The main issues in NZ politics today are the announcement of the general election date, the flag change referendum, Shane Jones and the Greens, and Judith Collins and Oravida [Read more below]
Today’s links
Election date and the election
John Armstrong (Herald): Poll date an advantage - without upsetting voters
Russell Brown (Public Address): Spring Timing
Rob Hosking (NBR): Flagging a third term – Key’s challenge
Dan Satherley (TV3): Key: Nats will campaign on track record
Newswire: Election date may deter voters - Cunliffe
David Farrar (Kiwiblog): Key election dates
Stacey Kirk (Stuff): What does Google tell us about the election?
Duncan Garner (RadioLive): The 10 defining election issues
Gyles Beckford (Reuters): New Zealand to go to economy-focused election on Sept 20
Luke Malpass (Australian Financial Review): NZ election to be fought over cost of living, housing
Michael Sergel (Newstalk ZB): Early election date announcement could give PM edge
Michael Fox (Stuff): World leaders keen to visit NZ
The Press: Editorial: It doesn't give them much time
Frances Cook and Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): Peters fumes over being accused of dragging his feet
Kuneblog: Key wants 6 months to build his Adams Family coalition
Ele Ludemann (Homepaddock): Knowledge is power
Kennedy Graham (Frogblog): The election, the G20, and the climate – very simply: a matter of priorities
Pete George (Your NZ): Poll – top 5 election issues
No Right Turn: An attack on freedom of information II
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): I don’t think the 285 000 children living in poverty give a damn what the flag looks like
Frank Macskasy (Daily Blog): More “tricky” business – National’s election strategy now apparent?
Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): The Soap Box: Political courtship sees Peters in his element
Chris Trotter (Bowalley Road): All Over Bar The Counting
Shane Jones and the Greens
Isaac Davison (Herald): Jones stands firm on jibes at Greens
Radio NZ: Jones takes issue with Green Party
Pete George (Your NZ): Shane Jones – mollyhawk or mollymawk?
Jane Patterson (Radio NZ): Labour MPs told to stick to portfolios
Isaac Davison (Herald): Shane Jones: Greens are too thin-skinned
TVNZ: Labour, Greens sparring soon after election date revealed
Brook Sabin (TV3): Jones told off after Greens attack
Pete George (Your NZ): Mollyhawk versus mollymawk
David Farrar (Kiwiblog): Jones v Hughes
Keeping Stock: Russel's double standard
Ele Ludemann (Homepaddock): Greens thin-skinned?
Vernon Small (Stuff): Greens complain about Jones' attack
David Farrar (Kiwiblog): Fighting on the left
Barry Soper (Newstalk ZB): Labour hedging its bets over preferred coalition partner
David Kennedy (Local bodies): Greens Hit the Ground Running
Flag
Isaac Davison (Herald): Flag's time has passed, says PM
Dominion Post: Editorial: New flag not about parties
Southland Times: Editorial: Taking time to do it right
Tracy Watkins (Stuff): Key wants referendum on new flag before 2017
Tracy Watkins (Stuff): Debating a change of flag is a bold gesture of nationhood
Tracy Watkins (Stuff): Flag debate gets traction
Michael Daly (Stuff): Kiwis speak out on changing flag
TVNZ: Flag referendum to be held in next three years
Radio NZ: No obligation on new flag - Key
Felix Marwick (Newstalk ZB): Labour backing proposed flag referendum
Chris Bramwell and Craig McCulloch (Radio NZ): No flag referendum this election – PM
Newstalk ZB Staff (Newstalk ZB): Flag debate labelled a diversion
Toby Manhire (Guardian): New Zealand to hold referendum on new, ‘post-colonial’ flag
Pete George (Your NZ): Do we want a new flag?
Felix Marwick (Newstalk ZB): Greens commit to continue with flag referendum
Rebecca Howard (WSJ): New Zealand Backs Away From Sensitive Flag Vote
NBR: Key wants public vote on flag during next Parliamentary term
Isaac Davison (Herald): NZ flag vote to be held after election
No Right Turn: Flagging it
David Farrar (Kiwiblog): Key flags flag debate for next term
Don Franks (Redline): Redline’s guide to a new Kiwi flag
Rachel Smalley (Newstalk ZB): NZ flag reminds me of my history
Judith Collins
Patrick Gower (TV3): John Key is scared of Judith Collins
Newswire: Key 'misled the public' over Collins' clearance - Labour
Brent Edwards (Radio NZ): PM continues to defend Collins
Patrick Gower (TV3): Key's defence of Collins based on misinformation
Michael Fox (Stuff): Key misled media over Collins' Chinese link
Laura McQuillan (Newstalk ZB): Key's defence of Collins continues
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): Why Key isn’t punishing Collins
Rob Salmond (Polity): "Promoting" vs "endorsing"
Scott Yorke (Imperator Fish): John Key explains to the media
The Standard: Key schemes with media at Whaleoil cafe.
GCSB
Stuff: Snowden outlines spy movements
Jane Patterson (Radio NZ): NZ 'pressured' to change spy laws
No Right Turn: Did the NSA write John Key's spy bill?
Radio NZ: Govt dismisses whistleblower claims
Electricity
Herald: Editorial: Rising costs give Labour a chance to win voters
Newswire: Labour scorns Govt's power price estimate
Ele Ludemann (Homepaddock): Labour on sinking sand
Ele Ludemann (Homepaddock): Three smogs and you’re . . .
Labour Party
Steve Braunias (Stuff): The secret diary of David Cunliffe
The Ruminator: Free political advice: Labour Party
John Braddock (WSW): New Zealand Labour leader appoints new chief of staff
Radio NZ: Leader says Jones regrets Asian comments
Fiscal policy
Vernon Small (Stuff): Lower tax take sees Govt deficit blowout
Newswire: Government deficit bigger than forecast
Herald: Govt tax take falls short - deficit rises
Lynn Prentice (The Standard): National – pissing debt against a wall
Westpac Rescue Helicopter
Briar Marbeck (TV3): Helicopter trust alleges council board corruption
David Farrar (Kiwiblog): Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter funding
Economy
Greg Ninness (Stuff): National median house price rises
James Weir (Stuff): Spending is up, but on what?
Colin James (ODT): The highs and lows of bubble economics
Mike Hosking (Newstalk ZB): Bagging dairy, our golden goose
NZ Fabian Society: Flawed theory – failed practice: Light-handed regulation in New Zealand
Jacqueline Rowarth (Pundit): Food, cheap glorious food
Health
Bob Jones (Herald): Bizarre, John? No, bowel checks save lives
Clare Curran (Stuff): Health system in crisis
Matthew Dallas (Manawatu Standard): Editorial: Time for ministry to make fluoride call
Herald: Ryall gets jab to launch campaign
Other
Stuff: Today in politics: Wednesday, March 12
David Farrar (Kiwiblog): Herald on revealing CVs
No Right Turn: Submit!
Michael Fox (Stuff): World leaders keen to visit NZ
3 News: Train builders need to pay asbestos compensation - Labour
Fine Tooth Column: Illegals and the language of the body politic
Tim Hazledine (Herald): Universities don't need tinkering, just adequate cash
Isaac Davison (Herald): MP hears her people loud and clear
Matthew Beveridge: MPs on Twitter: Gareth Hughes
Paul Casserly (Herald): The GC vs Native Affairs
Radio NZ: Mana eyes all Maori seats
Michael Fox (Stuff): Officials look at violence disclosure law
Dan Satherley (TV3): Countdown's dumped fish not paid for, says Jones
Peter Lyons (Herald): Market society breeding pushy parents
