Everything you need to know this morning curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.
LOCAL NEWS
Free Uni Education From Next Year
New students will be able to study for free next year. Labour's tertiary education policy will roll out one free year in 2018, and increase to three years by 2024. Universities New Zealand chairperson Chris Whelan told 95bFM News he was unsure what the magnitude of increased demand would be, but it could make all the difference for less financially well-off students deciding on tertiary education. According to Whelan, between 5 and 10 percent of students come from families with low socioeconomic backgrounds who were not willing to take on any kind of debt, and who could really benefit from the policy. Labour also promised a $50 increase in student allowance and living costs, which will also start in 2018. At the primary school level, the government is looking into extending the use of te reo Māori. During the campaign, Labour promised te reo in primary schools would be compulsory by 2025.
Napier Police Thank 'Pink Fairy' Who Tackled Alleged Robber
Police in Napier are thanking a man dressed in a pink fairy costume after he helped capture an alleged robber. The man was wearing a pink crop top, miniskirt, fishnets and fairy wings after attending a breast cancer awareness event earlier in the day. He and another person tackled the alleged robber, a 42-year-old man, who was leaving a dairy. The alleged offender will appear in Hastings District Court today charged with aggravated robbery.
Businesses Should Pay Higher Wages, Economist Says
Following Labour's announcement that minimum wage will be raised to $20 by 2020, a prominent economist is urging businesses to lead the way by paying their employees a decent wage. Business and Economic Research Limited chief economist Ganesh Nana says New Zealand's economy is too reliant on low wage earners and businesses need to take the initiative to "adopt a high-wage, high-value business model", adding that Labour's promise to increase the minimum wage was a good start. A survey conducted by Deloitte last month revealed that while only 85 companies pay the living wage, 91 percent of New Zealand businesses were willing to increase wages.
Sugar Tax a Potential Option to Battle Obesity
The new Health Minister is not ruling out a sugar tax or new regulations to help curb New Zealand's obesity problem. David Clark says he wants to work with food manufacturers to improve labelling on sugary food items, and to set firm goals to reduce sugar content found in packaged food. While in the opposition, the Labour Party accused the previous National government of inaction on unhealthy foods and obesity in New Zealand. Clark also wants to change the Health Star Rating System on packaging, meant to signify food healthiness. However the Health Minister claims it is flawed, as manufacturers can improve the star rating on a product if it contains healthier ingredients like grains, despite the levels of sugar.
Greenpeace Campaigns for Protected Area in Antarctic Waters
Greenpeace has launched a campaign to create the largest protected area on Earth in waters off the coast of Antarctica. The advocacy group wants a sanctuary covering 1.8 million square kilometres of ocean to help protect wildlife such as blue whales and penguins. Greenpeace New Zealand chief executive Russel Norman is hoping the new government will help make the sanctuary a reality. The proposal was submitted by the European Union and championed by the German Government, but it won't be considered until October next year by the governments responsible for the management of the Antarctic marine environment. Norman says the sanctuary presents a unique opportunity to make sure the fishing industry doesn't continue to expand their operations and steal food from threatened wildlife.
National Front Protest Dissolves Outside Parliament.
Members of National Front NZ, a fringe white-nationalist group, were chased from the grounds of parliament by anti-racism counter-protesters on Saturday. The National Front said they deliberately chose Flag Day for the protest, the first day of commemorations for NZ Land Wars. The group was outnumbered around 20 to one by counter-protesters. Police created a barrier between the two sides, both of whom were non-violent. They eventually escorted the National Front members off the grounds.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Madrid Threatens Jail for Catalonia President
Catalonia's president, Carles Puigdemont, could be charged with 'rebellion' and jailed in the next two months, according to the Spanish government. The Catalan was fired after playing a part in the regional parliament's unilateral declaration of independence. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered on Sunday in the streets of Barcelona, voicing their desire for Spanish unity. Spain's prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has called for new regional elections on December 21.
Iraqi Kurdish president to step down following failed referendum
The Iraqi Kurdish president will step down following a dismal independence referendum result.The referendum showed that 93 percent voted in favour of independence but the population suffered immediate backlash from neighbouring states and political opponents. On Sunday, Masoud Barzani told parliament he would not seek re-election and asked for his powers to be dispersed.The failed referendum attempt has resulted in the Kurds of northern Iraq losing a third of their territory and suffering attacks from Baghdad over contested territories.
Donald Trump Denounces "Witch Hunt" Amid Russian Collusion Inquiry
US President Donald Trump has taken to Twitter yet again to rant against the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton. The outburst comes amid reports that the first arrest in the Russian collusion inquiry would be made on Monday. The US president describes the allegations of collusion between his campaign and Russia as "phony", and denounces a "witch hunt". Trump insists the Republicans are united behind him, and urges them to 'DO SOMETHING!' regarding potential links between Moscow and Hillary Clinton.
Reporting by Stewart Sowman-Lund, Jean Bell, Lisa Boudet and Tess McClure.