Brent Edwards

Wellington

Political Editor at The National Business Review

Journalist

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nbr.co.nz

Articles

The haka (again), polling support, a sex scandal, WorkSafe

3 weeks ago | nbr.co.nz | Brent Edwards

ANALYSIS: Support for Te Pāti Māori has gone up in recent polls, since the haka controversy. It was telling that Leader of the House Chris Bishop was the only National Party MP to speak on Thursday in the debate about the Privileges Committee’s report on the behaviour of Te Pāti Māori MPs.Even then he spoke for just a few minutes and that was to tell MPs to get on and deal with the Want to read more? It's easy.
How New Zealand can ride out US ‘policy instability on steroids’

3 weeks ago | nbr.co.nz | Brent Edwards

How New Zealand can ride out US ‘policy instability on steroids’ Two former trade ministers and a prime minister mull over New Zealand's tariffs and trade agenda. US President Donald Trump's tariff policy has affected New Zealand less than some other countries. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark suggests New Zealand has escaped the worst of the United States tariffs by being too small to notice.
Workplace safety is no laughing matter

3 weeks ago | nbr.co.nz | Brent Edwards

Workplace safety is no laughing matter ANALYSIS: However, the roadcone hotline seems ripe for satire. WorkSafe giving road and roadside health and safety guidance. If only New Zealand comedian and satirist John Clarke were still alive. What fun he could have had with this week’s launch of WorkSafe’s road cone hotline. Even though he had crossed the ditch to Australia, Clarke would surely have seen plenty of opportunity for satire. Although the Government Want to read more?
Cabinet still to decide on funding for industry training system

3 weeks ago | nbr.co.nz | Brent Edwards

Cabinet still to decide on funding for industry training system Minister Penny Simmonds says Te Pūkenga has been a ‘financial disaster’. Legislation that re-establishes a network of regional polytechnics was before select committee this morning. Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds is confident polytechnics and new industry skills boards will have the resources to improve industry training under the Coalition Government’s reformed industry training system.
Crown reserves right to decide who runs the Cook Strait ferries

3 weeks ago | nbr.co.nz | Brent Edwards

It will not necessarily be KiwiRail. The coalition Government is leaving it open as to what entity will operate the new Cook Strait ferries from late 2029. It will not necessarily be KiwiRail, which operates the current ferry fleet. Ferry Holdings Ltd has responsibility for procuring the two new 200-metre, rail-enabled ferries, but Rail Want to read more? It's easy.
Minister expects Landcorp to deliver bold turnaround plan

3 weeks ago | nbr.co.nz | Brent Edwards

Minister expects Landcorp to deliver bold turnaround plan Simeon Brown says the underperforming State-owned enterprise needs to improve value and its return to the Crown. SOE Minister Simeon Brown. State-owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown is continuing to put pressure on Landcorp to lift its commercial performance.
Minister gives WorkSafe clear direction to change approach

3 weeks ago | nbr.co.nz | Brent Edwards

It needs to give businesses more help and guidance. WorkSafe is moving away from operating as an enforcement agency to one which focuses more on safety management and education. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said as part of its change the agency was also launching a road cone hotline – something she had announced earlier Want to read more? It's easy.
Pay equity committee, Deputy PM, super, fiscal cliff, and leaks

4 weeks ago | nbr.co.nz | Brent Edwards

ANALYSIS: David Seymour takes over as Deputy PM from Winston Peters. It is going to be some time before the coalition Government will be able to brush off criticism of the changes it made to the pay equity regime. Having pushed the legislative change through Parliament under urgency in the weeks before the Budget, the Government denied anyone – including those Want to read more? It's easy.
ACC chair resigns while government ministers expect a turnaround

4 weeks ago | nbr.co.nz | Brent Edwards

ACC chair resigns while government ministers expect a turnaround ‘There is no room for complacency’, ACC told in its letter of expectations. ACC is under pressure from the Government to lift its performance. The resignation of ACC chair Tracey Batten has been announced the same day the Treasury has released a sharply critical letter government ministers wrote to her on March 27.
Reserve Bank quashes talk of a potential housing boom

1 month ago | nbr.co.nz | Brent Edwards

Reserve Bank quashes talk of a potential housing boom Debt-to-income ratios should help constrain prices this time around, it says. Lower interest rates should not push house prices to unsustainable levels. The Reserve Bank is confident lower interest rates will underpin the economic recovery without overheating the housing market. When the bank cut the Official Cash Rate to 0.25% in response to the Covid-19 pandemic it helped fuel the housing market.