The Bulletin: Pandora’s box of Parliamentary bullying

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Fallout begins immediately from review into parliamentary bullying, a phenomenal piece of mental health journalism featured, and National’s polling bounces back. Has Trevor Mallard opened the door on something that will get out of control? We talked a bit about this last week, but things have moved … Read more

In defence of the Māori caucus’s support for Meka Whaitiri

The Māori caucus statement that it stands by Meka Whaitiri is simply tikanga in action, writes Morgan Godfery. Parliament and the Beehive are, as workplaces, uniquely awful. The expectations are high. The hours are punishing. And the work never really stops. There’s correspondence to file, press releases to draft, briefings to read or write, negotiations … Read more

Another week, another leak: the Meka Whaitiri inquiry explained

The leak of a report into allegations of an assault by the Labour MP on a staffer has sparked another probe. Who might have leaked it, and what does it mean for Jacinda Ardern, asks RNZ’s Jane Patterson There are now two investigations under way into leaks that have targeted the leader of the opposition … Read more

The Bulletin: Waka jumping bill close to becoming law

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Waka jumping bill could become law tonight, internal report into Meka Whaitiri’s conduct leaked, and sports doping testing system under scrutiny. The Electoral Integrity amendment bill is making its way through Parliament, and could well become law tonight. Commonly known as the waka-jumping bill, it would mean … Read more

The Bulletin: A rollercoaster day for the government

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Government gets timely economic figures boost, Whaitiri’s ministerial career is over, and tax working group hedges bets on capital gains. Sometimes the news just comes at you fast, and yesterday was one of those days. For the government, some of it was the best of times, and … Read more

Not yet a crisis, but Ardern needs to regain momentum, clarity and cohesion

The prime minister faces a cluster of challenges from her coalition partner and from within her own party. As she heads for Nauru, Ardern needs to figure out what’s gone missing, writes Guyon Espiner of RNZ.  Momentum, clarity and cohesion are essential check-in items for a happy travelling government but right now they are three items … Read more

The Bulletin: Govt finishes week another minister down

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Government loses another minister within a week, plans to override the Auckland Unitary Plan, and methane in focus for new climate change report. Another minister has stood down from PM Jacinda Ardern’s government, just a week after she had to sack a minister from Cabinet. Customs minister Meka … Read more