E tū has revealed that the pulp and paper mill at Penrose, Auckland is set to close following the announced closure of two mills in the Ruapehu district. This will result in the loss of about 75 jobs. Another round of private sector job cuts are expected at Spark by the end of the year. There is continued coverage of the Government’s proposed contractor changes, and commentary from Edward Miller on the Methanex job losses in Taranaki. In political news, the gang patch ban continues to cause controversy, while a new child health report showed Pasifika children were 115 times more likely to be hospitalised with acute rheumatic fever, while Māori children were 46 times more likely compared to their European counterparts.
Union coverage
- CTU, E tū: What’s up with the changes to employment law for contractors?
- CTU: Uncertainty over contractor-employee divide may linger after Labour bristles
- E tū: Auckland pulp and paper mill closing permanently, union says
- E tū: 75 jobs lost as high energy and labour costs close Penrose mill
Employment
- Spark plans to cut $50m from labour costs
- Methanex job losses a blow to Govt’s gas plans
- ‘Part-time’ health commissioner holding down two jobs
Politics
- Labour demands consultation after another 11th-hour gang patch ban amendment
- Justice minister’s advice to gang members who want to wear patches at home: ‘Just don’t get caught’
- Child health report identifies five priority areas for ‘urgent action’
- No decisions on whether NZ still needs a telecommunications commissioner
- IRD pauses sharing personal data with social media giants
- Added insulation costs small fraction of figure given by minister – research
Te Ao Māori
- Syphilis hitting Māori and Pasifika the hardest
- Mata Season 2 | Episode 17: Rawiri Wright on Te Wiki o Te Reo, Jordan Williams on the Treaty Principles Bill
Economics
- ‘It’s scary out there’ – tenants say times are tough, even if rent growth is slowing
- US citrus growers warn NZ about disease infestation