> ## 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: 5 December 2024 - URL: https://goodoil.news/nz-politics-daily-5-december-2024/ - Published: 2024-12-04T19:10:25.000Z - Updated: 2024-12-05T00:28:07.000Z - Author: Guest Post - Tags: NZ Politics, Politics *Republished with Permission* Author: **Bryce Edwards** **HEALTH** Kate Green, Ruth Hill and Phil Pennington (RNZ): [Health Commissioner to seek apology after 'cooking the books' accusation](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535680/health-commissioner-to-seek-apology-after-cooking-the-books-accusation?ref=goodoil.news) Tom Day (1News): ['Cooking the books' – Levy strongly rejects Verrall's claims](https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/12/04/cooking-the-books-levy-strongly-rejects-verralls-claims/?ref=goodoil.news) Bridie Witton (Stuff): [What we learned after a six-hour health select committee scrutiny hearing](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360509801/mps-verging-being-disorderly-health-nz-scrutiny-hearing?ref=goodoil.news) Bridie Witton (Stuff): [MPs ‘verging on being disorderly’ at Health NZ scrutiny hearing](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360509801/mps-verging-being-disorderly-health-nz-scrutiny-hearing?ref=goodoil.news) ODT Editorial: [Health funding smoke and mirrors](https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/editorial/health-funding-smoke-and-mirrors?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Rachel Thomas (Post): [Health NZ commissioner promises reset plans, shorter wait times soon](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360509659/health-nz-commissioner-promises-reset-plans-shorter-wait-times-soon?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) RNZ: [Health NZ deficit grows after Auditor-General intervenes](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/535658/health-nz-deficit-grows-after-auditor-general-intervenes?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Health NZ says nursing hires one of reason for deficit](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535614/health-nz-says-nursing-hires-one-of-reason-for-deficit?ref=goodoil.news) Matthew Littlewood (ODT): [Moving specialist services to Chch not ruled out](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/health/moving-services-chch-not-ruled-out?ref=goodoil.news) Phil Smith (RNZ): [Peek-a-boo politics: Scrutiny in the dark](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/535650/peek-a-boo-politics-scrutiny-in-the-dark?ref=goodoil.news) Phil Pennington (RNZ): [Is your local hospital's 'horizontal infrastructure' up to the task?](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535586/is-your-local-hospital-s-horizontal-infrastructure-up-to-the-task?ref=goodoil.news) Daniel Perese (Te Ao Māori News): [Over a third of disabled Māori don’t receive any support - Lady Tureti Moxon](https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2024/12/04/over-a-third-of-disabled-maori-dont-receive-any-support-lady-tureti-moxon/?ref=goodoil.news) Te Rina Kowhai (Te Ao Māori News): [Māori and rural children suffer significantly worse appendicitis](https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2024/12/04/maori-and-rural-children-suffer-significantly-worse-appendicitis/?ref=goodoil.news) Emma Andrews (RNZ): [Free vape samples coincide with vaping increase](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535716/free-vape-samples-coincide-with-vaping-increase?ref=goodoil.news) Jennifer Shields (Spinoff): [Gender-affirming care affects a small minority – so why the public consultation?](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/04-12-2024/gender-affirming-care-affects-a-small-minority-so-why-the-public-consultation?ref=goodoil.news) **LOCAL GOVERNMENT** Tom Hunt (Post): [Political or not? Texts raise questions about ‘apolitical’ Wellington group](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360509767/political-or-not-texts-raise-questions-about-apolitical-wellington-group?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Tom Hunt (Post): ['Love it': PM and senior minister in loop on ‘politically neutral’ Wellington group](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360509079/love-it-pm-and-senior-minister-loop-politically-neutral-wellington-group?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Thomas Manch (Post): [Emerging water entities mostly two to four councils strong](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360509604/emerging-water-entities-mostly-two-four-councils-strong?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Caro Robertson (Spinoff): [Why the City to Sea Bridge is not just another relic to save](https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/04-12-2024/why-the-city-to-sea-bridge-is-not-just-another-relic-to-save?ref=goodoil.news) Nick James (RNZ): [City to sea bridge: Councillor pushes for delayed decision](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535710/city-to-sea-bridge-councillor-pushes-for-delayed-decision?ref=goodoil.news) Julie Jacobson (Post): [Potential reprieve for Wellington's City to Sea bridge as vote to demolish it looms](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360510131/potential-reprieve-wellingtons-city-sea-bridge-vote-demolish-it-looms?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Andrea Vance (Post): [Wellington council rep Liz Kelly sorry for ‘culturally inappropriate’ remarks](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360510471/wellington-council-rep-liz-kelly-sorry-culturally-inappropriate-remarks?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled)RNZ: ['If it's sound, why pull it down?': Son of couple who gifted Begonia House](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/535638/if-it-s-sound-why-pull-it-down-son-of-couple-who-gifted-begonia-house?ref=goodoil.news) Harriet Laughton (Post): [‘Safety spots’ part of new plan to keep inner city safe](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360510386/safety-spots-part-new-plan-keep-inner-city-safe?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Less than 10 days to fix a leak, Wellington Water promises](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535634/less-than-10-days-to-fix-a-leak-wellington-water-promises?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [New $68m pool opened in Lower Hutt's Naenae](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535647/new-68m-pool-opened-in-lower-hutt-s-naenae?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Auckland Council sells remaining stake in Auckland Airport](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/535611/auckland-council-sells-remaining-stake-in-auckland-airport?ref=goodoil.news) Brianna McIlraith (Stuff): [Auckland Council sells its stake in Auckland Airport for $1.31 billion](https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/360509581/auckland-council-sell-stake-auckland-airport?ref=goodoil.news) Roeland van den Bergh (Post): [Auckland Council raises $1.31 billion from remainder of its Auckland Airport shares](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/360509565/auckland-council-selling-remainder-auckland-airport-shares?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Mare Haimona-Riki (Te Ao Māori News): [Aucklanders called to help shape environmental future](https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2024/12/04/aucklanders-called-to-help-shape-environmental-future/?ref=goodoil.news) Sharon Brettkelly (RNZ): [The Detail: The south Auckland township that's a city in the making](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/thedetail/535697/the-south-auckland-township-that-s-a-city-in-the-making?ref=goodoil.news) Emily Ireland (Local Democracy Reporting): [Masterton opts out of Wellington water proposal](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360508658/masterton-opts-out-wellington-water-proposal?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Max Frethey (Local Democracy Reporting): [1100 properties wrongly included in Nelson hazard maps](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/535598/1100-properties-wrongly-included-in-nelson-hazard-maps?ref=goodoil.news) Crux: [Regulator ORC caves in to Queenstown commercial pressure](https://cruxnz.substack.com/p/regulator-orc-caves-in-to-queenstown) (paywalled) Hamish MacLean (ODT): [Otago Regional Councillors on both sides unhappy with ‘timid’ climate strategy](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/councillors-both-sides-unhappy-%E2%80%98timid%E2%80%99-climate-strategy?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Matthew Rosenberg (Local Democracy Reporting): [Southland wallaby eludes hunt that cost $34k](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535678/southland-wallaby-eludes-hunt-that-cost-34k?ref=goodoil.news) **GOVERNMENT, PARLIAMENT, YEAR IN REVIEW** Peter Dunne: [Luxon's Political Communication Challenge](https://honpfd.blogspot.com/2024/12/as-government-begins-its-second-year-in.html?ref=goodoil.news) Anna Murray (1News): [Ticking off the to-do list: What does the Govt have in store for 2025?](https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/12/05/ticking-off-the-to-do-list-what-does-the-govt-have-in-store-for-2025/?ref=goodoil.news) Thomas Manch (Post): [Prime minister marks down his own department](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360510446/prime-minister-marks-down-his-own-department?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Simon Shepherd (NBR): [Podcast 35: Has the PM met his KPIs?](https://www.nbr.co.nz/the-nbr-podcast/the-nbr-podcast-christopherluxon-35/?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Susan Edmunds (RNZ): [Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sells another investment property](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/535644/prime-minister-christopher-luxon-sells-another-investment-property?ref=goodoil.news) Esther Taunton (Stuff): [PM Christopher Luxon sells third property of 2024](https://www.stuff.co.nz/home-property/360504662/pm-christopher-luxon-sells-third-property-2024?ref=goodoil.news) Ben Thomas (Post): [A dig into the polling stats has warnings for both Luxon and Hipkins](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360510177/dig-polling-stats-has-warnings-both-luxon-and-hipkins?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) The Hui: [The Hui reflects as a big year for Māori draws to a close](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360510132/hui-reflects-big-year-maori-draws-close?ref=goodoil.news) Sam Smith (Stuff): [Te Pāti Māori MP named in the BBC’s the top 100 women of 2024](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360510063/te-pati-maori-mp-named-bbcs-top-100-women-2024?ref=goodoil.news) **EDUCATION** Pretoria Gordon and Mary Argue (RNZ): [Universities criticise Marsden Fund cuts, business group backs the move](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535703/universities-criticise-marsden-fund-cuts-business-group-backs-the-move?ref=goodoil.news) Ben Andrews (ODT): [Humanities research cuts ‘disastrous’](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/campus/humanities-research-cuts-%E2%80%98disastrous%E2%80%99?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) Anne Salmond (Newsroom): [Govt de-funding the mind](https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/05/anne-salmond-govt-de-funding-the-mind/?ref=goodoil.news) Pretoria Gordon and Mary Argue (RNZ): [Government's Marsden Fund cuts: All humanities, social sciences research funding slashed](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535669/government-s-marsden-fund-cuts-all-humanities-social-sciences-research-funding-slashed?ref=goodoil.news) Juha Saarinen (Interest): [Scientists slam government's changes to Marsden and Catalyst funds](https://www.interest.co.nz/technology/131098/governments-marsden-and-catalyst-changes-are-defunding-our-ability-understand-and?ref=goodoil.news) David Farrar: [Marsden Fund dewoked](https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2024/12/marsden%5Ffund%5Fdewoked.html?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Māori Education Action Plan released](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535636/maori-education-action-plan-released?ref=goodoil.news) John Gerritsen (RNZ): [Boys bring NZ higher in major international maths and science test](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535700/boys-bring-nz-higher-in-major-international-maths-and-science-test?ref=goodoil.news) Sophie Lapsley (Press/Post): [Meal sizes and delivery woes - Tension rises over Government’s school lunch scheme](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360504740/meal-sizes-and-delivery-woes-tension-rises-over-governments-school-lunch-scheme?ref=goodoil.news) Hanna McCallum (Post): [NZ’s international student numbers grow by 6%](https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360509524/nzs-international-student-numbers-grow-6?ref=goodoil.news) (paywalled) **WELFARE** Craig McCulloch (RNZ): [Almost a quarter of beneficiaries being paid incorrectly - report](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/535646/almost-a-quarter-of-beneficiaries-being-paid-incorrectly-report?ref=goodoil.news) Jamie Ensor (Herald): [Ministry for Social Development ‘concerned’ one-in-four beneficiaries are paid wrong](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/ministry-for-social-development-concerned-one-in-four-beneficiaries-are-paid-wrong/3X3C75MXSNBUBLRK4LGC6U2NHE/?ref=goodoil.news) Glenn McConnell (Stuff): [New welfare sanctions could stop families paying rent, officials warn](https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360510261/new-welfare-sanctions-could-stop-families-paying-rent-officials-warn-minister?ref=goodoil.news) **CHILD WELFARE, ABUSE IN CARE** Ellen O’Dwyer (RNZ): [MSD's compensation to survivors of abuse in care 'arbitrary' - Chief Ombudsman](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535666/msd-s-compensation-to-survivors-of-abuse-in-care-arbitrary-chief-ombudsman?ref=goodoil.news) RNZ: [Evidence found of inhumane treatment at facility for intellectually disabled children](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/535674/evidence-found-of-inhumane-treatment-at-facility-for-intellectually-disabled-children?ref=goodoil.news) There are links to **60 items above** in today’s free version of “NZ Politics Daily”. But below the paywall there are **an additional 95 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-5-december-2024)