Russell Palmer

New Zealand, Wellington

Digital Political Journalist at Radio New Zealand (RNZ)

https://t.co/VkDCKTHudk Political Reporter

Articles

Government, Opposition scrap over common infrastructure ground

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Russell Palmer

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has committed to working directly with the Opposition, when putting together the Government's response to the 30-year infrastructure plan due out next week. He says that co-operation comes on the proviso that infrastructure decisions are always political in nature - and it did not stop the discussion from repeatedly descending into a fingerpointing tit-for-tat over which government was to blame for what.
Labour moves ahead of National on controlling cost of living, Ipsos poll finds

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Russell Palmer

Labour has overtaken National as the party New Zealanders consider most able to handle the cost of living, according to the latest Ipsos Issues Monitor survey. The topic has remained the top concern for New Zealanders since February 2022, and has now gone up five points since the last survey in February 2024 - bucking a steady downward trend.
Police Minister's office blames Labour government for police recruit exemptions

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Russell Palmer

The Police Minister's office says the use of discretion over police college recruits who had not passed a literacy test was introduced in 2018 under the Labour government. It comes after the minister Mark Mitchell and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers were challenged over revelations an Assistant Commissioner personally signed off at least two exemptions from recruitment standards.
Assistant Police Commissioner signed off on two exemptions from recruitment standards

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Russell Palmer

The Police Minister's office says the use of discretion over police college recruits who had not passed a literacy test was introduced in 2018 under the Labour government. It comes after the minister Mark Mitchell and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers were challenged over revelations an Assistant Commissioner personally signed off at least two exemptions from recruitment standards.
New standards may be needed for NZ's critical communications infrastructure

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Russell Palmer

Government officials are looking at developing minimum standards for the protection of critical communications infrastructure. Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment officials joined Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith in a select committee hearing about communications infrastructure on Tuesday. They confirmed the work started by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to look into cyber resilience for critical national infrastructure was continuing.
New standards may be needed for NZ's critical communications infrastructure

1 week ago | radionz.co.nz | Russell Palmer

Government officials are looking at developing minimum standards for the protection of critical communications infrastructure. Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment officials joined Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith in a select committee hearing about communications infrastructure on Tuesday. They confirmed the work started by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to look into cyber resilience for critical national infrastructure was continuing.
'Kids in sport stay out of court' - Sport NZ to help curb youth offending

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Russell Palmer |Giles Dexter

The government wants Sport New Zealand to help curb youth offending, but says the funding being redirected for those initiatives will not be put into the young offender "boot camps". Sport and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell - who also has the Police and Corrections portfolios - unveiled the findings of a review into the Crown agency last month, resulting in savings of $2.9 million a year and moving its strategic policy arm to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
'Kids in sport stay out of court' - Sport NZ to help curb youth offending

1 week ago | radionz.co.nz | Russell Palmer |Giles Dexter

The government wants Sport New Zealand to help curb youth offending, but says the funding being redirected for those initiatives will not be put into the young offender "boot camps". Sport and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell - who also has the Police and Corrections portfolios - unveiled the findings of a review into the Crown agency last month, resulting in savings of $2.9 million a year and moving its strategic policy arm to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
Judge Ema Aitken's behaviour at NZ First event to be reviewed by Judicial Conduct Panel

2 weeks ago | radionz.co.nz | Russell Palmer

The government has confirmed a Judicial Conduct Panel will look into the behaviour of Acting District Court judge Ema Aitken. She is accused of interrupting a New Zealand First function at the exclusive Northern Club in Auckland in November, allegedly saying leader Winston Peters was lying. She argues she did not recognise Mr Peters' voice and did not know it was a political event. The Judicial Conduct Commissioner in January recommended a panel be set up to look into the alleged misconduct.
Longer contracts for some mental health providers after Health NZ delays

2 weeks ago | radionz.co.nz | Russell Palmer

Health New Zealand will switch to longer-term contracts for mental health support, after the minister intervened over concerns about funding running out. Labour says the situation this year is the worst it has ever been, and argues the minister should have done something much sooner. With many providers' contracts and funding ending on 1 July - the turn of the financial year - some were still waiting last week to hear from Health NZ Te Whatu Ora about whether those would continue.