The public health case for Three Waters
Six public health experts mount their case for Three Waters with a reminder that the genesis of the reforms was a campylobacteriosis outbreak that killed four people
Mōrena and welcome to The Bulletin for Friday, December 2, by Anna Rawhiti-Connell. Presented in partnership with Z Energy.
In today’s edition: the investigation into the death of Malachi Subecz finds critical gaps; an interview with Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson; a brand new Madeleine Chapman food ranking; but first, experts argue the public health rationale for the Three Waters reforms has been drowned out by other political issues
Leading public health academics argue other issues have drowned out the core problems Three Waters was designed to address (Image: Archi Banal)
Public health experts mount case for Three Waters
Six public health experts from the University of Otago have published a new article in the New Zealand Medical Journal (subscriber only) making the case for the Three Waters reform on the basis that it will “more robustly, and efficiently, improve the protection of public health and uphold the right to clean, safe water.” The authors, including Nick Wilson and Michael Baker, argue anti-co-governance rhetoric, concerns around privatisation and loss of local control, and alternative reform models have dominated the public discourse and drowned out the core issues the reforms were designed to address. The article starts with a reminder that the genesis of the reforms was the campylobacteriosis outbreak in 2016 that made 8,000 people sick, hospitalised 58 and killed four people.
Entrenchment provision could just be scrubbed
It’s a timely reminder of what’s at stake and arrives at a juncture where things have become very convoluted. The recent entrenchment provision issue, and what’s come to light since it was revealed last week, has added contention where perhaps there didn’t need to be any. The Herald’s Thomas Coughlan writes (paywalled) that it’s “slightly ridiculous” to refer the matter back to parliament’s Business Committee, when “all that really needs to happen is for the bill to be referred back to the Committee of the Whole stage, where the offending clause could be scrubbed.” He argues the referral to the Business Committee move “is a face-saving climbdown for Labour.”
The rush to get it done
Newsroom’s Jo Moir confirmed last week that the second tranche of legislation to complete the reforms is due in parliament before Christmas. BusinessDesk’s Pattrick Smellie (paywalled) breaks down the rush to get it done, writing that “if it's not introduced before Christmas, the legislation would risk not being passed before the general election.” As Smellie notes, the June regulatory impact statement, published this week, highlighted how tight the timeframe was becoming even then.
Election-year halt on co-governance work
Moir has also followed up on her story about co-governance, first published in October. This is specifically in relation to the government's response to the United Nations’ Declaration Plan which the then-National government signed us up to in 2010. In October, minister for Māori affairs Willie Jackson said he was uncomfortable with about 20% of what had been proposed and had asked the governance group to go back and try again. Jackson is now indicating that an election-year halt may be put on that co-governance work. Jackson told Newsroom he was “increasingly less convinced it was the right time to be pushing ahead with the work.”
Coffee and chinwags: the vital community role of cafes
Across New Zealand, cafes open their doors every morning to provide hot coffee, shelter from the elements, and a gathering space for their communities.While the last three years have wreaked havoc on the hospitality industry, the local cafe remains a place of gathering, providing warmth and solace in a warm mug and a smile from the barista. Read more about the crucial role cafes play in connecting their communities, on The Spinoff now (sponsored).
Be in to win a 6-month coffee subscription
Sign up to The Weekend, The Spinoff’s weekly newsletter of the best reads from us and others, sponsored by Coffee Supreme, by December 11 and be in to win a 6-month coffee subscription (250g of coffee, delivered weekly for 6-months - New Zealand only).
An “invisible child”
Stuff’s Michelle Duff reports on the investigation into the death of Malachi Subecz. Dame Karen Poutasi’s report identified critical gaps in the system that rendered Malachi an “invisible child” who was failed by multiple agencies and his community. The government has accepted nine of the 14 recommendations made by Poutasi. Minister for children Kelvin Davis is committing to look carefully at the other five, including mandatory reporting and wants to look at how mandatory reporting worked in Australia. The first iteration of those laws, which require specified people to report suspected abuse and neglect to government child protection services, was introduced in South Australia in 1969.
Pensioner poverty has changed the retirement debate
I covered this on Wednesday but a new report from the Retirement Commission shows we're at serious risk of doubling the number of retirees facing rent and mortgage stress by 2048. Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson joins Bernard Hickey on the latest episode of When the Facts Change to discuss how we can keep elderly renters and those still with mortgages out of poverty, what this could means for NZ Superannuation eligibility and what will happen if nothing changes.
It’s Friday so… (Part 1, the controversial ranking edition)
Look, it's the end of the week at the end of the year, everyone is tired and according to RNZ’s annual report, everyone is also dealing with news fatigue. This doesn’t bode super well for me for the rest of the month so I’m going to lean in and spotlight what’s become an annual tradition of epic proportions at The Spinoff: editor Madeleine Chapman ranks things. Chapman does nothing half-heartedly, imposes all sorts of rigid rules and takes on rankings that inevitably result in floods of correspondence. This year she’s ranked 54 of New Zealand’s most beloved confectionery, Whittakers chocolate (thick bars only - see her rules). This tome comes in at just over 4000 words. I have some quibbles with where she’s placed both mint chocolate blocks and Berry and Biscuit which I will speak with her about this afternoon. Have a look, do not shoot the messenger. Thoughts and prayers to Mad.
Click and collect
Auckland mayor declined advice to meet the person hired to be Auckland Transport’s new CEO - who has since quit before even starting
Gore’s deputy mayor resigns
Fijian politicains take to TikTok ahead of the elections in two weeks
Baguettes, bees and bear hunts - UNESCO’s human treasures list
Got some feedback about The Bulletin, or anything in the news? Get in touch with me at thebulletin@thespinoff.co.nz.
If you liked what you read today, share The Bulletin with friends, family and colleagues.
Shanti Mathias investigates the questionable algorithm behind Spotify Wrapped; Sarah Paterson-Hamlin shares her annual guilt-free ethical Christmas gift guide; Stewart Sowman-Lund suggests broadcasters think through the implications of inviting conspiracist Sue Grey on air; and Alex Casey has some tips for giving a Secret Santa present that doesn’t suck.
What made Sir Murray Halberg so special
Phil Gifford first saw Sir Murray Halberg run in 1962. Gifford does a wonderful job (paywalled) recounting what made Halberg so special. Halberg died yesterday, aged 89. He was undoubtedly one of our finest athletes, winning gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics but he leaves behind an extraordinary legacy by way of the Halberg Foundation and the Halberg awards. Halberg said his "ultimate goal" was for the Halberg Foundation to do itself out of a job.
It’s Friday so… (Part 2)
As covered by Shanti Mathias this morning, ‘tis the season of Spotify Wrapped. We all get to share our music taste with each other as we would little snippets of horoscopic personality traits. This year, mine speaks to one dominant obsession, reminding myself that I like music genres that aren’t “focus for writing”, a deep and abiding loyalty to Spinoff podcasts and cramming current affairs while in the car. Spare a thought for parents though. Their Spotify does not belong to them, it belongs to their children and as one father details in this very funny account, it is a horror show. Sorry to everyone whose soundtrack of 2022 was “Strong Hair Dryer (calm)”.
