ACT’s Opposition to Social Media Ban a Win for Common Sense
It will be particularly interesting to see whether Peters, known for his populist instincts and defence of individual freedoms, chooses to join ACT in opposing the bill.
NZ Politics
News Briefing: 8 May 2025
Republished with Permission Author: Bryce Edwards PAY EQUITY, EMPLOYMENT Janet Wilson (Post): National blows up its support from women with pay equity debacle (paywalled) Thomas Coughlan (Herald): Under urgency, without basic paperwork, the Govt moves to change workers’ rights (paywalled) Marc Daalder (Newsroom): National grins and bears it as Act
The Roy Morgan Poll: National’s Slide Continues, Minor Parties Surge and a Tight Race Looms
The coalition’s 49 per cent is a fragile foundation and a two to three per cent swing could hand the opposition the keys to power. Labour, despite its own challenges, is within striking distance, and a stumble by National – another policy misstep or leadership wobble – could prove fatal.
Parents It’s Time to Wake Up
Sex education experts? Tabby Besley (InsideOut) and Tracey Clelland (Beyond The Birds and Bees) were interviewed, along with Penny Marie from Let Kids Be Kids, on 1News recently about the RSE refresh.
Private Profiles and Public Paychecks
What exactly is being shielded from public view? If an MP’s official communications channels are closed off, it undermines public trust and the principle that elected representatives should be visible and accessible to their constituents.
Retail Crime Is Under-Reported by 40%
Retail NZ is urging all businesses to report every incident to police, regardless of the scale.
A Half Truth Is a Whole Lie!
Under Luxon’s leadership, National are now burning their political capital at a prodigious rate! For me and many others the gauge is hovering just outside the red sector and the big E!
Trump Hits Back Against the Movie Industry
The NZ movie industry has been hit with 100% tariffs, a month after Nats announced its billion dollar subsidies would continue.
News Briefing: 7 May 2025
Republished with Permission Author: Bryce Edwards PAY EQUITY, EMPLOYMENT Luke Malpass (Post): Pay equity slashing a sub-plot in a much larger game (paywalled) Jo Moir (RNZ): Pay equity changes: Two sides of the coalition brought out Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Five things you need to know about the surprise pay
The Great Subsidy Swindle: New Zealand’s Film Industry Faces the Music
We’ve pretended we’re a global powerhouse when we’re really just a subsidised sideshow. Trump’s tariff is a reality check and a chance to rebuild on solid ground. Let’s stop crying over spilt milk and start building businesses that can stand on their own.
New HHS Report Urges Therapy for Trans Youth
Family First has written to the Director-General of Health Dr Diana Sarfati requiring the Ministry of Health to remove the reference to the PATHA Guidelines in the Position Statement on the Use of Puberty Blockers in Gender-Affirming Care issued by the Ministry on 21 November 2024.
When the World Looks Away
Despite recent reports of Druze being targeted again in southern Syria, New Zealand has made no official comment. No condemnation. No statement of concern. Not even a symbolic gesture of solidarity. Its silence has been deafening.
On the Burden of Guilt
But not forgetting is one thing; bearing a personal burden of guilt seems to me to be quite another.