shearer - Court Finding on Bill Liu
• Gordon Campbell - On Standing Down Shane Jones MP - Again

Waikato-Tainui Celebrates End of Lock-Out

Tom Roa, Chair of Te Arataura, Waikato Tainui’s executive has welcomed news that the ten week lock-out of Horotiu workers is drawing to a dramatic close.
“We are all extremely pleased to see this day finally arrive,” said Tom Roa. More>>

Also:

• Tuku Morgan - Role of Iwi Forever Changed by AFFCO

Meridian dumps West Coast hydro plan

(Image: blog.greens.org.nz by Q)

May 22 (BusinessDesk) - Opposition to Meridian Energy's plans for a 100 Megawatt hydro-electric scheme on the undammed Mokihinui River on the South Island's West Coast has forced its abandonment, the state-owned power company has announced. More >>

• Green Party Celebrates Mokihinui Decision
• DOC supports Meridian’s Mokihinui decision.
• EDS Welcomes Decision to Drop the Mokihinu Hydro Project
• Environment Commissioner welcomes Meridian Mokihinui Exit
• Valley saved – West Coast group celebrates
• Forest & Bird welcomes victory for Mokihinui River

Fisheries: Slave Labour And Foreign Vessels
The Government has announced it is to require reflagging of foreign-owned fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters to address labour, safety and fisheries practice concerns. More >>

Also

• NZ First Party - Ban on Foreign Fishing Vessels Supported by NZ First
• Forest And Bird - Foreign fishing move solves some environmental problems
• Maritime Union - Welcomes Decision to Reflag Foreign Vessels
• CTU - Government Action on Foreign Charter Vessels Welcomed

Budget 2012: Crime And Punishment
Budget 2012 will contribute to a 25 per cent reduction in reoffending by 2017, and 18,500 fewer victims of crime every year from 2017, Corrections Minister Anne Tolley and Associate Corrections Minister Dr Pita Sharples say. More >>

Also:

• Labour Party - Corrections Announcements Score Zero for Ambition
• Rethinking Crime and Punishment - Corrections Goals Ambitious but Attainable

Elections: Time Running Out to Take Part in Electoral Commission’s MMP Review

Time is running out to have your say on improvements you’d like to see made to our MMP voting system. With only two weeks to go until the first consultation period of the MMP Review closes, the Electoral Commission has received more than 3700 submissions ... More >>

Christchurch: More Green Zoning And More Red Zoning

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced the final decision in almost 11 months of flat land residential zoning in Canterbury…

“It brings the number of residential properties zoned red because they are unsuitable for residential occupation to 7256.” More >>

Gerry Brownlee also announced the green zoning of 421 residential properties in the Port Hills, leaving 1679 houses still under review. More>>

ALSO:

• CERA - CBD Red Zone Cordon Reduction
• Labour - Southshore: A Divided Verdict
• Christchurch - Council Endorses Pausing Cathedral Demolition
• Awa Press - Christchurch protests for new leadership will continue
• Campbell - On The Government Is Ducking Responsibility For The Needs Of Christchurch
• Rutherford Foundation - New techniques used to investigate Port Hills rock falls

Budget 2012: Squeezing Every Drop Out Of A Zero Budget
The Government is trying to squeeze every drop of publicity out of its ``Zero Budget’’ ahead of its delivery next Thursday.More >>

Gordon Campbell On the Politics of Austerity: Later this month, New Zealand will be subjected to its second austerity Budget in a row. Zero budgeting is being presented as the only path of virtue. This is despite the fact that - elsewhere in the real world - it has been a very bad week indeed for the politics of austerity.More >>
Also

Housing: Social Housing Money Handed Out
People in need will get the most benefit from Government funding for new housing projects, to be developed by non-government providers. Housing Minister Phil Heatley has announced the successful applicants to the $25.3 million Social Housing Unit ... More >>

ALSO:

• Greens - Social Housing need – A ticking time bomb
• Labour - Housing a non-event on National’s policy calendar