> ## 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. # NZ Politics Daily: 31 January 2025 - URL: https://goodoil.news/nz-politics-daily-31-january-2025/ - Published: 2025-01-30T19:28:45.000Z - Updated: 2025-01-30T20:43:09.000Z - Author: Guest Post - Tags: NZ Politics, Politics *Republished with Permission* Author: **Bryce Edwards** **HEALTH** Bridie Witton (Stuff): [Bribe allegations about NZ vape kits in employee secret recordings](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360563464/bribe-allegations-about-nz-vape-kits-employee-secret-recordings?ref=goodoil.news) Dileepa Fonseka (BusinessDesk): [Costello rejects 'premise' of questions around $575,000 contract to Chinese vape company RELX](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/politics/costello-rejects-premise-of-questions-around-575000-contract-to-chinese-vape-company-relx?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Rachel Thomas (Post): [Simeon Brown says health privatisation ‘not my focus’](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360564386/simeon-brown-says-health-privatisation-not-my-focus?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Richard Harman (Politik): [Treasury sinks key National election promise](https://www.politik.co.nz/treasury-sinks-key-national-election-promise/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Mary Williams (ODT): [Hospital decision expected](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/health/hospital-decision-expected?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [New Dunedin hospital announcement imminent](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540451/new-dunedin-hospital-announcement-imminent?ref=goodoil.news) Kathryn van Beek (Newsroom): [Worrying about Dunedin Hospital](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/01/30/worrying-about-dunedin-hospital/?ref=goodoil.news) Matthew Littlewood (ODT): [Cancer patient calls for a fair decision by govt](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/health/cancer-patient-calls-fair-decision-govt?ref=goodoil.news) Peter de Graaf (RNZ): ['Very significant concerns': Documents reveal tension over proposal to close Dargaville Hospital](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/540450/very-significant-concerns-documents-reveal-tension-over-proposal-to-close-dargaville-hospital?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [General practices about 'to cross a tipping point', new Health Minister warned](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/540417/general-practices-about-to-cross-a-tipping-point-new-health-minister-warned?ref=goodoil.news) Alice Peacock (Newsroom): [Cardiac and mental illnesses fuel surging benefits bill](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/01/29/cardiovascular-and-mental-illnesses-fuel-surging-jobseeker-benefit-cost/?ref=goodoil.news) Jack Riddell (Herald): [Government invests $67m in Hawke’s Bay Hospital upgrades](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/government-invests-67m-in-hawkes-bay-hospital-upgrades/U6NYW4BJ2FCMJN4WRNEVH5UYIQ/?ref=goodoil.news) Cherie Stayner and Jim Mann (ODT: [Prevention our only viable option](https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/prevention-our-only-viable-option?ref=goodoil.news) Ian Powell: [Reckless Disregard Or Cruelty (Or Even Trumpian!)](https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2501/S00043/reckless-disregard-or-cruelty-or-even-trumpian.htm?ref=goodoil.news) Barbara Fountain (NZ Doctor): [Ministerial execution](https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/opinion/ministerial-execution?ref=goodoil.news) Barbara Fountain (NZ Doctor): [A–Z: On the cards for health in 2025](https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/print-archive/z-cards-health-2025?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Martin Johnston (NZ Doctor): [One regulator to rule them all? Health workforce body mooted](https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/news/one-regulator-rule-them-all-health-workforce-body-mooted?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Isaac Davison (Herald): [‘Gay blood ban’ to be removed next year, New Zealand Blood Service says](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gay-blood-ban-to-be-removed-next-year-new-zealand-blood-service-says/BDFFYXYKAJG3LNQBTJMDGOEYRQ/?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Rules preventing blood donations from men who have sex with men to change](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/540366/rules-preventing-blood-donations-from-men-who-have-sex-with-men-to-change?ref=goodoil.news) Caron Copek (Stuff): [Removal of a blanket gay blood donation ban celebrated](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360564799/removal-blanket-gay-blood-donation-ban-celebrated?ref=goodoil.news) Maddy Croad (Press/Post): [Lack of support sees half of breast cancer survivors shun treatment after their illness](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360560383/lack-support-sees-50-breast-cancer-survivors-shun-post-cancer-treatment?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Alex Penk (Ethos): [Puberty blockers will keep generating conscience issues](https://www.ethosalliance.nz/articles/puberty-blockers-will-keep-generating-conscience-issues?ref=goodoil.news) **PRIVATISATION, ASSET SALES, ECONOMY** Peter Dunne: [Act looks backwards](https://honpfd.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-debate-about-privatising-state.html?ref=goodoil.news) Matthew Hooton (Herald): [Singapore has Temasek – Why not KiwiSec for New Zealand?](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/singapore-has-temasek-why-not-kiwisec-matthew-hooton/NBMXSVD7ZRDARDDGXJUTLQYXBU/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Sally Wesley (RNZ): [ACT pushes for sale of Pāmu to offset drain on taxpayer funding](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540408/act-pushes-for-sale-of-pamu-to-offset-drain-on-taxpayer-funding?ref=goodoil.news) Herald Editorial: [NZ for sale - Should we sell state assets? If so, what?](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/editorial-nz-for-sale-should-we-sell-state-assets-if-so-what/444VW4FJU5BQ7CJW2RAV5ECJJ4/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Tim Hunter (NBR): [Political posturing mars privatisation debate](https://www.nbr.co.nz/hunters-corner/political-posturing-mars-privatisation-debate/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Rebecca Stevenson (BusinessDesk): [Public assets, private investors: a match made in investment heaven?](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/infrastructure/public-assets-private-investors-a-match-made-in-investment-heaven?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Dan Brunskill (Interest): [Luxon won’t say ‘yes’ to housing development in his Botany electorate](https://www.interest.co.nz/economy/131704/prime-minister-wants-end-culture-saying-no-wont-say-whether-he-now-supports-or-still?ref=goodoil.news) Lloyd Burr (Stuff): [The Nation of No? Welcome to New Zealand in 2025, says the PM](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360565098/nation-no-welcome-new-zealand-2025-says-pm?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Susan Edmunds (RNZ): [NZ could become 'net exporter' of population](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/540471/nz-could-become-net-exporter-of-population?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Public services, workers' wellbeing hit hard by government cuts - union](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540461/public-services-workers-wellbeing-hit-hard-by-government-cuts-union?ref=goodoil.news) Nicola Gaston (The Conversation): [If the government wants science to have an economic impact it has to put its money where its mouth is](https://theconversation.com/if-the-government-wants-science-to-have-an-economic-impact-it-has-to-put-its-money-where-its-mouth-is-248299?ref=goodoil.news) Fox Meyer (Newsroom): [Scientists to Govt: Put your money where your mouth is](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/01/30/scientists-to-government-put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is/?ref=goodoil.news) Eric Crampton (Newsroom): [When politicians campaign on competition, be very worried](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/01/29/the-govt-could-help-consumers-by-ensuring-market-openness/?ref=goodoil.news) David Hargreaves (Interest): ['NZ's long-run economic growth about expanding the population and rising house prices'](https://www.interest.co.nz/economy/131684/rbnz-chief-economist-paul-conway-sees-dominance-traditional-drivers-growth-new?ref=goodoil.news) Cameron Bagrie (BusinessDesk): [We need to unlock a 'Go’ economy](https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/economy/we-need-to-unlock-a-go-economy?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Jenny Ruth: [Does our banking system contribute to NZ's low productivity?](https://justthebusinessjennyruth.substack.com/p/does-our-banking-system-contribute) (paywalled) Nona Pelletier (RNZ): [Business confidence, economic growth to improve from mid-year - Infometrics](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/540466/business-confidence-economic-growth-to-improve-from-mid-year-infometrics?ref=goodoil.news) Liam Dann (Herald): [‘Over $400 a month’: Economists see mortgage savings boost to economy in 2025](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/over-400-a-month-economists-see-mortgage-savings-boost-to-economy-in-2025/XFUXFEMZWFDNXJZS5SECAU4QV4/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) David Hill (Local Democracy Reporting): [Tourist towns doubtful of government support](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540369/tourist-towns-doubtful-of-government-support?ref=goodoil.news) **PARLIAMENT** Martin Van Beynen (Press/Post): [Sometimes you just need to swallow your hurt](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360564384/sometimes-you-just-need-swallow-your-hurt?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Stewart Bowman-Lund (Spinoff): [Is Winston Peters already gearing up for 2026?](https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/31-01-2025/is-winston-peters-already-gearing-up-for-2026?ref=goodoil.news) Rayssa Almeida (RNZ): [Members of NZ's Latin American community shocked, offended by NZ First MPs' comments](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540457/members-of-nz-s-latin-american-community-shocked-offended-by-nz-first-mps-comments?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Winston Peters backs down over comments after Mexican ambassador raises concerns](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540410/winston-peters-backs-down-over-comments-after-mexican-ambassador-raises-concerns?ref=goodoil.news) Jamie Ensor (Newshub): [Mexican Embassy wades in after NZ First minister’s comments: PM Christopher Luxon repeats ‘rhetoric’ warning](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/mexican-embassy-wades-in-after-nz-first-ministers-comments-pm-christopher-luxon-repeats-rhetoric-warning/C64ALTELQFF37AV25REJ2OU5RQ/?ref=goodoil.news) Sam Smith (Stuff): [NZ First accuses Greens of ‘pearl clutching’ and ‘faux outrage’ as culture war hostilities escalate](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360564434/shane-jones-doubles-down-controversial-comments-calling-it-mexican-stand?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Watch: Christopher Luxon tells MPs to 'watch their rhetoric' as NZ First accused of racism](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540396/watch-christopher-luxon-tells-mps-to-watch-their-rhetoric-as-nz-first-accused-of-racism?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [David Seymour calls Te Pāti Māori 'race fanatics' after Karen Chhour comments](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/540376/david-seymour-calls-te-pati-maori-race-fanatics-after-karen-chhour-comments?ref=goodoil.news) Peter Dunne (Newsroom): [Grand coalition would head off ‘extreme politics’](https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/01/30/the-case-for-a-grand-coalition-to-head-off-minority-party-support/?ref=goodoil.news) Audrey Young (Herald): [David Seymour, Winston Peters steal spotlight (again) as Christopher Luxon takes a hiding](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/david-seymour-winston-peters-steal-spotlight-again-as-christopher-luxon-takes-a-hiding-audrey-young/2HTIYA2RK5CI7NK6BUKRMCEZFM/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Greg Dixon (Listener): [Could Jacinda-mania be our economic savour?](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/new-zealand/greg-dixons-another-kind-of-politics-could-jacinda-mania-be-our-economic-savour/UMB574KNFJEHVJZ4BO5UFCI7JE/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) RNZ: [Green MP Benjamin Doyle snapped with no seatbelt](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540393/green-mp-benjamin-doyle-snapped-with-no-seatbelt?ref=goodoil.news) There are links to **55 items above** in today’s free version of “NZ Politics Daily”. But below the paywall there are **an additional 94 categorised items and today’s newspaper cartoons**. For access to the full subscription, we charge $5 per month, which helps keep the newsletter going, which is 100% subscriber-funded and not-for-profit. For those that want to help our mission of fostering debate and informing the public about New Zealand politics and society, you can also donate via **Victoria University of Wellington**, which hosts the **Democracy Project** and helps with fundraising:[https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/engage/giving/donate/areas/democracy-project](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/engage/giving/donate/areas/democracy-project?ref=goodoil.news) [Subscribe now](https://democracyproject.substack.com/subscribe?) [Read more](https://democracyproject.substack.com/p/nz-politics-daily-31-january-2025)