Hera Eruera: Certified Plumber at Auckland Plumbers Group on the job and lack of women in trades

Women are still underrepresented in the trades.  Despite employing more than 300,000 people, women only make up around 16% of those working in the construction sector.   Chair of construction firm Naylor Love, Jackie Lloyd is interested in seeing more women enter the industry and play a role in l…

Kerre Woodham: Are you feeling fuel anxiety?

Today we thought it would be Fuel Friday because we haven't really touched on the oil crisis so far, have we? I filled up at my local on the way to work and it was certainly more expensive than it was last week, but nowhere near the heights we've reached previously. Back in the day I had to give up…

Kerre Woodham: Is the primary teachers' union causing friction?

For nine months now, the Public Service Commission has been negotiating with the primary school teachers union over pay and conditions. Every other union in the education sector has settled, but not the NZEI Te Riu Roa. There have been strikes, there have been rejected pay offers, in some cases off…

Sharon Zollner: ANZ Chief Economist on New Zealand's economic response to the Covid pandemic

New Zealand’s economic response to the Covid pandemic is under scrutiny.  The second phase of the Covid Inquiry found New Zealand’s overall pandemic response effective, but some restrictions went too far, and the Government moved too slowly in some areas.  It highlights our Covid increase on heal…

Johan Norberg: Cato Institute Senior Fellow on Sweden's Covid response compared to New Zealand's

Comparisons are being drawn between New Zealand’s approach to Covid, and Sweden’s.   The findings of the second phase of the Covid Inquiry were released yesterday, and the response was found to be broadly effective, but slow to adapt and poorly communicated.  It also found some mandates to be ove…

Kerre Woodham: Do you feel our Covid response was successful?

We all seem to be suffering from Long Covid. It's lingering as the findings of the second phase of the Covid-19 response inquiry were released yesterday. And what its findings were pretty much depends on what media you read. According to RNZ, it found the Government's response was effective but lat…

Kerre Woodham: Are parents restricting their kids' online access?

The Government is doing its bit to protect children from themselves by banning the use of smartphones during the school day and by moving to bring in legislation restricting social media use for children under 16. The schools are doing their bit, although it's more mopping up than prevention, by br…

Casey Costello: Customs Minister on the changing fees and levies for small parcels entering New Zealand

Shipping prices could soon be rising for cheap online stores like Shein and Temu.  Changes from next month will add fees and levies to small parcels crossing the border, making them fairer and helping cover Customs costs.  It should save taxpayers $70 million in parcel subsidies.  Customs Minist…

Kerre Woodham: Three women killed by repeat offenders, when will courts learn?

It was a glorious weekend. Somewhat marred when I read this story from Anna Leask in yesterday's New Zealand Herald. I really had to I really had to reset myself after reading this. Anna writes, urgent calls for change are mounting after a third Christchurch woman was murdered by a violent repeat o…

Greg Newbold: Criminologist and Author discusses Christchurch woman's murder by a repeat offenders

Over the weekend, a third Christchurch woman was murdered by a violent repeat offender who was subject to monitoring and prison release conditions designed to keep the community safe. Nicole Tuxford, Juliana Herrera, and Shantelle McDonald, three Christchurch women murdered in the place they shoul…