Table of Contents
Republished with Permission
Author: Bryce Edwards
LUXON STATE OF THE NATION SPEECH, ECONOMY
Toby Manhire (Spinoff): Luxon launches year of growth with a war on nojo
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): Presiding over a shrinking economy, Christopher Luxon decides it’s a good idea to grow it again (paywalled)
Bernard Hickey (The Kākā): Why the Government's going-for-growth push will fail
Jo Moir (RNZ): Something old, new, borrowed, and blue in PM's growth plan
Dileepa Fonseka (BusinessDesk): Luxon tries to set the scene for a new conversation on the economy at his State of the Nation (paywalled)
Peter Dunne (Newsroom): PM’s ‘exciting plan’ to attract foreign investment is critical
Matthew Hooton (Herald): Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s State of the Nation speech a good start, but no more
Tim Murphy (Newsroom): ‘I’m sick of it’ – Luxon wants action on competition, RMA
Richard Harman (Politik): Coalition impasse threatens Luxon’s big economic reforms (paywalled)
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): Business and union leaders react to Government’s growth agenda
Russell Palmer (RNZ): Christopher Luxon announces foreign investment agency in state of nation address
Stewart Sowman-Lund (Spinoff): Bulletin: Science reforms just the entrée to government's growth agenda
Thomas Manch (Post): Yes-man Luxon’s economic growth formula begins to crystallise (paywalled)
Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): Prime minister: It's time to stop saying ‘no’ to growth (paywalled)
Brent Edwards (NBR): Foreign investment prioritised in Govt’s agenda for growth (paywalled)
BusinessDesk: New foreign investment agency: the details (paywalled)
Dan Brunskill (Interest): PM Luxon says ‘nothing is off the table’ when it comes to competition reform
Thomas Manch (Post): Luxon announces science system overhaul in ‘State of Nation’ speech (paywalled)
Dan Brunskill (Interest): Prime Minister wants RBNZ to meet more often to assess interest rates
Benjamin Plummer (Herald): Eden Park CEO backs PM Christopher Luxon’s call to abolish Auckland Council’s concert limit at stadium
1News: Eden Park needs unlimited concerts, Luxon says in call for growth
Susan Edmunds (RNZ): How your tax rate could reach 80% - or more
Brent Edwards (NBR): Nicola Willis Says runaway government spending now under control (paywalled)
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): Government debt up $419 million on last month’s forecast (paywalled)
Jenny Ruth: RBNZ refuses responsibility
Dan Brunskill (Interest): Core inflation cools but tradables pick up steam
Arena Williams, Stuart Smith (Stuff): It is hard to say what the Government’s economic strategy actually is
Ryan Bridge (Newstalk ZB): Our economy is still in the wilderness
SCIENCE
RNZ: Crown Research Institutes to be merged: Science sector revamp draws mixed reaction
RNZ: Advisory group pleased as Crown Research Institutes to merge
Greg Hurrell (BusinessDesk): More science commercialisation welcomed but don't forget the basics (paywalled)
Fiona Rotherham (NBR): Implementing science reform as crucial as intent, scientists say (paywalled)
Post: Overhaul of science sector welcome, but more money needed (paywalled)
Shanti Mathias (Spinoff): The science sector shake-up, explained
Mary Argue (RNZ): Crown Research Institutes to merge into three mega science groups
Jamie Morton (Herald): Science sector shake-up: Crown Research Institutes to be grouped into three, Callaghan Innovation to close
Sam Smith (Stuff): PM Christopher Luxon announces major changes to science and research sector
Juha Saarinen (Interest): Sweeping changes proposed in govt's 'largest reset in 30 years' for science and tech
Post: Callaghan Innovation scrapped amid major science sector revamp (paywalled)
No Right Turn: Fixing science?
Cheryl Adamson (Herald): New Science, Innovation, and Technology Minister Shane Reti must embrace innovation to boost economy (paywalled)
TOURISM
Russell Palmer (RNZ): PM Christopher Luxon says government will move 'with pace' on tourism infrastructure
Tess Brunson (RNZ): Tourism growth: A 'very serious investment' in infrastructure needed, says mayor
Liz McDonald (Press/Post): Tourist hotspots call for more funding (paywalled)
John MacDonald (Newstalk ZB): Yes to more tourists. But...
Duoya Lu (RNZ): Chinese tourism fails to match pre-Covid levels despite Lunar New Year boost
Will Harvie (Press/Post): DOC huts to be refurbished with tourist levy money (paywalled)
LABOUR
Laura Walters (Newsroom): Rubber hits the road for Labour in 2025
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Can Chris Hipkins actually pull off a victory after defeat?
Anneke Smith (RNZ): Labour pivots focus to National's stomping grounds of economy and crime
Adam Pearse (Herald): Labour leader Chris Hipkins promising robust policy but keeps powder dry
Kelly Dennett (Post): Hopeful, not optimistic. Why there’s nothing to see here with Labour … yet (paywalled)
Kelly Dennett and Anna Whyte (Post): ‘We over promised and under delivered’: Labour kicks off caucus retreat with ‘home truths’ (paywalled)
Rob Campbell (Newsroom): Do you feel better off, punk? Well, do ya?
Whatitiri Te Wake (Te Ao Māori News): Te Rōpū Reipa; He tau whawhai te haere ake nei
Anna Whyte (Post): Labour plans to roll out policies it can actually deliver in government (paywalled)
PARLIAMENT
Jamie Ensor (Herald): Act leader David Seymour expected to blow open privatisation debate
Brian Easton (Spinoff): Why we’re not ready to extend the parliamentary term
Audrey Young (Herald): Doctor vs ex-bank clerk: Why the PM dumped Shane Reti for Simeon Brown; purge at the Waitangi Tribunal (paywalled)
Greg Dixon (Listener): My wild political predictions for 2025 (paywalled)
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): Will Greens over cook Puberty Blocker Hangi and hand NZF culture war ammunition?
Isaac Gunson and Michael Cugley (Te Ao Māori News): What Ngāi Tahu wants from new South Island Minister James Meager
Susan Sandy’s (ODT): First-term MP ‘excited’ for new portfolios
MĀORI-CROWN RELATIONS, RĀTANA, WAITANGI
Adam Pearse (Herald): Treaty Principles Bill weighing on minds as MPs head to Rātana
Denise Piper (Northern Advocate): David Seymour to attend Waitangi despite hapū's warning over contentious bill
RNZ: Minister denies claim Waitangi Tribunal appointments a ‘whitewash’
Tumamao Harawira (Te Ao Māori News): Te Pāti Māori firm on Waitangi Tribunal ‘whitewash’ appointees
Lillian Hanly (RNZ): Former Waitangi Tribunal member Prue Kapua concerned over new appointments
Neil Sands (Law News): Meet new Waitangi Tribunal member Philip Crump, alias blogger Thomas Cranmer
Emma Andrews and Pokere Paewai (RNZ): Māori Queen makes first visit to Rātana Pā
Te Karere: Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po reaffirms close bond with Rātana
RNZ: Rātana celebrations begin with first manuhiri welcomed
Jesse Rogers (Post): The pain of Australia Day, and the lessons New Zealand can offer (paywalled)
PUBLIC SECTOR
Jenée Tibshraeny (Herald): Auditor-General John Ryan calls for law change to compel government departments to improve performance reporting (paywalled)
Georgina Campbell (Herald): KiwiRail’s spend on McKinsey & Company consultants kept secret after Ombudsman ruling (paywalled)
Gwynn Compton: Ombudsman's bizarre decision on KiwiRail consultant spend needs to be reversed
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, ANIMAL WELFARE
Will Appelbe (Greenpeace): Milking it: how the intensive dairy industry rewrote freshwater rules in their favour
ODT Editorial: Sheep maltreatment allegations (paywalled)
RNZ: Cows grazing in mud over winter 'appalling' - MPI
Tracy Neal (Open Justice Reporting): Southland’s FFPM Grazing fined for allowing cows to wallow in ‘appalling’ muddy conditions
Torika Tokalau (Local Democracy Reporting): Roaming dogs kill 142 lambs in South Auckland farm attacks
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WATER
Olivia Wannan (Stuff): These key events will re-shape Wellington
Nick James (RNZ): Former Wellington mayor Justin Lester not ruling out running again
Harriet Laughton (Post): Former Wellington mayor Justin Lester potential challenger in mayoralty race (paywalled)
Tory Whanau (Post): Fixing up Wellington’s water the focus in 2025 (paywalled)
Post: Fluoride spike at Hutt treatment plant, says Wellington Water (paywalled)
Peter Newport (Crux): Rod Drury group pitches for private Queenstown hospital and gondola
RNZ: No quick fix for wastewater plant, Queenstown Lakes deputy mayor says
Peter Newport (Crux): ORC seeks Court Order to enforce QLDC sewage compliance
ODT: QLDC taken to court over wastewater treatment plant
Moana Ellis (Local Democracy Reporting): Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson may delay stepping down, cites testing times for councils, iwi
Herald: Auckland bed tax urged by promoter after SailGP draws 25,000
Laine Priestley (ODT): Stadium boss challenges collaboration plans
Laura Smith (Local Democracy Reporting): Reduction in Rotorua public bins frustrates, as more set to go
Alisha Evans (Local Democracy Reporting): ‘I decided to do it for me’: Why council boss quit
Will Johnston (Stuff): Littlewood resigns as regional council chairperson
MIGRATION
Greg Ninness (Interest): Record number of people left NZ in the 12 months to November
Liam Dann (Herald): Falling net migration will ‘erode support for housing market’ (paywalled)
1News: Number of people leaving New Zealand hits 'highest on record'
RNZ: Record numbers still leaving New Zealand - Stats NZ
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): Migration stabilising but departures at record annual high of 127,833 (paywalled)
Jem Traylen (BusinessDesk): How new immigration policies could reverse NZ’s record exodus (paywalled)
HEALTH
Mary Williams (ODT): Cadbury site may be back on cards
Natalie Akoorie (Herald): 22 elective surgeries postponed in two weeks across Auckland, Hamilton hospitals
Emma Hildesley (1News): Diabetes to affect 500,000 in NZ by 2044, researchers find
Cherie Stayner and Jim Mann (Newsroom): BMI a distraction from real obesity issues
Riria Dalton-Reedy (Te Ao Māori News): Auahi Kore 2025: Up in smoke
Hayden Paul (Post): Modern medicine is a right, not an option (paywalled)
GOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN
David Fisher (Herald): Police decide not to charge Golriz Ghahraman over Pak’nSave ‘shoplifting’ incident
RNZ: No charges after Golriz Ghahraman Pak N Save shoplifting allegation
Catrin Owen (Stuff): Police won’t charge Golriz Ghahraman over alleged shoplifting incident
Rob Stock and Kim Griggs (Post): No charges after alleged Golriz Ghahraman shoplifting incident (paywalled)
POLICE
Rachel Maher (Herald): Investigation opened into police accessing national database over Nelson officer Lyn Fleming’s death
Samantha Gee (RNZ): Police staff searched database for details about Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming's death
FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE
1News: Military boost needed amid escalating regional tensions - Collins
RNZ: First load of fuel removed from sunken Manawanui
John Braddock and Tom Peters (World Socialists): New Zealand political leaders congratulate Trump
Melissa Nightingale (Herald): Australian diplomat’s partner pleads guilty to assault in Wellington nightlife hotspot
Krystal Gibbens (RNZ): Partner of Australian diplomat involved in Bledisloe brawl pleads guilty
Catrin Owen (Post): Australian diplomat’s partner pleads guilty to assault
HOUSING
Doug Laing (Hawkes Bay Today): Napier City Council to concentrate on retirement housing
Greg Ninness (Interest): 2025 could be the mother of all buyers' markets for residential real estate
David Chaston (Interest): Westpac the next to cut, leaving Kiwibank marooned on higher home loan rates
Susan Edmunds (RNZ): Westpac follows ANZ interest cut moves
Natalie Akoorie (RNZ): Auckland Capital Valuations delayed another 4 months
ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION
RNZ: New Zealand's coastline to be mapped to help fight climate change impact
Kate Green (RNZ): Awarua fire: Home detention, community work and fines for offenders
BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT
Gill Bonnett (RNZ): Mansion-building firm charged worker thousands for job and sacked him a week later
Lynn Buckley and Peter Underwood (The Conversation): NZ’s Companies Act is finally being reformed – but will the changes go far enough?
MEDIA
Shane Currie (Herald): Media Insider: TVNZ newsreader Simon Dallow considering his future; Inside the NZME/NZ Herald cuts; Top 25 toughest PR gigs; Reporter of the Year quits Stuff (paywalled)
Steve Braunias (Listener): Home again: Steve Braunias returns to the Listener (paywalled)
ENERGY
Tim Hunter (NBR): Contact secures gas for peaker plants (paywalled)
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): Fact check: Would NZ be better off without Methanex? (paywalled)
OTHER
Post: Whakapapa Holdings interested in operating closed Chateau Tongariro (paywalled)
Natalia Albert: The Politics of Ideas in New Zealand: Institutions, Diversity, and Liberal Democracy
John MacDonald (Newstalk ZB): Here's why we have a teacher shortage
Cartoons
