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# NZ Politics Daily: 20 December 2024
- URL: https://goodoil.news/nz-politics-daily-20-december-2024/
- Published: 2024-12-19T19:46:31.000Z
- Updated: 2024-12-19T22:31:35.000Z
- Author: Guest Post
- Tags: NZ Politics, Politics

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

**ECONOMY**  
Gordon Campbell (Scoop): [On Why We Can’t Survive Two More Years Of This](https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2412/S00035/on-why-we-cant-survive-two-more-years-of-this.htm?ref=goodoil.news)  
Matthew Hooton (Herald): [Luxon Government guilty of profligacy not austerity](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/economy/gdp/luxon-government-guilty-of-profligacy-not-austerity-matthew-hooton/3K7L2A7UFNE57MLTHHSCFSCRDE/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Brian Easton (Pundit): [The Wing Parties’ Economic Policies](https://www.pundit.co.nz/content/the-wing-parties-economic-policies?ref=goodoil.news)  
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): [Roger Douglas disappointed with Act, praises NZ First on response to fiscal challenges](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/roger-douglas-disappointed-with-act-praises-nz-first-on-response-to-fiscal-challenges/R6WTJYVUH5GXRB5JUEMMRI3PZM/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Liam Dann (Herald): [Don’t panic about worse-than-expected recession](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/liam-dann-dont-panic-about-worse-than-expected-recession/ZRTEYVY5I5GH7HXOBQBMTOONHQ/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Luke Malpass (Post): [Stiff recession winds blow into Christmas](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360529172/stiff-recession-winds-blow-christmas?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Ganesh R Ahirao: [Dancing with the elephant in the room](https://ganeshnana.substack.com/p/dancing-with-the-elephant-in-the)  
ODT Editorial: [A turning point, but in which direction?](https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/editorial/turning-point-which-direction?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Jenée Tibshraeny (Herald): [Government debt’s whopper increase sparks warning from S&P Global Ratings](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/economy/government-debts-whopper-increase-sparks-warning-from-sp-global-ratings/LQ3ZD3ZMYRGTJE5PB7UOHYL2VY/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Russell Palmer (RNZ): [National, Labour blame each other - but is the Reserve Bank responsible for GDP fall?](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537175/national-labour-blame-each-other-but-is-the-reserve-bank-responsible-for-gdp-fall?ref=goodoil.news)  
Brent Edwards (NBR): [Nicola Willis on why it’s the Government’s job to fix the economy](https://www.nbr.co.nz/economics/nicola-willis-on-the-governments-job-to-fix-the-economy/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Rebecca Howard (BusinessDesk): [GDP plunge may spur speculation about a 75bps cut](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/economy/gdp-plunge-may-spur-speculation-about-a-75bps-cut?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Tony Alexander (One Roof): [An abrupt end to falling interest rates in 2025](https://www.oneroof.co.nz/news/tony-alexander-an-abrupt-end-to-falling-interest-rates-and-what-that-means-for-house-prices-46843?ref=goodoil.news)  
Liam Dann (Herald): [Massive GDP fall: NZ in deep recession – worst since 1991](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/economy/gdp/massive-gdp-fall-nz-in-deep-recession-worst-since-1991/CG5ZWBO6GFGCHAT5OT6EMK3UTQ/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Dan Brunskill (Interest): [Massive revisions to Gross Domestic Product data shows the economy took a sudden dive in March this year](https://www.interest.co.nz/economy/131348/massive-revisions-gross-domestic-product-data-shows-economy-took-sudden-dive-march?ref=goodoil.news)  
Dan Brunskill (Interest): [Revised economic data shows New Zealand only entered recession in March 2024](https://www.interest.co.nz/economy/131343/revised-economic-data-shows-new-zealand-only-entered-recession-march-2024?ref=goodoil.news)  
Susan Edmunds (RNZ): [NZ back in recession - but economists expect greater Reserve Bank interest rate cuts](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/537162/nz-back-in-recession-but-economists-expect-greater-reserve-bank-interest-rate-cuts?ref=goodoil.news)  
Brianna McIlraith (Stuff): [Economy experiences sharpest decline in more than 30 years](https://www.stuff.co.nz/money/360528285/economy-experiences-sharpest-decline-more-30-years?ref=goodoil.news)  
Sam Smith (Stuff): [Government defends economic record as NZ heads back into recession](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360529203/government-defends-economic-record-nz-heads-back-recession?ref=goodoil.news)  
Gyles Beckford (RNZ): [Economy back in recession as GDP shrinks by 1%](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/537126/economy-back-in-recession-as-gdp-shrinks-by-1-percent?ref=goodoil.news)  
1News: [Recession: GDP falls 1% in September quarter](https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/12/19/recession-gdp-falls-1-in-september-quarter/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Jonathan Mitchell (NBR): [‘Really ugly’: grim economic data highlights widespread pain](https://www.nbr.co.nz/economics/really-ugly-grim-economic-data-highlights-widespread-pain/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Roeland van den Bergh (Post): [New Zealand has fallen into a deep recession](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360526794/gdp-falls-1-september-quarter?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
David Hargreaves (Interest): ['Thank goodness' - ANZ survey shows signs of recovering economic demand](https://www.interest.co.nz/business/131325/latest-anz-business-outlook-survey-shows-companies-reporting-significant-increase?ref=goodoil.news)  
RNZ: [Businesses remain upbeat despite slight dip in confidence](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/537157/businesses-remain-upbeat-despite-slight-dip-in-confidence?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**WAITANGI DAY 2025**  
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): [Luxon’s reason for skipping Waitangi challenges the sniff test](https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/20/luxons-reason-for-skipping-waitangi-doesnt-pass-sniff-test/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Jo Moir (RNZ): [Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will not attend Waitangi at all next year](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537146/prime-minister-christopher-luxon-will-not-attend-waitangi-at-all-next-year?ref=goodoil.news)  
Jamie Ensor & Adam Pearse (Herald): [Prime Minister Christopher Luxon won’t attend Waitangi Treaty Grounds celebrations, will be ‘elsewhere’](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/prime-minister-christopher-luxon-wont-attend-waitangi-treaty-ground-celebrations-will-be-elsewhere/EQ4LKYUKCZA4DHBNIJJ4PK65JM/?ref=goodoil.news)  
1News: [Prime Minister confirms he won't be at Treaty Grounds on Waitangi Day](https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/12/19/prime-minister-confirms-he-wont-be-at-treaty-grounds-on-waitangi-day/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): [Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will not attend national Waitangi Day event in 2025](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360528808/prime-minister-will-not-attend-national-waitangi-day-event?ref=goodoil.news)  
Anna Whyte (Post): [Luxon opts out of Waitangi attendance](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360529370/luxon-opts-out-waitangi-attendance?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
RNZ: [Chistopher Luxon should have accepted Waitangi challenge - trust chair](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/537214/chistopher-luxon-should-have-accepted-waitangi-challenge-trust-chair?ref=goodoil.news)  
Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira (RNZ): [PM skipping Waitangi appearance 'a good first step' - hīkoi organiser](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/537158/pm-skipping-waitangi-appearance-a-good-first-step-hikoi-organiser?ref=goodoil.news)  
Riria Dalton-Reedy (Te Ao Māori News): [Waitangi Forum: ‘No desire’ to welcome government onto Treaty Grounds in 2025](https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2024/12/19/waitangi-forum-no-desire-to-welcome-government-onto-treaty-grounds-in-2025/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Isaac Gunson (Te Ao Māori News): [Waitangi Day 2025: Hipkins says Luxon ‘can’t stand on track record'](https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2024/12/19/waitangi-day-2025-hipkins-says-luxon-cant-stand-on-track-record/?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**GOVERNMENT, PARLIAMENT, YEAR IN REVIEW**  
Richard Harman (Politik): [The baby-boomers’ last gasp](https://www.politik.co.nz/the-baby-boomers-last-gasp/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): [Coalition scraps plan to leave open government pact](https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/20/coalition-scraps-plan-to-leave-open-government-pact/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Sam Sachdeva (Newsroom): [Government’s ‘abject failure’ on secrecy clauses](https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/18/govts-abject-failure-on-secrecy-clauses/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Greg Dixon (Listener): [The annual Drunken Muldoon Awards](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/politics/greg-dixons-another-kind-of-politics-the-annual-drunken-muldoon-awards/HINN5DTPBVB4PD5HXDFHELCKKY/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Lianne Dalziel (Newsroom): [Silly season sitting in last chance hair salon](https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/18/silly-season-sees-seymour-sitting-in-salon/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Lillian Hanly (RNZ): [The year in news: Stories that dominated the headlines in 2024](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537204/the-year-in-news-stories-that-dominated-the-headlines-in-2024?ref=goodoil.news)  
Chelsea Daniels (Heald): [Front Page: Policy and priorities, Wellington council in ‘shambles’, and a historic hīkoi: a year in NZ politics](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/policy-and-priorities-a-council-in-shambles-and-a-historic-hikoi-a-year-in-nz-politics-the-front-page/NV4RXZX7QRCVHNVXPYMRVW4JI4/?ref=goodoil.news)

**JUDGE’S ALTERCATION WITH WINSTON PETERS**  
Andrea Vance (Post): [Watchdog looking into judge’s party behaviour](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360529604/watchdog-looking-judges-party-behaviour?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Edward Gay (Stuff): [Judge accused of ‘verbally attacking’ Winston Peters referred to conduct commission](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360529702/judge-accused-verbally-attacking-winston-peters-referred-conduct-commission?ref=goodoil.news)  
Heather du Plessis-Allan (Newstalk ZB): [The judge who yelled at Winston should lose her job](https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/heather-du-plessis-allan-the-judge-who-yelled-at-winston-should-lose-her-job/?ref=goodoil.news)  
David Farrar: [Why the Judge must resign](https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2024/12/why%5Fthe%5Fjudge%5Fmust%5Fresign.html?ref=goodoil.news)  
Deborah Coddington: [I Refuse To Join Any Club](https://substack.com/home/post/p-153290904?ref=goodoil.news)

**MEDIA**  
Myles Thomas (Post): [Another round of do-nothing from the media minister](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360525698/another-round-do-nothing-media-minister?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Shayne Currie (Herald): [Media Insider - 24 awards for media’s crazy, wild 2024; TV weather presenter and sports radio host resign from roles; TVNZ’s new executive role - who’s in line?](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/media-insider-24-awards-for-medias-crazy-wild-2024-tv-weather-presenter-and-sports-radio-host-resign-from-roles-tvnzs-new-executive-role-whos-in-line/IKWTSL6UJVF5HPXH7HX6BVLTIY/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Waikato Herald: [NZME community newspapers closure: Loss of papers a risk to democracy, Jeanz says](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nzme-community-newspapers-closure-loss-of-papers-a-risk-to-democracy-jeanz-says/R26CTZQR7NFDNIYPIMDM4FIWEE/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Danielle Zollickhofer (Waikato Herald): [NZME community newspapers: What happens to Taupō & Tūrangi Herald, Te Awamutu Courier, Hauraki-Coromandel Post?](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nzme-community-newspapers-what-happens-to-taupo-turangi-herald-te-awamutu-courier-hauraki-coromandel-post/K55N6WG7BFFGVK5LMUIUBIM6NI/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Michael Daly (Stuff): [Auckland RNZ staff to move into TVNZ headquarters late 2025](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360529165/auckland-rnz-staff-move-tvnz-headquarters-late-2025?ref=goodoil.news)  
Shayne Currie (Herald): [Media Insider: RNZ to move in with TVNZ in Auckland in 2025](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/media-insider-rnz-to-move-in-with-tvnz-in-auckland-in-2025/HVDX3AOBPRCM3IWAVTCJBIHGOA/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Nicholas Agar (Newsroom): [A lesson in playing chicken with Big Tech](https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/20/a-lesson-in-playing-chicken-with-big-tech/?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**EDUCATION**  
Grant Duncan: [Should universities have to adopt free speech statements?](https://grantduncanphd.substack.com/p/should-universities-have-to-adopt)  
John Gerritsen (RNZ): [Government to change free speech rules for universities](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/537143/government-to-change-free-speech-rules-for-universities?ref=goodoil.news)  
Jenni McManus (Law News): [Opposition mounts against proposed merger of law and business schools](https://lawnews.nz/administrative-public/opposition-mounts-against-proposed-merger-of-law-and-business-schools?ref=goodoil.news)  
John Weekes (Herald): [Dilworth Trust Board to apologise for decades of horrific child abuse at school](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/dilworth-trust-board-to-apologise-for-decades-of-horrific-child-abuse-at-school/L5FORQKBVVANHKO6UTO27CJK5Y/?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**HEALTH**  
Nikki Macdonald (Post): [Experts slam planned palliative care staff cut](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360527404/experts-slam-planned-palliative-care-staff-cut?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Jimmy Ellingham (RNZ): [No budget for psychiatric beds despite being over capacity](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537203/no-budget-for-psychiatric-beds-despite-being-over-capacity?ref=goodoil.news)  
Ruth Hill (RNZ): [Fears for whānau as Whakatāne Hospital obstetric services collapse](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537197/fears-for-whanau-as-whakatane-hospital-obstetric-services-collapse?ref=goodoil.news)  
Ellen O’Dwyer (RNZ): [Patient care across New Zealand may have been impacted in Crowdstrike outage, report shows](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537165/patient-care-across-new-zealand-may-have-been-impacted-in-crowdstrike-outage-report-shows?ref=goodoil.news)  
RNZ: [Health NZ making progress on ED stays and elective treatment](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537159/health-nz-making-progress-on-ed-stays-and-elective-treatment?ref=goodoil.news)  
Patrice Dougan (NZ Doctor): [Inside Government’s new plan to regulate therapeutic products](https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/news/inside-governments-new-plan-regulate-therapeutic-products?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
  
**HOUSING, PROPERTY INDUSTRY**  
Clare Aspinall and Philippa Howden-Chapman (Herald): [Homelessness in NZ: The Christmas reality is there’s no room at the inn for Kiwis needing help](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/homelessness-in-nz-the-christmas-reality-is-theres-no-room-at-the-inn-for-kiwis-needing-help/BPRSLBGA5ZDHFNKWFKCN6FNC2Y/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Susan Edmunds (RNZ): [How much do investors drive house prices?](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/537196/how-much-do-investors-drive-house-prices?ref=goodoil.news)  
Tom Hunt (Post): [‘Merry Bishmas’: Protest at years waiting for Wellington state homes](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360528677/merry-bishmas-protest-years-waiting-wellington-state-homes?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Oliver Lewis (BusinessDesk): [Wayne Brown proposes new housing plan change for Auckland](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/infrastructure/wayne-brown-proposes-new-housing-plan-change-for-auckland?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Greg Ninness (Interest): [Trade Me Property says residential landlords may need to reduce their asking rents due to an oversupply of rental stock](https://www.interest.co.nz/property/131338/trade-me-property-says-residential-landlords-may-need-reduce-their-asking-rents-due?ref=goodoil.news)  
1News: [Rental listings up 36% year-on-year - Trade Me](https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/12/19/rental-listings-up-36-year-on-year-trade-me/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Brent Melville (NBR): [’Tenant led’ market shifts, as rental levels surge 36%](https://www.nbr.co.nz/property/tenant-led-market-shifts-as-rental-levels-surge-36/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Anne Gibson (Herald): [Winton Land delaying $750m Northbrook Wynyard Quarter a year, buyers offered refunds](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/winton-land-delaying-750m-northbrook-wynyard-quarter-a-year-buyers-offered-refunds/BKSK4MJ7QZE55LKEBUYSQ22H4Q/?ref=goodoil.news)  
NBR: [Winton postpones Auckland retirement village project ](https://www.nbr.co.nz/property/winton-postpones-auckland-retirement-village-project/?ref=goodoil.news)(paywalled)  
Anne Gibson (Herald): [Ngāti Whātua finishes $20m Ōrākei papa kāinga, Hawaiki, for hapū](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/ngati-whatua-finishes-20m-orakei-papa-kainga-hawaiki-for-hapu/52Y4REI7IZBDTK5DG3YLZC7U2M/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Marty Sharpe (Stuff): [Gang members occupied vacant Kāinga Ora land, put up marquee after request declined](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360526567/gang-members-occupied-vacant-kainga-ora-land-put-marquee-after-request-declined?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**SOLAR ZERO**  
Robert MacCulloch (Post): [How the Government’s Green Investment Fund turned us into predatory lenders](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360526121/how-governments-green-investment-fund-turned-us-predatory-lenders?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Alice Peacock (Newsroom): [Hipkins’ letter to BlackRock boss over SolarZero liquidation goes unanswered](https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/19/hipkins-letter-to-blackrock-boss-over-solarzero-liquidation-goes-unanswered/?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**FAST TRACK, MINING**  
Farah Hancock (RNZ): [Fast-tracked hotel and hostel in Mount Eden surprise residents](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/537192/fast-tracked-hotel-and-hostel-in-mount-eden-surprise-residents?ref=goodoil.news)  
Andrew Dickens (Newstalk ZB): [Why we need the fast track bill to get stuff done](https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition-with-ryan-bridge/opinion/andrew-dickens-why-we-need-the-fast-track-bill-to-get-stuff-done/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Daniel Minhinnick, Sian Kilgour, and Kirsty Dibley (Russell McVeagh): [Fast-track Approvals Act 2024](https://www.russellmcveagh.com/insights-news/fast-track-approvals-act-2024?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**EMPLOYMENT, BUSINESS**  
Bronwyn Heenan (BusinessDesk): [What does 2025 hold – change, change and more change, fiscal restraint and restructures?](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/law-regulation/what-does-2025-hold-change-change-and-more-change-fiscal-restraint-and-restructures?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Gareth Vaughan (Interest): [Commerce Commission eyes probe of Mastercard & Visa scheme fees](https://www.interest.co.nz/banking/131328/mastercard-visa-scheme-fees-commerce-commissions-sights-it-questions-whether-lower?ref=goodoil.news)  
Milena Bojovic (The Conversation): [NZ’s dairy industry faces an uncertain future – its fate now lies in its ability to adapt](https://theconversation.com/nzs-dairy-industry-faces-an-uncertain-future-its-fate-now-lies-in-its-ability-to-adapt-245148?ref=goodoil.news)  
Nona Pelletier (RNZ): [Commerce Commission looks to deregulate some fibre services](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/537123/commerce-commission-looks-to-deregulate-some-fibre-services?ref=goodoil.news)  
Delphine Herbert (RNZ): [McDonald's proposes new opening hours, smaller signage for Wānaka restaurant](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/537174/mcdonald-s-proposes-new-opening-hours-smaller-signage-for-wanaka-restaurant?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WATER**  
Mary Afemata (RNZ): [Councillors condemn removal of 'wellbeing' in local decisions](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/537139/councillors-condemn-removal-of-wellbeing-in-local-decisions?ref=goodoil.news)  
Stephen Ward (Waikato Times): [Seven smaller councils push ahead with Waikato waters plan](https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/360529442/seven-smaller-councils-push-ahead-waikato-waters-plan?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Tina Law (Press): [Council’s electricity costs jump 53% with further rises expected](https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360526765/councils-electricity-costs-jump-53-further-rises-expected?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Post: [Proof Prendergast parked in no parking area, Wellington council says](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360528186/proof-prendergast-parked-no-parking-area-wellington-council-says?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Emily Ireland (Local Democracy Reporting): [Masterton votes to ease into water charges](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360528465/masterton-votes-ease-water-charges?ref=goodoil.news)  
RNZ: [Waikato Regional Council invests $414k to fight invasive gold clam](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537188/waikato-regional-council-invests-414k-to-fight-invasive-gold-clam?ref=goodoil.news)  
Matthew Martin (Waikato Times): [Regional council gears up to tackle clams](https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/360529435/regional-council-gears-tackle-clams?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Sarah Morcom (Waikato Times): [Craig Hobbs named as new Waikato District Council chief executive](https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/360527489/craig-hobbs-named-new-waikato-district-council-chief-executive?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Ashleigh McCaull (RNZ): [Hutt Valley residents notice huge improvement in stench with wastewater plant deodoriser turned off](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537206/hutt-valley-residents-notice-huge-improvement-in-stench-with-wastewater-plant-deodoriser-turned-off?ref=goodoil.news)  
Brooke Black (Timaru Herald/Press): [TDHL puts Timaru CBD properties on market](https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360526048/tdhl-puts-timaru-cbd-properties-market?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Alan Granville (Stuff): [Hamilton Gardens rakes in close to $700,000 since entry fee introduced, but visitor numbers have dropped](https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/360528619/hamilton-gardens-rakes-close-700000-entry-fee-introduced-visitor-numbers-have-dropped?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**CRIME**  
1News: [TwoEight Brotherhood, Bloods added to Gangs Act list](https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/12/19/twoeight-brotherhood-bloods-added-to-gangs-act-list/?ref=goodoil.news)  
George Block (Herald): [Gang patch ban: Bloods added to list after missing out when law first introduced](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gang-patch-ban-bloods-added-to-list-after-missing-out-when-law-first-introduced/SVUNWR7G6ZE33DRBEK6QRQJ6FE/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Nona Pelletier (RNZ): [Not a single prosecution despite SFO's commitment to tackling foreign bribery](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/537166/not-a-single-prosecution-despite-sfo-s-commitment-to-tackling-foreign-bribery?ref=goodoil.news)  
Troy Pilkington, Bradley Aburn, Petra Carey , Lydia Christensen, Sophie Marris (Russell McVeagh): [First conviction for criminal cartel conduct in New Zealand](https://www.russellmcveagh.com/insights-news/first-conviction-for-criminal-cartel-conduct-in-new-zealand/?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**TRANSPORT**  
Angela Curl, Simon Kingham, Helen Fitt, Rebecca McLean (Newsroom): [Wheels off the bus: bikes on buses do us good](https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/20/wheels-off-the-bus-bikes-on-buses-do-us-good/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Emma Stanford (Stuff): ['Witch's brew': Air NZ boss Greg Foran signals more turbulent times ahead in 2025](https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/360529541/witchs-brew-air-nz-boss-greg-foran-signals-more-turbulent-times-ahead-2025?ref=goodoil.news)  
  
**VANUATU QUAKE**  
1News: [Kiwis evacuated from Vanuatu after devastating earthquake](https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/12/20/kiwis-evacuated-from-vanuatu-after-devastating-earthquake/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Herald: [Vanuatu earthquake: NZ Defence Force evacuates 93 people; death toll still unclear](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/vanuatu-earthquake-nz-defence-force-evacuates-93-people-death-toll-still-unclear/4PFVHMKHY5H63LUGE2334A6HK4/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Felix Walton (RNZ): [Former Defence Minister Peeni Henare calls Vanuatu flight woes 'embarrassing](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537135/former-defence-minister-peeni-henare-calls-vanuatu-flight-woes-embarrassing?ref=goodoil.news)  
Thomas. Manch (Post): [Defence Force sends second Air Force Hercules to Vanuatu](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360528828/defence-force-sends-second-air-force-hercules-vanuatu?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
  
**OTHER**  
RNZ: [Fifth of beneficiaries paid too little, MSD survey shows](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/537131/fifth-of-beneficiaries-paid-too-little-msd-survey-shows?ref=goodoil.news)  
John MacDonald (Newstalk ZB): [Timing of Lake Alice compo offer is wrong](https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/kerre-woodham-mornings/opinion/john-macdonald-timing-of-lake-alice-compo-offer-is-wrong/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Dan O’Brien (Diplosphere): [The Pacific: Site of a New "Great Game" or a Nuclear Free, Independent Region?](https://substack.com/@diplosphere/p-152945274?ref=goodoil.news)  
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): [Government settles on two options for 757, fast-tracks replacement for 2027](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/government-settles-on-two-options-for-757-fast-tracks-replacement-for-2027/I3JLCKI5NRBUBM2V2GERTNW4YM/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Ian Llewellyn (BusinessDesk): [Electricity Authority asks for information on potential consumer price shock](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/energy/electricity-authority-asks-for-information-on-potential-consumer-price-shock?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Anna Whyte (Post): [Where graduate roles have increased, and decreased, in the public service](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360519948/where-graduate-roles-have-increased-and-decreased-public-service?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Liam Hehir (The Blue Review): [Did the Ministry for Culture & Heritage close its Twitter account to protest Elon Musk?](https://thebluereview.substack.com/p/did-the-ministry-of-culture-close)  
Natasha Hamilton-Hart (Open Inquiry): [Design principles for constitutional hijack – or how we got those Treaty principles in the first place](https://openinquiry.nz/design-principles-for-constitutional-hijack-or-how-we-got-those-treaty-principles-in-the-first-place/?ref=goodoil.news)  
Shanti Mathias (Spinoff): [How the gambling industry is using influencers to appeal to a new generation](https://thespinoff.co.nz/internet/20-12-2024/how-the-gambling-industry-is-using-influencers-to-appeal-to-a-new-generation?ref=goodoil.news)  
Anna Whyte (Post): [New cell tech rolled out to prioritise first responders in congested networks](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360529602/new-cell-tech-rolled-out-prioritise-first-responders-congested-networks?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)  
Robert MacCulloch: [Government to Ask Big Bank ANZ, Westpac & ASB Kiwi Saver Funds to better "capitalize" Kiwibank](https://www.downtoearth.kiwi/post/news-flash-government-to-ask-big-bank-anz-westpac-asb-kiwi-saver-funds-to-better-capitalize-ki?ref=goodoil.news)  
Greg Hurrell (BusinessDesk): [How can NZ close the Paris Agreement 'emissions gap’?](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/climate-policy/how-can-nz-close-the-paris-agreement-emissions-gap?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)

# 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%2F86192aba-af30-4f24-8067-168cf96565d4_2653x1439.png)

Vernon - The Post 20 December 2024

![](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%2F68de79bf-96f3-46b0-ae97-ebd7587eb615_2648x1737.png)

Emmerson - NZ Herald 20 December 2024

![](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%2F510df069-6674-4309-88a7-de4c462f2e88_1960x1469.png)

Yeo - ODT 20 December 2024

![](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%2Fe565bfde-4a3a-403f-b428-f46429818ce3_2656x1474.png)

Vernon - The Post 14 December 2024

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