Is it time for more transparency on lobbyists?
He acknowledges that the work of communications staff is skilled and highly important, but only if it’s done with the right intentions. Kirton resigned from Anacta a day before it was announced he would be chief of staff in Hipkins’ office. New Zealand has no public lobbying register or ‘cool off’ periodsHipkins responded to questions prompted by Espiner’s investigation at his post-cabinet press conference yesterday. But it does raise questions about why we don’t have more formal transparency. That suffered from concerns that the definition of lobbyists was too wide and never made it past a first reading in parliament.
Source:Stuff
March 20, 2023 22:32 UTC
Auckland Council Draft Budget
Feedback on Auckland Council’s draft 2023/24 budget closes on March 28th. There’s a lot of money at stake, with the Council family (including its Council Controlled Organisations like Auckland Transport) planning to spend $3.593 billion in operating costs and $2.791 billion on capital investment. This was always going to be a really tough and complicated budget to get right and unlike Central Government, Auckland Council can’t just run a massive deficit when times get tough – they legally have to balance their budget. This change alone would probably avoid the need for most of the nasty cuts proposed in Council’s budget. According to this Spinoff article, Auckland Council owns nearly $3 billion worth of golf courses (mostly their land value, presumably).
Source:Stuff
March 20, 2023 21:57 UTC
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Trans Kiwi on Posie Parker rhetoric
Over the weekend, a demonstration involving the controversial anti-trans rights speaker Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker, in Melbourne was attended by neo-Nazis. Immigration New Zealand told 1News that Keen-Minshull is the holder of a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). The Green Party is calling for Immigration New Zealand to deny Posie Paker entry. "After what we’ve seen in Australia, I do think we should be acting with urgency to put public safety at the forefront," said Green Party immigration spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March. A statement was also released from Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, aka Posie Parker.
Source:Stuff
March 20, 2023 21:11 UTC
Counties Manukau fails to meet cancer treatment target
Photo: 123rfPeople suspected of having cancer are facing delays in getting treatment in Counties Manukau, with the area's biggest health provider failing to meet its own targets. Te Whatu Ora (Counties Manukau) chief medical officer Dr Andrew Connolly said the fact the DHB failed to meet the faster cancer treatment target was cause for concern. But Elwood said the fact hospitals around the country were failing to meet the so-called faster cancer treatment target was a worrying sign. "Obviously we're concerned about the situation in Counties Manukau, but it's part of a much wider national problem," she said. According to the Ministry of Health, cancer is the country's single biggest cause of death and more people were developing it.
Source:Stuff
March 20, 2023 20:25 UTC
"It will be pretty cool to link up with him again" - Michael Bracewell on reuniting with Mike Hesson at RCB in IPL 2023
New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell is keen to reunite with former Black Caps coach Mike Hesson at the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2023. Michael Bracewell takes his 5th wicket of the match, a well judged catch from Blair Tickner 🏏 Watch LIVE with @sparknzsport. Michael Bracewell was initially named in the New Zealand squad for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting on March 25. However, he was released from the squad by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) following the all-rounder's inclusion by RCB. Wellington left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra replaced Michael in the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series.
Source:Stuff
March 20, 2023 18:38 UTC
Fans are concerned about Pedro Pascal after seeing his coffee order
The Last of Us and Game of Thrones star Pedro Pascal is currently at the height of his career, and he deserves it. However, his fans are more than concerned about his health after seeing his coffee order. What was in Pedro Pascal’s viral coffee order? Oh he’s a bottom pic.twitter.com/83fynuEpC2 — Adam Ellis (@adamtotscomix) February 24, 2023Pedro Pascal needs all the coffee boost, apparently. — Wallie Desruisseaux (@WallieKapow) March 20, 2023Read next: Troy Baker explains why Pedro Pascal got rid of one of Joel’s most iconic lines
Source:Stuff
March 20, 2023 17:29 UTC
Actor Peter Hardy, 66, found dead on Australian beach
Peter Hardy was a notable Australian actor, musician, and theatre artist. Recently the news of the death of actor Peter Hardy is coming out. Actor Peter Hardy has died after drowning in a snorkeling incident off the Australian coast. According to a report in The West Australian, Peter Hardy was pulled out of the water at around 10:40 am on Thursday, 16 March. Peter Hardy’s friend Andy Burns wrote on Facebook- “The amazing and beautiful Peter Hardy drowned while snorkeling at South Beach Perth.
Source:Stuff
March 20, 2023 15:27 UTC
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Karangahape Road brawl: Teenage worker blames police inaction for assault
A teenager on Auckland's Karangahape Road suffered a head injury after he was assaulted on Karangahape Road. Video / SuppliedA teenager on Auckland's Karangahape Road suffered a head injury after he was assaulted on Karangahape Road. Video / SuppliedA 17-year-old who suffered a serious head injury during an assault on Auckland’s Karangahape Rd blames police for not stepping in when a wild brawl broke out. The victim said they did not feel safe on Karangahape Rd. Because I’ve seen things happen in the day too.”The victim suffered a broken bone around his eye in the attack.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2023 07:14 UTC
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Eric Watson: Net closes in insider trading case
The SEC claims that after being informed of the imminent rebrand into Long Blockchain, Giguiere immediately bought 35,000 LTEA shares on December 20, 2017 for US$2.44 each. Watson has previously told the Herald he believes the complaint is without merit as he had not personally profited from any of the transactions in question. Giguiere filed late last year to dismiss the SEC case, with a key part of his defence being that Watson received no personal or financial benefit from the transaction. “The court agrees that the [SEC] sufficiently alleges that Lindsay and Watson are friends and that Watson intended to make a gift to Lindsay out of friendship,” Carter said. Watson faces legal war on multiple fronts, with the insider-trading case presenting arguably the least-serious threat.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2023 04:59 UTC
Open mike 20/03/2023
If you find yourself stressing about the cost of living crisis and how it will impact your home loan , talking to your bank as soon as possible is important. If you are experiencing financial challenges or think you might in the future, it’s important to reach out to your bank ...
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2023 04:55 UTC
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Oranga Tamariki Moana custody case: Foster parents give girl back to state amid ‘unviable situation’
It follows the girl’s mother’s failed bid to take her custody battle directly to the Supreme Court in December last year. But OT then changed its mind over her custody and decided the girl – named in court proceedings as Moana – should be in the care of another Māori family. However, the Smiths refused and, along with a lawyer for Moana, took court action to keep her in their care. Mrs Smith told Stuff the decision to give up their role as foster parents of the girl was extremely difficult. The state has obviously failed her”Mrs Smith told Stuff the couple were “still grieving the loss of our daughter in our home and we miss her terribly”.
Source:Stuff
March 20, 2023 04:50 UTC
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Police hunt mobster Sam Murray after shooting in Wellington
Police are searching for Sam Murray after a person was shot in the leg in Titahi Bay, Wellington, on March 17. Photo / SuppliedPolice are searching for Sam Murray after a person was shot in the leg in Titahi Bay, Wellington, on March 17. Photo / SuppliedPolice are hunting for a 36-year-old man after a person was shot in the leg in Titahi Bay, Wellington, last Friday. Sam Murray is being sought after what Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Middlemiss said was a violent incident in Owhiti St, Titahi Bay, on March 17. “We have executed a number of search warrants in relation to the incident, however, Murray and the weapon involved remain at large.”Police were already looking for Murray before the Titahi Bay shooting.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2023 03:05 UTC
Lobbying firms earning hundreds of thousands from contracts with government agencies
$2000 a day in a crisisLobbying firm Thompson Lewis, whose team includes two former prime ministerial chiefs of staff and a former prime minister's press secretary, is a leading player, making hundreds of thousands from public agencies. MP profilesThe documents show Thompson Lewis also provides Transpower with political intelligence on MPs considered key players in the energy sector. In 2020 Landcorp paid more than $1000 for a book produced by lobbying firm Saunders Unsworth detailing the character traits and background of MPs. David Cormack, of Draper Cormack, advised them to fudge it. AUT used lobbying firm Sherson Willis for "communications advice" between June and October in 2020 at a cost of $16,220.
Source:Stuff
March 20, 2023 02:28 UTC
Chris Hipkins holds post-Cabinet press conference
nzherald.co.nz published this video item, entitled “Chris Hipkins holds post-Cabinet press conference | nzherald.co.nz” – below is their description. Chris Hipkins holds post-Cabinet press conference Check out our playlists: https://goo.gl/Swd249 Like NZ Herald on Facebook: https://goo.gl/tUC4oq Follow NZ Herald on Instagram: https://goo.gl/oLicXe Follow NZ Herald on Twitter: https://goo.gl/Wi6mbv nzherald.co.nz YouTube ChannelGot a comment? Leave your thoughts in the comments section, below. Please note comments are moderated before publication.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2023 02:15 UTC
Pharmac prioritised Māori and Pacific patients for access to new diabetes drugs – did they get it right?
The controversial 2021 decision by the government drug-buying agency Pharmac to prioritise Māori and Pacific patients in its funding of two game-changing new diabetes drugs appears to have paid off. At the time, Pharmac wanted to restrict funding to those diabetes patients who met certain health criteria. After sustained lobbying, Pharmac decided to prioritise funding for Māori and Pacific patients without needing to meet additional criteria. Initially, Pharmac opted to fund the new diabetes drugs by special authority, requiring funded patients to meet specific clinical criteria. In a first for the agency, all Māori and Pacific patients with current type 2 diabetes could access these drugs without the need to meet any further clinical criteria.
Source:Stuff
March 20, 2023 01:32 UTC