Portugal

Written By: - Date published: 12:28 pm, May 19th, 2016 - 114 comments
Categories: climate change, energy, Environment, global warming, human rights, International, Social issues, sustainability - Tags: , , , , , ,

If Portugal can go from 50% electricity generation from fossil in 2013 to 100% electricity generation from non-fossil now (less than three years later) then what’s all this talk in New Zealand around whether it’s unrealistic or possible for New Zealand to achieve a paltry 90% of fossil free electricity generation by 2025?

Update. This isn’t really an update – it’s just a reiteration of the reality. We have around 15 years to be completely free of fossil…There are no ifs buts or maybes on that front. Yet those words…if this, but that, maybe the other… are all we seem to bloody well hear from industry and government.

Why do we permit those inadequate and deceitful ‘no can do’ arguments to see the light of day? Seriously! I’m confused. Would we just sit back if a government sought to justify… Hell, no suitable comparison comes to mind.

The fact is that we are just sitting back while government and industry justify actions and inactions that absolutely accumulate to deny us, our children and further generations a whole range of possible and worthwhile futures. Very odd.

114 comments on “Portugal ”

  1. Kevin 1

    If electricity generation was still government controlled this would be a piece-of-piss. Now that you have shareholder owned utilities, no poli is going to incur the wrath of shareholders, many off them foreign, to force change on the industry.

    Throw in the TPPP and it basically becomes impossible.

    • Chooky 1.1

      +100…jonkey nact should be held clearly accountable for this rort of New Zealanders and unneccessary unaffordable electricity bills

      ‘The growth of solar energy and what’s leading cutting edge technology’

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201786960/the-growth-of-solar-energy-and-what's-leading-cutting-edge-technology

      ‘Don’t rush into solar, says Electricity Authority’

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/288794/don't-rush-into-solar,-says-electricity-authority

      ‘Solar energy ‘biggest challenge’ to electricity pricing says EA’

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201777147/solar-energy-'biggest-challenge'-to-electricity-pricing-says-ea

      “The Electricity Authority says a massive uptake of solar technology will be bad for other consumers. It wants lines companies to start thinking about changing the way it charges consumers for distributing power from the grid – saying if they don’t they will encourage a lot of investment in solar panels – which will be bad for those who don’t have them as they’ll be picking up more of the cost of maintaining the networks. Carl Hansen is the Authority’s chief executive.”

      • aerobubble 1.1.1

        Are power price rises due to lobbying by electricity companies who want to price in the cost of paying out to private homes who produce electricty? thats the way it looks, we all end up funding battery infrastructure that energy companies end up owning. if only there was a way yo run a cable to the neighbor and supply them but the meters are made for bug electricity not multiple suppliers, smart meters but no smarter.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.1.2

        From your first link:

        “There’s a big tension because we can’t do without the grid right now and the grid costs money and the people who own the grid want users to pay for that.

        And they want the user to pay for their homes, cars, holidays and everything else all without them actually doing anything.

        And it sounds like the Electricity Authority is pimping for the newly privatised power generators who’ve just realised that they won’t be able to rort the rest of us for much longer.

      • Huginn 1.1.3

        Hi Chooky
        The electricity markets (and by ‘markets’ I mean that in the general sense ie not as privatised entities) are very, very complicated. Some say that they are the most complicated of all.

        For example, we need a network of lines and we also need excess capacity available at all times in case of an emergency. (This is the argument for retention of coal btw) These are best provided for by the public sector and paid for out of taxes because the private sector fails to produce goods and services that we need as a collective with a future that goes beyond our own individual time lines.

        Solar challenges the current market structure in ways that we may not fully understand.

        I think we should read Carl Hansen’s comment as a clumsy warning that the current market structure will fail to deliver essential services if there’s widespread uptake of solar. It’s a call for carefull regulatory review and reform.

        Markets are made by human beings, not by some invisible entity. We need regulatory reform, and we need to take great care.

    • Bill 1.2

      So we slam into something like a +4°C future that we cannot adapt to because… ‘shareholder’; because ‘wrath’. Jesus wept.

    • TC 1.3

      As designed

    • Draco T Bastard 1.4

      Throw in the TPPP and it basically becomes impossible.

      Probably one of the reasons National rammed it through so fast.

    • Macro 1.5

      ^^^^^ THIS
      Have always said it but Kevin beat me to it today. 🙂

      • Bill 1.5.1

        What? You’ve always said that ensuring shareholder contentment, avoiding their ‘wrath’ and playing the game as set out by market fundamentalists who’d have us abide by a venal (so-called) trade agreement, outweighs securing a reasonable, some might say ‘livable’, future?

        And you share that bankrupt mentality with a smiley face?

        • Macro 1.5.1.1

          I’ve never said what you say I have said bill – quite on the contrary. The selling off of our infrastructure to off-shore interests did what the allies spent thousands of lives in bomber raids trying to do to Germany in WW2. We lost control of our ability to manage our energy requirements in a sustainable manner.

          • Bill 1.5.1.1.1

            Oh. I thought you were in emphatic agreement with Kevin.

            Anyway, ownership and control are interesting concepts. What use is ownership if you have no control? And on the other side of the coin, what’s the point of ownership if you have or take control?

            • Colonial Viper 1.5.1.1.1.1

              In the capitalist system you can be a (part) owner and receive financial benefits (dividends) even though you have zero control of the enterprise.

              Or you can have zero ownership, like a CEO, and use your control of the enterprise to greatly personally profit, eg. via the “control fraud” scheme described by Bill Black.

            • Draco T Bastard 1.5.1.1.1.2

              You know, I think that you’ve misread what Kevin said.

              • Richard Christie

                +1

              • Macro

                Yes I thought Kevin was quite clear there saying having sold off our interests in electricity generation we have lost our ability to determine our electrical generation mix. This loss of, what in military terms is called, “national power”, is compounded by National’s insistence on ratifying the TPPA (which has no clause which would allow a govt to consider Climate change to be taken into consideration in drafting legislation). So the proposal put forward by weka that a future govt could legislate say, that all generated electricity is to be renewable by say 2020, would be open to ISDS dispute.

                • Gosman

                  Nonsense. The Government has multiple options available to it including legislation requiring greater renewable generation, taxes on non renewable options and incentives such as tax breaks or subsidies for new renewable sources. The State does not have to have 100 percent ownership to drive change.

                  • Macro

                    You clearly have no conception whatsoever of the impact of the TTPA on a Government’s ability to legislate.
                    Furthermore, had the Bradford “reforms” not taken place NZ would now be 100% renewable and Huntly would be long gone. Power companies such as Genesis and Mighty River are the ones resisting the change to renewables not driving it.

          • weka 1.5.1.1.2

            Say we had a left wing govt, or a competent rw one. What’s to stop them from legislating to ensure all electricity generation is renewable by x year? It’s not like they’d have to renationalise (which is what they should do).

            • Macro 1.5.1.1.2.1

              What’s to stop them from legislating to ensure all electricity generation is renewable by x year?

              A thing called the TPPA.
              and ISDS

              • Gosman

                Article 20:15 of the TPPA text specifically states that the agreement does not stop nations from implementing measures to move to a low emissions economy. You are scaremongering.

                • Paul

                  Ah, the defender of global multinationals arrives.

                  • Gosman

                    What are you writing that reply on Paul? I suspect it would be a device provided by a global multinational company.

                • Macro

                  yeah right!

                  The chapter does make an oblique reference to the issue by discussing emissions in Article 20.15 (Transition to a low emissions and resilient economy). The word “emissions” encompasses a broad set of pollutants, and undoubtedly makes the chapter more palatable to climate sceptics in the US Congress and elsewhere.

                  The Article states that the Parties recognise the need for collective action in order to move to a low emissions economy. Paragraph 20.15.2 provides a list of areas in which parties may cooperate to move towards this goal, including clean and renewable energy sources, reducing deforestation, and emissions monitoring.

                  In other words: all talk, and no action. There is nothing binding in the provision.

                  • Macro

                    What started as weak language about climate change in a November 2013 draft of the environment chapter, fizzled into two wholly impotent and embarrassingly thin paragraphs. In the draft, the opening
                    paragraph read: The Parties acknowledge climate change as a global concern that requires collective action and recognize the importance of implementation of their respective commitments
                    under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its related legal instruments;

                    However the final text removes the words “climate change” and all reference to the UNFCCC so as to deliver pure platitude: The Parties acknowledge that transition to a low emissions economy requires collective action.
                    And a second paragraph that recognised a relationship between trade and climate change and the need for coherence between policies for these was removed entirely. Each of the above changes were initiated by the US in a counterproposal to the November 2013 draft, via a note circulated to TPPA governments shortly after the draft was issued. Subsequently,
                    even text that simply “recognized” parties “commitments in APEC to rationalize and phase out over the medium term inefficient fossil fuel subsidies” was abandoned.

                    from https://tpplegal.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/tpp-environment.pdf

  2. Lanthanide 2

    Portugal was able to run 100% renewable energy for 4 consecutive days.

    I’d imagine that if NZ has 90% of electricity generated by renewables, that we also would have ‘cherry-picked’ time periods where we could run on 100% renewable energy for 4 consecutive days.

    In other words, this post is disingenuous in comparing Portugal’s recent good luck with an annual figure projected for NZ in 2025.

    Or in more basic terms: you’re comparing apples with oranges.

    [The post lifted the information about Portugal from the newspaper report that you can read through the link. If you’re going to accuse me of shit on this, you need to know that you’re skating on thin ice and that I’m in no mood to tolerate crap today. Your observations might be valid enough, but you’re being well advised to target your accusations appropriately] – Bill

    • Lanthanide 2.1

      I’m not sure what you think I’m accusing you of?

      I’m pointing out that you’re drawing a very long bow, by comparing something (Portugal runs on 100% renewable electricity for 4 days as stated in the newspaper report) to an annual National goal of 90% renewable electricity in NZ by 2025, and you are saying “if Portugal can do it today, why are we going to take until 2025 to achieve only 90%”.

      All of that is your argument, not what is written in the newspaper. So I am targeting my “accusations” appropriately.

      If you actually read the article, you will see that they say that in 2015 Portugal generated 48% of its electricity from renewable sources. NZ is already at around 80-85%.

      I would expect that New Zealand already regularly runs for 4 consecutive days on renewable energy, but no one reports it because it’s not newsworthy.

      To further reply to your question:

      then what’s all this talk in New Zealand around whether it’s unrealistic or possible for New Zealand to achieve a paltry 90% of fossil free electricity generation by 2025?

      Firstly you’re comparing apples with oranges (4 days of consecutive power usage, vs an annual average production). Secondly just saying “Country A can do it, so why can’t we?” is a pretty poor argument, because you haven’t even tried to examine what Country A is even doing, or what challenges we might have in emulating their “success”.

      For example, Portugal has much higher population density than NZ. That means that each dollar of investment into energy production goes a lot further than it does in NZ. Portugal also gets a lot more sun than NZ does, again making it easier for solar to work in that country.

      • aerobubble 2.1.1

        Surely its all a big distraction since its the private auto mobile that needs to be made extinct, not humanity.

        • Lanthanide 2.1.1.1

          Yes, focussing on annual national electricity production and driving us from 85% to 100% is foolhardy, since by far most of our emissions come from transportation and farming, not electricity production.

          • weka 2.1.1.1.1

            Huntly needs to close. For emissions reasons, for the symbolism that will then generate further change. And because it’s the right thing to do.

            By all means lead the charge on transport emissions, the arguments will be similar (as to why we can’t).

            edit,
            I would have thought it would be easier in NZ than in other places because we can theoretically use hydro for storage.

            • Bill 2.1.1.1.1.1

              Huntly should have shut down yesterday. And while we’re at – Fonterra….

              I’ve added the empahisis in this piece by Rosemary Penwarden in the ODT of 22nd April this year.

              I was in Waimate to oppose Fonterra’s plans for a 10-fold expansion of its Studholme milk processing plant, including two new coal-fired boilers designed to burn coal beyond 2050, the time when climate scientists insist our carbon emissions must be zero if we are to have a thread, a scrap, a skerrick of hope to stabilise the world’s climate.

              (….)

              But we were in Wonderland, where I’ve been forbidden by law to speak about climate change at an RMA hearing.

              http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/380579/fonterra-has-no-future-do-we

              • weka

                Would love to know how that ban on referring to climate change came about. Eg is that routine or did Fonterra stipulate that? Those hearings need some big noisy placards outside.

                • Colonial Viper

                  Sounds like the Roman Senate not being able to talk about the barbarians at the gate.

          • Andre 2.1.1.1.2

            But eliminating our remaining fossil fueled electricity is reasonably easily achievable, we’ve got plenty of capacity for more renewables. Even factoring in that reducing transport emissions will almost certainly increase electricity demand.

            It’s not a matter of saying “we’re looking ok already in this area so we’ll look elsewhere”, we need to grab all easily achievable reductions as quickly as we can, and start working hard on the more difficult emissions.

            • weka 2.1.1.1.2.1

              +1 esp for the people that think electric cars are going to save the day.

            • Bill 2.1.1.1.2.2

              yup.

              And where the Lanthanide’s of this world point to ‘the advantages’ other places allegedly enjoy, as though that excuses NZ from doing the hard yards… if we don’t have the sun, use wind. If we don’t have the wind, use tidal, if we don’t have the population density, decentralise the grid…and so on.

              In other words find the solutions instead of whispering “impossible, impossible”.

              • weka

                We could use less power too. What if we dropped 20% of supply and just relied on the 80% renewable? Not only impossible but sacrilegious!!

                • GregJ

                  I believe New Zealand’s energy efficiency is poor being one of the lower in the OECD and has been for the past 50 odd years. However we saw how even a very basic policy attempt to improve energy use and efficiency was attacked and vilified so I don’t hold out much hope that the present government will be interested in any major energy conservation and efficiency effort.

                  • Colonial Viper

                    However we saw how even a very basic policy attempt to improve energy use and efficiency was attacked and vilified

                    Blame shitty poor comms, inept PR, and short sighted political management by Labour 5.

                  • weka

                    Energy efficiency at what level? Why do we rate so badly?

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Because every civilised country was using double glazing and electric subways 30 years ago.

                    • GregJ

                      I think it covers everything from National Energy intensity (the amount of energy consumed in a country divided by national GDP), efficiency of generation and transmission, building insulation and energy intensity (square metres divided by consumption), energy efficient appliances & energy use in transportation.

                      For example energy efficiency with buildings includes:

                      *Insulating the “envelope” or “shell” of a house or commercial building to prevent heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.

                      *Low U-factors and shading/solar heat gain coefficient for windows. The solar heat gain coefficient measures the fraction of solar energy transmitted, indicating how well the window blocks heat from solar radiation.

                      *Efficient lighting. Minimum standards for high-efficiency lighting, lamps, and/or lighting controls are included in some building codes.

                      *Efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems to ensure that energy is not wasted from inefficient equipment.

                      *Proper design, position, and orientation including occupancy and time of use, daylight potential, indoor environmental quality standards, equipment and plug loads, acoustic quality, safety, and security.

                      *Air sealing (residential buildings only). Getting rid of air leaks throughout a home, (around windows and doors, roofs or attics, basements, and crawlspaces), which reduces the loss of heated or cooled air.

                      It’s a pretty detailed area of expertise but it’s not new stuff and there is plenty of international efforts NZ could easily build on and adapt.

                    • weka

                      Thanks Greg. I’d like to know to what extent the energy efficiency changes in NZ new house builds has been offset by houses being larger. Double/triple glazing and insulation are crucial, and yet we think we can build bigger and bigger houses.

              • Lanthanide

                And where the Lanthanide’s of this world point to ‘the advantages’ other places allegedly enjoy, as though that excuses NZ from doing the hard yards

                No, I wasn’t pointing it out as an excuse, I was answering your question:
                “, what’s all this talk in New Zealand around whether it’s unrealistic or possible for New Zealand to achieve a paltry 90% of fossil free electricity generation by 2025?”

                The reason Portugal could do this is because they get a lot more sun than NZ does, and comparatively the cost of installing those solar panels is cheaper due to economies of scale.

                In other words find the solutions instead of whispering “impossible, impossible”.

                If your goal is to phase out all carbon fuels in a very short time, sure, it’s not impossible. It’s just very expensive. And whether you like it or not, this country runs a neoliberal economic policy where we don’t have unlimited money to pay for any infrastructural whim that we have, no matter how convenient that might be to achieve your aim.

                Jumping up and down on the side lines pointing out that Portugal ran for 4 days consecutively on renewable energy doesn’t change that reality.

                • weka

                  “The reason Portugal could do this is because they get a lot more sun than NZ does, and comparatively the cost of installing those solar panels is cheaper due to economies of scale.”

                  But NZ has a lot more hydro. If NZ had supported the solar industry, the costs would be way less by now. Ditto wind. There really is no excuse other than that people don’t think it matters enough.

                • Colonial Viper

                  we can have unlimited money to do these public works, if we want it.

                  • Lanthanide

                    I’m not convinced.

                    But I did +1 your comment at 2.1.3.1.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      cheers, Lanth.

                      if you’re really concerned about introducing new money, the government could always borrow $150B in depositors savings to do the required public works with, and give them IOUs in return.

                • Gristle

                  The last time I looked the antipodes of NZ runs from the southern end of Spain and on into central France. As such the sunlight levels Portugal recieves must be the same as much of NZ. I take it that science is not your strong suit.

                  • Pat

                    average sunshine hours Portugal in region of 2500, NZ around 2000…..cloud cover will explain difference

                  • Lanthanide

                    I did my research, perhaps you should next time. See my comment at 2.1.4.1

            • Lanthanide 2.1.1.1.2.3

              It’s not a matter of saying “we’re looking ok already in this area so we’ll look elsewhere”, we need to grab all easily achievable reductions as quickly as we can, and start working hard on the more difficult emissions.

              Which is precisely my point. It’s the law of diminishing returns – going from 80% renewables to 90% renewables is likely to be more difficult than going from 5% electric transport to 15% electric transport.

              Instead of focussing a lot of time and attention on trying to eke out a little more in the electricity industry, we would be better served by focussing on the big low-hanging fruit of transportation. That can be coastal shipping and railroads for a start, and other transportation policies as championed by The Greens.

              • weka

                Where is the extra generation going to come from for the electric cars?

                • Lanthanide

                  Off-peak charging, eg overnight, when the hydro plants et al *have to keep running* and the power is sold for cents.

                  I’m with Flick Electric, who pass on the wholesale rates directly to customers. They have a transparent pricing system, so you can see exactly where all the costs go. In Christchurch, the minimum cost is 6.2c per kilowatt hour – which goes towards Flick’s margin, and the network charges etc. On top of that is added the price of the generated electricity.

                  A few weeks ago there was a half hour period overnight where the price was 6.2c. In other words the generated electricity itself was free.

                  Normally overnight prices at around 9-10c, compared with 15-35c during the day.

                  • weka

                    Does that means that during the night hydro is generating power that doesn’t get used? What happens to it?

                    • joe90

                      Does that means that during the night hydro is generating power that doesn’t get used? What happens to it?

                      Lake levels, mostly, – downstream generators need water for peak loads so upstream generators run off peak to deliver[water] and below cost electricity.

                • Pat

                  think we can safely say we are not going to replace our current fleet with EVs on a one for one basis

                  • weka

                    qft. Always good to get the electric car crowd thinking about what’s actually involved.

        • Gosman 2.1.1.2

          No. It is the private automobile that has unacceptable emissions that needs to be phased out. Private automo biles that don’t do this are not a problem.

        • Gosman 2.1.1.3

          No. It is the private automobile that has unacceptable emissions that needs to be phased out. Private automo biles that don’t do this are not a problem.

      • weka 2.1.2

        If you actually read the article, you will see that they say that in 2015 Portugal generated 48% of its electricity from renewable sources. NZ is already at around 80-85%.

        citation for the NZ figure? I thought it was 70%

        I would expect that New Zealand already regularly runs for 4 consecutive days on renewable energy, but no one reports it because it’s not newsworthy.

        What are you basing that on?

        • dv 2.1.2.1

          Wiki NZ 79.9% renewable

        • Lanthanide 2.1.2.2

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity_sector_in_New_Zealand

          Sidebar states renewable share at 80%.

          https://www.flickelectric.co.nz/choice/#choice-generation

          Unfortunately it doesn’t state the share of wind, but gas and coal account for 19% together with Diesel only being run “occasionally”. Geothermal + hydro = 73%.

          So ~80% seems accurate from that, too.

          What are you basing that on?

          An assumption, based on maths. It may be that we *always* have a gas plant running somewhere, so we never get 4 consecutive days. I don’t know.

          But we’re doing a lot better than Portugal anyway, since our annual renewable production proportion is almost twice their’s.

          • weka 2.1.2.2.1

            Cheers. My assumption is that is we were ever reaching 100% the govt would be crowing it from the rooftops. Would be good to know how close we get .

            • Lanthanide 2.1.2.2.1.1

              “My assumption is that is we were ever reaching 100% the govt would be crowing it from the rooftops. ”

              Unless it’s been happening for a long time, and it’s just business as usual.

      • Bill 2.1.3

        To steal the appropriate wording from the header of Anthony’s post. “Glib words and false hope aren’t going to cut it”

        I don’t care what challenges there are if they are just going to be thrown up as excuses for doing nothing. And I don’t care about a few thousand shareholders crying into their coffee or whatever because a few bucks eluded them.

        By 2030, for an outside chance of preserving a viable, somewhere around +2°C future, New Zealand, along with all other Annex 1 countries (developed nations) needs to be completely fossil free…in electricity generation, in transport, in….everything. No gas. No coal. No oil or any of its refined combustibles.

        Do you have difficulty comprehending that rather simple fact?

        In the face of reality, a ‘maybe’ target of 90% renewable electricity by 2025 simply isn’t acceptable. And neither are defeatist, essentially denialist lines. Fuck the hand wringing apologist shit and the avoidance shit.

        That video presentation I link in the post (it’s under the ‘no if, no buts, no maybes’ text). Watch it is you’re having difficulty getting your head around stuff.

        • Colonial Viper 2.1.3.1

          But where’s the political analysis of how to make it happen in democratic NZ?

          Crying out that this or that is not acceptable is not a political analysis.

          You’d think that 300,000 Kiwi kids going cold and hungry more often than not would be “unacceptable” to the body politic.

          But apparently, it is.

        • Lanthanide 2.1.3.2

          To steal the appropriate wording from the header of Anthony’s post. “Glib words and false hope aren’t going to cut it”

          Ironic, because it was you who was trumpeting Portugal’s continuously running on renewable energy for 4 days as if it was some breakthrough watershed moment, when actually only 48% of their annual electricity is sourced through renewable sources.

          Do you have difficulty comprehending that rather simple fact?

          No, I don’t. I agree that we should move away from a carbon economy. Should we do this at *any* short-term cost? No, that would be stupid, because the *FACT* of the matter is that even if NZ was 100% renewable energy for electricity and transportation tomorrow, we’re still going to suffer from climate change caused by all of the other industrial nations. That’s a fact, as unhelpful or upsetting as that may be, it is the ‘face of reality’. So transitioning away from carbon fuels at *any* cost is stupid.

          My point in my reply at #2 which you didn’t seem to grasp, is that championing Portugal for running for 4 days on renewable electricity is a pretty stupid thing to bring up if you’re trying to convince people that NZ should move to 100% renewable fuel. It’s not convincing at all, and I think it does more harm to your position than it helps.

      • peterlepaysan 2.1.4

        How so that Portugal gets a lot more sun than NZ does? The latitudes are so similar that Portugal is the antipodes of NZ.

  3. Tory 3

    Clearly Portugal didn’t have the caliber of Labour MP’s like NZ had, to sell off power companies. Thanks Roger, Richard and your other Labour “Hall of Famers”

    • weka 3.1

      Prebble, Douglas and co weren’t Labourites. They were an infestation of parasitic behaviour from your side of the fence.

      • Colonial Viper 3.1.1

        Of course they were Labourites.

        The same kind of Labourites who banned left wing unions and black listed war protesters in the 1940s.

        • te reo putake 3.1.1.1

          Say what? That’s a pretty weird claim, even for you, CV. Got a cite?

          • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.1.1

            Which part? The Labour Government fucking over the Carpenters Union because it was communist, or the Labour Government threatening and black listing anti-WWII party members and public servants?

            • te reo putake 3.1.1.1.1.1

              Technically, the Carpenters Union is only a singular example, not ‘unions’ as you wrote, and it wasn’t actually banned. However, it was rather effectively replaced by a more compliant ‘yellow’ union. Still interested to hear about the black lists. What can you tell us about them?

              • Colonial Viper

                So, have you found anything on the First Labour Government interning hundreds of anti-war Kiwi conscientious objectors for indefinite sentences yet?

                • te reo putake

                  So you have nothing? Fair enough, then. Two claims, both wrong. About par for the course.

                  • Colonial Viper

                    it’s very amusing you consider those major Labour Govt events “nothing”.

                    People who are genuinely interested in how Labour treated anti-war protesters and also how Labour consistently shut down left alternatives in NZ can continue to do more research as there is a lot of material out there.

                    Clearly, TRP can’t handle the truth. But that’s par for the course.

                    • What is nothing, CV, is your ability to substantiate your claims. You are confused about terminology, history and politics. If you genuinely believe that Fintan Patrick Walsh and Roger Douglas have anything in common politically, then you have rocks in your head.

                      But, as you gleefully pointed out recently, you’re no left winger, so your ignorance can probably be forgiven. Your failure to substantiate your baseless claims is less forgiveable, however. It’s intellectually weak and morally gutless.

              • adam

                So the actions of Walter Nash in 1951 helped the watersiders. He didn’t even challenge the government of the day over the starvation tactics. This helped the Tories stay in power till 1957, and of course Nash then led a bloody terrible government.

                Open your eyes te reo putake learn some history. Labour is not the party of Bread and Roses any more.

                Tomorrow comes the song, with labour, no more, no more.

                • weka

                  Are you saying that Labour by the late 70s was controlled and directed by people like Prebble and Douglas?

                • Adam, you might well think Nash helped the watersiders, but that is not the case. By 1949, the first Labour Government had run out of steam and the reformers of the thirties were no longer in control. In opposition in the early fifties, Labour failed to act in a united, coherent way, which was clearly helpful to the Nats. It might be argued that the leadership and directional difficulties of Labour post Helen Clark somewhat mirrored that period.

                  But all this is way off topic for this post. My original comment was to point out that CV was talking shit, as usual. His failure to offer up any evidence to back his assertions indicates that he realises that he got it wrong, so job done.

  4. esoteric pineapples 4

    Nights’ Bryan Crump on National Radio interviewed Gareth Gretton about generating energy from tides a couple weeks ago. Turns out Cook Straight is one of the best places in the world to do this due to its fast flowing currents which turn around every 12 hours. We could easily be producing massive amounts of energy from this but we have a government a) without the vision b) that protects its cronies who would lose out from energy competition

    http://www.awatea.org.nz/conference-2016/

  5. Draco T Bastard 5

    I figure that NZ could be completely fossil fuel free in about 5 years – if we put in the hard work. Of course, quite a few businesses would go under but as they’re a major part of the problem that shouldn’t concern us.

    • Rocco Siffredi 5.1

      Isn’t that what Stalin said about the kulaks?

    • srylands 5.2

      Well I hope you are leading by example and you have purchased your electric vehicle.

      There is no scenario I have seen developed that has zero emissions for the transport fleet by 2030. So what are you on about?

      • Bill 5.2.1

        If there is not zero emissions from energy generation and all transport by 2030, then we’ll be wistfully looking back at a +2°C ‘might have been’ from the vantage point of +3°C… or a +4°C world that’s beyond adaptation.

        That you haven’t seen or heard of any business led, or government led, scenario that would achieve what needs to be achieved, is one of the points of the post.

        I’ll give you a different link to the one in the post lest you have any doubts about what we need to do. It’s from 2012 and obviously prospects have diminished since then. (Visual kicks in after a few minutes)

        And by the way, electric cars aren’t a solution unless they can be manufactured (problematic) and replace all petrol and diesel driven vehicles within the next 15 years. On top of that, there’s shipping and aviation…

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RInrvSjW90U

      • Draco T Bastard 5.2.2

        Well I hope you are leading by example and you have purchased your electric vehicle.

        I haven’t owned a vehicle in ten years – unless you’re going to count my bicycle.

        So what are you on about?

        The fact that we need to develop a plan to cut all ghg emissions and enact it.

  6. Rocco Siffredi 6

    “If Portugal can go from 50% electricity generation from fossil in 2013 to 100% electricity generation from non-fossil now (less than three years later) then what’s all this talk in New Zealand around whether it’s unrealistic or possible for New Zealand to achieve a paltry 90% of fossil free electricity generation by 2025?”

    The answer lies in one word.

    Interconnections.

  7. b waghorn 7

    You city Fullas should turn some lights off at night , why street lights have to blaze allnight is beyond me.

    • Colonial Viper 7.1

      Having said that its peak time use of power which is problematic

      • b waghorn 7.1.1

        When the dams a full maybe so , but imagine how much less water would need to be used for generation if even half the urban lighting was shut off after 9 pm

    • Draco T Bastard 7.2

      Because people use the streets all night.

      Besides, I’m pretty sure that the lights are turned off for a few hours in the mornings.

      • b waghorn 7.2.1

        Cars have lights and I bet next to no one is walking around the suburbs late at night ,
        Use your best grumpy old man voice for this next bit
        “No good comes from people out all night. “!!!

        • weka 7.2.1.1

          Lol.

          Women will take a different view on turning off street lights. I’d target all those businesses in town that have light blazing when not open.

  8. Colonial Viper 8

    Portugal has 5GW-6GW worth of operational thermal power plants (natural gas and coal):

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_Portugal#Thermal

  9. GregJ 9

    The milestone was definitely important symbolically, particularly as an example of how generation can be turned to renewable sources and in a surprisingly quick amount of time.

    I thought one of the more interesting parts of the article was the % that wind power was playing in a number of European countries:

    In 2015, wind power alone met 42% of electricity demand in Denmark, 20% in Spain, 13% in Germany and 11% in the UK.

    New Zealand is only generating 5% through wind and the growth is very slow. 1000 GwH was added in generation between 2005-1010 but that growth has halved from 2010-2014/5. Given New Zealand’s prime location (sitting in the Roaring Forties) for wind generation our lack of progress here is pretty damning – yet it is something we could turn around quickly with a proper strategic focus (perhaps we should consider putting some wind turbines on Huntly as we phase out the coal).

    • Rocco Siffredi 9.1

      Denmark has the highest electricity prices in Europe, closely followed by Germany. Both are close to double most other counties in the EU. Funny that.

      • Colonial Viper 9.1.1

        If you have a point to make, please make it.

      • GregJ 9.1.2

        The cost appears to be as a result of high taxes (56% of the cost is because of taxes).

        From Wikipedia:

        “Denmark has mediocre electricity costs (including about DKK 5 billion in costs for cleaner energy) in EU for industries at 9eurocent/kWh, but general taxes increase the household price to the highest in Europe at 31eurocent/kWh.”

        Denmark however is one of the best countries in the EU for energy security.

        This also might help: Euro energy stats explained.

        • Pat 9.1.2.1

          would be worth noting that as we improve efficiency of use and increase personal generation the costs are going to be spread over a smaller pool….whether we transition or not…..and as usual those least able to afford will be left carrying the increased costs.

      • Draco T Bastard 9.1.3

        Hey, that may be why Germany is the worlds most energy efficient country. Isn’t that what pricing is all about? Encouraging efficient use of scarce resources?

        • Lanthanide 9.1.3.1

          Funny that sometimes you believe economic theory, eg pricing encourages efficient use of scarce resources, but then other times you completely deny that competitive advantage exists, eg that it makes more sense for NZ to produce milk and sell it and buy computer chips from America, than for NZ to attempt to produce those same chips itself.

          Note that pricing and efficient uses of resources is actually the other side of the coin of competitive advantage.

          • Draco T Bastard 9.1.3.1.1

            Yes, I do understand the present economic hypothesis and its shortfalls. I don’t believe in it though.

            But I do so like throwing it in the face of RWNJs when they prove that they have NFI about it and yet claim/imply that it as the ideal.

  10. Katipo 10

    The loss and privitization of the profitable public owned electricity generators has been an epic failure. The sector used to be full of skilled and inovative engineers and technicians, it is now full of mercenary contractors, sales people and over-paid execs who are more concerned with preserving ‘market share’ and luring customers away from rival providers, they have no incentive to encourage us to use power more efficiently, even worse the government has to fund another entity to try and combat their inherent greed.

    • Philj 10.1

      Can anyone explain how multiple electricity retailers and the army of marketing staff and executives is a more economical and ‘efficient’ way to provide electricity for consumers. It’s a rort and an epic fail for the consumer and a success for the corporate power brokers. The so called government is a sham for the powerful. It’s so self evident people can’t see it. Dissaponting and disturbing.

  11. Colonial Viper 11

    Update. This isn’t really an update – it’s just a reiteration of the reality. We have around 15 years to be completely free of fossil…

    To be clear Bill…are you saying in your ‘update’ that we need to be completely free of fossil fuels in our power generation in 15 years.

    Or that we need to be completely free of fossil fuel use altogether in 15 years?

    EDIT

    OK Bill just saw this from you which pretty clearly explains it:

    By 2030, for an outside chance of preserving a viable, somewhere around +2°C future, New Zealand, along with all other Annex 1 countries (developed nations) needs to be completely fossil free…in electricity generation, in transport, in….everything. No gas. No coal. No oil or any of its refined combustibles.

  12. Philj 12

    The b#####s will charge us for our own solar power, roof water and air. What next, a Dimocracy tax? 😉

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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
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    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
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    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
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    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
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    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
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    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
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    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
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    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
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    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
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    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
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    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
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    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
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    1 week ago

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