General
JAG’s Secret Letter Flouts the Cabinet Manual
National party Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter has run roughshod over the rules governing ministers by penning a secret transport letter to Phil Twyford. The Cabinet Manual is very clear. At 8.25, it notes: ‘Ministers should always be clear about the capacity in which they are creating or
Stunning Hypocrisy from Chinese Diplomats
ACT party Chinese diplomats’ praise for violent students at the University of Auckland and condemnation for Hong Kong protestors demonstrates stunning hypocrisy. The Chinese Consul General on Friday condemned the protests in Hong Kong as disrupting order and the rule of law. But just eight days ago, the Consulate praised
Capital Punishment for the Inconvenient
New Conservative Parliament has yet again failed to represent the will of the people, reflected in a NewsHub poll showing 75% opposition to this Bill, in passing the Abortion Legislation Bill through its first reading. Labour’s fast track programme will be further failing democracy if it does not deal
PM Defends Free Speech
Free Speech Coalition The government deserves praise for taking proactive and public steps against the Chinese Consulate’s attempt to interfere with speech at universities. Free Speech Coalition spokesperson Dr David Cumin says, “It would have been easy for the government to do nothing, for fear of offending a key
Now They are Coming for Your Whitebait!
National party The popular Kiwi pastime of whitebaiting is at risk of being banned if the Minister of Conservation gets her way. National will oppose the second reading of the Indigenous Freshwater Fish Amendment Bill, as it will ultimately result in the prohibition of whitebaiting in New Zealand. The Bill’
Government Abandons Construction Industry
New Conservative party Government has demonstrated its contempt for developers and the construction industry in its handling of the Ihumatao protest. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has this morning tried to simplify this issue, suggesting it is about talks between Maori who are seeking a “for Maori by Maori solution.” She
Whangarei Council Attempts to Silence Unpopular Speech
Free Speech Coalition The use of bylaws to prohibit a Whangarei street preacher from pamphleteering sends a dark message to religious New Zealanders. “Preachers have the right to share views in public squares, as they have done for thousands of years,” says Rachel Poulain, spokesperson for the Free Speech Coalition.
Greens Do Nothing For Animals
By C McCoy Government disband the role of Animal Welfare Minister and refuse to appoint an independent commissioner. Gareth Hughes tries not to look feckless in the face of the animal cruelty crisis.
Budget Buyback Compromises Safety
National party Documents released today show the government is compromising public safety in failing to make its gun buyback scheme fair and reasonable. Today the government finally released the KPMG report that informed its firearms buyback scheme, and it shows ministers have disregarded advice to make the buyback as effective
We Respect the Police and the Job They Do
Nicole McKee Fair and Reasonable Campaign Above is the cover of Monday’s edition of the Police magazine. Like me, you respect the police. We respect the job they do, often putting themselves in harm’s way to protect and serve the community. So you will no doubt share my