John MacDonald: Privacy Commissioner says facial recognition's okay, but...

I am really torn. Because when it comes to facial recognition technology, I’ve always been of the view that if you’re not doing anything wrong, there’s nothing to worry about.   But, at the risk of sounding like I’m going a bit “civil liberties” on it, I’m starting to change my tune a bit.     Wh…

Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on signs of recovery in the region, WorkSafe changes

Leeann Watson, CEO of Business Canterbury, joined John MacDonald to give a quarterly update.  Are we seeing signs of recovery in Canterbury? What would a commuter train mean for the city business scene?  And will the Government’s new approach to WorkSafe make a difference for local businesses and…

John MacDonald: The dangers of tinkering with Health and Safety

If there’s anyone who shouldn't be told they can wind things back on the health and safety front, it’s a New Zealander.   Because generally, we are absolute shockers when it comes to this sort of thing and our health and safety laws are the only thing standing between our “she’ll be right” attitud…

Politics Friday: Duncan Webb and Hamish Campbell talk truancy, students, RMA proposals

Today on Politics Friday John MacDonald was joined by National’s Hamish Campbell and Labour’s Duncan Webb to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week.  The Government will soon be issuing fines to parents of repeatedly absent students – will this work? Is it a new idea?  Campbell almost ma…

John MacDonald: Finger-wagging won't get more kids going to school

I can’t find an exact figure but from what I have seen online, I’m pretty confident in saying that there are hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid fines in New Zealand, and that figure is about to rise even further.   Because the Government is dreaming if it thinks people fined for not sending…

John MacDonald: All councils should learn from ECAN's open mind on rail

I hope Environment Canterbury isn’t bothering listening to Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey.   He’s not impressed that the regional council is going to spend money doing a business case for a rail passenger service between Rangiora, Christchurch, and Rolleston.   Matt Doocey says it’s nothing more than…

John MacDonald: Sometimes a ban isn't the answer

It would be very easy for me to say that the organisers of those ridiculous Run it Straight combat sport events have blood on their hands after the tragic death of 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite.   And I would be saying that if Ryan had been involved in an official event. The thing is, he wasn’t. …

James Meager: Minister for the South Island on his portfolio, budget for Canterbury, Hipkins' comments

James Meager is responding to Chris Hipkins’ comments about the Minister for the South Island role.  The Labour Leader called the position a “PR job”, saying there would be no need for Meager’s role if the Government was actually prioritising the South Island.  Hipkins says Meager's not doing any…

Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on Winston Peters ruling out Labour, KiwiSaver changes, Minister for the South Island

Labour's yet to rule potential coalition partners in or out.  New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is refusing to work with Chris Hipkins next election, but has not entirely ruled Labour out.  On social media, Peters posted a Government of Labour, the Greens, and Te Pati Māori would be a "circ…

John MacDonald: Have we lost the retail crime battle?

“Don’t sweat the small stuff.”  That’s the message cops have been given about shoplifting.    And the powers-that-be can say as much as they like about their memo to staff about only bothering with shoplifting worth more than $500 not being worded as well as it could have been, but the message is…