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# News Briefing: 22 April 2025
- URL: https://goodoil.news/news-briefing-22-april-2025/
- Published: 2025-04-21T20:09:02.000Z
- Updated: 2025-04-21T21:19:03.000Z
- Author: Guest Post
- Tags: NZ Politics, Politics

*Republished with Permission*  
  
Author: **Bryce Edwards**

**PARLIAMENT, PARTIES** 
**Danyl McLauchlan (Listener):** [**Bussy being green?**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/new-zealand/danyl-mclauchlan-bussy-being-green/PRTIB6ZJSNCEBP7JDYJ3X5EZMY/?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog):** [**Golriz’s defence of Tory Whanau highlights Green Party Candidate selection problems**](https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2025/04/20/golrizs-defence-of-tory-whanau-highlights-green-party-candidate-selection-problems/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Chris Trotter (Interest):** [**What’s on the label versus what’s in the tin: Would our political parties get past the Fair Trading Act?**](https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/132950/would-our-political-parties-get-past-fair-trading-act-chris-trotter-assesses?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Andrea Vance (Sunday Star Times):** [**MPs are not powerless to stop the online abuse they complain about**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360657822/mps-are-not-powerless-stop-online-abuse-they-complain-about?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Bryce Edwards (The Integrity Institute):** [**Te Pāti Māori’s ongoing financial accountability failures**](https://democracyproject.substack.com/p/integrity-briefing-te-pati-maoris)  
**Gordon Campbell (Scoop):** [**On The Left’s Electability Crisis, And The Abundance Ecotopia**](https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2504/S00037/on-the-lefts-electability-crisis-and-the-abundance-ecotopia.htm?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Brian Easton:** [**Why Does Policy Failure Dominate New Zealand Government?**](https://www.eastonbh.ac.nz/2024/12/why-does-policy-failure-dominate-new-zealand-government/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Rob Stock (Post):** [**What members’ bills say about MPs and their parties' priorities**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360643169/what-members-bills-say-about-mps-and-their-parties-priorities?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Jenna Lynch (Stuff):** [**To snap or not to snap? Who’s ready for an early election?**](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360659161/snap-or-not-snap-whos-ready-early-election?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Bridie Witton (Stuff):** [**‘We are ready to go’: Labour talks up potential for snap election**](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360658584/we-are-ready-go-labour-talks-potential-snap-election?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Peter Dunne (Newsroom):** [**Peters’ desperation is PM’s gain**](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/17/peters-desperation-is-pms-gain/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Jenée Tibshraeny (Herald):** [**Labour doesn’t support Te Pāti Māori policy for Māori to get NZ Super at earlier age**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/personal-finance/labour-doesnt-support-te-pati-maori-policy-for-maori-to-get-nz-super-at-earlier-age/DLURIHD7R5AV3E5ZJPV5DYRSDY/?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**RNZ:** [**Labour's Chris Hipkins stands by initial Covid response, but admits mistakes were made**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558628/labour-s-chris-hipkins-stands-by-initial-covid-response-but-admits-mistakes-were-made?ref=goodoil.news)  
**RNZ:** [**Hone Harawira criticises former Te Pāti Māori candidate Pere Huriwai-Seger for confronting Casey Costello**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/558457/hone-harawira-criticises-former-te-pati-maori-candidate-pere-huriwai-seger-for-confronting-casey-costello?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Chelsea Daniels (Herald):** [**Front Page: What is the Two by Twos, the secretive sect linked to a National MP?**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/what-is-the-two-by-twos-the-secretive-sect-linked-to-a-national-mp-the-front-page/RKQ3LBW3K5D6VLBQIF3PR7OU4I/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Anna Leask (Herald):** [**Two by Twos: NZ police confirm ‘several’ new investigations into alleged sexual abuse within church**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/two-by-twos-nz-police-confirm-several-new-investigations-into-alleged-sexual-abuse-within-church/G3EBYXGPMBHPDB6D4M7RGE7PQI/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Greg Presland (The Standard):** [**The National MP and the religious sect**](https://thestandard.org.nz/the-national-mp-and-the-religious-sect/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**David Farrar:** [**Electoral law changes**](https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2025/04/electoral%5Flaw%5Fchanges-2.html?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Steve Braunias (Newsroom):** [**The Secret Diary of .. Paddy and Amanda**](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/19/the-secret-diary-of-paddy-and-amanda/?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**WELLINGTON** 
**Harriet Laughton (Post):** [**Hefty salary offered to get ‘best possible person’ for council top job**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360658081/hefty-salary-offered-get-best-possible-person-council-top-job?cx%5FtestId=1&cx%5FtestVariant=cx%5F1&cx%5FartPos=0&cx%5FexperienceId=EXLK9YLJ8JM4&cx%5FexperienceActionId=showRecommendations20SXIWPMSK0432&utm%5Fcontent=end-of-article-test&cx%5Fqa=true&ref=goodoil.news#cxrecs%5Fs) **(paywalled)** 
**Thomas Coughlan (Herald):** [**How Labour walked away from Tory Whanau and backed Andrew Little**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/how-labour-walked-away-from-tory-whanau-and-backed-andrew-little/ZHI4HOAOVVAIDG2ZB6DW3WIMKQ/?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Joel MacManus (Spinoff):** [**Windbag: Andrew Little reshapes the Wellington mayoral contest**](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/22-04-2025/windbag-andrew-little-reshapes-the-wellington-mayoral-contest?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Dave Armstrong (Post):** [**Suddenly the boring is making local body politics interesting**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360660396/suddenly-boring-making-local-body-politics-interesting?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Tom Hunt (Stuff):** [**Wellbeing or well spent? Wellington Water backtracks on hidden spending**](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360659624/wellbeing-or-well-spent-wellington-water-backtracks-hidden-spending?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Nick James (RNZ):** [**High Court confirms Wellington cutback on character-housing protections in district plan**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558488/high-court-confirms-wellington-cutback-on-character-housing-protections-in-district-plan?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Ray Chung (Sunday Star Times):** [**Candidates Corner: Ray Chung on standing up to ‘tax and spend’**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360658590/candidates-corner-ray-chung-standing-tax-and-spend?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Andrew Little (Sunday Star Times):** [**Candidates Corner: Andrew Little on facing ‘the tough challenges’**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360658405/candidates-corner-andrew-little-facing-tough-challenges?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Tory Whanau (Sunday Star Times):** [**Candidates Corner: Tory Whanau on Wellington’s transformational change**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360655560/candidates-corner-tory-whanau-wellingtons-transformational-change?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Tom Hunt (Post):** [**Deadline day for written submissions on council long-term plan**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360659883/deadline-day-written-submissions-council-long-term-plan?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Tom Hunt and Hanna McCallum (Post):** [**Council’s proposed Airbnb changes force widower into work**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360659929/councils-proposed-airbnb-changes-force-widower-work?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WATER** 
**Todd Niall (Newsroom):** [**Wayne’s mate’s rates – $300k a year contract**](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/22/waynes-mates-rates-300k-a-year-contract/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Amy Ridout (Stuff):** [**‘More rewarding, more influence’: Making the jump from MP to mayor**](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360653726/more-rewarding-more-influence-making-jump-mp-mayor?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Brooke Black and Chris Tobin (Timaru Herald):** [**Era of lazy asset management over, economist says**](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360653112/era-lazy-asset-management-over-economist-says?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Libby Kirkby-McLeod (RNZ):** [**'Wall Street-style fit-out on the ratepayer tab': Taxpayers' Union criticises Tauranga City Council's new office**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558659/wall-street-style-fit-out-on-the-ratepayer-tab-taxpayers-union-criticises-tauranga-city-council-s-new-office?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Alexa Cook (RNZ):** [**'Leave the library alone': Napier community fighting against Council proposal to close it**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558708/leave-the-library-alone-napier-community-fighting-against-council-proposal-to-close-it?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Laura Smith (Local Democracy Reporting):** [**Alcohol retailers fight Rotorua’s proposed freeze on new liquor off-licences**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/558328/alcohol-retailers-fight-rotorua-s-proposed-freeze-on-new-liquor-off-licences?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Emily Ireland (Local Democracy Reporting):** [**Future of ‘grand old lady’ in commissioner’s hands**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360657534/future-grand-old-lady-commissioners-hands?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Helmut Modlink (Post):** [**Porirua showing world better way to do democracy – Te tiriti-style**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360658115/porirua-showing-world-better-way-do-democracy-te-tiriti-style?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
  
**ENVIRONMENT** 
**Katy Jones (Stuff):** [**Government 'wilfully blind' on climate change, specialists say**](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360647062/government-wilfully-blind-climate-change-specialists-say?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Eloise Gibson (RNZ):** [**Threat of climate change downgraded in defence force plan**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558639/threat-of-climate-change-downgraded-in-defence-force-plan?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Eloise Gibson (RNZ):** [**Pacific nations split, as NZ abstains vote from global shipping emissions pledge**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558678/pacific-nations-split-as-nz-abstains-vote-from-global-shipping-emissions-pledge?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Herald Editorial:** [**We must navigate change on shipping emissions**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/we-must-navigate-change-on-shipping-emissions-editorial/S2DHZYUX2JGVHHTWDQZFWAQJ2Y/?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Joanne Naish (Press/Post):** [**Six arrested as mine expansion protest enters fifth day**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360660670/six-arrested-mine-expansion-protest-enters-fifth-day?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**RNZ:** [**Protesters staying put despite trespass notice at Stockton mine on West Coast**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558709/protesters-staying-put-despite-trespass-notice-at-stockton-mine-on-west-coast?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Joanne Naish (Press/Post):** [**One detained by police as mine activists settle in ‘for the long haul’**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360660256/protesters-get-coal-buckets-attempt-halt-mine-production?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Fox Meyer (Newsroom):** [**Protesters set up camp at fast-tracked coal mine**](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/20/protesters-set-up-camp-at-fast-tracked-coal-mine/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Liz McDonald (Press/Post):** [**Protesters camp outside fast-tracked West Coast coal mine**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360660040/protesters-camp-outside-fast-tracked-west-coast-coal-mine?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Liam Rātana (Spinoff):** [**What does the future hold for whenua Māori?**](https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/21-04-2025/what-does-the-future-hold-for-whenua-maori?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Nic Rawlence and Michael Knapp (Newsroom):** [**Dire wolves: rather than ‘de-extincting’ species, let’s save those we have**](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/18/rather-then-de-extincting-species-lets-save-current-species/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Rod Carr (Sunday Star Times):** [**Too much musing on renewing fossil fuels delays investment in clean energy**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360653412/too-much-musing-renewing-fossil-fuels-delays-investment-clean-energy?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
  
**FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TRADE, DEFENCE** 
**Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom):** [**Act left out of loop on PM’s tariff alliance plans**](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/17/act-left-out-of-loop-on-pms-tariff-alliance-plans/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Herald Editorial:** [**PM Luxon visits UK for trade talks amid global uncertainty**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/pm-luxon-visits-uk-for-trade-talks-amid-global-uncertainty-editorial/5O7XKF6JIVFXRPT5M6G2WPZBJA/?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Soumya Bhamidipati (RNZ):** [**Christopher Luxon meets King Charles, due to discuss trade and security with British PM**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/558741/christopher-luxon-meets-king-charles-due-to-discuss-trade-and-security-with-british-pm?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Herald:** [**Luxon meets King Charles following death of Pope Francis**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/luxon-meets-king-charles-following-death-of-pope-francis/6G4AUOMWKFC4DNVXAELY6MMYNI/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Jamie Ensor (Herald):** [**Christopher Luxon promotes NZ as ‘champion for free trade’ as he heads to UK amid global uncertainty**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/christopher-luxon-promotes-new-zealand-as-champion-of-free-trade-as-he-heads-to-united-kingdom-amid-global-uncertainty/2T2ZENBZTFEOLD23E6GL7YT2RQ/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**RNZ:** [**Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to talk trade and defence with UK prime minister Keir Starmer**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/558576/prime-minister-christopher-luxon-to-talk-trade-and-defence-with-uk-prime-minister-keir-starmer?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Audrey Young (Herald):** [**The truth about Christopher Luxon’s scrap with Winston Peters over US tariffs**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/the-truth-about-christopher-luxons-scrap-with-winston-peters-over-us-tariffs-audrey-young/55WPWUHUU5D4LPLHNEXBIXXS6Y/?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Peter Dunne:** [**Trump's Tariffs Still Pose Risks For New Zealand**](https://honpfd.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-governments-relief-that-new-zealand.html?ref=goodoil.news)  
**RNZ:** [**Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to talk trade and defence with UK prime minister Keir Starmer**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/558576/prime-minister-christopher-luxon-to-talk-trade-and-defence-with-uk-prime-minister-keir-starmer?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Susan Edmunds (RNZ):** [**Which NZ listed companies are feeling tariff pain?**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558674/which-nz-listed-companies-are-feeling-tariff-pain?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Max Rashbrooke (Post):** [**The challenge Trump’s tariffs pose for the progressive left**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360659136/challenge-trumps-tariffs-pose-progressive-left?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Robert MacCulloch:** [**How NZ should be responding to the United States Trump Tariffs with the Aim of Making Kiwis Better Off**](https://www.downtoearth.kiwi/post/how-nz-should-be-responding-to-the-trump-tariffs-to-make-kiwis-better-off?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Arena Williams, Stuart Smith (Stuff):** [**If a tariff war is coming, we need to be ready**](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360658902/arena-williams-if-tariff-war-coming-we-need-be-ready?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Jamie Ensor (Herald):** [**New Zealand MPs visit Taiwan, meet President Lai Ching-te despite not recognising it as country**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/new-zealand-mps-visit-taiwan-meet-president-lai-ching-te-despite-not-recognising-it-as-country/E2DCWR43WND3JOX3YAFA6VQW3E/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Susana Leiataua (RNZ):** [**What was HMNZS Manawanui was doing before it sunk? Calls for greater transparency**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558480/what-was-hmnzs-manawanui-was-doing-before-it-sunk-calls-for-greater-transparency?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Jamie Ensor (Herald):** [**Government commits to Ukraine support, extends Defence Force mission**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/government-commits-to-ukraine-support-extends-defence-force-mission/7DDGRCOQPFGO3NEZCOFV2WZH34/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**RNZ:** [**New Zealand extending military assistance to Ukraine**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/558732/new-zealand-extending-military-assistance-to-ukraine?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Post:** [**New Zealand extending its military assistance in support of Ukraine**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360660891/new-zealand-extending-its-military-assistance-support-ukraine?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Marco de Jong & Dylan Asafo (E-Tangata):**[**Towards a genuine ‘Ocean of Peace’**](https://e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-analysis/towards-a-genuine-ocean-of-peace/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**ODT Editorial:** [**Veterans receive overdue recognition**](https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/editorial/veterans-receive-overdue-recognition?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Stewart Sowman-Lund (Sunday Star Times):** [**Not his first rodeo: Winston’s horse, Stamina, and how he got his name**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360647073/not-his-first-rodeo-winstons-horse-stamina-and-how-he-got-his-name?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**MEDIA** 
**Philip Crump:** [**NZME’s Future: Fresh Governance, Shareholder Value, and Balanced News**](https://cranmer.substack.com/p/nzmes-future-fresh-governance-shareholder)  
**Shayne Currie (Herald):** [**Media Insider: NZME board battle - Jim Grenon nominee Philip Crump on NZ Herald editorial quality and trust, says Grenon is not a ‘political extremist’**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/media-insider-nzme-board-battle-jim-grenon-nominee-philip-crump-on-nz-herald-editorial-quality-and-trust-says-grenon-is-not-a-political-extremist/34OJFIGSAVAC5IDPH4NM3EW67I/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Jenny Ruth:** [**If Grenon’s band wins control of NZME, will it facilitate commercial free speech?**](https://justthebusinessjennyruth.substack.com/p/if-grenons-band-wins-control-of-nzme) **(paywalled)** 
**Centrist:** [**The Press gets curious about Centrist – but doesn’t quite hit the mark**](https://centrist.nz/the-press-gets-curious-about-centrist-but-misses-the-mark/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**David Harvey:** [**The Freedom to Reject**](https://djhdcj.substack.com/p/the-freedom-to-reject)  
**Mick Hall:** [**News bosses gave spy agency little choice but to investigate me**](https://mickhall.substack.com/p/news-bosses-gave-spy-agency-little)  
**RNZ:** [**NZSIS inquiries into former RNZ journalist 'appropriate' - spy watchdog**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558449/nzsis-inquiries-into-former-rnz-journalist-appropriate-spy-watchdog?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Gavin Ellis:** [**Legion of wake-up calls embedded in news trust report**](https://knightlyviews.com/legion-of-wake-up-calls-in-news-trust-report/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Nikki Macdonald (Post):** [**What’s the future for media?**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360610437/whats-future-media?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Press Editorial (Post):** [**News with the lights on**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360658361/news-lights?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Centrist:** [**Same scandal, different script: how the Herald protects one MP and targets another**](https://centrist.nz/same-scandal-different-script-how-the-herald-protects-one-mp-and-targets-another/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Hayden Donnell (RNZ):** [**Mediawatch: Christian broadcaster Rhema expanding, bucking the media trend**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558646/christian-broadcaster-rhema-expanding-bucking-the-media-trend?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Marc Greenhill (Post):** [**The ‘gals’ bringing the fun back to political chat**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360649877/gals-bringing-fun-back-political-chat?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
  
**PUBLIC SECTOR** 
**RNZ:** [**The House: The watchdog that listens: Peter Boshier reflects on nine years as Ombudsman**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/558636/the-watchdog-that-listens-peter-boshier-reflects-on-nine-years-as-ombudsman?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Mary Argue (RNZ):** [**Will a new chief science advisor be appointed soon?**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/558699/will-a-new-chief-science-advisor-be-appointed-soon?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Eric Crampton (Post):** [**When rules are only worth the paper they’re written on**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360658890/when-rules-are-only-worth-paper-theyre-written?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**RNZ:** [**Stephen Wainwright is leaving Creative NZ "immeasurably richer" as a person**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/culture/stephen-wainwright-reflects-on-35-years-with-creative-nz?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**ECONOMY, COST OF LIVING** 
**Jamie Ensor (Herald):** [**Benefit numbers show big year-on-year rise: More Jobseekers than when Government formed**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/benefit-numbers-show-big-year-on-year-rise-more-jobseekers-than-when-government-formed/WOTWOOACQBCJJFRZXUJ62Q3TWA/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Vernon Small (Sunday Star Times):** [**Tariff turmoil radically changes the Government’s election calculus**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360659004/tariff-turmoil-radically-changes-governments-election-calculus?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Luke Malpass (Post):** [**Luxon’s Lenten boost should have Labour thinking hard**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360658787/luxons-lenten-boost-should-have-labour-thinking-hard?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post):** [**Minimum wage workers falling behind as inflation climbs back up to 2.5%**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360652831/inflation-climbs-back-25?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Luke Malpass (Post):** [**The future of NZ’s debt is here**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360656162/future-nzs-debt-here?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**David Hargreaves (Interest):** [**What next for the economy?**](https://www.interest.co.nz/economy/132922/david-hargreaves-looks-where-official-cash-rate-might-go-what-means-mortgage-holders?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Liam Dann (Herald):** [**Reserve Bank needs to cut interest rates further and faster to save this economic recovery**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/liam-dann-rbnz-needs-to-cut-interest-rates-further-and-faster-to-save-this-economic-recovery/T2JV7XNFRVEQ7FRQOJ5QS5O5ZQ/?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Mary Jo Vergara (Post):** [**Poised and primed for it, but the NZ economic recovery now looks less certain**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360658199/poised-and-primed-it-nz-economic-recovery-now-looks-less-certain?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Susan Edmunds (RNZ):** [**Here's what rising prices might mean for interest rates**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/558458/here-s-what-rising-prices-might-mean-for-interest-rates?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Brianna McIlraith (Stuff):** [**What we've learnt from past economic volatility**](https://www.stuff.co.nz/money/360645148/what-weve-learnt-past-economic-volatility?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Roger Partridge (Herald):** [**NZ’s infrastructure crisis: Unlocking Crown assets for renewal**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/economy/nzs-infrastructure-crisis-unlocking-crown-assets-for-renewal-roger-partridge/NXGBFAOX2BHWXGLTQMI2RJRQSA/?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Oliver Lewis (BusinessDesk):** [**Safe harbour: NZ attracts ‘increased interest’ from infrastructure investors looking for deals**](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/policy/safe-harbour-nz-attracts-increased-interest-from-infrastructure-investors-looking-for-deals?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Rebecca Stevenson (BusinessDesk):** [**US investors dominate golden visa applications, $305m minimum new investment**](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/markets/us-investors-dominate-golden-visa-applications-305m-minimum-new-investment?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
  
**HOUSING, PROPERTY INDUSTRY** 
**Thomas Manch (Stuff):** [**Does New Zealand still have a housing crisis? Yep**](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360659944/does-new-zealand-still-have-housing-crisis-yep?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Lauren Crimp (RNZ):** [**Community housing builds stalled as providers left without financial security**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/558701/community-housing-builds-stalled-as-providers-left-without-financial-security?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Tracy Watkins (Sunday Star Times):** [**When a roof over your head is not enough**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360658986/when-roof-over-your-head-not-enough?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Herald:** [**Heritage advocates fear RMA reforms threaten Auckland’s kauri villas**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/heritage-advocates-fear-rma-reforms-threaten-aucklands-kauri-villas/VKSZYQIR4JEAPIQXLSNFCUJE4U/?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Maria Slade (BusinessDesk):** [**Auckland’s Plan Change 78: In defence of the villa amid urban intensification push**](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/property/aucklands-plan-change-78-in-defence-of-the-villa-amid-urban-intensification-push?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Mike Houlahan (ODT):** [**Debating the ins and outs of building a desirable residence**](https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/debating-ins-and-outs-building-desirable-residence?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Susan Edmunds (RNZ):** [**How do home loan rates compare to other countries'?**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/558503/how-do-home-loan-rates-compare-to-other-countries?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Susan Edmunds (RNZ):** [**How has the housing market coped with population growth?**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558525/how-has-the-housing-market-coped-with-population-growth?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Catherine Masters (One Roof/Herald):** [**Kāinga Ora declines to say who bought $2m state cottages**](https://www.oneroof.co.nz/news/kainga-ora-declines-to-say-who-bought-2m-state-cottages-47411?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Hanna McCallum (Post):** [**The vibrant suburb rallying around its growing street community**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360653616/vibrant-suburb-rallying-around-its-growing-street-community?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Alice Webb-Liddall (Spinoff):** [**What mould means: exploring the connection between housing and health**](https://thespinoff.co.nz/partner/17-04-2025/what-mould-means-exploring-the-connection-between-housing-and-health?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Glen Jones (Post):** [**Winter is coming but house prices are showing signs of a thaw**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360654936/winter-coming-house-prices-are-showing-signs-thaw?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Miriam Bell (Post):** [**Ockham’s Toi is the foundation block of a new Auckland suburb**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360653811/ockhams-toi-foundation-block-new-auckland-suburb?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Miriam Bell (Sunday Star Times):** [**Simplicity’s Ellerslie Racecourse build a ‘landmark’ for Auckland**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360653789/simplicitys-ellerslie-racecourse-build-landmark-auckland?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Miriam Bell (Post):** [**Fletcher’s Three Kings development ‘more than just houses’**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360653782/fletchers-three-kings-development-more-just-houses?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Miriam Bell (Post):** [**Wellington’s Lido Apartments aim to ‘open up’ city living**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360653808/wellingtons-lido-apartments-aim-open-city-living?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
  
**HEALTH** 
**Jessica Rosen (1News):** [**Nelson patients wait as heart disease becomes inoperable — cardiologist**](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/04/19/nelson-patients-wait-as-heart-disease-becomes-inoperable-cardiologist/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Azaria Howell (Herald):** [**Health NZ paid for departing chief executive Margie Apa to do governance course as she was leaving**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/health-nz-paid-for-departing-chief-executive-margie-apa-to-do-governance-course-as-she-was-leaving/GPM4ZM5IEJDYTLJE3NQBXKGP44/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Azaria Howell (Herald):** [**Why Director-General of Health Audrey Sonerson was hand-picked, not traditionally hired**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/why-director-general-of-health-audrey-sonerson-was-hand-picked-not-traditionally-hired/6PLKAAF7AVFLNHCYP5P3BYSNVM/?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Phil Pennington (RNZ):** [**Health NZ report admits poor management of hospital facilities**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/558401/health-nz-report-admits-poor-management-of-hospital-facilities?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Anna Whyte (Post):** [**‘Slippery’ health doc subject of several complaints**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360654592/slippery-health-doc-subject-several-complaints?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Lauren Crimp (RNZ):** [**More than 2400 jobs on the line at Health NZ. Half are vacant**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558475/more-than-2400-jobs-on-the-line-at-health-nz-half-are-vacant?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Rachel Helyer Donaldson (RNZ):** [**Patients have 'bigger concerns' than one-day strike - advocate**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558684/patients-have-bigger-concerns-than-one-day-strike-advocate?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Rachel Helyer Donaldson (RNZ):** [**'Shame' on Health NZ for years of unpaid nurses' work - union as strike looms**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558568/shame-on-health-nz-for-years-of-unpaid-nurses-work-union-as-strike-looms?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Rachelle Martin & Kaaren Mathias (The Conversation):** [**1 in 6 New Zealanders is disabled. Why does so much health research still exclude them?**](https://theconversation.com/1-in-6-new-zealanders-is-disabled-why-does-so-much-health-research-still-exclude-them-254280?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Jenny Carryer (Post):** [**Attacks on cultural safety in health highlight politicians’ ignorance**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360659196/attacks-cultural-safety-health-highlight-politicians-ignorance?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Vinetta Plummer (E-Tangata):** [**The slow creep of alcohol**](https://e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-analysis/the-slow-creep-of-alcohol/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Phil Pennington (RNZ):** [**Medical testing company Awanui loses millions amid 'funding gap', staff to strike over pay**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/558497/medical-testing-company-awanui-loses-millions-amid-funding-gap-staff-to-strike-over-pay?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Alison Pugh (1News):** [**Heath experts call for centralised approach to breast milk banks**](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/04/17/heath-experts-call-for-centralised-approach-to-breast-milk-banks/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Virginia Fallon (Sunday Star Times):** [**‘A culture of silence’: How speaking up on suicide might save lives**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/wellbeing/360652924/culture-silence-how-speaking-suicide-might-save-lives?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
  
**CHATHAM ISLANDS** 
**Jonathan Milne (Newsroom):** [**Govt looks to compensate Chathams for ‘confiscated’ fishing quota**](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/17/govt-considers-compensating-chathams-for-confiscated-fishing-quota/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Russell Palmer (RNZ):** [**Energy and shipping decisions needed before meatworks - Chatham Islands mayor**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/558501/energy-and-shipping-decisions-needed-before-meatworks-chatham-islands-mayor?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Adam Pearse (Herald):** [**Shane Jones woos and warns Chatham Islands with ‘surprise’ abattoir and kūmara bin**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/premium-shane-jones-woos-and-warns-chatham-islands-with-surprise-abattoir-and-kumara-bin/G7IMEHCQURG67DD7QELSDHURVU/?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Craig Hoyle (Sunday Star Times):** [**The Chatham Islands, a long way to go for lunch**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/food-drink/360658012/chatham-islands-long-way-go-lunch?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Glenn McConnell (Stuff):** [**How life continues on the isolated Chatham Islands**](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360654579/how-life-continues-isolated-chatham-islands?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**PRIMARY INDUSTRIES** 
**David Williams (Newsroom):** [**Questions raised over fishing trawlers’ benefits**](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/22/questions-raised-over-fishing-trawlers-benefits/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Gianina Schwanecke (RNZ):** [**MPI investigates high summer death rate in New Zealand King Salmon following SAFE complaint**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/558415/mpi-investigates-high-summer-death-rate-in-new-zealand-king-salmon-following-safe-complaint?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Stephanie Ockhuysen (RNZ):** [**'Best farmers in the world': Christopher Luxon praises New Zealand's agriculture sector**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/558437/best-farmers-in-the-world-christopher-luxon-praises-new-zealand-s-agriculture-sector?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**NATURAL DISASTERS** 
**Sam Olley (1News):** [**Govt proposes to fine utility providers for failing to plan for disasters**](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/04/19/govt-proposes-to-fine-utility-providers-for-failing-to-plan-for-disasters/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Marika Hill (RNZ):** [**Northland Civil Defence leader: Govt must 'wave the big stick' over telcos’ storm failure**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/558495/northland-civil-defence-leader-govt-must-wave-the-big-stick-over-telcos-storm-failure?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Reid Basher (Post):** [**Time to learn from history and properly tackle disaster readiness**](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360649407/time-learn-history-and-properly-tackle-disaster-readiness?ref=goodoil.news) **(paywalled)** 
**Cécile L’Hermitte (The Conversation):** [**NZ’s over-reliance on roads for freight means natural disasters hit even harder. But there is a fix**](https://theconversation.com/nzs-over-reliance-on-roads-for-freight-means-natural-disasters-hit-even-harder-but-there-is-a-fix-253008?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Phil Wilson (Herald):** [**Thunderstorms are unpredictable, the team did extremely well**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/thunderstorms-are-unpredictable-the-team-did-extremely-well-auckland-council-ceo-phil-wilson/F5XRNEVERBBUJD6G52GF4DNT6Y/?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Karoline Tuckey (RNZ):** [**Weather warnings questioned after overnight Auckland downpours**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558583/weather-warnings-questioned-after-overnight-auckland-downpours?ref=goodoil.news)  
**Linda Hall (Local Democracy Reporting):** [**‘It’s bloody rude’: Cyclone victim hit with $1400 rates bill**](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/04/20/its-bloody-rude-cyclone-victim-hit-with-1400-rates-bill/?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**POPE FRANCIS** 
**RNZ:** [**Pope Francis death: World leaders including Christopher Luxon, Winston Peters, react**](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/558722/pope-francis-death-world-leaders-including-christopher-luxon-winston-peters-react?ref=goodoil.news)  
**1News:** [**NZ leaders join world in mourning Pope Francis**](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/04/21/nz-leaders-join-world-in-mourning-pope-francis/?ref=goodoil.news)

# Cartoons

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