> ## 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: 30 April 2025
- URL: https://goodoil.news/news-briefing-30-april-2025/
- Published: 2025-04-29T20:16:10.000Z
- Updated: 2025-04-29T20:45:26.000Z
- Author: Guest Post
- Tags: NZ Politics, Politics

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

**BUDGET, ECONOMY**  
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): [Government trimming spending in big way - here’s what it might cut and why](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/the-government-is-trimming-spending-in-a-big-way-heres-what-it-might-cut-and-why/2KO7LMGNLFHC3GEP45RYW4SO4M/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): [Five key insights into Budget 2025](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360669215/five-key-insights-budget-2025?ref=goodoil.news)  
Dennis Wesselbaum (The Conversation): [Willis warns of a ‘tight’ budget to come, but NZ should be going for productivity, not austerity](https://theconversation.com/willis-warns-of-a-tight-budget-to-come-but-nz-should-be-going-for-productivity-not-austerity-254689?ref=goodoil.news)  
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): [What being bottom of this table tells us about our government debt](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360668389/what-being-bottom-table-tells-us-about-our-government-debt?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Richard Harman (Politik): [The ghost that haunts Willis](https://www.politik.co.nz/the-ghost-that-haunts-willis/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Susan Edmunds (RNZ): [$1b Budget cut could slow economic recovery, experts warn](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559427/1b-budget-cut-could-slow-economic-recovery-experts-warn?ref=goodoil.news)  
Luke Malpass (Post): [Willis dials down the new money in pre-Budget warning](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360669581/willis-dials-down-new-money-pre-budget-warning?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Robert MacCulloch: [Finance Minister Willis wants her NZ Budgets to be "lolly scrambles", just not in 2025](https://www.downtoearth.kiwi/post/finance-minister-willis-wants-her-nz-budgets-to-be-lolly-scrambles-just-not-in-2025-her-pre-budg?ref=goodoil.news)  
Neil Sands (Law News): [‘Comprehensive objections’ force government to rethink charities tax](https://lawnews.nz/tax/comprehensive-objections-force-government-to-rethink-charities-tax/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Matthew Hooton (Patreon): [Charities tax loophole to remain another year](https://www.patreon.com/posts/charities-tax-to-127674819?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Michael Reddell: [A pre-Budget speech](https://croakingcassandra.com/2025/04/29/a-pre-budget-speech/?ref=goodoil.news)  
RNZ: [A $1.1b cut to the government's new spending comes after Trump's trade trafiffs](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559400/a-1-point-1b-cut-to-the-government-s-new-spending-comes-after-trump-s-trade-trafiffs?ref=goodoil.news)  
Jo Moir (RNZ): [$1b cut to operating allowance coming in Budget, Nicola Willis says](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/559338/1b-cut-to-operating-allowance-coming-in-budget-nicola-willis-says?ref=goodoil.news)  
Thomas Coughlan and Adam Pearse (Herald): [Nicola Willis’ plan to save ‘billions’ thanks to Budget cuts](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/watch-nicola-willis-on-what-to-expect-from-the-budget-no-charities-tax-this-year/KXRY2E5ZSJADZPMUPDU4SOVG6M/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Dan Brunskill (Interest): [Willis steers toward austerity with $1.1 billion budget cut](https://www.interest.co.nz/economy/133055/coalition-government-reduce-budget-2025-spending-after-treasury-warns-trump%E2%80%99s?ref=goodoil.news)  
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): [Finance Minister reveals Budget 2025 tighter than expected](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360669144/finance-minister-reveals-budget-will-be-even-tighter-expected?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Brent Edwards (NBR): [The Finance Minister’s big budget cuts](https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/the-finance-ministers-big-budget-cuts/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Rebecca Howard (BusinessDesk): [Govt slashes Budget 2025 operating allowance](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/economy/govt-slashes-budget-2025-operating-allowance?ref=goodoil.news)  
Jeffrey Halley (RNZ): [ASB forecasts Reserve Bank may need to make deeper OCR cuts](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/559409/asb-forecasts-reserve-bank-may-need-to-make-deeper-ocr-cuts?ref=goodoil.news)  
Hillmarè Schulze (NBR): [There is no such thing as a ’national’ economy](https://www.nbr.co.nz/economy-matters/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-national-economy/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
  
**PARLIAMENT, PUBLIC SECTOR**  
Alexia Russell (RNZ): [The Detail: Keeping politicians honest](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/thedetail/559422/keeping-politicians-honest?ref=goodoil.news)  
RNZ: [Outgoing public spending watchdog laments state of reporting](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/559353/outgoing-public-spending-watchdog-laments-state-of-reporting?ref=goodoil.news)  
Brent Edwards (NBR): [Government performance reporting must focus on what matters most](https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/government-reporting-needs-to-focus-on-what-matters-most/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Laura Walters (Newsroom): [Government to reinstate full prisoner voting ban](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/30/government-to-reinstate-full-prisoner-voting-ban/?ref=goodoil.news)  
RNZ: [Prisoner voting ban to be brought back - Paul Goldsmith](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/559446/prisoner-voting-ban-to-be-brought-back-paul-goldmsith?ref=goodoil.news)  
1News: [Government to reinstate total prisoner voting ban](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/04/30/government-to-reinstate-total-prisoner-voting-ban/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Stuff: [Prisoner voting ban to be reinstated by Government](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360670649/prisoner-voting-ban-be-reinstated-government?ref=goodoil.news)  
Audrey Young (Herald): [Cabinet Report Card: rating the ministers in half-term review](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/cabinet-report-card-rating-the-ministers-in-half-term-review-audrey-young/XET6PZH74RHNDCDWC2XCYOQ4ZM/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Chris Trotter: [Raw Calculations](https://christrotter418256.substack.com/p/raw-calculations)  
Ian Llewellyn (BusinessDesk): [Business of Government: In the public service we trust, and more](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/public-sector/business-of-government-in-the-public-service-we-trust-and-more?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Michael Reddell: [Bad advice on public sector discount rates](https://croakingcassandra.com/2025/04/29/bad-advice-on-public-sector-discount-rates/?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**WELLINGTON**  
Michael Daly (Stuff): [Explained: With Tory Whanau out of the 2025 mayoral race, will Wellington have a lame-duck council for five months](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360669686/explained-tory-whanau-out-2025-mayoral-race-will-wellington-have-lame-duck-council-five-months?ref=goodoil.news)  
Nick James (RNZ): [Tory Whanau not ruling out running for mayor in future elections](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559359/tory-whanau-not-ruling-out-running-for-mayor-in-future-elections?ref=goodoil.news)  
Ethan Manera (Herald): [Andrew Little says Wellington mayoralty ‘still a contest’ after Tory Whanau’s exit](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/andrew-little-says-wellington-mayoralty-still-a-contest-after-tory-whanaus-exit/MBCZ6D6J2JFRRGU2XS2MSBKIJE/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Tom Hunt (Post): [Andrew Little shores up political support in Wellington mayoral bid](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360669945/andrew-little-shores-political-support-wellington-mayoral-bid?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Andrea Vance (Post): [Andrew Little gets Labour party backing for mayoral race](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360669131/andrew-little-gets-labour-party-backing-mayoral-race?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Tom Hunt (Post): [Wellington mayoral race: Chung throws shade at ‘Little’ experience](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360669212/wellington-mayoral-race-chung-throws-shade-little-experience?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Emma Ricketts (Stuff): [Tory Whanau makes no apologies for ‘ruffling some feathers’, despite personal cost](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360669568/tory-whanau-makes-no-apologies-authenticity-despite-personal-cost?ref=goodoil.news)  
Julie Jacobson (Post): [Tory Whanau: The highs and lows of Wellington’s latest one-term mayor](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360669925/tory-whanau-highs-and-lows-wellingtons-latest-one-term-mayor?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Nick James (NRZ): ['An outstanding contribution to the city' - Wellington city councillors react to Whanau decision](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/559391/an-outstanding-contribution-to-the-city-wellington-city-councillors-react-to-whanau-decision?ref=goodoil.news)  
Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (Spinoff): [The Golden Mile gets going, with or without the nimbys](https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/29-04-2025/the-golden-mile-gets-going-with-or-without-the-nimbys?ref=goodoil.news)  
Amy Ridout (Stuff): [Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau rejects Andrew Little’s call to ‘hold off’ on progressing Golden Mile](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360669395/wellington-mayor-tory-whanau-rejects-andrew-littles-call-hold-progressing-golden-mile?ref=goodoil.news)  
Tom Hunt (Post): [Wellington mayor Tory Whanau pledges no punches pulled in swan song](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360669563/wellington-mayor-tory-whanau-pledges-no-punches-pulled-swan-song?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Paddy Gower (Stuff): [Whanau haters actually realise what they have done?](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360669544/paddy-gower-do-tory-whanau-haters-actually-realise-what-they-have-done?ref=goodoil.news)  
Herald Editorial: [Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau made the right call to not seek re-election](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington-mayor-tory-whanau-made-the-right-call-to-not-seek-re-election-editorial/FN5KCLI6ENA5DEKG4VAECQKP64/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Natalia Albert: [Why I Believe Andrew Little Is Right for Wellington](https://nataliaalbert.substack.com/p/why-i-believe-andrew-little-is-right)  
David Farrar: [So many options](https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2025/04/so%5Fmany%5Foptions.html?ref=goodoil.news)  
Bill Hickman (RNZ): [Wellington City Council defends process that led to decision to demolish City to Sea Bridge](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559373/wellington-city-council-defends-process-that-led-to-decision-to-demolish-city-to-sea-bridge?ref=goodoil.news)  
Post: [Staff not trying to ‘steer’ council on City to Sea bridge demolition](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360669024/staff-not-trying-steer-council-city-sea-bridge-demolition?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
  
**LOCAL GOVERNMENT**  
Grant Miller (ODT): [Council secret inquiry costs, follow-up, top $300,000](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/council-secret-inquiry-costs-follow-top-300000?ref=goodoil.news)  
Greg Presland (The Standard): [Culture wars and the Waitākere Ranges](https://thestandard.org.nz/culture-wars-and-the-waitakere-ranges/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Torika Tokalau (Local Democracy Reporting): [Fresh push for new bottle store in 'worst' location](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559389/fresh-push-for-new-bottle-store-in-worst-location?ref=goodoil.news)  
Alisha Evans (Local Democracy Reporting): [Tauranga Māori ward byelection: Hemi Rolleston leads in progress results](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tauranga-maori-ward-byelection-hemi-rolleston-leads-in-progress-results/LYRTEXB53JFEDKRBHEAPNWFZPU/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Madeleine Powers (Waikato Times): [Waikato Mayor Jacqui Church to run again for top job](https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/360665090/waikato-mayor-jacqui-church-run-again-top-job?cx%5FtestId=4&cx%5FtestVariant=cx%5F1&cx%5FartPos=2&utm%5Fsource=waikato%5Ftimes%5Fstuff&utm%5Fmedium=referral#cxrecs%5Fs) (paywalled)  
Emily Ireland (Local Democracy Reporting): [Hawkins to seek South Wairarapa mayoralty](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360669370/hawkins-seek-south-wairarapa-mayoralty?ref=goodoil.news)  
Tina Law (Press): [Candidates announce intention to stand for two key city wards](https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360669417/candidates-announce-intention-stand-two-key-city-wards?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Tina Law (Press): [Community leader vows to save Christchurch garden after shock closure announcement](https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360667759/community-leader-vows-save-christchurch-garden-after-shock-closure-announcement?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Post: [Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry and mother-in-law in property stoush](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360662060/lower-hutt-mayor-campbell-barry-and-mother-law-property-stoush?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Emily Ireland (Local Democracy Reporting): [Fly-tipping triggers $200k clean-up in South Wairarapa](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559349/fly-tipping-triggers-200k-clean-up-in-south-wairarapa?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**HEALTH**  
Tess Brunton (RNZ): [Cuts to ICU beds at new Dunedin Hospital taking chances - former health chief Dr John Chambers](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559398/cuts-to-icu-beds-at-new-dunedin-hospital-taking-chances-former-health-chief-dr-john-chambers?ref=goodoil.news)  
Matthew Littlewood (ODT):[ICU beds: Minister ‘disingenuous’](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/health/icu-beds-minister-%E2%80%98disingenuous%E2%80%99?ref=goodoil.news)  
Adam Pearse (Herald): [Pharmac culture review finds ‘reset’ needed but staff doubt it’s possible](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/pharmac-culture-review-finds-reset-needed-staff-doubt-its-possible/NW7JFAAW2NFKJMQ3KWLQP4JK2M/?ref=goodoil.news)  
RNZ: [Pharmac's approach not fit for purpose, major review finds](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/559406/pharmac-s-approach-not-fit-for-purpose-major-review-finds?ref=goodoil.news)  
Pokere Paewai (RNZ): [Pharmac's move to drop Māori Directorate slammed by union as 'another breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi'](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/559377/pharmac-s-move-to-drop-maori-directorate-slammed-by-union-as-another-breach-of-te-tiriti-o-waitangi?ref=goodoil.news)  
Rachel Kelly (Press): [Metzler’s advocacy pays off as physician associates gain regulation](https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360668532/metzlers-advocacy-pays-physician-associates-gain-regulation?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Anna Whyte (Post): [Mental Health Minister urged to show leadership over Segar House](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360670186/mental-health-minister-urged-show-leadership-over-segar-house?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Mariné Lourens (Press): [‘Never been so sick’: Epidemic persists despite falling cases](https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360667359/never-been-so-sick-epidemic-persists-despite-falling-cases?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
  
**ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION**  
Simon Wilson (Herald): [Denniston mine protest: Blowback from the ‘blow-ins’](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/denniston-mine-protest-blowback-from-the-blow-ins/FM54SZ75GNDHFGQXDKRSGT2M5Q/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Fox Meyer (Newsroom): [Younger activists turn to direct action after ‘losing faith’ in legal process](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/24/younger-activists-turn-to-direct-action-after-losing-faith-in-legal-process/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Simon Shepherd (NBR): [Podcast: Managed retreat: saving the town of Kumeu](https://www.nbr.co.nz/the-nbr-podcast/the-nbr-podcast-managedretreat-54/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
  
**EDUCATION, WORKPLACE TRAINING**  
Catherine McGregor (Spinoff): [Seymour’s truancy call to mayors met with confusion and exasperation](https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/30-04-2025/seymours-truancy-call-to-mayors-met-with-confusion-and-exasperation?ref=goodoil.news)  
Tina Law and Anna Whyte (Press): [‘Nek minnit I’ll be cooking school lunches’: Christchurch mayor rejects Seymour’s truancy call](https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360668660/nek-minnit-ill-be-cooking-school-lunches-christchurch-mayor-rejects-seymours-truancy-call?cx%5FtestId=8&cx%5FtestVariant=cx%5F1&cx%5FartPos=0&utm%5Fsource=the%5Fpress%5Fstuff%5Fhome&utm%5Fmedium=referral#cxrecs%5Fs) (paywalled)  
John Gerritsen (RNZ): '[The pay assessment is a joke' , early childhood teachers say](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559343/the-pay-assessment-is-a-joke-early-childhood-teachers-say?ref=goodoil.news)  
Pokere Paewai (RNZ): [Te Wānanga o Aotearoa celebrates 40 years since the opening of its spiritual home](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/559405/te-wananga-o-aotearoa-celebrates-40-years-since-the-opening-of-its-spiritual-home?ref=goodoil.news)  
Graham Adams (The Platform): [Auckland Uni students react to Treaty ‘indoctrination’](https://theplatform.kiwi/opinions/auckland-uni-students-react-to-treaty-indoctrination?ref=goodoil.news)  
André Chumko (Post): [Creative, digital sectors ‘sidelined’ in vocational education reform](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360670148/creative-digital-sectors-sidelined-vocational-education-reform?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE**  
Max Frethey (Local Democracy Reporting): [Nelson to Blenheim state highway speed limit increase ‘disrespectful’ to locals](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/559419/nelson-to-blenheim-state-highway-speed-limit-increase-disrespectful-to-locals?ref=goodoil.news)  
Robin Martin (RNZ): ['Oh hell no' - crash survivor angry at increased speed limits on SH3 near Waitara](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559449/oh-hell-no-crash-survivor-angry-at-increased-speed-limits-on-sh3-near-waitara?ref=goodoil.news)  
Alisha Evans (Local Democracy Reporting): [Congestion charging just another cost for struggling ratepayers - Tauranga councillor](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/559416/congestion-charging-just-another-cost-for-struggling-ratepayers-tauranga-councillor?ref=goodoil.news)  
RNZ: [New Manawatū Tararua Highway to open in June, Transport Minister Chris Bishop confirms](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559374/new-manawatu-tararua-highway-to-open-in-june-transport-minister-chris-bishop-confirms?ref=goodoil.news)  
Stuff: [June opening for Manawatū Tararua Highway confirmed](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360670191/june-opening-manawatu-tararua-highway-confirmed?ref=goodoil.news)  
Erin Johnson (Stuff): [AT concerned over potential for ‘catastrophic incident’ on Auckland rail network](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360669937/concerned-over-potential-catastrophic-incident-auckland-rail-network?ref=goodoil.news)  
RNZ: [New double-decker buses for West Auckland driven by demand](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559360/new-double-decker-buses-for-west-auckland-driven-by-demand?ref=goodoil.news)  
Sam Smith (Stuff): [Air NZ draws more criticism over wide price discrepancies with Jetstar](https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/360670246/air-nz-draws-more-criticism-over-wide-price-discrepancies-jetstar?ref=goodoil.news)  
Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): [Airports v airlines and the regional monopoly conundrum](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/policy/airports-v-airlines-and-the-regional-monopoly-conundrum?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): [Why us? Airports up in arms over fresh regulatory review blindside](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/markets/why-us-airports-up-in-arms-over-fresh-regulatory-review-blindside?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Will Mace (NBR): [Auckland Airport faces heightened regulatory risk - Fobar](https://www.nbr.co.nz/investment/auckland-airport-faces-heightened-regulatory-risk-forbar/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
RNZ: [Auckland Airport second runway pushed out to 2038](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/559352/auckland-airport-second-runway-pushed-out-to-2038?ref=goodoil.news)  
Roeland van den Bergh (Post): [Auckland Airport delays second runway at least a decade](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360669294/auckland-airport-issues-master-plan-update?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
  
**BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT**  
Will Mace (NBR): [Ministry for Regulation dips toes into murky telco waters](https://www.nbr.co.nz/shoeshine/ministry-for-regulation-dips-its-toe-into-murky-telco-waters/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Brianna McIlraith (Stuff): [How wages have changed in 10 years and why a pay rise may not be around the corner](https://www.stuff.co.nz/money/360667542/how-wages-have-changed-over-past-10-years-and-why-pay-rise-may-not-be-round-corner?ref=goodoil.news)  
David Burton (Post): [Is strike action a burning of bridges, or a last-resort cry for help?](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360667650/strike-action-burning-bridges-or-last-resort-cry-help?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
RNZ: ‘[It was everything to them' - Auckland recycling plant fire leaves employees' future up in the air](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559397/it-was-everything-to-them-auckland-recycling-plant-fire-leaves-employees-future-up-in-the-air?ref=goodoil.news)  
Susan Edmunds (RNZ): [Insurers moving car repairs in-house, panel beating industry fears for customers' right to choose](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/559442/insurers-moving-car-repairs-in-house-panel-beating-industry-fears-for-customers-right-to-choose?ref=goodoil.news)  
Nona Pelletier (RNZ): ['We don't have a digital ambition' - Tech leaders on lack of national plan](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/559339/we-don-t-have-a-digital-ambition-tech-leaders-on-lack-of-national-plan?ref=goodoil.news)  
Chris Keall (Herald): [‘A sense of invisibility’ - Lack of Government leadership, cyber-security big concerns in Tuanz survey of business leaders](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/a-sense-of-invisibility-lack-of-government-leadership-cyber-security-big-concerns-in-tuanz-survey-of-business-leaders/YMKWMZ66CBCLDPTM3AAPJQ5LIY/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Chris Keall (Herald): [Tech Insider: Blackbird partner says the Government made a mistake giving up on the $300m Elevate fund](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/tech-insider-blackbird-partner-says-the-government-made-a-mistake-giving-up-on-the-300m-elevate-fund/5HRH52GNG5D4DIDPEMWWUFFHY4/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Dita De Boni (Post): [Fragile economic recovery reflected in uptick in job data](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360669971/fragile-economic-recovery-reflected-uptick-job-data?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
  
**BANKS, FINANCIAL SERVICES**  
James Eyers (Australian Financial Review): [New Zealand proposes law change to deliver CBA, ANZ major legal win](https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/big-class-action-against-cba-and-anz-in-new-zealand-could-be-scuttled-20250428-p5lup7?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Gareth Vaughan (Interest): [How a Depositor Compensation Scheme product hierarchy policy will work](https://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/133043/why-reserve-bank-developing-depositor-compensation-scheme-product-hierarchy?ref=goodoil.news)  
Rob Stock (Post): [Former ACT MP joins Banking Ombudsman board](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360669299/former-act-mp-joins-banking-ombudsman-board?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Ella Somers (Interest): [Six fintechs selected for FMA’s ‘regulatory sandbox’ pilot](https://www.interest.co.nz/business/133064/financial-markets-authority-picks-six-fintechs-test-out-new-ideas-regulatory?ref=goodoil.news)  
Rob Stock (Post): [Six companies allowed to play in the FMA’s fintech ‘sandbox’](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360668390/six-companies-allowed-play-fmas-fintech-sandbox?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
  
**ENERGY**  
Peter de Graaf (RNZ): [Government exploring Northland to Auckland 'energy bridge' with $2 million study](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/559370/government-exploring-northland-to-auckland-energy-bridge-with-2-million-study?ref=goodoil.news)  
Blayne Slabbert (Press/Post): [Genesis opens NZ’s largest solar farm amid rising coal imports](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360669300/genesis-opens-nzs-largest-solar-farm-amid-rising-coal-imports?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TRADE, DEFENCE**  
Phil O’Reilly (Herald): [Government defence spending a chance for NZ tech growth](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/government-defence-spending-a-chance-for-nz-tech-growth-phil-oreilly/XOPS4UZHA5HSJLVZYOXUGJTTFE/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
RNZ: [NZ sends plane to keep close eye on North Korea](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/559346/nz-sends-plane-to-keep-close-eye-on-north-korea?ref=goodoil.news)  
Richard Larsen (RNZ): [30 with Guyon Espiner: 'Parallel universe stuff' -Former Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull on Winston Peters downplaying Trump’s trade war](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/559424/parallel-universe-stuff-former-australian-pm-malcolm-turnbull-on-winston-peters-downplaying-trump-s-trade-war?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**MEDIA**  
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): [Comrades – it is with deep sadness that I announce The Working Group has been cancelled by the Political Right](https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2025/04/29/comrades-it-is-with-deep-sadness-that-i-announce-the-working-group-has-been-cancelled-by-the-political-right/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Kamahl Santamaria: [Fairness, balance, and accuracy in news: apparently, they're optional...](https://kamahlsantamaria.substack.com/p/fairness-balance-and-accuracy-in)  
David Harvey: [Copyright and the News](https://djhdcj.substack.com/p/copyright-and-the-news)  
  
**POLICE, MĀORI WARDENS**  
Phil Pennington (RNZ): [Police trial data extraction tech aimed at wearable devices](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559372/police-trial-data-extraction-tech-aimed-at-wearable-devices?ref=goodoil.news)  
John Boynton (The Hui): [Māori Wardens - Kaitiaki on the Beat](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360668098/maori-wardens-kaitiaki-beat?ref=goodoil.news)  
Hayden Donnell (Spinoff): [We did the police college fitness tests to see whether they’re actually easy](https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/30-04-2025/we-did-the-police-college-fitness-tests-to-see-whether-theyre-actually-easy?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**OTHER**  
Azaria Howell (Newstalk ZB/Herald): [Oranga Tamariki: No social workers assigned to more than 1000 at-risk children as reports of concern rise](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/oranga-tamariki-no-social-workers-assigned-to-more-than-1000-at-risk-children-as-reports-of-concern-rise/ZLABNHVG3RHZZBBAPWJK4HES4A/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Kate Green (RNZ): [Abuse in Care Inquiry contributions honoured by King, mixed emotions for survivors](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559341/abuse-in-care-inquiry-contributions-honoured-by-king-mixed-emotions-for-survivors?ref=goodoil.news)  
Rayssa Almeida (RNZ): [Frustration grows amid two-hour waits to talk to Work and Income](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559453/frustration-grows-amid-two-hour-waits-to-talk-to-work-and-income?ref=goodoil.news)  
Ella Somers (Interest): [Financial Services Council says more than half of Kiwis worry about money every week](https://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/133058/new-report-says-only-44-new-zealanders-feel-prepared-retirement?ref=goodoil.news)  
Gill Bonnett (RNZ): [Immigration adviser fined for rubber stamping applications of scammed migrants](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559435/immigration-adviser-fined-for-rubber-stamping-applications-of-scammed-migrants?ref=goodoil.news)  
Bridget Tunnicliffe (RNZ): [Thousands of community clubs yet to comply with new incorporated societies legislation](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/559438/thousands-of-community-clubs-yet-to-comply-with-new-incorporated-societies-legislation?ref=goodoil.news)  
Aaron Smale (Listener): [Blind to our history](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/opinion/aaron-smale-blind-to-our-history/PT7T36HDQVGFTFH4GQ7UHERFJE/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Joel Maxwell (Stuff): [Male, mature, from Canterbury? New research shows gaps in Matariki support](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360669587/male-mature-canterbury-new-research-shows-gaps-matariki-support?ref=goodoil.news)  
Listener: [How FOMO played a part in motivating Treaty Principles Bill submissions](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/new-zealand/how-fomo-played-a-part-in-motivating-treaty-principles-bill-submissions/J3QGE3IJUFGPFLS5SQXW2EH6BQ/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Andrew Bevin (Newsroom): [Paramount chief ceases agreement to ski fields on Mt Ruapehu](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/29/paramount-chief-seeks-govt-retreat-from-ruapehu-management/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): [Lines companies to get more powers to remove trees](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360669782/lines-companies-get-more-powers-remove-trees?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Maioha Panapa (Te Ao Māori News): [New Zealand First Bill defining ‘Woman’ and ‘Man’ in law a step backwards, says intersex advocate](https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2025/04/30/new-zealand-first-bill-defining-woman-and-man-in-law-a-step-backwards-says-intersex-advocate/?ref=goodoil.news)

# Cartoons

[Subscribe now](https://democracyproject.substack.com/subscribe?)

[Read more](https://democracyproject.substack.com/p/news-briefing-30-april-2025)