> ## 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: 4 March 2025 - URL: https://goodoil.news/news-briefing-4-march-2025/ - Published: 2025-03-03T19:09:15.000Z - Updated: 2025-03-03T21:16:41.000Z - Author: Guest Post - Tags: NZ Politics, Politics *Republished with Permission* Author: **Bryce Edwards** **WELLINGTON WATER, INFRASTRUCTURE** Bryce Edwards (The Integrity Institute): [Wellington Water – A Case Study in Infrastructure Failure and Incompetence](https://democracyproject.substack.com/p/integrity-briefing-wellington-water) Andrea Vance (Post): [Why ratepayers are paying the price for Wellington Water failings](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360600438/why-ratepayers-are-paying-price-wellington-water-failings?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Tom Hunt (Post): [Reports light a bomb under Wellington Water, city and region](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360600303/reports-light-bomb-under-wellington-water-city-and-region?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Andrea Vance (Post): [Wellington Water financial controls ‘insufficient, informal, unreliable’](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360599707/wellington-water-financial-controls-insufficient-informal-unreliable?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) RNZ: [Wellington Water chairman mulls resigning after damning report](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543627/wellington-water-chairman-mulls-resigning-after-damning-report?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Wellington Water report: Urgent meeting to be held this morning](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543627/wellington-water-report-urgent-meeting-to-be-held-this-morning?ref=goodoil.news) Emma Ricketts (Stuff): [Wellington Water still after more money, despite damning reports](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360599939/wellington-water-still-after-more-money-despite-damning-reports?ref=goodoil.news) Andrea Vance (Post): [Money down the drain: Scathing Wellington Water report explained](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360599398/money-down-drain-scathing-wellington-water-report-explained?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Tom Hunt (Post): [Call for Nick Leggett to resign after scathing Wellington Water report](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360599755/call-nick-leggett-resign-after-scathing-wellington-water-report?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Tom Hunt (Post): [Prime Minister labels Wellington Water a ‘basket case’](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360599001/reports-reveal-wellington-water-paying-three-times-more-necessary-pipe-work?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Georgina Campbell (Herald): [Call for Wellington Water chairman Nick Leggett to resign](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/call-for-wellington-water-chairman-nick-leggett-to-resign-a-capital-letter/3PJ55TLSAFBUTMYFCBMQPW4UGY/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Bill Hickman (RNZ): [Cost of unplanned water pipe repairs in the Wellington region three times higher than in other regions](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543617/cost-of-unplanned-water-pipe-repairs-in-the-wellington-region-three-times-higher-than-in-other-regions?ref=goodoil.news) Nick James (RNZ): [Wellington Water report reveals alleged theft, structural and contractor issues](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543562/wellington-water-report-reveals-alleged-theft-structural-and-contractor-issues?ref=goodoil.news) ————— Garth Bray (BusinessDesk): [Infrastructure tax breaks top wishlist for Corporate Taxpayers Group](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/infrastructure/infrastructure-tax-breaks-top-wishlist-for-corporate-taxpayers-group?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Oliver Lewis (BusinessDesk): [Prison, roading project among limited pool of 'short-term' PPPs for investors](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/infrastructure/prison-roading-project-among-limited-pool-of-short-term-ppps-for-investors?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Oliver Lewis (BusinessDesk): [Wellington, Marlborough ports working with Government on Cook Strait ferries](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/infrastructure/wellington-marlborough-ports-working-with-government-on-cook-strait-ferries?ref=goodoil.news) Oliver Lewis (BusinessDesk): [Connecting Northport to the rail network still years away](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/infrastructure/connecting-northport-to-the-rail-network-still-years-away?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Mike Dinsdale (Northern Age): [Ngāpuhi part of group wanting to own Northland’s deep-water port](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ngapuhi-part-of-group-wanting-to-own-northlands-deep-water-port/EA6WWOS42NEGBIRD3GGYWGWBMI/?ref=goodoil.news) **GOVERNMENT, PARLIAMENT, FOUR-YEAR PARLIAMENTARY TERM PROPOSAL** Russell Palmer (RNZ): [Police warn Te Pāti Māori over financial audit delay](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/543577/police-warn-te-pati-maori-over-financial-audit-delay?ref=goodoil.news) Graham Adams (The Centrist): [Tamihere’s woes](https://centrist.nz/graham-adams-tamiheres-woes/?ref=goodoil.news) Chris Trotter (Interest): [Never getting to 'yes'](https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/132180/while-people-may-laugh-ventriloquist%E2%80%99s-dummy-they-are-much-less-likely-vote?ref=goodoil.news) Dave Armstrong (Post): [Learning the leadership ropes and the dreaded ‘s’ word](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360600116/learning-leadership-ropes-and-dreaded-s-word?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Derek Cheng (Herald): [Officials slam Act’s four-year term proposal: ‘Risks undermining the legitimacy of Parliament’](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/officials-slam-acts-four-year-term-proposal-risks-undermining-the-legitimacy-of-parliament/G4HEYF2TQ5DNHKTITCVHGPFHAI/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Natalia Albert: [The Four-Year Myth and How it Relates to Andrew Bayly Appalling Behavior](https://nataliaalbert.substack.com/p/the-four-year-myth-and-how-it-relates) Michael Reddell: [Or not](https://croakingcassandra.com/2025/03/03/or-not/?ref=goodoil.news) **HEALTH, DISABILITY, COVID-19** Russell Palmer (RNZ): ['It's not a way to run a health service' - the cost of health redundancies](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/543629/it-s-not-a-way-to-run-a-health-service-the-cost-of-health-redundancies?ref=goodoil.news) Catherine McGregor (Spinoff): [Will telehealth solve the GP crisis?](https://thespinoff.substack.com/p/will-telehealth-solve-the-gp-crisis) Rachel Thomas and Liz McDonald (Post): [The devil is in the detail’ - cautious optimism over Simeon Brown’s telehealth ‘solution’](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360600740/live-prime-minister-fronts-media-return-new-zealand?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Rob Campbell (Herald): [Additional funding for healthcare welcomed but structural issues remain](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/additional-funding-for-healthcare-welcomed-but-structural-issues-remain-rob-campbell/OSEZ67KXCNAM5FF77CXLO6V76E/?ref=goodoil.news) 1News: [GP boost: Govt reveals plans for 100 new doctors, $285m 'uplift'](https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/03/03/gp-boost-govt-reveals-plans-for-100-new-doctors-285m-uplift/?ref=goodoil.news) Julia Gabel (Herald): [Funding boost for health, ‘game-changing’ 24/7 digital appointment service to make it easier to see GP](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/funding-boost-for-health-game-changing-247-digital-appointment-service-to-make-it-easier-to-see-gp/JEWQQPGYX5E4BMDE4INKOXPXD4/?ref=goodoil.news) Anna Whyte and Rachel Thomas (Post): [Simeon Brown announces telehealth ‘solution’ for GP access](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360600354/live-prime-minister-fronts-media-return-new-zealand?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) NZ Doctor: [Minister announces primary care package with strings attached](https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/news/minister-announces-primary-care-package-strings-attached?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Jimmy Ellingham (RNZ): ['That could have saved my life' - plea to lower bowel screening age](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543614/that-could-have-saved-my-life-plea-to-lower-bowel-screening-age?ref=goodoil.news) Rachel Thomas (Post): [Health minister, Opposition open to depoliticising health](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360597220/health-minister-opposition-open-depoliticising-health?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): [Care sector faces debt, cuts after wage funding halted](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/03/03/care-sector-faces-debt-cuts-after-wage-funding-halted/?ref=goodoil.news) Lucy Cooper (Wairarapa Times-Age): [When will ACC pay for your hip replacement?](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360577965/when-will-acc-pay-your-hip-replacement?ref=goodoil.news) Matthew Littlewood (ODT): [Health star system having ‘mixed effects’](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/health-star-system-having-%E2%80%98mixed-effects%E2%80%99?ref=goodoil.news) Laine Priestley (ODT): [Artworks removed from hospital](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/artworks-removed-hospital?ref=goodoil.news) Liam Rātana (Spinoff): [The genetic gamble: Having children when you carry a hereditary condition](https://thespinoff.co.nz/science/03-03-2025/the-genetic-gamble-having-children-when-you-carry-a-hereditary-condition?ref=goodoil.news) Julie Jacobson (Post): [‘Weird’ lengths to keep Covid at bay are worth it for doctor](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360599836/weird-lengths-keep-covid-bay-are-worth-it-doctor?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Julie Jacobson (Post): [Covid aftermath still a long, exhausting haul](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360594781/covid-aftermath-still-long-exhausting-haul?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Rodney Hide: [Fight! Fight! Fight!](https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/rodney-hide-fight-fight-fight?ref=goodoil.news) **SCHOOL LUNCHES, EDUCATION** Keiller MacDuff (RNZ): ['Collective nightmare': School lunches with melted plastic investigated](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543654/collective-nightmare-school-lunches-with-melted-plastic-investigated?ref=goodoil.news) Amy Ridout (Stuff): [Children eat melted plastic in ‘appalling’ school lunch](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360599753/children-eat-melted-plastic-appalling-school-lunch?ref=goodoil.news) Cécile Meier (BusinessDesk): ['Manufacturing shortfall' forces school lunch supplier to outsource 40% of meals](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/services/manufacturing-shortfall-forces-school-lunch-supplier-to-outsource-40-of-meals?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) RNZ: ['Sad, very sad': Lunch with Crunch founder Claire Kelly on the school lunch programme](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543607/sad-very-sad-lunch-with-crunch-founder-claire-kelly-on-the-school-lunch-programme?ref=goodoil.news) Herald Editorial: [Act leader David Seymour has a knack of delivering a good message the wrong way](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/editorial-act-leader-david-seymour-has-a-knack-of-delivering-a-good-message-the-wrong-way/56DQDDF3ZRCI7F2QVDIVWS546A/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Herald: [School lunches: Leftover offerings appear at community food pantry](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/school-lunches-leftover-offerings-appear-on-offer-at-community-food-pantry/X42HAZVQUREG5OQDCVJH6ITD6Q/?ref=goodoil.news) ————— RNZ: [ACT accuses principals of 'lowering expectations' after call to scrap new NCEA tests](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/543585/act-accuses-principals-of-lowering-expectations-after-call-to-scrap-new-ncea-tests?ref=goodoil.news) John Gerritsen (RNZ): [School attendance shows early signs of improvement](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543628/school-attendance-shows-early-signs-of-improvement?ref=goodoil.news) David Farrar: [The out of control Wakatipu High School](https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2025/03/the%5Fout%5Fof%5Fcontrol%5Fwakatipu%5Fhigh%5Fschool.html?ref=goodoil.news) Miriam Bell (Post): [Trades split on Govt’s work-based training proposals](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360577981/trades-split-govts-work-based-training-proposals?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **ABUSE IN CARE, CHILD WELFARE** Derek Cheng (Herald): [Revealed: The Royal Commission into abuse in care recommendation that the Government has quietly rejected](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/revealed-the-royal-commission-into-abuse-in-care-recommendation-that-the-government-has-quietly-rejected/5R74XZGG6FDU5BSZUE6X4YCRKI/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) RNZ: [Fears children will be harmed as Oranga Tamariki staff grapple with overwhelming workloads](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543323/fears-children-will-be-harmed-as-oranga-tamariki-staff-grapple-with-overwhelming-workloads?ref=goodoil.news) Edward Gay (Stuff): ['It felt meaningless': Survivor underwhelmed by Dilworth School apology for historic abuse](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360598655/legacy-shame-dilworth-school-says-sorry?ref=goodoil.news) Herald: [‘Betrayed your trust’: Dilworth School apologises for decades of abuse](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/betrayed-your-trust-dilworth-school-apologises-for-decades-of-abuse/CEEMEHKVM5FWZEPXZ2XA3HCXC4/?ref=goodoil.news) AJ Hendry: [Child Homelessness and a care system funded to fail](https://wlas.substack.com/p/child-homelessness-and-a-care-system) **FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE** Glenn McConnell (Stuff): [Christopher Luxon says he trusts Donald Trump, but how close should NZ be to the USA?](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360599716/christopher-luxon-says-he-trusts-donald-trump-how-close-should-nz-be-usa?ref=goodoil.news) Jamie Ensor (Herald): [Christopher Luxon trusts Donald Trump, believes United States still ‘reliable’ after Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy blow-up](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/christopher-luxon-trusts-donald-trump-believes-united-states-still-reliable-after-ukraine-volodymyr-zelenskyy-blow-up/Z7J76GPZKFGBJDQAUQJB4BFREM/?ref=goodoil.news) Shanti Mathias (Spinoff): [New Zealand’s contribution to Ukraine – by the numbers](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/04-03-2025/new-zealands-contribution-to-ukraine-by-the-numbers?ref=goodoil.news) ODT Editorial: [A turning point in history?](https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/editorial/turning-point-history?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Greg Presland (The Standard): [Helen Clark’s nuanced take on world events](https://thestandard.org.nz/helen-clarks-nuanced-take-on-world-events/?ref=goodoil.news) John Braddock (World Socialists): [Continuing hysteria in NZ over Cook Islands’ deal with China](https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/03/03/sldu-m03.html?ref=goodoil.news) Josh Wineera (Post): [After China’s flexing, the next steps for NZ defence](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360600231/after-chinas-flexing-next-steps-nz-defence?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Tim Hurdle (Post): [Send the Army to Auckland to boost the military](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360599593/send-army-auckland-boost-military?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **MEDIA** Tim Murphy (Newsroom): [The Herald gets a new tone, and a wealthy alt-media investor](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/03/03/the-herald-gets-a-new-tone-and-a-wealthy-alt-media-investor/?ref=goodoil.news) Mountain Tui: [Canadian billionaire linked to right wing websites buys a near 10% of NZME shares](https://mountaintui.substack.com/p/canadian-billionaire-linked-to-right) Farah Hancock (RNZ): [Canadian billionaire Jim Grenon tight-lipped on NZME share purchase](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/543611/canadian-billionaire-jim-grenon-tight-lipped-on-nzme-share-purchase?ref=goodoil.news) Nicholas Pointon (NBR): [NZME says it’s had no interaction with new investor ](https://www.nbr.co.nz/investment/nzme-says-its-had-no-interaction-with-new-investor/?ref=goodoil.news)(paywalled) Shayne Currie (Herald): [Media Insider: Canadian billionaire James Grenon takes substantial stake in NZ Herald publisher and Newstalk ZB owner NZME](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/media-insider-canadian-billionaire-james-grenon-takes-substantial-stake-in-nz-herald-publisher-and-newstalk-zb-owner-nzme/SNJR356K2BDKPF6HRXSYMCYP6M/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) RNZ: [Canadian private equity billionaire takes stake in NZME](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/543588/canadian-private-equity-billionaire-takes-stake-in-nzme?ref=goodoil.news) **LOCAL GOVERNMENT** Andrea Vance (Post): [Labour re-opens nominations for mayor](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360600803/labour-re-opens-nominations-mayor?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Harriet Laughton (Post): [Making Wellington a safer place for a $40 million price tag](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360598868/making-wellington-safer-place-40-million-price-tag?ref=goodoil.news) Olivia Wannan (Stuff): [Is this the beginning of the end for Wellington rates pain?](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360600043/beginning-end-wellington-rates-pain?ref=goodoil.news) Joel MacManus (Spinoff): [Windbag: Why reviewing the Glenmore St cycleway isn’t such a bad idea](https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/04-03-2025/windbag-why-reviewing-the-glenmore-st-cycleway-isnt-such-a-bad-idea?ref=goodoil.news) Ethan Manera (Herald): [Wellington City Council to remove unauthorised transgender flag pedestrian crossing](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wellington-city-council-to-remove-unauthorised-transgender-flag-pedestrian-crossing/FPA4BGHKSFEXXDM76MXOJ47CZE/?ref=goodoil.news) Jem Traylen (BusinessDesk): [Central government policy churn drags down local government credit ratings](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/finance/central-government-policy-churn-drags-down-local-government-credit-ratings?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Grant Miller (ODT): [Short-term pain likely result of in-house water delivery](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/short-term-pain-likely-result-house-water-delivery?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Grant Miller (ODT): [Water bills set to double — ‘they ain’t paying enough’](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/water-bills-set-double-%E2%80%94-%E2%80%98they-ain%E2%80%99t-paying-enough%E2%80%99?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Richard Davison (ODT): [Criticism after water outages](https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/south-otago/criticism-after-water-outages?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Alisha Evans (Local Democracy Reporting): [Tauranga Māori ward byelection: Five candidates stand for Te Awanui seat](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tauranga-maori-ward-byelection-five-candidates-stand-for-te-awanui-seat/JJGSAVUQA5GQHBLUH56APXA3N4/?ref=goodoil.news) **TRANSPORT** Hayden Donnell (Spinoff): [Huge win: I can finally go back to hooning past schools at dangerous speeds](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/03-03-2025/huge-win-i-can-finally-go-back-to-hooning-past-schools-at-dangerous-speeds?ref=goodoil.news) Timothy Welch (The Conversation): [False economies: the evidence shows higher speed limits don’t make financial sense](https://theconversation.com/false-economies-the-evidence-shows-higher-speed-limits-dont-make-financial-sense-251138?ref=goodoil.news) Alice Neville (Spinoff): [The local Auckland streets where speed limits are rising, at a cost of $8.8m](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/28-02-2025/the-local-auckland-streets-where-speed-limits-are-rising-at-a-cost-of-8-8m?ref=goodoil.news) Jimmy Ellingham (RNZ): [Speed limit change 'not justified' - retirement village residents](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543615/speed-limit-change-not-justified-retirement-village-residents?ref=goodoil.news) Mike Dinsdale (Northern Age): [Speed limits on three Far North state highway spots under review](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/speed-limits-on-three-far-north-state-highway-spots-under-review/VQNCVZRA3JFBRHOCF3YSQMGU44/?ref=goodoil.news) Phil Pennington (RNZ): [Motorists to face two agencies tracking their speed](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543604/motorists-to-face-two-agencies-tracking-their-speed?ref=goodoil.news) Sam Smith (Stuff): [Bluebridge ferry not sailing for second day, leaving passengers in the lurch](https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/360597209/bluebridge-ferry-not-sailing-second-day-leaving-passengers-lurch?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Freight downturn eats into KiwiRail's half-year earnings](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/543326/freight-downturn-eats-into-kiwirail-s-half-year-earnings?ref=goodoil.news) Hamish McNeilly (Stuff): [Bus safety campaign paused after complaints over teen’s clothing](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360600663/bus-safety-campaign-paused-after-complaints-over-teens-clothing?ref=goodoil.news) Jazlyn Whales (RNZ): ['Way too many cones': Roadworks create confusion at licence testing](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543640/way-too-many-cones-roadworks-create-confusion-at-licence-testing?ref=goodoil.news) **ENERGY** Thomas Couthlan (Herald): [Company seeks funding to build Trans-Tasman power cable](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/company-seeks-funding-to-build-trans-tasman-power-cable/VAU5IZMQARDOZKRK6ZPDYSFAZ4/?ref=goodoil.news) Felix Walton (RNZ): [Deep sea power cable across the Tasman designed to trade surplus electricity](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543633/deep-sea-power-cable-across-the-tasman-designed-to-trade-surplus-electricity?ref=goodoil.news) Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): [$12 billion trans-Tasman power cable no pipe dream, solar firm says](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360600406/12-billion-trans-tasman-power-cable-no-pipe-dream-solar-firm-says?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Brent Edwards (NBR): [Ambitious bid to create a single trans-Tasman electricity market](https://www.nbr.co.nz/infrastructure/ambitious-bid-to-create-a-single-trans-tasman-electricity-market/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Ian Llewellyn (BusinessDesk): [Bold or bonkers: A $12b plan to build a transtasman electricity cable](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/energy/bold-or-bonkers-a-12b-plan-to-build-a-transtasman-electricity-cable?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Mike Yardley (Press): [Get ahead of looming power price hikes before it’s too late](https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360600471/get-ahead-looming-power-price-hikes-its-too-late?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Rafaella Melo (Hawkes Bay Today/Herald): [Brace for April power hikes: Hastings woman says 31% increase in daily charge is ‘immoral’](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/brace-for-april-power-hikes-hastings-woman-says-466-increase-in-daily-charge-in-just-eight-months-is-immoral/ALUL7F6ZKFCI5B4GTWSTT6VT7E/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) No Right Turn: [An inappropriate candidate](https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2025/03/an-inappropriate-candidate.html?ref=goodoil.news) Krystal Gibbens (RNZ): [Council accused of 'unsafe and rushed decision making' over power lines](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543644/council-accused-of-unsafe-and-rushed-decision-making-over-power-lines?ref=goodoil.news) **CITIZEN’S ARREST POWERS, CRIME, JUSTICE** Amanda Gilles (RNZ): [The Detail: Citizen's arrest laws raise red flags for experts](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/thedetail/543626/citizen-s-arrest-laws-raise-red-flags-for-experts?ref=goodoil.news) Phil Pennington (RNZ): [Police use number-plate spotting systems more often](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543625/police-use-number-plate-spotting-systems-more-often?ref=goodoil.news) Melissa Nightingale & Sophie Trigger (Herald): [Name suppression changes: Concern giving sex offence victims ‘veto’ on decisions could be ‘dangerous’](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/name-suppression-changes-concern-giving-sex-offence-victims-veto-on-decisions-could-be-dangerous/RUZ75PRBFNGIJD3GRCI65ZZ6CA/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Carrie Leonetti (Herald): [Stalking to become illegal: Why the Government’s bill could make matters worse](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/stalking-to-become-illegal-why-the-governments-bill-could-make-matters-worse-opinion/MPZGTW44S5AMPOLP4XAFJ255TE/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Katie Ham (Post): [Father of Helen Meads brings select committee hearing stalking bill to tears](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360600334/father-helen-meads-brings-select-committee-hearing-stalking-bill-tears?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Brodie Stone & Denise Piper (Northern Advocate): [Court appearance of green fairy Paul ‘Gandalf’ Smith attracts protest, defiance](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/court-appearance-of-green-fairy-paul-gandalf-smith-attracts-protest-defiance/LXMH2IG4GRG2NHP5WWLEBXSAZE/?ref=goodoil.news) Eva Corlett (Guardian): [‘Gandalf’ accused of selling illegal medicinal cannabis in New Zealand](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/03/gandalf-alleged-sale-medicinal-cannabis-new-zealand-charges-ntwnfb?ref=goodoil.news) Sunny Kaushal (Post): [Why we need to overhaul the law to tackle retail crime](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360599865/why-we-need-overhaul-law-tackle-retail-crime?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) David Harvey (Listener): [The shame game: The legal lines of public humiliation](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/opinion/the-shame-game-the-legal-lines-of-public-humiliation/7TUGE4EYCJGRTH3UR2HAN72B74/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **ECONOMY, COST OF LIVING** Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): [Reserve Bank: tinkering with our rules won’t do much to revive investment](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360593750/reserve-bank-tinkering-our-rules-wont-do-much-revive-investment?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): [Central bank confident it can ride out near-term bump in inflation](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360596050/central-bank-confident-it-can-ride-out-near-term-bump-inflation?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Rebecca Howard (BusinessDesk): [NZ economic recovery: signs of life but pulse still weak](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/economy/nz-economic-recovery-signs-of-life-but-pulse-still-weak?ref=goodoil.news) Nona Pelletier (RNZ): [Mortgage arrears at an eight-year high - Centrix](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/543643/mortgage-arrears-at-an-eight-year-high-centrix?ref=goodoil.news) David Hargreaves (Interest): [Non-performing housing loans rise sharply](https://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/132191/latest-rbnz-figures-show-non-performing-housing-loans-rose-165-million?ref=goodoil.news) NBR: [Mortgage arrears hit eight-year high, liquidations surge 38%](https://www.nbr.co.nz/property/mortgage-arrears-hit-eight-year-high-liquidations-surge-38/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Cameron Smith (Herald): [Mortgage arrears hit an eight-year high despite falling interest rates](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/personal-finance/interest-rates/interest-rates-are-falling-so-why-did-mortgage-arrears-hit-an-eight-year-high/EJQR4BQL3NEKFNPJ5XBDE65HV4/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Roeland van den Bergh (Post): [Payments arrears spike over the holiday season](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360599649/payments-arrears-spike-over-holiday-season?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **POVERTY, INEQUALITY** Bruce Munro (ODT): [Poor excuses for poverty](https://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/magazine/poor-excuses-poverty?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Ian Taylor (ODT): [A debate our MPs should have](https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/debate-our-mps-should-have?ref=goodoil.news) Tom Eley (SunLive): [Ōtūmoetai Social Supermarket empowers its community](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/otumoetai-social-supermarket-empowers-its-community/PDQZNUFTOVFWVHVHKLSG24ZNDM/?ref=goodoil.news) **PRIMARY AND EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES** Kate McVicar (NBR): [Govt to invest $11.7m in NZ King Salmon partnership](https://www.nbr.co.nz/investment/nzks-inks-government-funding-partnership-for-farming-pilots/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Roeland van den Bergh (Post): [$29m pumped into NZ Salmon farming development](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360599829/29m-pumped-nz-salmon-farming-development?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Gianina Schwanecke (RNZ): [Pāmu reports half-year net profit of $62 million](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/543606/pamu-reports-half-year-net-profit-of-62-million?ref=goodoil.news) NBR: [Landcorp optimistic as livestock gains boost half-year result](https://www.nbr.co.nz/primary-industries/landcorp-optimistic-as-livestock-gains-boost-half-year-result/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT** David Farrar: [$50 million of taxpayer money on a ski field](https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2025/02/50%5Fmillion%5Fof%5Ftaxpayer%5Fmoney%5Fon%5Fa%5Fski%5Ffield.html?ref=goodoil.news) Tom Raynel (Herald): [Online supermarket Paddock to Pantry expands amid grocery duopoly](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/companies/retail/online-supermarket-paddock-to-pantry-expands-amid-grocery-duopoly/UZSXQNN72RG3JAH6VZQC6LXG7E/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Hamish McNicol and Calida Stuart-Menteath (NBR): [Scott Simpson’s first oder of business](https://www.nbr.co.nz/last-word/scott-simpsons-first-order-of-business/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) RNZ: [Consumer confidence survey steady in February](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/543302/consumer-confidence-survey-steady-in-february?ref=goodoil.news) Brianna McIlraith (Stuff): [How New Zealand and Australia job markets compare](https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/360597339/how-new-zealand-and-australia-job-markets-compare?ref=goodoil.news) **ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION, FRESHWATER** Rachel Helyer Donaldson (RNZ): [Australia releases coordinates to Greenpeace after New Zealand government refuses](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543619/australia-releases-coordinates-to-greenpeace-after-new-zealand-government-refuses?ref=goodoil.news) Marc Daalder (Newsroom): [Air pollution regulations delayed two years](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/03/03/air-pollution-regulations-delayed-two-years/?ref=goodoil.news) David Williams (Newsroom): [Farming lobby raises doubts over nitrate harm](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/03/04/farming-lobby-raises-doubts-over-nitrate-harm/?ref=goodoil.news) Mary Argue (RNZ): [Restore Passenger Rail protester denies actions were dangerous](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543616/restore-passenger-rail-protester-denies-actions-were-dangerous?ref=goodoil.news) Pat Baskett (Newsroom): [Govt needs to show its calculations on carbon capture](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/03/04/govt-needs-to-show-its-calculations-on-carbon-capture/?ref=goodoil.news) David Dempsey and Andrew La Croix (The Conversation): [Leakage is a risk with carbon storage projects – NZ’s new framework must be clear on how to deal with this liability](https://theconversation.com/leakage-is-a-risk-with-carbon-storage-projects-nzs-new-framework-must-be-clear-on-how-to-deal-with-this-liability-251006?ref=goodoil.news) **EXTREME WEATHER** Marty Sharpe (Stuff): [Council’s failure to maintain dams before flooding lambasted in scathing Ombudsman report](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360600343/councils-failure-maintain-dams-flooding-lambasted-scathing-ombudsman-report?ref=goodoil.news) Alexa Cook (RNZ): [Cyclone Gabrielle: Lack of decisions could see Wairoa lose multi-million flood protection funding](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543571/cyclone-gabrielle-lack-of-decisions-could-see-wairoa-lose-multi-million-flood-protection-funding?ref=goodoil.news) Linda Hall (Local Democracy Reporting): [Wairoa flood spillway: Wāhine set to lose land says ‘save the drama’ for Shortland St](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543582/wairoa-flood-spillway-wahine-set-to-lose-land-says-save-the-drama-for-shortland-st?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Insurance Council survey finds 46 percent want more extreme weather protection from government](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543452/insurance-council-survey-finds-46-percent-want-more-extreme-weather-protection-from-government?ref=goodoil.news) **TREATY** Julia Gabel (Herald): [Treaty Principles Bill submissions wrap up with Tāme Iti; Act leader David Seymour, select committee chairman James Meager reflect](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/treaty-principles-bill-submissions-wrap-up-with-tame-iti-act-leader-david-seymour-select-committee-chairman-james-meager-reflect/J276SKO7HFC2FCESKKFYIBOWIQ/?ref=goodoil.news) Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (Spinoff): [Treaty principles bill hearings, day 12: The end of the road – or is it?](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/28-02-2025/treaty-principles-bill-hearings-day-12-the-end-of-the-road-or-is-it?ref=goodoil.news) Don Brash: [From the internet to medicines, nothing in New Zealand is safe from Treaty mania](https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/don-brash-from-the-internet-to-medicines-nothing-in-new-zealand-is-safe-from-treaty-mania?ref=goodoil.news) Moana Ellis (Local Democracy Reporting): [Three central North Island iwi to witness ‘critical moment’ of Treaty settlement](https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2025/03/03/three-central-north-island-iwi-to-witness-critical-moment-of-treaty-settlement/?ref=goodoil.news) **RETIREMENT VILLAGE SECTOR** Janine Starks (Post): [Tips about the retirement village sector for a new minister](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360596029/tips-about-retirement-village-sector-new-minister?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) RNZ: [Retirement village operator Summerset considers rejecting referrals from public health system](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/543298/retirement-village-operator-summerset-considers-rejecting-referrals-from-public-health-system?ref=goodoil.news) Anne Gibson (Herald): [Aged care bombshell: Summerset Group may ban non-residents entering its hospitals](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/aged-care-bombshell-summerset-group-may-ban-non-residents-entering-its-hospitals/GDTNBJYJQJC67OC72EUFBQVRQM/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Jenny Ruth: [Summerset is effectively now the leading retirement village operator by value](https://justthebusinessjennyruth.substack.com/p/summerset-is-effectively-now-the) (paywalled) **OTHER** Michael Morrah (Herald): [Greyhound racing industry in New Zealand plans legal challenge and PR campaign against racing ban](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/greyhound-racing-industry-in-new-zealand-plans-legal-challenge-and-pr-campaign-against-racing-ban/2C3RX3237NHBJLRG3V2CYIZH34/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Kate Green (RNZ): [Activists scale Christchurch building in protest of weapons company establishing in NZ](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543547/activists-scale-christchurch-building-in-protest-of-weapons-company-establishing-in-nz?ref=goodoil.news) Eloise Gibson (RNZ): [Lack of transparency over $29m MethaneSAT government satellite, astronomers say](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/543555/lack-of-transparency-over-29m-methanesat-government-satellite-astronomers-say?ref=goodoil.news) Hamish McNeilly (Stuff): [Funding of Dunedin casino’s charitable trust under spotlight](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360599596/funding-dunedin-casinos-charitable-trust-under-spotlight?ref=goodoil.news) Lane Nichols (Herald): [ANZ blocks Banking Ombudsman from investigating $1m fraud](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/anz-blocks-banking-ombudsman-from-investigating-1m-fraud/A64FTHU3LVCTHEXU6VU2VRAAOI/?ref=goodoil.news) David Farrar: [Actually all churches should lose their charitable status](https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2025/03/actually%5Fall%5Fchurches%5Fshould%5Flose%5Ftheir%5Fcharitable%5Fstatus.html?ref=goodoil.news) Christina Persico (RNZ): [More than 800 Samoans receive NZ citizenship](https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/543277/more-than-800-samoans-receive-nz-citizenship?ref=goodoil.news) Sian Cain (Guardian): [James Cameron says US under Trump is ‘horrifying’ as he becomes New Zealand citizen](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/28/james-cameron-says-us-under-trump-is-horrifying-as-he-becomes-new-zealand-citizen?ref=goodoil.news) Catrin Owen (Stuff): [Whakaari White Island owners successfully appeal conviction](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360595990/whakaari-white-island-owners-successfully-appeal-conviction?ref=goodoil.news) Natalie Akoorie (RNZ): [Owners of Whakaari/White Island have company's conviction quashed](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543291/owners-of-whakaari-white-island-have-company-s-conviction-quashed?ref=goodoil.news) Chelsea Daniels (Herald): [Front Page: NZ meth use hits record high as prices drop, wastewater testing reveals](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nz-meth-use-hits-record-high-as-prices-drop-wastewater-testing-reveals-the-front-page/KFPS3AAPNNG3ZP2QBRVM4PNN7I/?ref=goodoil.news) Andrew Bevin (Newsroom): [Aussie patients offered dubious cannabis grown by liquidated Chch firm](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/02/28/australian-patients-offered-dubious-cannabis-grown-by-liquidated-chch-firm/?ref=goodoil.news) Matthew Littlewood (ODT): [Opposition to DropKicks’ bar licence application dismissed](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/opposition-dropkicks%E2%80%99-bar-licence-application-dismissed?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Shannon Pitman (Open Justice Reporting): [Alleged visa scam leads to jailtime for Vietnamese cannabis workers](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/alleged-visa-scam-leads-to-jailtime-for-vietnamese-cannabis-workers/4LSAKJEFPJCI7P4XKR4ER64GWA/?ref=goodoil.news) Davina Zimmer (RNZ): [The Detail: Wellington Indian Association turns 100, as a new book promises to lift the lid on the community](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/543370/wellington-indian-association-turns-100-as-a-new-book-promises-to-lift-the-lid-on-the-community?ref=goodoil.news) [Subscribe now](https://democracyproject.substack.com/subscribe?) # Cartoons ![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8c506a49-c900-4feb-b318-8ad3904af734_2210x1603.png) Slane - Listener 3 March 2025 ![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdfab0eac-5d7e-44b2-bf5b-eb21c445038e_2644x1716.png) Parton - NZ Herald 4 March 2025 ![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F66c758ad-21ac-4060-b147-4cc1d31c672d_2348x1573.png) Body - NZ Herald 3 March 2025 [Leave a comment](https://democracyproject.substack.com/p/news-briefing-4-march-2025/comments)