Briefly in the news from Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, July 7:
* Finance Minister Nicola Willis is considering changing the tax settings for banks in Budget 2026, possibly including an Australian-style ‘Major Bank Levy,’ the NZ Herald-$ reports this morning. See more in The Lead below the paywall fold and hear more in the podcast above.
* Women in the lower North Island will have to travel to Christchurch for ovarian and cervical cancer surgeries for the next four to five years because Wellington’s now-retired sole gynaecological oncologist has not been replaced, The Press-$ reports this morning. See more in The Sidebar.
* Meanwhile, RNZ reports this morning Wellington Hospital is cutting 12 beds from its gynaecology and maternity wards to make more room for its over-crowded Emergency Department. See Number of the Day below.
* A paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal by European and US climate scientists has found a major reversal in ocean circulation in the Southern Ocean, which the study’s co-author said “could have unprecedented global climate impacts.” See more in Doc of the Day.
* Today’s Must-Watch is a report by The Hui on homelessness via YouTube. See more in my Picks ‘n’ Mixes below.
* Today’s Good News story is about Whakatāne 15-year-old Jack Karetai-Barrett, who is pedalling his way to Parliament from Whakatāne in support of Māori wards, LDR/Stuff. See more in my Picks & Mixes below.
There’s more detail and analysis for paying subscribers below the fold and in the podcast above. If we get over 100 likes I will open it up in full for public reading, listening and sharing.
The Lead: Willis considering extra tax levy on banks
Jamie Ensor has the scoop this morning via NZ Herald-$ (gift link) on how Finance Minister Nicola Willis is considering changing the tax settings on banks in Budget 2026, possibly including an Australian-style ‘Major Bank Levy’, which a then-conservative Government introduced to increase receipts from banks.
Following questions from the Herald, the Finance Minister said that as part of its work to address the cost of living, the Government “is taking action to ensure that New Zealanders are getting a fair deal from banking services”.
“Our work to enhance banking competition is wide-ranging and as part of this, I have sought advice on whether the major banks are paying their fair share of tax,” Willis said.
“I’ve been interested in how New Zealand’s bank tax regime compares with Australia and elsewhere, particularly in light of the significant profits Australian banks make from Kiwi customers.
“Tax policy is highly technical, so I can confirm that Inland Revenue is giving consideration to a wide range of options.” Nicola Willis via Jamie Ensor for NZ Herald-$ (gift link): Finance Minister eyeing tax settings ahead of potential election-year changes
The Sidebar: Women in lower North Island lose cancer, maternity beds
Meanwhile, budget pressure applied on the health system by the Government is increasingly intense, as seen at Wellington Hospital, which has just lost its ability to operate on cervical and ovarian cancers for four to five years because Wellington’s sole gynaecological surgeon has retired and has not been replaced.
Anna Whyte reports for The Post-$ this morning that lower North Island women must travel for complex gynaecological cancer care to Christchurch or Auckland because Wellington’s sole gynaecological oncologist had retired and had not been replaced.
Capital Coast and Hutt Valley chief medical officer Andre Cromhout confirmed gynaecological oncology surgery for the next four to five years would be performed “mainly in Christchurch and Auckland”.
“Some gynaecological cancer surgery will continue to be delivered in Wellington when a Christchurch-based gynaecological oncologist visits the region monthly. Other services in the treatment pathway for women, such as medical and radiation oncology and specialist nursing support for gynaecological oncology patients will also continue.”
Cromhout said while logistical and financial support was available, it would be a “significant inconvenience to many women and their families who are already distressed”.
Cancer Society medical director Dr Kate Gregory said it would affect women with ovarian cancer and also some complex cervical and endometrial cancer surgery. Patients would often be in hospital recovery 10 days after these surgeries, she said.
“It's well established that patients who need these complex surgeries do much better if they're treated by specialist surgeons in centres set up for it. Wellington was one of those centres in NZ.” Kate Gregory via Anna Whyte for The Post-$
Number of the day: Bed reshuffle
12 beds - Ruth Hill reports for RNZ this morning that Wellington Hospital is cutting beds from its gynaecology and maternity wards in a trial aimed at making more room for patients from the overcrowded Emergency Department, according to a leaked memo.
In an email to staff late last week, the operations manager of the Women's Health Service said starting next month, there would be a four-month "trial re-allocation" of beds to take medical patients.
“You may be aware of our hospital's over-demand for medical inpatient beds which means some people have to wait for long periods in the Emergency Department. This results in their care being impacted, as well as ED becoming overcrowded, less efficient and effective.”
The manager explained the plan is to reduce the four Women's Health wards - known as pods - into three, with just two dedicated for maternity. The gynaecology ward would become a medical ward, and gynaecology patients would move into one of the maternity pods, where they would be obliged to share with any "overflow" maternity patients.
"Re-allocating beds in this way will allow for 12 additional medical beds in the hospital relieving pressure on ED and provide timely care for sick, vulnerable people.” Email to staff quoted by Ruth Hill reports for RNZ
Doc of the day: SMOC reversal
A paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal by European and US climate scientists titled: “Rising surface salinity and declining sea ice: A new Southern Ocean state revealed by satellites.” has found a major reversal in ocean circulation detected in the Southern Ocean.
The study’s main finding is both surprising and alarming: since 2016, a sustained increase in surface salinity has been detected in the region between the polar and subpolar gyres of the Antarctic Ocean. This change in water composition suggests that the deep ocean circulation in the Southern Hemisphere—known as the SMOC—is not only being altered, but has reversed. That is, instead of sinking into the depths, surface water is being replaced by deep water masses rising to the surface, bringing with them heat and carbon dioxide (CO₂) that had been trapped for centuries.
“We are witnessing a true reversal of ocean circulation in the Southern Hemisphere—something we’ve never seen before,” explains Antonio Turiel, ICM-CSIC researcher and co-author of the study.
“While the world is debating the potential collapse of the AMOC in the North Atlantic, we’re seeing that the SMOC is not just weakening, but has reversed. This could have unprecedented global climate impacts.” Turiel said via this ICM (Institut de Ciències del Mar) article: Major reversal in ocean circulation detected in the Southern Ocean
Top Six Pick ’n’ Mix for Monday, July 7
* Scoop by Jamie Ensor for NZ Herald-$ (gift link)Finance Minister eyeing tax settings ahead of potential election-year changes
* Scoop by Anna Whyte for The Post-$: Lower North Island women must travel for complex gynaecological cancer care.
* Ruth Hill RNZ: Wellington Hospital cuts maternity and gynaecology beds for ED
* Interview with new Climate Commissioner by Tom Pullar-Strecker for The Post-$: Why you’ll be hearing less from the new climate change commissioner. Her predecessor was hands-on and outspoken ‒ notably accusing fossil fuel promoters of a crime against humanity ‒ but Dame Patsy Reddy, who says she is “not a scientist and I don’t plan to be”, is taking more of a back seat.
* Scoop by Avina Vidyadharan for The Waikato Times-$: Most minor crimes won’t be investigated, police advocate says. After the Waikato Times revealed a scammed elderly couple’s case was filed away without follow-up, the Police Association boss says it’s not unusual.
* Deep-dive by Eloise Gibson for RNZ: Nobody's buying carbon anymore - and it's costing the government millions
The best of the rest
Scoops & news breaking here and overseas this morning
* Scoop by Steve Kilgallon for Stuff: ‘Shattered dreams’: The unlicensed immigration advisor who abused the system. Julie De Los Santos forged work histories for Filipino cyclone-recovery workers – now she’s serving a sentence of home detention and will likely be deported.
* 1News: Warnings of dramatic increase in 'hidden homeless' - advocate. New Zealand is facing an explosion in numbers of "hidden homeless" people who aren't visible to social services, and it was spreading beyond areas where rough sleepers have previously lived.
* RNZ: Insurance companies urge use of Takapuna golf course for flood prevention
* Reuters: Death toll from Texas floods reaches 67, including 21 children
* Reuters: Musk announces forming of 'America Party' in further break from Trump
* Reuters: US close to several trade deals, announcements expected in coming days, Bessent says
Politics, business, economy & geopolitics
* Stuff: Mayor says police minister ‘well informed’ in saying 'sleeping rough is a lifestyle choice here’. Tania Tapsell said there was many years of mental health and addiction issues, and hardship at play.
* Chelsea Daniels for NZ Herald: What can the Government do to change voters' minds on the cost of living?
* RNZ: Most student nurses will look overseas if no jobs in NZ - survey
* Michael Daly for Stuff: Tens of thousands are leaving NZ for good - how big a problem is it?. While losing so many people overseas may not matter so much now, “all we can do is hope they come back when things pick up economically”.
* Stuff: Wage gap remains despite more early childhood centres adopting full pay parity, group says. New figures highlight that “pay parity” is a misnomer, the Office for Early Childhood Education says.
* 1News: How Māori living in Australia stay connected to ‘home’. When ‘home’ is away from home, what does it take to stay connected?
Housing, transport, infrastructure & councils
* 1News: 'Incredibly sad' housing situation for working homeless in Christchurch. Some employed people are making an active decision to skip renting to save money by living on the street.
* 1News: Assault of migrant worker in Auckland sparks protest.
* RNZ: More rough sleepers on Auckland streets: 'NZ doesn't have to be this way'
* RNZ: Fresh push for four-lane highway from Rolleston to Ashburton
* Stuff: Marlborough is zoned for growth, says mayor in face of RMA reforms.
Poverty, health, education & crime
* RNZ: Security regulator warns against hospital security guards doubling as cleaners
* RNZ: Many children suffering ongoing Covid symptoms
* RNZ: New CT scanners bring mixed blessings for Palmerston North Hospital
* RNZ: Nurses union dismisses latest pay offer as 'massive backward step'
* Stuff: ‘Domino effect’ of mill closures leaves town in fight for survival. While some have left, including off to Australia, those who stayed are doing “what we’ve got to do to get by”.
* Stuff: MSD apologises to paralysed man left waiting years for a state home.
Climate and environment
* RNZ: Hundreds of homes assessed following Nelson Tasman flooding
* RNZ: Green housing advocates celebrate no roll back of insulation standards
* RNZ: Civil defence meeting held after biggest flood in Ngātīmoti since 1877
* RNZ: Worst in almost 150 years: Nelson Tasman counts cost of historic floods
* RNZ: 'Really devastating' - digging deep to clean up Motueka flood damage
* FT-$ (gift link opens three times) The natural gas trap
Good news
* RNZ: Hospice Heroes: the touching new show on end-of-life care
* Stuff: Teen says ‘we’ll show Christopher Luxon who’s boss’ with epic ride for Māori representation
* NZ Herald: Region's first learning hub for migrant parents a 'transformative step'
* The Post-$: How I bought land and built a brand new home with $61,000
Cartoon of the day: The wrecking ball is in charge
Timeline cleansing nature pic:
Ka kite ano
Bernard
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