Latest 'Discussion Doc': National On Healthcare

National has today released our eighth Discussion Document which focusses on health and outlines a range of policies which will enable more Kiwis to access high-quality healthcare, Leader of the Opposition Simon Bridges says. More>>

ALSO:

• National - National will deliver more frontline mental health services
• National - National will explore ways to simplify health system - National will improve care for eyes, teeth and ears - National will improve Māori health outcomes - National will deliver high-quality care for women - National will deliver first-class care for seniors - National will give certainty to ACC claimants

Select Committee Report: Combatting Foreign Election Interference

MPs have finally delivered their recommendations to combat foreign interference in elections in a long awaited and much delayed report. More>>

Mosque Attacks: Names Of Arresting Officers Released

Police are now in the position to name the two officers involved in the arrest of the alleged gunman responsible for the attacks on the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques on March 15. More>>

Big, Bold, Permanent Change Needed: Children's Commissioner On 2019 Child Poverty Monitor

“I want to see family incomes dramatically raised by increasing benefits and making the minimum wage a living wage. And the Government needs to move much faster at increasing the supply of social housing..." More>>

ALSO:

• Image Out-Link - Tracking progress on reducing child poverty in New Zealand | Child Poverty
• Child Poverty Action Group - 2019 Child Poverty Monitor: There's more to be done
• Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers - Child poverty efforts must be escalated
• Maori Council - Child poverty figures show much more needs to be done
• NZ Taxpayers' Union - Child Poverty Figures show need for tax relief
• Royal Australasian College of Physicians - Health equity still ‘under construction’ say Doctors
• UN - Inequality threatening human development, report warns
• The Conversation - 2019 was a year of global unrest

Fuels Rushing In: Govt "Ready To Act" On Petrol Market Report

The Government will now take the Commerce Commission’s recommendations to Cabinet...
• A more transparent wholesale pricing regime • Greater contractual freedoms and fairer terms • Introducing an enforceable industry code of conduct • Improve transparency of premium grade fuel pricing... More>>

ALSO:

• Commerce Commission - Study recommends changes to benefit competion
• BusinessNZ - Process concerns in market study
• Motor Trade Association - “At last!” says MTA in response to fuel market findings

Reserve Bank Capital Review Decision: Increased Bank Capital Requirements

Governor Adrian Orr said the decisions to increase capital requirements are about making the banking system safer for all New Zealanders, and will ensure bank owners have a meaningful stake in their businesses. More>>

ALSO:

• National - Reserve Bank decision will further slow economy
• NZ Bankers' Association - Banking industry welcomes conclusion to RBNZ capital review
• The NZ Initiative - RBNZ's flawed bank capital process should be suspended
• BusinessNZ - Further consultation essential on bank capital proposals

Julie Webb-Pullman: Jacinda, THAT Tweet, And Gaza

The MFAT tweet condemning rocket fire from Gaza while failing to condemn the Israeli extrajudicial assassinations and civilian killings that generated Islamic Jihad’s rocket-fire in defensive response, reveals the hypocrisy at the heart of New Zealand’s so-called “even-handed” foreign policy and practice towards Palestine. More>>

Hope For Nature: A New Deal For The Commons

Joseph Cederwall on The Dig: To fully understand the biodiversity crisis and explore what comes next, it is necessary to address this mind-virus at the heart of our modern civilisation – the dominion worldview. More>>

ALSO:

• HiveMind - Biodiversity HiveMind: Final Report

Gordon Campbell: On The Recent Upheavals Inside Iran

In the fortnight since the Internet got switched back on in Iran, the ferocity of the crackdown on the recent demonstrations has become evident. Reportedly, hundreds of people have been killed, thousands wounded and thousands more have been arrested. More>>

ALSO:

• Image November - Iranians of NZ became the voice of the protesters in Iran

UN Emissions Report: World On Course For Climate Spike

Even if countries meet commitments made under the 2015 Paris Agreement, the world is heading for a 3.2 degrees Celsius global temperature rise over pre-industrial levels… More>>

ALSO:

• UN - Climate change: Another year of record gas emissions
• GNS Science - As emissions rise, carbon fingerprint points to fossil fuels
• Recreation Aotearoa - Climate Emergency could be the best thing in our lifetime
• The Conversation - Climate explained: how much does flying contribute? - Climate explained: why coastal floods are more frequent
• Greenpeace NZ - Police move in to end Greenpeace oil ship occupation

Pacific: Tongan PM 'Akilisi Pohiva Dies, Aged 78

A constant thorn in the side of the monarchy and nobility, Mr Pohiva's lifelong battle for representation had seen him fired from the public service and charged with sedition... More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - New Zealand express condolences on passing of Tonga’s PM

40 Years On: Prime Minister Delivers Erebus Apology

"That loss, in and of itself, was huge. It sent ripples across the country, and trauma that those who weren’t directly affected would probably struggle to fathom. But that loss and grief was compounded. It was undeniably worsened by the events that followed." More>>

ALSO:

• RNZ - Private ceremony marks Erebus 40 years on
• ACT - Seymour commends PM on Erebus apology
• NZALPA - Speech by NZ Airline Association President on Mt Erebus
• Erebus National Memorial - Erebus Civic Service for 40th anniverary
• NZ Police - Mt Erebus disaster: The Police story - Police Museum

The Testaments: Margaret Atwood Announces Three NZ Events

The evening will also feature Atwood’s remarkable career, her diverse range of works and why she has returned to the fictional world of Gilead 34 years later. More>>