Laura Walters

Wellington

Political Editor at Newsroom New Zealand

Political Editor for @NewsroomNZ Previously @NZStuff @TheSpinoffTV @Monocle24 @NewshubNationNZ Hmu:[email protected], DM for Signal

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Articles

Confusion as NZ becomes midpoint on China route to South America

1 week ago | newsroom.co.nz | Laura Walters

China Eastern Airlines and Auckland Airport have announced the much-discussed Southern Link to South America will open by the end of the year, with the NZ Government helping with a new electronic transit authority in place of pricey visas. The Government backs the Southern Link as part of its effort to grow the number of Chinese tourists coming to New Zealand, with the new route expected to bring an additional $48 million in annual visitor spending.
‘If not now, when?’ - Uyghur woman asks PM to help get her brother back

1 week ago | newsroom.co.nz | Laura Walters

It’s been more than eight years since Rizawangul NurMuhammad has been able to talk to her brother, Mewlan. Speaking to Newsroom from the UK, where she’s completing her PhD, NurMuhammad says it’s hard to believe that in the 21st century – “when you can just press one button and talk to someone at the other end of the world” – she has been disconnected from her brother for so long. Already have an account?
PM fears ‘miscalculation’ could lead to tension in NZ’s backyard

1 week ago | newsroom.co.nz | Laura Walters

In a world where rules are giving way to power, and economics to security – as the Prime Minister likes to say – the stakes are high for Christopher Luxon’s first trip to China. The rising power, also New Zealand’s largest trading power, has “huge influence” in areas that could easily become a theatre for war, Luxon says, naming North Korea and the Taiwan Strait – two of the well-known potential flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific region. Already have an account?
Police watchdog's view on police handling of toddler death questioned

2 weeks ago | newsroom.co.nz | Laura Walters

The Coroner has referred the police handling of the case of three-year-old Lachlan Jones back to the Independent Police Conduct Authority, alongside a scathing commentary of the original investigation into the Gore boy’s death. This comes after the IPCA already reviewed – of its own volition – the two previous police investigations, along with a subsequent internal police review of those investigations.
Splintered early childhood sector holds its breath for funding review

2 weeks ago | newsroom.co.nz | Laura Walters

The Teaching Council and other early childhood sector groups are warning of the potential for a two-tiered system, where the latest proposed changes to teacher pay could mean some centres will be able to afford to hire a proportion of fully qualified, experienced staff – others will not. The upshot: some children and communities will be able to access high-quality education and care, while others who attend different centres in different neighbourhoods will not.
Parliament warned of dangerous precedent set by MPs' suspensions

3 weeks ago | newsroom.co.nz | Laura Walters |Marc Daalder

“Vindictive”, “unprecedented”, “disproportionate”, “arbitrary” – some of the words used by opposition MPs to describe the punishment handed down by a majority of Parliament to three Te Pāti Māori MPs.The MPs’ Treaty Principles Bill haka was “utter contempt”, “orchestrated” and “breaking the rules”, Government MPs replied. Among the impassioned speeches and barrage of interjections was a considered warning from Labour Party MP and former Speaker of the House Adrian Rurawhe.
Parliament's law-making watchdog warns against Regulatory Standards Bill

3 weeks ago | newsroom.co.nz | Laura Walters

A group of high-level public servants and private sector lawyers tasked with ensuring the government of the day creates good legislation has voiced concerns over David Seymour’s Regulatory Standards Bill.
What Winston will lose when he hands over the baubles of power

4 weeks ago | newsroom.co.nz | Laura Walters

It’s time for the big, mid-term swaparoo as David Seymour ascends to the throne of Deputy Prime Minister and Winston Peters moves seats in the House, putting a physical separation between himself and the Prime Minister in the debating chamber. Saturday marks the mid-way point of this parliamentary term, meaning David Seymour will take over from Winston Peters as Deputy Prime Minister in an unprecedented quirk of this three-way coalition arrangement. Already have an account?
Crown pulls witness at 11th hour as Govt overhauls Māori health policy

1 month ago | newsroom.co.nz | Laura Walters

Health Minister Simeon Brown is reforming the 2022 legislation that underpins the health system restructure and codifies the Government's responsibility to achieve equitable health outcomes for Māori. The Government's plan to overhaul the Pae Ora (Health Futures) Act was revealed in a last-minute submission from Crown Law to the Waitangi Tribunal, ahead of this week’s Health Services and Outcomes Inquiry priority hearing.
New Waikeria Prison to be quickly filled as prison muster hits record high

1 month ago | newsroom.co.nz | Laura Walters

Next month, the Government will cut the ribbon on the new 600-bed prison at Waikeria – the prison system is preparing to reach a new population peak by the middle of next year. This new prison, commissioned under the previous National Government, downsized under the Labour-led coalition, then re-upped under this National-led coalition, has long been a focal point of the debate over what to do about the country’s prison population. Already have an account?