{email_subject}

newsletter #30 for Sunday, June 11th, 2023

You're reading the In brief version. Please follow the links provided to read the full article or go to www.nznewsessentials.com.

Please share our free newsletter with others.

Wood’s wings clipped over airport shares stuff up

Michael Wood loses the Transport Minister portfolio after failing to divest shares in Auckland Airport. The Cabinet Office asked Wood 12 times to dispose of these. Each time he said he was in the process of doing so, but never did. Wood is also under investigation for not declaring he had the shares in the first place. Hipkins keeps the Cabinet door open for Wood. Why?

Bilingualism enters the culture wars this election year

Luxon says the government’s use of te reo, without translation, is a problem because many don’t understand. Stuff’s partisan opinion is that this is racist and suggests Luxon lives in a bubble. Stuff has received lots of government money to promote te reo. National isn’t against bilingual road signs, but says it’s not a priority. Hipkins, on cue, says National was dog whistling to racists.

ACT acts up ahead of the general election

The polls suggest ACT will increase their seats in the 2023 general election. ACT’s theme is “real change”. Amongst other policies, it vows to repeal co-governance and identity-based legislation. Seymour is asking voters to give their party vote to ACT because National is “barely using it”!

Government announces $1b buyout scheme for those affected by cyclones and floods

The Government announces a $1b voluntary buyout scheme for uninhabitable homes alongside investment in flood mitigation for thousands of others. The scheme has residential focus, with commercial support pending. Some are criticising the scheme’s lack of detail, but are optimistic. The Government continues with ethnic-based distinctions; using a separate Māori landowners' process.

The bipartisan independent electoral review panel seems quite partisan

The Labour government’s “Independent Electoral Review Panel” has submitted draft recommendations on changing how general elections are run. But weren’t the predispositions of the panellists known prior to their appointments? Why was a panel even appointed for this since it is opinion and not expertise? It all depends on who is in power after the next election, but some things are entrenched and so can’t be changed by a simple majority.

Labour Education Minister accused of misleading the House

Education Minister Jan Tinetti’s accused of misleading the House with an answer about not being responsible for school attendance data. Tinetti is the first MP to be referred to the Privileges Committee since 2008. The minister took responsibility, but blamed her staff for the stuff up. Tinetti received a police warning for campaign breaches in 2022.

Success is usually the culmination of controlling failure.

-Sylvester Stallone

NZ News Essentials Ltd.

Unsubscribe | Manage your subscription | View online