Labour’s Peeni Henare conceded defeat in the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, with Te Pāti Māori’s Oriini Kaipara securing more than double his votes. The result is described as a landslide, although turnout was low.
Te Pāti Māori MP Takuta Ferris sparked cross-party condemnation after posting: “This blows my mind. Indians, Asians, blacks, and Pākehā campaigning to take a Māori seat from Māori.”
The remark, aimed at volunteers backing Labour’s candidate in the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election, Peeni Henare, was widely labelled racist, including by Labour’s Willie Jackson.
Green Party list MP Benjamin “Biblebelt Bussy” Doyle has announced a resignation from Parliament, citing personal wellbeing and family.
In a written statement, Doyle said the decision followed months of “baseless and violent accusations” and threats of real-world violence. The final day as an MP will be 3 October, with a valedictory speech planned for 18 September.
National MP Chris Bishop highlighted an NZ Herald report about Auckland barrister Hannah Swedlund (28), who admitted helping plan and carry out a two-month spree of red-paint “bomb” attacks on the electorate offices of National MPs, including PM Christopher Luxon, plus the US Consulate and MFAT.
Christchurch City Councillor Aaron Keown has unveiled a new website, howtheyvoted.nz, designed to let residents see exactly how councillors voted on issues ranging from rates to speed bumps.
Keown, who was re-elected unopposed in Harewood, says the project is about transparency and accountability.
The advocacy group Resist Gender Education says the Law Commission’s new Ia Tangata report has “declared open season on girls’ rights.”
The report recommends changes to the Human Rights Act that would prevent schools, sports, and public facilities from excluding people of the opposite sex if they identify differently.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr, serving as US President Donald Trump’s health secretary, is drawing fierce criticism for his handling of the CDC. In the New York Times, Senator Bernie Sanders and nine former CDC officials called for his resignation, arguing he is a destructive force in public health.
A Boston Globe columnist accused him of “severely limiting access to COVID vaccines” and causing “grave concerns” among Americans trying to protect themselves from the virus.
