Water under pressure

Written By: - Date published: 8:12 am, June 15th, 2013 - 38 comments
Categories: capitalism, climate change, Conservation, democracy under attack, greens, john key, labour, local government, Mining, sustainability, water - Tags: , ,

Water is increasingly becoming a precious resource, under threat from pollution, over use, population growth, ill-judged prioritisation of the drive for commercial profits, and lax environmental pressures.  The Guardian environment correspondent, Fiona Harvey warns that the Global majority faces water shortages ‘within two generations‘.

The majority of the 9 billion people on Earth will live with severe pressure on fresh water within the space of two generations as climate change, pollution and over-use of resources take their toll, 500 scientists have warned.

The world’s water systems would soon reach a tipping point that “could trigger irreversible change with potentially catastrophic consequences”, more than 500 water experts warned on Friday as they called on governments to start conserving the vital resource. They said it was wrong to see fresh water as an endlessly renewable resource because, in many cases, people are pumping out water from underground sources at such a rate that it will not be restored within several lifetimes.

On the face of it, temperate Aotearoa-New Zealand would seem to be well serviced with adequate water supplies for the future.  Nevertheless our water supplies are increasingly coming under pressure.   Te Ara provides this information:

The earth’s surface is dominated by water, but only about 2.5% of the estimated 1.4 billion cubic kilometres is fresh water. Most fresh water (68.9%) is stored as snow and ice in glaciers and icecaps, while most of the rest (30.8%) is groundwater. Only 0.3% of fresh water is in rivers and lakes.

New Zealand’s water resources

New Zealand has abundant water resources in snowfields, glaciers, groundwater aquifers, rivers and lakes. It ranks in the top 10 countries in the world for both quantity and quality of water.

Despite this abundance, the country is facing growing challenges in managing its water. In the 2000s, demand for water was increasing dramatically as a result of urban expansion and agriculture. Water supplies were not always in the right places at the right times to meet these demands.

When demand exceeds supply – as is happening increasingly in drier, eastern parts of New Zealand – competition for water is fierce. These demands also peak during summer, when the water level is generally at its lowest. Climate change makes management of water resources even more complicated, as rainfall and snowfall patterns vary.

The Ministry of the Environment recognises that management of fresh water needs to be improved.  They state that the Resource Management Act is the primary means to ensure this happens.  Yet, John Key’s government is weakening the RMA both the Labour and Green Parties have expressed serious concern at the way this will damage the environment and water supplies .  In May, a Green Party Press Release said:

“National’s proposed changes weaken the RMA and are anti-environment,” Green Party environment spokesperson, Eugenie Sage said today.

… warning by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment that the changes would turn the RMA into an act which promoted economic development ahead of the environment.

“Part 2 of the RMA is the heart and engine room of the Act,” Ms Sage said.

“It defines sustainable management – meeting human needs while safeguarding the natural environment.

“National’s proposed changes to Part 2 of the RMA are about making it easier for mining, drilling and irrigation interests. They reflect the anti-environment thrust of the Government’s Business Growth Agenda with its focus on resource exploitation,” Ms Sage said.

“There is no substantive evidence that the RMA obstructs development.”

At an RMA seminar in May, Labour MP Maryan Street said:

Greetings to you all and thank you for coming to this Labour-hosted seminar, the first in a series of three which I am hosting over the next few months. The second will be held in July in Christchurch and will focus on the vexed issue of water quality and management. The third will be in Auckland in August and will consider the built environment.

This seminar has focussed on the concerted agenda which the government has to make protection of the environment second to economic development. They talk about balancing the economy and the environment. In my view, that is now an anachronistic way of looking at the New Zealand situation.

Of concern also is the way Key’s government, is trying to over-ride local council plans in conjunction with their weakening of the RMA.  Greg Presland of Waitakere West has expressed concern over the way Nick Smith has engaged in the Government-Auckland Council “accord” in bad faith, while weakening environmental protections.

I have mixed feelings about a private business, like Opus, being one of the ways expertise is being provided to tackle growing pressures on the water supply.  I guess it depends on how they operate, and to what extent they are driven by the profit motive. I’m also not keen on the emphasis Maryan Street puts on economic growth, rather than on a sustainable economy.  However, I am pleased to see that both the Green and Labour Parties are working on this issue, critiquing the regressive RMA changes, and developing alternative, more environment friendly policies.

38 comments on “Water under pressure ”

  • Comments are now closed

  2. tc 2
    15 June 2013 at 8:32 am

    Councils have been guilty of doing no planning and focsing on events and icons to egos rather than ensuring basic water facilities are in order and have capacity.

    Te awamutu cant issue any new buildng consents as its water services are maxed out, this is life in shonkeys rural driven recovery. What a joke these clowns are.

  3. Ad 3
    15 June 2013 at 9:17 am

    Would it not be possible to have a catchment-by-catchment conversation about the balance between land and water use, as per the Land and Water Forum? Guy Salmon is no fool and knows how to sustain complex dialogue.

    While our public services remain dependent upon the taxes from intensive agriculture, we are going to need water used ever-harder. New Zealand needs binding compacts between central and regional government (another others), that sustains our land, water and productivity for the long term. Guy could do it.

    • rosy 3.1
      15 June 2013 at 9:43 am

      Guy Salmon is no fool and knows how to sustain complex dialogue

      Take a look at the Ecologic Foundation’s Ecologic’s submission on the NZ Government’s Water Programme of Action (March 2005) taking note of the expectations of market mechanisms and see what you think about his focus.

      http://www.ecologic.org.nz/?id=61&page=Freshwater+policy

      I’m sort of unsure about the approach.

      I’m quite keen for someone/some people with more knowledge in this field to give an opinion, actually.

    • Rogue Trooper 3.2
      15 June 2013 at 2:03 pm

      that other Guy, Nuthan, would not even engage with Rachel’s inter-view on the implications of the intensification necessary to underpin these new sheds to support 7% year-on-year primary exports growth. Wait until dairy exports to China become a greater ‘diplomatic’ lever; may see more than spilt / dumped milk then.

  4. Rich the other 4
    15 June 2013 at 9:49 am

    Just more crap from the green/labour dreamers.
    The rma has been an obstacle to our country for far to long.
    Economic benefit has to be considered , it seems bizarre that it wasn’t in the past
    Another great move by the Nats.
    We have plenty of water , it just needs to be managed.
    Bring on the irrigation schemes and manage the water, boost agriculture and generate more wealth.

    Sorry lefty’s but arnt the NATS going well ,the latest poll shows what many suspect , they will govern alone at the next election.

    The green/labour partnership is destroying labour (slow learners)

    • Paul 4.1
      15 June 2013 at 1:00 pm

      A lovely constructive contribution without any insulting or aggressive language.
      Thanks for your helpful part in this debate.

      • farmboy 4.1.1
        15 June 2013 at 2:16 pm

        Hey what rich says is true,and he is taking it easy on you fuckn idiots.Thank your lucky stars you have us farmers driving this country, except for a few muppets that needed a handout a few months ago,we are indeed the bees knees.

        • McFlock 4.1.1.1
          15 June 2013 at 2:24 pm

          yeah, you’ll change your tune when you’re the one with shite weather or rabbits.

          • farmboy 4.1.1.1.1
            15 June 2013 at 2:31 pm

            we had the shite weather mate just like every 4 or 5 years it is nothing new

        • Draco T Bastard 4.1.1.2
          15 June 2013 at 3:15 pm

          Thank your lucky stars you have us farmers driving this country, except for a few muppets that needed a handout a few months ago,we are indeed the bees knees.

          No, you’re the destruction of this country.

    • Colonial Viper 4.2
      15 June 2013 at 2:15 pm

      I dare you to let your kids go swimming in some of the NZ streams which 30 years ago were pristine but which are now not much more than dairy farm sewers.

      • farmboy 4.2.1
        15 June 2013 at 2:18 pm

        Go have a cry into one of them colonial,that might freshn them up.

        • Colonial Viper 4.2.1.1
          15 June 2013 at 2:23 pm

          The other thing is that roughly half these farmers have massive mortgages around their necks: its the Aussie debt slavery which is forcing them to destroy our natural environment while Aussie shareholders make the real money

          • farmboy 4.2.1.1.1
            15 June 2013 at 2:42 pm

            no it is people borrowing too much to buy out the neighbour and expecting the payout to stay up and the price of feed (if you need it) to stay even.Nothing destroys the natural enviroment like a city colonial why do you think you cant eat shellfish from auckland, all your dirty chemicals that you use to wash your cars your sewage system cant even handle a storm all your shit gets washed out into harbour,funny how they never test the water just out of town.Hamilton lake has the most polluted water around not a farm in sight

            • vto 4.2.1.1.1.1
              15 June 2013 at 3:32 pm

              Hey dopey farmboy is back.

              The bludging farmers.

              Need city taxpayer welfare when the regular drought (which isn’t even a fucking drought ffs) comes along every 5 years.

              Need city taxpayer welfare to pay for the irrigation schemes because they don’t stack up on their own.

              Need to put in swimming pools because they shit up their own rivers (how many rivers around southwest Waikato can you drink from farmboy? Eh? ha ha ha.. fuckwit).

              Can’t get what they want for irrigation using normal business practices so get this corrupt government to sack a regional council and steal it.

              Hide all their income and wealth in capital gains so they don’t pay their share in tax. Instead bludge off city taxpayers money to pay for their roads, hospitals and schools. And coppers and everything else.

              Are so thick that they think that unless money in brought into NZ there is no economy or money – ha ha ha ha, dopey shits (I wonder how they apply that to the entire world economy – does the world’s money come from the moon or something ha ha.)

              fuck off farmboy

    • Draco T Bastard 4.3
      15 June 2013 at 3:12 pm

      Economic benefit has to be considered ,

      Actually, what we’re seeing from National is the exact opposite. Economics isn’t being considered at all. What they’re considering is money and nothing else. From what you’ve just said, that’s all you’re considering as well.

      Bring on the irrigation schemes and manage the water, boost agriculture and generate more wealth.

      That’s just it, there isn’t any more water and farming doesn’t generate enough wealth to offset the damage it does.

    • u think 4.4
      15 June 2013 at 10:04 pm

      For Rich the other-how arrogant and conceited and ignorant can u be ?Can you see past your nose or is it the same problem as the PM has, its not about now but in a short time down the track ,10yrs we will be like India if we follow this right wing govt of irresponsibility.The RMA is probably the only defence we have against rampant capitalism which in the long run is imperfect like everything else the human race does ,have u observed the amount of rubbish people make unnecessarily everyday?

  5. BLiP 5
    15 June 2013 at 10:31 am

    ‘

    Don’t worry – Nestlé has the answer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEFL8ElXHaU

  6. Chooky 6
    15 June 2013 at 2:47 pm

    Just to stir up the dust a bit and have a scratch around .Check out this blog site…

    .’Why are we having earthquakes in Christchurch?’

    http://www.codeotaku.com/

    • weka 6.1
      15 June 2013 at 4:00 pm

      I think you will have to be more specific with your linking Chooky.

      • BLiP 6.1.1
        15 June 2013 at 9:47 pm

        ‘

        Hmmm . . .

        . . . The recent earthquakes we have been experiencing in Christchurch are potentially due to a reduction of water in underground aquifers. Because there is less water, this causes a reduction of pressure in the aquifers which then causes them to collapse or shift.

        To explain this idea, I’ve made some diagrams. Here is an example of the water table under the Canterbury planes (obviously depth not a linear scale). At some point the pressure of the water water and sediments must have an equilibrium . . .

        . . . sounds plausible, I guess. Is that lprent chap about? I think he’s got some sort of scientific type edumakation.

  7. Draco T Bastard 7
    15 June 2013 at 3:05 pm

    When demand exceeds supply – as is happening increasingly in drier, eastern parts of New Zealand – competition for water is fierce. These demands also peak during summer, when the water level is generally at its lowest. Climate change makes management of water resources even more complicated, as rainfall and snowfall patterns vary.

    Yep, there was a very good reason why the previous Labour led government put in place standards for shower heads. Unfortunately, the idiots didn’t like being told that they had to restrict themselves so that we could continue having the living standard that we’ve become accustomed to. These same people probably even think that they understand economics and yet they failed to understand the economics of a limited water supply while use is increasing.

    • Rogue Trooper 8.1
      15 June 2013 at 3:38 pm

      cow cockies must be counting on the glaciers continuing to melt / retract; anyway, from any products I buy which come in bottles larger than 1l in capacity, I clean the bottles and store water in them out of the sunlight, with a little Bleach at hand. One never knows.

  9. Viv K 9
    15 June 2013 at 3:42 pm

    Using fresh water for fracking is yet another stupid waste of this precious resource.

    • karol 10.1
      15 June 2013 at 7:21 pm

      From the discussion under the linked article, it looks like it’s debatable that changes to the water table caused/or contributed to the Christchurch earthquakes. Do you have a view on it, Chooky?

  11. Chooky 11
    15 June 2013 at 8:01 pm

    Yes I think it is seriously up for debate…overseas experts should be called in to debate it….the implications are huge.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-24T23:26:55+00:00