> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://goodoil.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # News Briefing: 16 July 2025 - URL: https://goodoil.news/news-briefing-16-july-2025/ - Published: 2025-07-15T20:20:00.000Z - Updated: 2025-07-16T00:07:22.000Z - Author: Guest Post - Tags: NZ Politics, Politics *Republished with Permission* Author: **Bryce Edwards** **REGULATORY STANDARDS BILL** Jonathan Boston (Post): [The Regulatory Standards Bill and how not to govern a country](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360756766/regulatory-standards-bill-and-how-not-govern-country?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Jamie Ensor (Herald): [Winston Peters, David Seymour dismiss claims Government in disarray over United Nations letter](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/winston-peters-david-seymour-dismiss-claims-government-in-disarray-over-united-nations-letter/4TWMC4XMK5AMVLHXSIHJQAULLM/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Bridie Witton (Stuff): [Labour leaps on UN letter as sign of coalition dysfunction](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360758618/labour-leaps-un-letter-sign-coalition-dysfunction?ref=goodoil.news) Catherine McGregor (Spinoff): [Coalition rift opens over UN letter as Seymour defends rogue response](https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/16-07-2025/coalition-rift-opens-over-un-letter-as-seymour-defends-rogue-response?ref=goodoil.news) Thomas Coughlan (Herald): [David Seymour spoken to by Christopher Luxon, agrees with Winston Peters to withdraw UN letter](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/david-seymour-gets-talking-to-from-christopher-luxon-over-united-nations-letter/4JRSLBDJOJGMPFMYUDMS5V5XN4/?ref=goodoil.news) Craig McCulloch (RNZ): [UN letter fallout: 'Experience is important in this business', says Peters](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566976/un-letter-fallout-experience-is-important-in-this-business-says-peters?ref=goodoil.news) Craig McCulloch (RNZ): [Christopher Luxon tells off David Seymour over letter to United Nations](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566941/christopher-luxon-tells-off-david-seymour-over-letter-to-united-nations?ref=goodoil.news) Kelly Dennett (Post): [PM says UN letter rebuking Regulatory Standards Bill ‘a total waste of time’](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360757749/pm-says-un-letter-rebuking-regulatory-standards-bill-total-waste-time?ref=goodoil.news) **PARLIAMENT, POLICY, PUBLIC SECTOR** Russell Palmer (RNZ): [Labour and Te Pāti Māori miss deadline for financial statements](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/567004/labour-and-te-pati-maori-miss-deadline-for-financial-statements?ref=goodoil.news) Jamie Ensor (Herald): [Te Pāti Māori fails again to file financial documents on time despite police warning](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/te-pati-maori-fails-again-to-file-financial-documents-on-time-despite-police-warning/HGZRYQHDSZAW3HVZFOITML6Q4A/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Giles Dexter (RNZ): [Labour dismisses claims it is being 'greedy' by contesting by-election](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566984/labour-dismisses-claims-it-is-being-greedy-by-contesting-by-election?ref=goodoil.news) The Hui: [Tāmaki Makaurau by-election candidate Peeni Henare: I stand by my record](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360757600/tamaki-makaurau-election-candidate-peeni-henare-i-stand-my-record?ref=goodoil.news) Adam Pearse (Herald): [Tāmaki Makaurau byelection: Labour’s Peeni Henare hits back at Te Pāti Māori claim of ‘greedy’ byelection contest](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/tamaki-makaurau-byelection-labours-peeni-henare-hits-back-at-te-pati-maori-claim-of-greedy-byelection-contest/7WSYGV3N7ZGG3HSWQKPSO2Y55A/?ref=goodoil.news) Te Rina Ruka-Triponel (Spinoff): [Why Tāmaki Makaurau needs an urban Māori leader](https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/15-07-2025/why-tamaki-makaurau-needs-an-urban-maori-leader?ref=goodoil.news) Duncan Greive (Spinoff): [Have we lost the art of the argument?](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/16-07-2025/have-we-lost-the-art-of-arguing?ref=goodoil.news) **BUSINESS** Ernie Newman (Post): [The ‘unbundled grocer’ is a serious opportunity](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360757742/unbundled-grocer-serious-opportunity?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Jonathan Milne (newsroom): [Supermarkets impervious to bad headlines and court fines](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/15/supermarkets-seem-impervious-to-bad-headlines-and-court-fines/?ref=goodoil.news) Giles Dexter (RNZ): [Nicola Willis is encouraged Commerce Commission has taken Foodstuffs North Island to court](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566945/nicola-willis-is-encouraged-commerce-commission-has-taken-foodstuffs-north-island-to-court?ref=goodoil.news) 1News: [Proceedings filed against major grocers for alleged cartel conduct](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/07/15/proceedings-filed-against-major-grocers-for-alleged-cartel-conduct/?ref=goodoil.news) Caron Copek (Stuff): [What is a cartel and why is a grocery giant now facing legal action?](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360758038/what-cartel-and-why-grocery-giant-now-facing-legal-action?ref=goodoil.news) Raphael Franks (Herald): [Foodstuffs, Gilmours accused of cartel conduct: Commerce Commission to take supermarket, wholesaler to court](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/foodstuffs-gilmours-accused-of-cartel-conduct-commerce-commission-to-take-supermarket-wholesaler-to-court/GUVLPDBXUFH6PNX2MPHKURQBXY/?ref=goodoil.news) Ethan Manera (Herald): [Wellington Chamber of Commerce: String of departures from leadership team before CEO’s resignation](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington-chamber-of-commerce-string-of-departures-from-leadership-team-before-ceos-resignation/LWLUH4SHBFG5LIGYNGRCT6G2DQ/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Rob Stock (Post): [Solar Group collapse: Kiwibank owed almost $2m, IR almost $1m](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360758242/solar-group-collapse-kiwibank-owed-almost-2m-ir-almost-1m?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **EDUCATION, TRAINING** John Gerritsen (RNZ): [Charter schools told to keep enrolment numbers secret](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/567023/charter-schools-told-to-keep-enrolment-numbers-secret?ref=goodoil.news) Russell Palmer (RNZ): [Minister defends Te Pūkenga breakup, saying rural education will not suffer](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566978/minister-defends-te-pukenga-breakup-saying-rural-education-will-not-suffer?ref=goodoil.news) Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (Spinoff): [Te Pūkenga loses over $80m in funding, 855 staff ahead of disestablishment](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/16-07-2025/te-pukenga-loses-over-80m-in-funding-855-staff-ahead-of-disestablishment?ref=goodoil.news) Robin Martin (RNZ): [Western Institute of Technology's potential closure stuns Taranaki students](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/567029/western-institute-of-technology-s-potential-closure-stuns-taranaki-students?ref=goodoil.news) Danielle Zollickhofer (Waikato Herald): [South Waikato Trades Training Centre closure proposal condemning locals to poverty, mayor says](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/south-waikato-trades-training-centre-closure-proposal-condemning-locals-to-poverty-mayor-says/EZNKN5HHANBFZH4VGXHTIRTF2M/?ref=goodoil.news) **HEALTH** Karanama Ruru (Stuff): [Other countries are lowering safe drinking guidelines. Is Aotearoa now out of step?](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360757582/other-countries-are-lowering-safe-drinking-guidelines-aotearoa-now-out-step?ref=goodoil.news) Lucy Xia (RNZ): [Auckland GP sees increase in patients coming to acute clinics after being referred away from hospitals](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/566992/auckland-gp-sees-increase-in-patients-coming-to-acute-clinics-after-being-referred-away-from-hospitals?ref=goodoil.news) Susan Edmunds (RNZ): [Health insurance crunch prompts calls for fringe benefit tax break](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/566943/health-insurance-crunch-prompts-calls-for-fringe-benefit-tax-break?ref=goodoil.news) Jenée Tibshraeny (Herald): [Health insurance: Insurers seek tax break to lower costs for employer-provided health cover](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/personal-finance/tax/health-insurance-insurers-seek-tax-break-to-lower-costs-for-employer-provided-health-cover/3HUDWKRCWNA6RMOC4ZDUAVLVD4/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) No Right Turn: [This industry should be destroyed, not subsidised](http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2025/07/this-industry-should-be-destroyed-not.html?ref=goodoil.news) Thomas Coughlan (Herald): [Simeon Brown defends rollout of breast cancer screening with 370 women seen – full implementation not until 2029](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/simeon-brown-defends-rollout-of-breast-cancer-screening-with-370-women-seen-full-implementation-not-until-2029/7KPXJV24YZHWTP4PKCJC2I5D6Q/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) RNZ: [Fast-tracked registration for doctors from US, Canada and Singapore](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/567013/fast-tracked-registration-for-doctors-from-us-canada-and-singapore?ref=goodoil.news) Katie Todd (RNZ): [Central Otago Lakes patients forced to travel for hospital treatments](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/567022/central-otago-lakes-patients-forced-to-travel-for-hospital-treatments?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Cannabis cake taken to shared lunch at Hawke's Bay Hospital](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/566947/cannabis-cake-taken-to-shared-lunch-at-hawke-s-bay-hospital?ref=goodoil.news) **CLIMATE CHANGE, COMPENSATION FOR WEATHER-RELATED EVENTS** Gordon Campbell: [On Ducking The Costs Of Climate Change](https://werewolf.co.nz/2025/07/gordon-campbell-on-ducking-the-costs-of-climate-change/?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [National, Labour agree changes needed for weather-event buyouts](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566924/national-labour-agree-changes-needed-for-weather-event-buyouts?ref=goodoil.news) Tom Logan (The Conversation): [A warning from the future: the risk if NZ gets climate adaptation policy wrong today](https://theconversation.com/a-warning-from-the-future-the-risk-if-nz-gets-climate-adaptation-policy-wrong-today-260912?ref=goodoil.news) Richard Harman: [The heat is starting to go on Luxon](https://www.politik.co.nz/the-heat-is-starting-to-go-on-luxon/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Brent Edwards (NBR): [Farmers argue carbon forests are a travesty](https://www.nbr.co.nz/primary-industries/farmers-argue-carbon-forests-are-a-travesty/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Bernard Orsman (Herald): [Auckland Council to offer storm-damaged land for playgrounds and grazing sheep](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland/auckland-council-to-offer-barren-storm-damaged-land-for-playgrounds-and-grazing-sheep/W43SFLGHZVHKZAH7IFK2TQSAJA/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Greg Presland (The Standard): [Climate Change and Bumper Sticker Politics](https://thestandard.org.nz/climate-change-and-bumper-sticker-politics/?ref=goodoil.news) Terry Baucher (Interest): [Te wiki o te tāke: Climate adaptation will involve huge costs](https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/134211/new-zealand-tax-podcast-finance-minister-eyes-major-banks-tax-increase-and-?ref=goodoil.news) Mandy Te (Interest): [Five-year average cost of natural disasters to insurers $952 million per annum - Forsyth Barr](https://www.interest.co.nz/insurance/134198/five-year-average-cost-natural-disasters-nz-952-million-pace-growth-insurance?ref=goodoil.news) **HOUSING, BUILDING** Simon Wilson (Herald): [Is this the future for social housing?](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/is-this-the-future-for-social-housing-simon-wilson/77ZRGYWUVNDPXEEBFUT4AEMMLY/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Dan Brunskill (Interest): [Chris Bishop: We must decouple house prices from economic growth](https://www.interest.co.nz/economy/134218/new-zealand-should-%E2%80%98destroy%E2%80%99-idea-economy-linked-house-price-growth?ref=goodoil.news) Oliver Lewis (BusinessDesk): [High Court deals blow to flats once opposed by Luxon](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/policy/high-court-deals-blow-to-flats-once-opposed-by-luxon?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Building industry hopes it's hit the bottom and there will be an eventual upturn](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/567009/building-industry-hopes-it-s-hit-the-bottom-and-there-will-be-an-eventual-upturn?ref=goodoil.news) Maria Slade (BusinessDesk): [Construction sector downturn has just about bottomed out, builders say](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/property/construction-sector-downturn-has-just-about-bottomed-out-builders-say?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Blayne Slabbert (Press/Post): [Work, Interrupted: Building slowdown cuts deep, wiping out 17,000 jobs](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360754839/work-interrupted-building-slowdown-cuts-deep-wiping-out-17000-jobs?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **LOCAL GOVERNMENT** Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira (RNZ): [Local Government Amendment Bill introduced to remove council wellbeing provisions](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/566929/local-government-amendment-bill-introduced-to-remove-council-wellbeing-provisions?ref=goodoil.news) Thomas Manch (Post): [Government moves to curb councils' spending on ‘wellbeing’](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360758008/government-moves-curb-councils-spending-wellbeing?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Ryan Bridge (Newstalk ZB): [We really shouldn't need central Government to clarify things for local councils](https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/opinion/perspective-with-ryan-bridge-we-really-shouldnt-need-central-government-to-clarify-things-for-local-councils/?ref=goodoil.news) Jonathan Milne (Newsroom): [Plummeting participation in council elections ‘a threat to democracy’](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/15/plummeting-participation-in-local-elections-a-threat-to-democracy/?ref=goodoil.news) Justin Wong (Post): [Councils warn of tough decisions ahead as rising costs and ageing infrastructure bite](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360757025/wellington-councils-deliver-election-year-warning-costs-and-rates?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Sinead Gill (Press/Post): [Local government sector behind $500m worth of productivity - report](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360757672/local-government-sector-behind-500m-worth-productivity-report?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Sam Warren (Post): [The case for capping local government rates is simple and urgent](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360757990/case-capping-local-government-rates-simple-and-urgent?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) RNZ: [Council rate increases of up to 65% too much, Taxpayers' Union says](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566837/council-rate-increases-of-up-to-65-percent-too-much-taxpayers-union-says?ref=goodoil.news) Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn (E-Tangata): [Forcing Councils to do impossibly more with less](https://e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-analysis/forcing-councils-to-do-impossibly-more-with-less/?ref=goodoil.news) Craig Ashworth (RNZ): [Cheaper, greener, more Māori: New Plymouth council to buy local](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/566988/cheaper-greener-more-maori-new-plymouth-council-to-buy-local?ref=goodoil.news) Peter Newport (Crux): [QLDC's Lakeview project faces $153 million loss](https://crux.org.nz/crux-news/paywall-removed-qldcs-lakeview-project-faces/?ref=goodoil.news) Peter Newport (Crux): [$153 million loss. Lakeview crisis builds as QLDC refuses two official information requests](https://crux.org.nz/crux-news/153-million-loss-lakeview-crisis-builds-as-qldc-refuses-two-official-information-requests/?ref=goodoil.news) Sarah Sparks (Sunday Star Times): [Māori ward referendums: Will voters support a more inclusive democracy?](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360752246/maori-ward-referendums-will-voters-support-more-inclusive-democracy?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Phoebe Utteridge (Stuff): [‘Even the tour buses skip it’: What happened to Christchurch’s Cathedral Square?](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360757744/even-tour-buses-skip-it-what-happened-christchurchs-cathedral-square?ref=goodoil.news) Tim Brown (RNZ): [Scandal, division and rumours - Gore District Council's tumultuous term](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/567021/scandal-division-and-rumours-gore-district-council-s-tumultuous-term?ref=goodoil.news) Moana Ellis (Local Democracy Reporting): [How Whanganui achieved lowest rates in the country](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/566846/how-whanganui-achieved-lowest-rates-in-the-country?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Whanganui mayor's advice after achieving lowest rates rise in New Zealand](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/566926/whanganui-mayor-s-advice-after-achieving-lowest-rates-rise-in-new-zealand?ref=goodoil.news) Lois Williams (Local Democracy Reporting): [West Coast Regional Council chair defends rate rises](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/566952/west-coast-regional-council-chair-defends-rate-rises?ref=goodoil.news) **AUCKLAND** Tim Murphy (Newsroom): [State of Wayne’s Auckland: No easy fixes](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/15/state-of-waynes-auckland-no-easy-fixes/?ref=goodoil.news) Luke Malpass (Post): [Auckland vs NZ - the parallel worlds of Christopher Luxon](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360758007/auckland-vs-nz-parallel-worlds-christopher-luxon?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira and Victor Waters (RNZ): [Auckland's problems a 'hangover' from Labour, Christopher Luxon says](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566953/auckland-s-problems-a-hangover-from-labour-christopher-luxon-says?ref=goodoil.news) Jonathan Killick (Sunday Star Times): [‘Democracy in crisis’: Council reps complain of bureaucracy’s ‘quiet agenda’](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360750645/democracy-crisis-council-reps-complain-bureaucracys-quiet-agenda?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Amelia Wade (Post): [‘Silly, secret, unaffordable’: Auckland mayor blasts harbour crossing plans](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360758282/silly-secret-unaffordable-auckland-mayor-blasts-harbour-crossing-plans?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Jonathan Killick (Post): [The push to ban Auckland’s ‘rich and famous’ from having private helipads](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360754463/plan-ban-aucklands-rich-and-famous-having-private-helipads?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Gabi Lardies (Spinoff): [Protest or court? The war against private helipads plots its next move](https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/16-07-2025/protest-or-court-the-war-against-private-helipads-plots-its-next-move?ref=goodoil.news) Stewart Sowman-Lund (Post): [Auckland’s growth to collide with a $295 billion reality check](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360758378/aucklands-growth-collide-295-billion-reality-check?ref=goodoil.news) p w Dita De Boni (Post): [Auckland Council raises $250m from bonds - if it plants 1 million trees](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360758402/auckland-council-raises-250m-bonds-if-it-plants-1-million-trees?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Stewart Sowman-Lund (Sunday Star Times): [More residents front up with concerns over fast-tracked Ellerslie development](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360750610/more-residents-front-concerns-over-fast-tracked-ellerslie-development?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **WELLINGTON** Bridie Witton (Stuff): [National and Labour suggest Wellington deserves better than Ray Chung, but it’s up to voters](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360758048/national-and-labour-suggest-wellington-deserves-better-ray-chung-its-voters?ref=goodoil.news) Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira (RNZ): [Ray Chung's email about Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau 'absolutely disgraceful' - Chris Hipkins](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566994/ray-chung-s-email-about-wellington-mayor-tory-whanau-absolutely-disgraceful-chris-hipkins?ref=goodoil.news) Joel MacManus (Spinoff): [Ray Chung gets a woman to apologise for him](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/15-07-2025/ray-chung-gets-a-woman-to-apologise-for-him?ref=goodoil.news) Hayden Donnell (Spinoff): [Weird men are driving people out of politics](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/15-07-2025/weird-men-are-driving-people-out-of-politics?ref=goodoil.news) Anna Whyte and Kelly Dennett (Post): [A brief rundown of what the Beehive said about Ray Chung in the past 24 hours](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360758334/brief-rundown-what-beehive-said-about-ray-chung-past-24-hours?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Harriet Laughton (Post): [Political engines revving over Wellington City Council spending priority](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360758333/political-engines-revving-over-wellington-city-council-spending-priority?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **WATER** Marnie Prickett, Mike Joy, Marie Doole and Simon Hales (PHCC): [Government cannot achieve “enduring freshwater policy” by siding with narrow commercial interests](https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/government-cannot-achieve-enduring-freshwater-policy-siding-narrow-commercial-interests?ref=goodoil.news) Moana Ellis (Local Democracy Reporting): [Whanganui backs new water services body with Ruapehu](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/567000/whanganui-backs-new-water-services-body-with-ruapehu?ref=goodoil.news) Robin Martin (RNZ): [New Plymouth residents say proposed water charge changes will be unfair](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/566866/new-plymouth-residents-say-proposed-water-charge-changes-will-be-unfair?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Watercare charges Auckland woman $800 bill due to faulty meter](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/566577/watercare-charges-auckland-woman-800-bill-due-to-faulty-meter?ref=goodoil.news) Matthew Rosenberg (Local Democracy Reporting): [Councillor ‘risking health’ by ignoring boil water notice](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/566968/councillor-risking-health-by-ignoring-boil-water-notice?ref=goodoil.news) Matthew Rosenberg (Local Democracy Reporting): [Councillor says 'nothing wrong' with Eastern Bush water despite boil water notice](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/566855/councillor-says-nothing-wrong-with-eastern-bush-water-despite-boil-water-notice?ref=goodoil.news) Torika Tokalau (Local Democracy Reporting): [Local politician continues fight for better drinking water for Waiuku](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/566636/local-politician-continues-fight-for-better-drinking-water-for-waiuku?ref=goodoil.news) **FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, TRADE** Prianka Srinivasan (Guardian): [Caught in the contest between China and the west, the Cook Islands asks where its future lies](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/14/caught-in-the-contest-between-china-and-the-west-the-cook-islands-asks-where-its-future-lies?ref=goodoil.news) Susana Suisuiki and Lydia Lewis (RNZ): [David Robie: New Zealand must do more for Pacific and confront nuclear powers](https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/566961/david-robie-new-zealand-must-do-more-for-pacific-and-confront-nuclear-powers?ref=goodoil.news) Caleb Fotheringham (RNZ): [Luxon and Peters to miss Cook Islands' 60th Constitution Day celebrations](https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/566931/luxon-and-peters-to-miss-cook-islands-60th-constitution-day-celebrations?ref=goodoil.news) Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): [Government has no official advice US will raise 10% tariff on NZ imports](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360758036/government-has-no-official-advice-us-will-raise-10-tariff-nz-imports?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Aziz Al Saafin (1News): [A look at some of the NZDF's new gear being used at Talisman Sabre](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/07/16/a-look-at-some-of-the-nzdfs-new-gear-being-used-at-talisman-sabre/?ref=goodoil.news) **BANKS, FINANCE SYSTEM, RESERVE BANK** Mina Martin (MPA Mag): [Proposed law change that could shield ANZ, ASB faces public backlash](https://www.mpamag.com/nz/news/general/proposed-law-change-that-could-shield-anz-asb-faces-public-backlash/542644?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Banking and investment behaviour faces considerable change as the population ages](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/566991/banking-and-investment-behaviour-faces-considerable-change-as-the-population-ages?ref=goodoil.news) Dan Brunskill (Interest): [Ageing population will push interest rates lower, RBNZ says](https://www.interest.co.nz/economy/134212/aging-population-may-put-downward-pressure-neutral-interest-rates-and-increase-risk?ref=goodoil.news) Luke Malpass (Post): [RBNZ says ageing population could drive interest rates lower](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360757507/rbnz-says-ageing-population-could-drive-interest-rates-lower?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Law News: [Potential buyers being targeted for Kiwibank](https://lawnews.nz/misc/potential-buyers-being-targeted-for-kiwibank/?ref=goodoil.news) Mike McRoberts (NBR): [Large iwi group ‘flabbergasted’ at Kiwibank investment silence](https://www.nbr.co.nz/te-ao-maori/iwi-waiting-to-hear-on-kiwibank-investment/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): [Aussies mirror NZ on proposed bank interchange fee chop](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/retail/aussies-mirror-nz-on-proposed-bank-interchange-fee-chop?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Roger Beaumont (Post): [No harm to consumers in fixing lending law loophole](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360758089/no-harm-consumers-fixing-lending-law-loophole?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Michael Reddell: [What were the Minister and Treasury doing?](https://croakingcassandra.com/2025/07/15/what-were-the-minister-and-treasury-doing/?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Former Reserve Bank boss Adrian Orr joins Cook Islands Super board](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/566999/former-reserve-bank-boss-adrian-orr-joins-cook-islands-super-board?ref=goodoil.news) [Leave a comment](https://theintegrityinstitute.substack.com/p/news-briefing-16-july-2025/comments) [Subscribe now](https://theintegrityinstitute.substack.com/subscribe?)