spinofflive
(Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)

The BulletinOctober 8, 2019

The Bulletin: Meth prices drop to dramatic lows

(Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Meth prices drop to record lows, dozens of arrests at Extinction Rebellion protests, and an excellent data dive into land sales to overseas forestry interests.

In a worrying sign for wellbeing, the price of meth in many parts of the country has plunged to new lows. Research conducted by Massey University and released this morning shows that the median price for a gram of meth is now down to $500, with record lows of $450 seen in some places like Auckland, Waikato and Wellington. Just last year, the nationwide median price was $538, so it’s a significant drop. In almost every part of the country, they’ve come down, and what’s more users of meth have been far more likely to report price drops than users of other drugs.

Why do lower prices matter? Associate professor Chris Wilkins, who led the study, had this to say. “The price of illegal drugs are important determinants of who uses them, the level of consumption, and the related individual and social harm. Declining prices can stimulate higher consumption and more harmful use, particularly among ‘at-risk’ groups.” Having the price of meth come down while other drug prices are stable is particularly concerning, because of the immensely disproportionate harm caused by meth relative to other drugs. It also reflects the changing character of the drug trade, as expert NZ Herald reporter Jared Savage discussed in this interview, it is increasingly taking hold in poorer and more vulnerable communities.

Lower prices have been linked to proximity to smuggling routes. However, as this report on Stuff notes, we’ve also entered an era of ridiculous, massive seizures of the drug by police and customs officials. More than ever before is being stopped, but the drop in price heavily implies more than ever before is also getting through.

It is certain that this will become a political issue. National leader Simon Bridges put out a press release on the matter blaming the government’s “soft” approach to drugs and gangs. PM Jacinda Ardern will almost certainly be asked about the topic on the round of morning interviews today. But amid it all what might get lost is whether or not “soft” or “hard” approaches to the issue are the right way of defining what will reduce harm. That’s something to keep in mind with the related issue of drug-testing at festivals also in the news.


Just quickly, a note here from The Spinoff Ātea editor Leonie Hayden, about the work and kaupapa of her section of the website.

“In my work for The Spinoff I routinely ask myself two questions: who does this give power to, and who does this take power from? I’m incredibly proud to work somewhere that asks those questions of itself as a matter of course, ensuring we’re not adding to the harm that negative stereotypes can cause to entire communities, and that we’re regularly giving a voice to powerful, smart, kickass people that have been denied a platform for ages.

We don’t always get it right, but we are absolutely dedicated to trying to be the best Treaty partner we can be. If that’s important to you, please support our members fund so we can continue to uphold this kaupapa and the mana of people everywhere.”


The Extinction Rebellion direct action around Wellington has culminated in dozens of arrests. Newshub reports more than 30 people were arrested, all of whom went quietly, and the police have confirmed that the protest was largely peaceful. Further actions are expected over the week. Before the arrests were made, I spoke to one very interesting person there – a teenager who was temporarily removed from his school roll because he insisted on spending sixty straight days at parliament calling for a climate emergency to be declared. Meanwhile, this is a really interesting argument from long-time activist Alastair Reith, about whether demonstrations like Extinction Rebellion’s can be considered successful.


This is an exceptional piece of data diving into the sale of land to overseas forestry interests. Radio NZ’s Kate Newton and Guyon Espiner found the country’s four biggest landowners all met that definition, and dominate the top ten largest landowners – much of those holdings being sold through a new streamlined Overseas Investment Act test.

The figures point to three different but related conclusions. The first is that farming groups like 50 Shades of Green were right to be concerned at a significant uptick of previously farmed land being planted with trees. The second comes from the wider figures, and shows that land ownership is densely concentrated in not a lot of hands. And the third is that it shows the government’s tree planting targets for the country will be getting a lot closer – though the manner by which that is happening will concern many.


Changes to immigration laws will reopen the parental reunion visa category, but only for migrants who earn above $100,000. Stuff reports it reverses the category being suspended in 2016, but with new criteria and a cap on 1000 places. One of those changes is that it puts the burden on earning on the children, if they want to bring their parents over – conversely, it doesn’t make it any easier for those not earning twice the median wage to bring their parents into the country.


A Tauranga Council candidate has admitted assaulting an elderly woman in a road rage incident, reports the NZ Herald (paywalled.) David Wayne Grindley pleaded guilty to the charge, and was given a discharge without conviction and was ordered to pay reparations. When approached by reporter Samantha Motion, he actually questioned why it was being considered a story.


Fonterra has had some shockers recently, but it isn’t all doom and gloom. Farmers Weekly has looked at some of the numbers underlying the big losses suffered by the cooperative, and found plenty of reasons for hope for the farmer shareholders themselves at least. The new strategy, more focused strategy is also likely to be of some benefit to those farmers based in NZ.


The Bulletin is The Spinoff’s acclaimed, free daily curated digest of all the most important stories from around New Zealand delivered directly to your inbox each morning.

Sign up now



Right now on The Spinoff: Gabrielle Baker learns what is being done about the dramatic iniquities in dental care in New Zealand. An anon essayist relates the experience of Listen In, a festival at which untested drugs hospitalised multiple people. Flick Electric CEO Steve O’Connor writes about the Electricity Price Review, and why it needs to be put into action now. Duncan Greive gets excited after watching a new reality TV show in which the “seething passions of small-town restaurants explode”.

And the local elections stuff: I’ve put together a cheat sheet on the latest spending scandal swirling around Porirua mayor Mike Tana. Hayden Donnell has come out with an excellent feature on the Far North mayoralty. Hayden and Toby Manhire chew over the local elections in a special podcast episode. And John Tamihere and Phil Goff have delivered their final pitch to voters on why they should be Auckland’s next mayor.


This is a really interesting article about the stripping out of culture and homogenisation of surf brands. The NZ Herald’s Damien Venuto (paywalled) has written – partly from personal experience – about some of the clothing brands that got big off the back of a new sporting industry, while losing touch with those who actually lived it. It’s a really good example of the concept of co-opting of culture. Here’s an excerpt:

That might sound a little pretentious, but surfers are territorial creatures – as evidenced by the blight of localism in the most crowded spots around the world.

Someone who understood this intrinsically was Michael Tomson, a colourful legend from the surf industry who in the 1980s founded the brand that kicked off all the hype, Gotcha.

Gotcha’s fluorescent colours assaulted the senses and its marketing offered no apologies. In one of its most famous campaigns it proudly showed its allegiances, growling at consumers with the phrase: “If you don’t surf, don’t start.”


In sport today, an incredible story about geopolitics and basketball. The Houston Rockets, once the home of globally relevant star Yao Ming, have swiftly become pariahs in China. Why? Deadspin has a good rundown of what happened, all of it beginning with a mere tweet from Rockets general manager Daryl Morey in support of Hong Kong protests. Now the team is facing a blackout, which would be an absolute disaster for any pro sports team trying to cash in on such a lucrative market.


That’s it for The Bulletin. If you liked what you read, and know other people who would find it useful, pass on this signup form to them. And if you want to support the work we do at The Spinoff, please check out our membership programme.

Eritrean refugees resettled in Christchurch. L-R. Kesete’s wife, Nimrud, Kesete, Okub, Gidawn, Kesete’s brother and Aki (holding Kesete’s child). Photo: RNZ / Sara Vui-Talitu
Eritrean refugees resettled in Christchurch. L-R. Kesete’s wife, Nimrud, Kesete, Okub, Gidawn, Kesete’s brother and Aki (holding Kesete’s child). Photo: RNZ / Sara Vui-Talitu

The BulletinOctober 7, 2019

The Bulletin: The activism that overturned a racist refugee policy

Eritrean refugees resettled in Christchurch. L-R. Kesete’s wife, Nimrud, Kesete, Okub, Gidawn, Kesete’s brother and Aki (holding Kesete’s child). Photo: RNZ / Sara Vui-Talitu
Eritrean refugees resettled in Christchurch. L-R. Kesete’s wife, Nimrud, Kesete, Okub, Gidawn, Kesete’s brother and Aki (holding Kesete’s child). Photo: RNZ / Sara Vui-Talitu

Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: How a racist policy ended up being overturned, new report paints grim picture of ‘locked-in’ youth facilities, and Porirua mayor under further spending pressure.

This happened on Friday, but it was a long time coming so is worth covering properly. The government has announced that an aspect of refugee policy described as “racist and discriminatory” will be scrapped. From now on, refugees from Africa and the Middle East will no longer require a family link in order to be welcomed to New Zealand. Those were the only parts of the world where such a link was required in order to come here. The Spinoff has an explainer with all the key details.

The reason why it’s worth looking back at this is because it’s a testament to the power of dedicated activism. The policy was in place since about the start of the decade, as this history from Murdoch Stephens shows. He himself has been a significant figure both in campaigns to raise the refugee quota, and getting this policy overturned. It was extremely slow going, with the previous government unwilling to change their position. The current government also moved slowly amid increasing pressure – for example, this piece by former refugee from South Sudan Clench Enoka was published in the middle of last year, after an announcement that the quota would go up. Tragically, it took the Christchurch mosque attacks to force the issue into wider consciousness, along with excellent pieces of journalism like this from Sunday’s Jehan Casinader, or this from Radio NZ’s Sara Vui-Talitu about Eritrean arrivals in Canterbury. The names listed here are just a few representatives of the many people and organisations who played a role.

As to the details of the wider refugee system changes, the focus will remain on the Asia-Pacific region. An increased number of places will also be dedicated for women at risk, and the number of places allocated for large-scale refugee crises will increase from 100 to 200. That will likely mean slightly more places for those who currently have little option but to make a desperate voyage across the Mediterranean, as outlined in this interview with Médecins Sans Frontières worker Shaun Cornelius. After all, the level of need for safe places to flee to is immense in various African and Middle Eastern countries.


A new report out today has painted a grim picture of life for young people in secure residential care facilities, also known as ‘locked-in’ care. The Spinoff reports that the study out today from the Children’s Commissioner has prompted fresh calls for such facilities to be shut down. It was based on dozens of interviews with children and young people, and found that the facilities were “setting [young people] up to fail”.


Porirua mayor Mike Tana is under further pressure over petrol card transactions, the latest in a long line of questions over his spending. Stuff’s Virginia Fallon and Joel Maxwell report the latest ones resulted in a discussion between the Council’s chief executive and the police, in particular relating to instances of his mayoral car being refilled after just two days – implying extremely heavy use which has raised suspicions. Tana says he has nothing to hide, is just a mayor who gets out and about a lot, and in turn has said the timing of this coming out at the business end of an election campaign is suspicious.


As you’re reading this, activists from Extinction Rebellion will be gearing up for direct action protests against climate change inaction in Wellington. It is unknown exactly where they’ll be going or what they’ll be doing – the nature of direct action being disruptive after all, they haven’t released that information. It is part of a global push taking place this week, and spokesperson Dr Sea Rottman has explained why the group believes such tactics are now necessary.


A huge slip has smashed apart a section of State Highway 4 between Raetihi and Whanganui, reports Radio NZ. For those who live or work around that area, it’s a serious blow, with an impact on both tourism and the movement of freight. Whanganui Hamish McDouall wants some sort of temporary fix put in place for now, as a permanent solution could be years away.


Here’s an excellent piece looking into one of the most important underpinnings of the economy right now – Chinese tourism. Stuff’s Amanda Cropp has taken a look into the detail of what declining numbers of tourists mean for the industry, and whether New Zealand as a premium destination is currently pricing itself out of the market. What really comes through the story though is how much the industry is affected by factors out of its own control, such as the US-China trade war.


Something to watch when you have a spare five minutes: Crux’s latest video documentary is about the future of the Queenstown ski industry amid climate change, and attempts to understand what that future will look like. It’s a really interesting area where a whole lot of points converge, and the documentary does a good job of picking some of those out, in the words of those experiencing them.


I know I asked you this last week, but have you voted yet? You have really got to get your postal votes in by tomorrow, or else you’ll have to manually drop them in somewhere. That’s a hassle, and just posting your ballot back is much easier. Also, because turnout nationwide is looking really bad at this stage, your vote could actually have an impact on who gets elected – just something to keep in mind.

If you don’t know who to vote for, Policy Local is here for you, and we’ve heard from many people who say it has been immensely helpful to them. So thank you to the team at Policy who built it, thank you to the partner organisations who helped make it possible, and thank you especially to The Spinoff Members who helped fund it.


The Bulletin is The Spinoff’s acclaimed, free daily curated digest of all the most important stories from around New Zealand delivered directly to your inbox each morning.

Sign up now



Right now on The Spinoff: Max Rashbrooke has cast a sweeping eye over the state of the government’s Working Group programme, in the so-called Year of Delivery. HART founder Trevor Richards looks back on the ugly and mean-spirited Muldoon years. Alice Webb-Liddall has put together a brilliant feature on Māori voices around Tuia 250. I met some Unitec architecture students putting together some very cool pieces of work ahead of Glow@Artweek.

And some television stuff which is cool and interesting: Felix Walton has written a fascinating piece about the digital graveyard of NZ shows which don’t have a platform to play on any more. And Tara Ward has searched through the TVNZ back catalogue to find 10 documentaries “that will make you smarter and more interesting.”


The Covering Climate Now week had some excellent work published, and I for one am very proud of the range of pieces published on The SpinoffBut across the media, two problems jump out. Firstly many pieces still fail to integrate climate change theory into other relevant topics. And secondly, a lot of media coverage of climate change has become obsessively focused on a solitary Swedish teenager. Mediawatch’s Jeremy Rose filed an excellent report on how it all went across the industry – here’s an excerpt:

New Zealand Politics Daily – a digest of the day’s most significant stories – included 129 climate change stories during the week of Covering Climate Now. During that same week Mediawatch took a look at the top four stories on the main New Zealand websites once a day.

The results clearly showed that the media was willing to give blanket daily coverage to a topic it knows very well at least half the population has very little interest in – a topic some skeptics claim is utterly unimportant – but that didn’t stop them committing huge resources to covering every conceivable angle of …  the Rugby World Cup.

The Covering Climate Now reporting was also impressive but not on anywhere near the same scale.


Israel Adesanya is now the undisputed champion of the UFC’s middleweight division. It’s an incredible rise for the fighter, and is the culmination of years of dedication and self-belief. Stuff reports the fight to claim sole ownership of the belt against Robert Whittaker was short and brutal, finishing by knockout in the 2nd round. For Adesanya, the win will catapult him into the upper echelons of stars not just in his division, but across the entire UFC.


That’s it for The Bulletin. If you liked what you read, and know other people who would find it useful, pass on this signup form to them. And if you want to support the work we do at The Spinoff, please check out our membership programme.