Political Roundup: 14 December 2022

GOVERNMENT
Luke Malpass (Stuff): PM Jacinda Ardern under pressure in a Parliament full of tired, grumpy pricks
Jo Moir (Newsroom): Retiring MPs do little to help Ardern’s reshuffle headache
Claire Trevett (Herald): Is the mini-exodus from Labour a sign of a sinking ship or normal house cleaning for 2023? (paywalled)
Henry Cooke (Guardian): Jacinda Ardern will need more than a ‘paring back’ of policies to win
Audrey Young (Herald): Co-governance policy – Jim Bolger’s challenge to Jacinda Ardern(paywalled)
Thomas Manch and Anna Whyte (Stuff): Cabinet minister Poto Williams, David Clark and Aupito William Sio retiring from Parliament at 2023 election
Herald: The day of retiring Labour MPs: Poto Williams, Aupito William Sio, David Clark among six Labour MPs retiring from Parliament
Irra Lee (1News): Six Labour MPs including David Clark to retire at election
RNZ: PM Jacinda Ardern reveals which MPs will be retiring at the next election
Stuff: Wellington MP Paul Eagle calls time on career in national politics
Danielle Zollickhofer (Herald): Hamilton East MP Jamie Strange to retire from Parliament next election
ODT: Family time next for Clark (paywalled)
Mike Houlahan (ODT): Brooking puts name forward for seat
Newshub: Jenna Lynch: Year of discontent – who were 2022’s best and worst ministers?
David Farrar: Six Labour MPs flee sinking ship
Greg Presland (The Standard): Labour’s big reset
No Right Turn: Another useful OIA decision

PARLIAMENT
RNZ: Law passes to tighten political donations rules
Richard Prebble (Herald): What we learned from Hamilton West election (paywalled)
Andrew Dickens (Newstalk ZB): The by-election needs to be taken with a grain of salt
Jenna Lynch (Newshub): How Parliament spiralled a bit out of control on second-to-last day of political year
Jenna Lynch (Newshub): Extended interview: Christopher Luxon won’t commit to serving full term as MP if National loses election
Georgina Campbell (Herald): A Capital Letter: The Wellington electorates that could flip(paywalled)
Eva Corlett (Guardian): Jacinda Ardern caught on hot mic calling minor opposition party leader an ‘arrogant prick’
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): ‘Such an arrogant prick’ – PM Jacinda Ardern lashes out at Act leader David Seymour
1News: Jacinda Ardern calls David Seymour an ‘arrogant prick’ in Parliament
Jane Patterson (RNZ): Ardern apologises after calling Seymour ‘arrogant prick’ in Parliament
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern calls ACT leader David Seymour an ‘arrogant prick’
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): The Green Leadership say they were great this year – sadly I believe them
Steven Cowan: The ‘Phenomenal’ James Shaw and Marama Davidson
Stewart Sowman-Lund (Spinoff): Reviewing The Spinoff’s wild political predictions for 2022

CURIA-TAXPAYER’S UNION POLL
Taxpayer’s Union: ACT Wrong On Indexation, Kiwis Back Lobbying Cooling-Off Period
David Farrar: Taxpayers’ Union/Curia poll December 2022
Thomas Coughlan (Stuff): National and Act in government on latest poll
Anna Whyte (Stuff): National and ACT remain in strong position to govern, poll suggests
RNZ: New poll continues downward trend for Labour

NANAIA MAHUTA FAMILY CONTRACTS, THREE WATERS
Glen McConnell (Stuff): Two ministries failed to manage perceived conflicts over Nanaia Mahuta’s husband’s consulting
Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Inquiry into Nanaia Mahuta family contracts finds flaws by Government agencies, but no favouritism due to minister connection
RNZ: Nanaia Mahuta contracts: Probe finds poor handling of perceived conflicts of interest, but no favouritism
James Perry (Whakaata Māori): Mahuta cleared of wrongdoing, agencies’ processes flawed – report
Thomas Manch (Stuff): Nanaia Mahuta received official briefing on controversial Three Waters entrenchment clause
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): This is where the hate towards 3 Waters is really coming from – you are being manipulated again sleepy hobbits
Jim McLay (Herald): The importance of being entrenched (paywalled)
Branko Marcetic (Democracy Project): In Defence of anti-privatisation entrenchment
John MacDonald (Newstalk ZB): All I want for Christmas is a new Local Government Minister

ECONOMY, COST OF LIVING
Thomas Coughlan (Herald): Grant Robertson’s HYEFU and the return of Ruth Richardson(paywalled)
Brianna MciLraith (Stuff): Food prices up 10.7% in November compared to same time last year
David Hargreaves (Interest): Food price inflation soars to new 14-year high
Brianna MciLraith (Stuff): Supermarkets face online backlash over prices
RNZ: Home insurance costs increase across New Zealand – Consumer NZ
Herald: Weakening housing market to ‘loom large’ over Auckland as Otago gets tourism boost
Hillmarè Schulze (NBR): Why I cannot afford to retire (paywalled)

IMMIGRATION
Dileepa Fonseka (Stuff): The great immigration reverse and what it says about our economic direction
Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): A massive change on immigration policy (paywalled)
Dita De Boni (NBR): The drain in brains stays mainly in the … name (paywalled)
Gordon Campbell: On nursing’s long road to residency
Jane Patterson (RNZ): Immigration changes for nurses, teachers ‘should have happened a year ago’ – National
RNZ: Recruiter downplays fears nurses will use residency to move to Australia
William Hewett (Newshub): Immigration changes needed as international labour shortage ‘extremely severe’, Michael Wood says
RNZ: Construction industry ‘delighted’ with immigration changes

EMERGENCY HOUSING, HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
Isaac Davison (Herald): Some three-year-olds have only lived in motel rooms, critical review of emergency housing finds
Ethan Te Ora and Benn Bathgate (Stuff): Government in ‘breach of human rights’ over emergency housing model – commission
Sam Olley (RNZ): Emergency housing: Human Rights Commission’s damning report points to rights breaches
Isaac Davison (Herald): Emergency housing changes announced, including minimum standards, housing support and tackling bad tenants
BusinessDesk: MPs say MSD’s emergency housing spend ‘unacceptable’ (paywalled)
Susan Edmunds (Stuff): ASB expects house prices to fall 40% when adjusted for inflation
Rachel Sadler (Newshub): Sir John Key’s predicted mortgage rates could spell ‘unwinnable election’ for Labour, Patrick Gower predicts
Greg Ninness (Interest): Not a very merry Christmas for the real estate industry as sales sink to a 12 year low, prices tumble and inventory soars
Greg Ninness (Interest): Average value of NZ homes falling by about $1260 a week
David Hargreaves (Interest): ‘Return of the animal spirits’ – house prices could benefit
Miriam Bell (Stuff): Price slide continues as housing market’s ‘crazy’ year winds up
Miriam Bell (Stuff): Housing market’s rough ride continues, with prices down 12.4% nationally
Susan Edmunds (Stuff): Property market ‘flips’: ‘It appears buyers are waiting to see how far prices will fall, before they make a move’
Anne Gibson (Herald): Auckland house prices down 18.1 % or $235,000 annually, NZ drops $115,000
Sharon Brettkelly (RNZ): Making a dent in Takaka’s housing shortage

BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT
Anna Whyte (Stuff): Deadline nears for Government’s decision on pay freeze
Jenny Ruth (BusinessDesk): Commerce Commission likely to go ahead with Gib investigation (paywalled)
Rob Stock (Stuff): Boomtimes as non-bank lenders grow lending by $2 billion in 2022
Jonathan Mitchell (NBR): ‘Real fear of falling foul’: KPMG report on non-bank lenders(paywalled)
Susan Edmunds (Stuff): Bank to reimburse customer who lost $95,000 to fraudsters
Liam Dann (Herald): Meet the new Gen Z boss of influential economic think tank

LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Eric Cramptom (Newsroom): Let’s not waste chance to strengthen local government
Todd Niall (Stuff): The new Auckland political theatre-sport – picking agency directors
Jonathan Killick (Stuff): Stay of execution for council childcare centres ahead of Auckland mayor’s budget
Peter O’Connor (Newsroom): We deserve better than Auckland’s art vandal
Sam Brooks (Spinoff): A city without culture: What Wayne Brown’s plans mean for Auckland
Rachael Kelly (Stuff): Rookie councillor Keith Hovell voted in as deputy mayor in Gore
Hamish McNeilly (Stuff): Council squabbles over pay: ‘I can’t believe we are still talking about this’
Adam Burns (RNZ): Dunedin councillors get heated, but pass new pay structures
Katie Townshend (Stuff): Nelson mayoral campaigns boosted by the bank of mum
Joanne Naish (Stuff): Grey mayor Tania Gibson spends $0 to get reelected, her only rival spent $2323
Cherie Sivignon (Stuff): Construction lawyer appointed to board of Waimea Water Ltd

COVID-19
RNZ: NZ should have been better prepared for Covid-19 pandemic, Auditor-General finds
Brent Edwards (NBR): Auditor-General raises questions about the Covid-19 response(paywalled)
Brigitte Morten (NBR): Royal Commission’s Covid inquiry could prove unsatisfactory
1News: Grounded Kiwis call for Govt apology over MIQ findings
Adam Burns (RNZ): Mother demands apology over MIQ rejection when pregnant and suffering ‘huge anxiety’

HEALTH
Esther Taunton (Stuff): Cost of dental care puts treatment out of reach for many
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): $614m needed for equitable GP care – Govt report
Richard Harman (Politik): Med school trains overseas students rather than locals
Tess McClure (Guardian): New Zealand passes world-first tobacco law to ban smoking for next generation
RNZ: Smokefree amendment bill passes third reading in Parliament
Kelvin McDonald (Whakaata Māori): Pharmac petition: Fear tamariki with cancer won’t have access to lifesaving medicines
Phil Pennington (RNZ): Many buildings’ seismic risks remain a mystery, despite quakes and standards
Nicholas Boyack (Stuff): $1m shortfall puts financial pressure on Te Omanga Hospice
Lloyd Burr (Today FM): Pharmac CEO finally fronts up after Today FM ban
Andrew Bevin (Newsroom): Over-the-counter cannabidiol sales turned down
Cherie Sivignon (Stuff): Police, health official oppose bottle store bids
Melanie Earley (Stuff): Second set of parents seeks ‘unvaccinated’ blood for baby’s heart surgery
RNZ: Nurses union backs Te Whatu Ora’s bid to push forward with new pay equity rates

LUXON’S “SOUTH AUCKLAND GARAGE” COMMENTS, CRIME, JUSTICE
Michael Neilson (Herald): National leader Christopher Luxon on South Auckland youth in garages gangs comment – ‘Sorry if anyone is offended’
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer (Herald): Many bold ideas are born in garages
Waatea: South Auckland garages breeding ground for talent
Katie Townshend and Amy Ridout (Stuff):  Sue Grey apologises to judge after disrupting Nelson court
RNZ: Lawyer Sue Grey released from custody after being accused of contempt of court

FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE
Michael Neilson (Herald): New Zealand Govt sanctions Iran over weapons technology supply to Russia
Jonathan Milne (Newsroom): Message to Ukraine president: ‘Enough mothers’ sons have been slaughtered’
James Perry (Whakaata Māori): Soldiers return home after training Ukrainian troops
Herald: Defence Force personnel warned after signing up with China-linked South African flight school
George Heagney (Stuff): ‘Impressive taonga’ touches down – new Poseidon arrives in New Zealand
1News: New Air Force jets ‘critical’ to NZ’s presence in the Pacific
Mike Tweed (Whanganui Chronicle): New Zealand Air Force’s new Poseidon arrives at Ōhakea Air Base – three more to follow
Reuters: NZDF retires aircraft, leaving it short, may need to ask for help from regional partners

EDUCATION
John Gerritsen (RNZ): Concerns compulsory NCEA literacy and numeracy tests will trip up new migrants
Joss Miller (ODT): Long live the individual; university is no place for group-think
Ananish Chaudhuri (NBR): Universities’ woes caused by bureaucratic bloat (paywalled)

MEDIA
Herald Editorial: Paring back the RNZ-TVNZ merger (paywalled)
Shane Jones (Herald): RNZ/TVNZ merger is a marriage made in hell (paywalled)

NGĀTI KAHUNGUNU TREATY SETTLEMENT
Jamie Tahana (RNZ): ‘Crown determined to be better partner’: $115m Treaty settlement passes through Parliament
Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Parliament agrees to pass disputed Ngāti Kahungunu settlement

OTHER
Charlotte Graham-McLay (Guardian): Christchurch attack inquiry: coroner declines to remove lawyer after request from families
RNZ: FIANZ criticises govt for ignoring Royal Commission points on hate speech
RNZ: Rapid payments for abuse in care redress begin
Marc Daalder (Newsroom): Suppression struggle as conspiracists name baby
Alan Brent and Gregory Guyot (The Conversation): NZ’s proposed pumped storage hydropower project will cost billions – here’s how to make it worthwhile
Herewini Waikato (Whakaata Māori): From earth warrior to environment commissioner
Stefan Dimitrof (Whakaata Māori): Awards celebrate 50 years of te reo Māori revitalisation
James Hurman (Spinoff): Why that ‘most influential entrepreneur’ list is probably bogus
Conor Knell (Stuff): New Zealander of the Year Awards semifinalists include Ruby Tui, Sir John Kirwan, Tāme Iti, Topp Twins
Jake Kenny (Stuff): ‘Calling all dole bludgers’: Car dealer’s TikTok ad condemned as ‘lawful but awful’
Steve Forbes (Local Democracy Reporting): Reduced speed limits to be introduced in three south Auckland suburbs from next month
Jacqueline Rowarth (Herald): Time to accentuate the positive
Emily Moorhouse (Open Justice Journalism): Disqualified driver Jake Freeman caught using Prime Minister’s positive RAT