Over the last three years there have been growing calls for the government to provide dental services under the health system – universal free dental care. This is because at the moment there’s an anomaly in which teeth are regarded as different from the rest of the body which means all adults need to get …
Today’s content Border Michael Morrah (Newshub): Senior quarantine whistleblower says staff were refused regular testing programme despite pleas Derek Cheng (Herald): Horrible sense of déjà vu over Government border blunders (paywalled) Jenna Lynch (Newshub): As officials hunt for the source of Auckland’s COVID-19 cluster, there’s also a search for political accountability Richard Harman (Politik): A war of ambiguous words Stuff …
New Zealand First is facing a difficult struggle to get re-elected, but Josh Van Veen, who was once a researcher for Winston Peters, argues that there is still a very significant section of cultural conservatives who oppose mass immigration and political correctness and might yet be won back over to the party’s warnings about “woke …
One of the valuable things about Health & Disability Commission (HDC) decisions (findings) is that interesting experiences are published in a readable manner from which much can be learned. Decisions are specific to their own distinctive circumstances. Each HDC decision involves some form of tragedy. But they can provide insights into how our health system …
Today’s content National Party Tim Watkin (Pundit): Todd Muller: National’s new Dad who forgot to build the cot Andrea Vance (Stuff): Could middle-of-the road Muller come out a winner? Martin van Beynen (Stuff): Todd Muller’s first week not a complete disaster Bryce Edwards (Guardian): Todd Muller’s beige persona might not be a bad thing in the battle against Jacinda …
Today’s content National Party leadership challenge, Newshub/Reid Research poll Jamie Ensor (Newshub): Todd Muller, Nikki Kaye to challenge for National Party leadership – source 1News: Simon Bridges acknowledges coup attempt within his own party after disastrous poll Matthew Theunissen (RNZ): Simon Bridges to face National Party leadership challenge Jamie Ensor (Newshub): MPs will challenge for National Party leadership, Simon Bridges …
In assessing the effectiveness of the Government’s response to the Covid-19 threat it is important to distinguish between responsiveness and preparedness. The better the former, the greater the likelihood of glossing over weaknesses in the latter. New Zealand’s response to Covid-19 has been extraordinary. Compared with much of the rest of the world we have …
If New Zealand had a giant monument at the entrance to Auckland or Wellington harbour it would be a “Statue of Equality” not liberty, or so said visiting American political scientist Leslie Lipson who wrote a book about our politics in the 1940s. New Zealanders have long held dear the notion of fairness, and Lipson’s reflection remains …
Style isn’t always a bad thing in politics. There is a lot to be said for a politician who can channel emotions and values in a way that salves the soul or mobilises the masses. That’s the type of powerful leadership that makes history. Jacinda Ardern has been an exceptional world leader in this way. In 2019 …
New Zealanders will take part in a world-leading double referendum next year when they vote in the country’s general election. In addition to electing a new government, one referendum question will ask about the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use, and the other will ask whether euthanasia should be legalised in certain circumstances. It’s going to …