Alt COP26: “Get in line or get out of the way”
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10:00 am, November 2nd, 2021 - 30 comments
Categories: climate change, COP26, sustainability -
Tags: climate activism, how change happens, India, India Logan-Riley, indigenous activism, nature rights, systems thinking
Expect lots of blather at the UN climate conference COP26 from the neolib boys who think they know how to run the world and are instead killing it (Fuck Boris) – if we’re lucky, a bit more slowly. Back home, Labour are going to try and buy our way out of our obligations.
I still can’t get over the final number Russel lays out here. I had the rest clear in my head, but hadn’t quite made that final link.
New Zealand aims to cut our real net emissions within our borders from 2005 to 2030 by 7%.
7%.
As #COP26 starts, that’s just humiliating. https://t.co/gKqLEgc2pb
— David Tong (@Davidxvx) November 1, 2021
I look forward to the day when we actually start reducing gross emissions and stop dreaming about planting our way out of it or paying off others for our privilege to pollute.
— Rick Zwaan (@RAZwaan) November 1, 2021
In case it’s not obvious what the problem is here: the world (thanks overdeveloped nations) is so far behind on GHG reduction to avert the worst of climate change that we need to radically stop burning fossil fuels (and other GHGs releasing) in a very short space of time. If you’re not on board yet with this simple fact, please do some reading, it’s a mainstream understanding now, backed by science.
Paying people in other countries to not to chop trees down so that we can keep emitting GHGs is tap dancing on the head of a pin while rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic and robbing Peter to pay Paul as if this will stop the ship from sinking (while the Musk rats abandon the sinking ship and head for Mars). Labour inches us forward at snail’s pace. Complex and complete fuckups require mangled metaphors, sorry.
Idiot/Savant at No Right Turn on why Labour are doing this.
And even then, they’re still planning on “meeting” more than two thirds of the target by buying credits from overseas (which, based on past experience, will turn out to be pure fraud). And the reason they’re doing that is a refusal to confront the dairy industry and force it to reduce its emissions like the rest of us.
And that’s Jacinda’s “nuclear-free moment”: spin and PR and funny accounting. Not the honest, ambitious government we hoped for and need. We deserve better than this. The planet deserves better than this. But we are clearly not going to get real climate action under this chickenshit government.
As an aside, to be clear, this isn’t Green Party policy, it’s pure Labour. James Shaw is Climate Minister, but sits outside of the majority governing Labour Cabinet who are the ones making the decisions (thanks left wing voters).
Matthew Whitehead nails the stupidity even from a neoliberal perspective,
https://twitter.com/MJWhitehead/status/1455036176667013125
If we pay someone overseas to not chop their trees down, this deprives that landbase from counting those carbon credits. The @RAZwaan tweet suggests that if you account all that globally it doesn’t even work (or hasn’t in the past). But even if that accounting did work, it’s still a nonsensical solution given the state of climate change.
What we actually need is two things:
- rapid decrease in industrial GHG emissions
- and restoring ecologies to protect the natural carbon cycle as well as the biodiverse systems that all of life is dependent upon
Planting trees and maintaining climax forests is what we should be doing as a baseline for the health of all life. Our GHG reductions need to be on top of that. If we don’t use a healthy environment as a baseline, we can never catch up on both the climate and the ecology crises. Continuing to treat the environment as a big bag of resources that we can manage is a death warrant. We’re just not good at it, and it’s antithetical to life which isn’t a grab bag, but a whole planet of interconnected systems.
Who will have the guts and vision to transition us to real action? I’m way less interested in the COP neoliberal pin head dancing than I am in who is speaking truth to power and presenting ideas and experience that might change the above.
For those feeling hopeless and frustrated, that want to see what actually works, what we can do that is worthy and life affirming and effective, this five minute speech, at the opening of COP26, by Māori activist India Logan-Riley, is outstanding,
Particularly pertinent is the argument that indigenous activists have been saying for a while,
… this history shows us that hands and minds made this present world, and so it is also hands and hearts and minds that can remake it. And it is indigenous and frontline communities that are leading this remaking. We’re keeping fossil fuels in the ground and stopping fossil fuel expansion. We’re halting infrastructure that would increase emissions and saying no to false solutions.
In fact in the US and Canada alone, indigenous resistance has stopped or delayed greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to at least one quarter of annual emissions.
What we do works.
In the face of mediocre leadership, indigenous peoples shine through. This is all to say that climate change is the outcome of the colonial project.
My bold. Logan-Riley ends with the fine sentiment “get in line or get out of the way”. The most appalling thing about our situation (apart from the whole death cult thing) is that we have many people working on the solutions that work, we’re just not giving them the power to use those on broad scales.
Part of what is important here is that Māori have lived experience of catastrophic environmental change forced upon them, and how to change that. This is a great gift to the west if we would recognise it.
They also have a world view that is the systems thinking absolutely necessary to get us out of this mess. Key to decolonisation is understanding that the western mind tends towards linear and reductionist thought process. Systems thinking is about the relationships between all the things. Carbon credit systems are complicated, but they’re still a linear, disconnected solution that ignores the whole system.
If someone planting a forest to draw down carbon then clearcuts that forest 30 years later for timber, and plants a new forest, and counts the carbon figures in all that, that’s a reductionist, disconnected model. It ignores the life in the forest that is essential for ecosystem stability, it ignores the people who live in the area who are dependent upon that stability as well as all the ecology outside the forest likewise dependent, it ignores the natural carbon cycle by stealing from the future, it’s ignores the massive benefits of climate forests for their own sake, and it ignores how all those things interrelate. We need to be reforesting because forests themselves give us life in multiple ways.
This doesn’t mean we can never fell trees for human use. It means that the starting points in how we design and approach landcare need to change radically. Post-carbon farming is going to be utterly dependent on nature for its ability to produce food for humans in a climate changed world, so if you’re still not getting it, think about how we are going to eat in future generations (or even our own) if we don’t have an environment to grow that food in.
There is something else here. The reason why so many humans traditionally relate to the land as a mother or similar is because when we are living in everyday, conscious understanding of that interdependency we naturally act to save it because it is also an act of self-preservation. Only crazy people believe that humans sit outside of the natural world. Many people also have a deep love of nature of its own sake, and understand that this is central to who we are as humans.
The biggest problem we have with COP is that it is based in a profound disconnect from nature. The humans that are deeply connected with nature are the ones bringing the sustainable, resilient and real options to the table.
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When the Government says it has reduced the number of people in emergency housing, what it means is it is stopping people from accessing it in the first place. ...22 hours ago
- Govt’s child wellbeing strategy ‘shallow and shameful’
The Government is turning its back on children by not only weakening child poverty reduction targets, but also removing child mental wellbeing as a priority focus in their Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. ...23 hours ago
- Release: A historic win for Samoan communities
Labour warmly welcomes the Restoring Samoan Citizenship Bill as it passes its third reading, before becoming law. ...24 hours ago
- Government plan to reinstate live animal exports a “national disgrace”
The Government has taken a giant step backwards by reinstating live animal exports. ...2 days ago
- Pasifika justice as Member’s Bill passes final reading
Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, the Citizenship (Western Samoa Restoration) Amendment Bill, has passed its third reading and will become law. ...2 days ago
- Release: Minister of Education thinks New Zealand ends at the Bombay Hills
The Minister of Education has shown complete disregard for rural communities and their school bus routes in Question Time today. ...2 days ago
- Economists sound alarm on Government’s slash-and-burn approach
A group of prominent economists has released an open letter to the Government, raising grave concerns about the far-reaching consequences of its fiscal policy. ...2 days ago
- Release: Smoking numbers up under Costello’s watch
National’s repeal of Labour’s smokefree legislation has taken New Zealand further away from achieving a Smokefree 2025 and a smokefree generation. ...2 days ago
- Release: Call for Palestine recognition by NZ, Australian and Canadian MPs
Parliamentarians from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have written an open letter to their respective Prime Ministers calling on them to recognise Palestine. ...2 days ago
- Justice Select Committee opens floor for Treaty Principles submissions
Today, the Justice Select Committee has decided to officially open submissions for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Power of the people on full display as hīkoi approaches Parliament
Today, Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived in Wellington, with thousands gathering to march in unity against the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Hypocrisy as Te Whatu Ora contractor bill balloons
Te Whatu Ora’s bill for contracting and consulting staff has ballooned by nearly 20 percent under the National Government, breaking a promise they made during the election campaign to cut contractors. ...4 days ago
- Release: Growing pressure to scrap Section 7AA Repeal Bill
The newly released Section 7AA Repeal Bill's select committee report is further evidence that the Government should scrap it. ...5 days ago
- Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope
The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today. ...7 days ago
- Green Party condemns the passage of Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party condemns the passing of the Treaty Principles Bill at first reading, and is clear that the fight is not over. ...1 week ago
- Stand Up for Te Tiriti
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...1 week ago
- Release: Over 15,000 sign Labour’s open letter to Luxon
As the hīkoi to Parliament continues, Labour has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a last-ditch attempt to get him to kill the Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation
The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...1 week ago
- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...1 week ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...1 week ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Winston Peters must apologise
The Deputy Prime Minister should apologise to the public servant he named and blamed for something they did not do, and for misusing the rules of Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...16 hours ago - Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...16 hours ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...17 hours ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...17 hours ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...18 hours ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...19 hours ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...20 hours ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...20 hours ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...21 hours ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...22 hours ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...1 day ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...2 days ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...2 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...2 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...2 days ago
- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...2 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...2 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...2 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...2 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...3 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...3 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...3 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...3 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...3 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...3 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...3 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...3 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...4 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...4 days ago
- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...4 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...4 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...4 days ago
- Launching the White Ribbon Ride
The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, was on hand to wish riders well at the start of the North Island leg of the White Ribbon Ride in Whakatāne this morning. The ride helps mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ...5 days ago
- Construction to begin on next stage of Papakura to Drury
Construction on the next stage of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project will begin early next month, with the contract for works awarded to Fulton Hogan, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. "SH1 Papakura to Drury is a key project that will drive economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, and enable people ...6 days ago
- NZ signs trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has signed a pioneering trade agreement that prioritises New Zealand’s sustainable exports at a ceremony during APEC in Peru today. “The Agreement on Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS), between Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland was concluded in July of this year and opens up significant ...6 days ago
- Government and iwi work together on aquaculture
Five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas will help ensure Ngāi Tahu shares in the opportunities aquaculture offers for Southland’s economy, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) I’m announcing today set aside space so the Crown and Ngāi Tahu can assess their potential for aquaculture development. ...7 days ago
- Government launches review to ensure electricity market is fit-for-purpose
The terms of reference for a review of the performance of the electricity market have been released. The review, initiated by the Coalition Government during the power crisis in winter will look at whether current regulations and market design support economic growth and access to reliable and affordable electricity, Energy Minister ...7 days ago
- Speech to Social Investment Hui: Jack and his whānau need our help
Kia ora koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai, piki mai. Ki te mihi atu ahau, ki te manwhenua nei, Te Atiawa, Ngāti toa rangatira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you, Andy, for your introduction. Let me acknowledge you as the new Chief Executive of the Social Investment ...7 days ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Brisbane for PACER Plus meeting
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg has travelled to Australia to attend the PACER Plus Ministers Meeting in Brisbane. “Trade plays a critical role in driving employment, economic growth, and improving the standards of living in the Pacific Region. The Government is strongly committed to supporting Pacific Island countries ...7 days ago
- Proposals to modernise conservation released
Toitū te taiao – Our environment endures The Government is consulting on proposals to modernise New Zealand’s conservation management system, aiming to protect relevant natural areas while supporting sustainable growth in tourism and regional economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Today, the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is ...1 week ago
- Knowing superstitions aren’t real doesn’t stop us behaving superstitiously – why?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Gomes-Ng, Senior Lecturer of Psychology, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Former New Zealand prime minister John Key has three white rabbits painted on his helicopter, a nod to his “massively superstitious” habit of repeating “white rabbits” three times at ...2 hours ago - Government slammed for pushing ahead with boot camps while trial still under way
The coalition has "absolutely no intention of listening to the evidence that comes out of their experiment", Labour MP says. ...3 hours ago - Smoke and mirrors in heated tobacco debate
Labour claims Government is ‘cherry-picking’ smoking trends data to hide decade-first increase in daily smokers The post Smoke and mirrors in heated tobacco debate appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 hours ago - Smoke and mirrors in tobacco debate
Labour claims Government is ‘cherry-picking’ smoking trends data to hide decade-first increase in daily smokers The post Smoke and mirrors in tobacco debate appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 hours ago
- Treasury bangs the drum on ‘unsustainable’ superannuation
The Government’s economic adviser is sending a message it doesn’t want to hear – superannuation is increasingly unaffordable The post Treasury bangs the drum on ‘unsustainable’ superannuation appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 hours ago
- Victims of sex offending welcome shift on name suppression laws
A man abused by a former political figure is "immensely relieved" at a government proposal to end secrecy around sex offenders' identities. ...3 hours ago
- This week three parties stood together – can they withstand the storm to come?
There is plenty yet to play out, but the next election is at this rate shaping up as trio versus trio, writes Toby Manhire. A subplot of this week’s historic hīkoi mō te Tiriti has been the sight of the three opposition parties presenting a unified front. Te Pāti Māori ...4 hours ago - All 33 malls in Auckland ranked from worst to best
From the low lows of abandon empires to the high highs of a mall done just right. This is the second in the Malls of New Zealand series, where we rank the malls in major centres. Next week: Wellington. A note from the editor: This is the hardest ranking we’ve ...4 hours ago
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As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 27-year-old apartment-dwelling marketing exec explains her approach to spending and saving. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Female. Age: 27. Ethnicity: Pākehā. Role: Marketing exec at ...4 hours ago
- Raw Politics: Six months in a leaky Bill
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon did not meet the Treaty Principles Bill hikoi crowd, sees “nothing” of merit in the Act-proposed law but the Parliament his Government dominates will spend six months debating a “divisive” measure.That’s because he has accepted there needs to be “aeration” of people’s views on the Treaty, ...4 hours ago
- Taken to the brink, Govt is now close to selling big Whakapapa ski field
Bidder Whakapapa Holdings walked away from the sales process last year, but says it’s now ‘95% there’ on a purchase agreement – so who blinked first? The post Taken to the brink, Govt is now close to selling big Whakapapa ski field appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 22 November
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 22 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 22 November
The post Daily crossword, Friday 22 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 hours ago
- China likely to strengthen regional relationships in response to another Trump term
Opinion: Recent discussions in Shanghai provide some insight into what’s likely to be on the table The post China likely to strengthen regional relationships in response to another Trump term appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 hours ago
- Nuclear winters know no borders
Opinion: The immediate horror of nuclear weapon explosions – the blinding flash, crushing blast wave, and radioactive inferno – is well documented.But what nuclear-armed nations either don’t grasp or won’t admit, is far more chilling: how their weapons could devastate even countries thousands of kilometres from any mushroom clouds.The collapse ...4 hours ago
- This week’s bestselling books – November 22
FICTION1 Kāwai: Tree of Nourishment by Monty Soutar (David Bateman, $39.99)Sample dialogue, all from one chapter:“That can’t be,” replied Taona doubtfully.“You were right. The pā is unnervingly quiet,” Taona murmured.“The Hākuwai,” Motukia breathed. “Our grandfathers told us they rarely saw the Hākuwai in daylight,” Motukia muttered.“Their fight would have been futile ...4 hours ago
- Burma the flying elephant
After about two and a half years of planning and waiting, New Zealand’s last elephant has moved to her new home at Monarto Safari Park in South Australia.Burma and her “human herd”, that is, her keepers, arrived last week, and she’s settling in well, according to Auckland Zoo’s Andrew Coers.“Something ...4 hours ago
- NZ’s membership of Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance in jeopardy
Senior ministers in the coalition suggested NZ’s membership will be re-evaluated if it restarts offshore oil and gas drilling The post NZ’s membership of Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance in jeopardy appeared first on Newsroom. ...4 hours ago
- Watts nears a landmark deal on global carbon trading
A framework for global carbon trading under the Paris Agreement is finally nearing completion at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan after years of halting talks.Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is one of two ministers tasked by the COP29 hosts with landing a long-sought deal on Article 6 of the climate accord, ...4 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: Marles plays a defensive bat on nuclear as the government rushes to get though la...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Richard Marles is an ambitious man who hasn’t given up the dream of one day reaching the top job. But, despite being deputy prime minister, his profile is much lower than that of Treasurer Jim ...9 hours ago
- Fears Māori will pay heaviest price if police carry guns
"Overwhelmingly, those people who die will be young Māori men," the spokesperson for People Against Prisons Aotearoa says. ...11 hours ago
- NEW POLL: Kiwis Overwhelmingly Support MPs’ Expenses Transparency Law Change
62% of respondents support the extension of the OIA to cover MPs’ spending, compared to just 13% opposed and 24% were unsure. ...11 hours ago - The House: Meanwhile, a week of passing law
The political week has been packed with worthy distractions, but all week Parliament has focused on passing new laws. Here are the highlights. ...11 hours ago
- The biggest difference between Hīkoi mō te Tiriti and past hīkoi: More support from non-Māori
Analysis - The diversity of voices during the hīkoi was noticeable - from tangata moana to young immigrants to elderly Pākehā from the South Island. ...12 hours ago
- The House: Samoan citizenship restoration – ‘It means we belong to this land’
When the bill to restore NZ citizenship to some Samoans passed this week, Parliament's galleries were full to the brim with members of the community. ...13 hours ago
- More Delays In Action On Use Of Puberty Blockers With Children
Women’s Rights Party Co-leader Jill Ovens says the Ministry has put New Zealand children at risk by continuing to allow “off-label” prescribing of puberty blockers at far higher rates than other similar countries. ...14 hours ago
- Police Minister adamant he wasn’t aware of gang members training at gun clubs
That is despite two papers from police that raised the matter with him. ...14 hours ago
- Shorten declares himself ‘a proud moderate’, saying Australians ‘in the middle’ shouldn’t ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Bill Shorten has declared himself “a proud moderate” in a valedictory speech declaring parliament has the responsibility to ensure the extremes of left and right do not set the terms of political debate. Shorten, ...15 hours ago
- New ‘best practice’ principles for superannuation products are coming. We asked a panel of exper...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt Garrow, Editorial Web Developer Studio Romantic/Shutterstock We all know how important it is to save enough money for retirement – but what about spending it wisely when we get there? Even for those who have built up a suitable ...15 hours ago
- Government accused of betraying Kiwis’ trust over lack of consultation on live exports
The government has always vowed to reinstate live exports by sea, which was banned by the previous Labour government. ...15 hours ago
- 7 things you can do if you think you sweat too much
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Freeman, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Bond University ERIK Miheyeu/Shutterstock Sweating is our body’s way of cooling down, a bit like an internal air conditioner. When our core temperature rises (because it’s hot outside, or you’re exercising), sweat glands all ...15 hours ago
- Phenergan for under 6s is now banned due to hallucination fears. Here’s what to use instead
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Macquarie University Australia’s drug regulator has issued a safety warning over the medicine Phenergan and related products containing the antihistamine drug promethazine. The Therapeutic Goods Administration said the over-the-counter products should not be given to children ...15 hours ago
- A new stage adaptation of Peter Carey’s Jack Maggs is a delightful homage to theatrical storytelli...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Campbell, Lecturer, Performing Arts, UniSA Creative, University of South Australia Matt Byrne/STCSA Jack Maggs is a delight and a homage to theatrical storytelling in Australia. Based on Peter Carey’s bestselling novel, Jack Maggs follows the ex-convict as he lands ...15 hours ago
- The government has introduced laws for its social media ban. But key details are still missing
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Angus, Professor of Digital Communication, Director of QUT Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology Ron Lach/Pexels The federal government today introduced into parliament legislation for its social media ban for people under 16 years. Communications Minister Michelle ...16 hours ago
- Archives NZ, National Library to cut 27 roles
The Department of Internal Affairs wants to bring the two organisations under the joint leadership of the Chief Archivist and National Librarian. ...16 hours ago
- Gang patch ban: Members warn of potential for violence to ‘erupt’ as new laws enforced
"I can't see this lasting unless they have a budget to lock fullas up in jail which I think is absolutely stupid, really it's ludicrous," Ngavii Pekapo, who set up a Mongrel Mob chapter 54 years ago, says. ...16 hours ago
- ACT leader David Seymour raises doubts about Waikato medical school
Government documents show ACT leader David Seymour told the government he was "dissatisfied" with a cost-benefit analysis. ...16 hours ago
- National’s Erica Stanford allegedly calls Labour’s Jan Tinetti a ‘stupid bitchR...
The Education Minister has apologised in Parliament for her remark. ...16 hours ago
- Labour backs new Police Commissioner – but warns against routine arming
The alternative to policing by consent would be a police state, which New Zealanders don't want, the party says. ...18 hours ago
- Youth on boot camp pilot re-offended five weeks after release
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So well put WEKA, mangled metaphors and all…
Indigenous people are disregarded and brutalised all over the world. Initially because they were seen as barriers by colonists to territory and resource acquisition, and then racism and genocide arising from white supremacism was applied–because such populations often support non growth living systems in sync with natural resources.
Anathema and incompatible with the internal laws of capitalism and finance capital.
Any bad actions by indigenous populations are usually down to desperation after environmental destruction or being taught warped values by experts!
The suits are full of shit on Climate Disaster and the NZ Govt. is terrified of taking on industrial dairying–and in fact they don’t really want to when it comes down to it as intervention conflicts with the neo liberal state and lighter than air style regulation of markets.
The reason the govt won't take on neoliberalism is because it knows most of us don't want it to. We are comfortable with consumer capitalism, paid for by increasing individual and collective debt to neoliberal financiers, even though we know we are killing the only world we can survive upon. It's a bit much to ask our political representatives to do anything beyond a bit of lip service towards any program that challenges our fundamental social and economic arrangements.
completely agree. This is on the people of NZ. If we wanted to do something about climate change we'd be voting Green or Māori Party.
This is likely to be an unpopular opinion with some, but perhaps I should point out that the true indigenes of New Zealand were its bird population, with giant moa and Haast's eagle at the top of the food chain. As soon as a more "advanced" species found their way there ….
Heh, I suspect any unpopular reaction will be down to your “stealth” Māori bash…
It was not specifically a "Maori bash" – the arrival of humans of any colour or culture would have had the same result.
James Shaw is a total supporter of the carbon trading system.
It's essential within his State Sector Decarbonisation Fund:
Budget boosts Carbon Neutral Government commitment | Beehive.govt.nz
It's an essential part of his Green Investment Finance fund:
Foundations laid for strong climate action | Beehive.govt.nz
Its deep within Shaw's financial market reporting requirements of the Financial Sector (Climate Related Disclosure and Other Matters) Bill.
NZ becomes first in world for climate reporting | Beehive.govt.nz
Shaw continues to lead the recent reforms to our ETS:
Emissions pricing reaches significant milestone | Beehive.govt.nz
And it's fully throughout the Climate Change Blueprint that Ardern and Shaw launched together.
Achievable blueprint for addressing climate change released | Beehive.govt.nz
This is Green policy, Labour policy, and government policy – as James Shaw said "Every Minister is a climate change minister".
all those links are from 2021, when Shaw is outside of Cabinet and Labour have a majority government. They demonstrate that he is doing his job properly to make small gains against the odds and despite Labour's entrenched centrist position. They don't demonstrate Green Party policy. And they don't demonstrate that we are anything close to doing what is needed to avert climate and ecological disaster.
See if you can find the bit in Green Party policy that supports us reducing our GHGs by 7% and making up the rest from fudging numbers, and international horse trading.
They are links to 2021 when James Shaw is the Minister of Climate Change, representing New Zealand on behalf of the government at COP 26, and James Shaw is the co-leader of the Green Party.
All of these policies are policies that the Green Party Co-Leader is writing, forming, negotiating, putting into practice, fronting to the public and to international leadership and on which the Green Party has voted into law and into Budget each time.
It’s the portfolio that the Green Party agreed to carry out – as the Green Party.
So it really is Green Party policy. Clearly not all Members like yourself agree with it, but that’s really just tough because that’s what the Green Party are voting for.
this is tedious, we're going round in circles. We all know Shaw is Climate Minister. He's not in cabinet. Labour get to make the decisions. I'm sure he has input, but he has little power. If you think he has the power to change Labour policy and decisions he disagrees with, please explain how within the structures and process of current parliamentary systems.
Yes, he is writing what he can get past the Labour cabinet. He's not writing what the GP want. He is being pragmatic. It's not the same thing.
Green Party policy is developed by the members, to change it the party has to go through a process. Go read it. MPs are empowered to make decisions within their parliamentary roles, but there is clear discrepancy between policy and what happens in reality in parliament. This you actually know, so I don't know why I am having to explain it. It's MMP 101. It happens with all small parties.
and that's not to diss Shaw and his team. I trust he is getting what he can. But it's ridiculous to suggest that the snail's pace NZ is moving at is Green Party policy rather than being about Labour. To suggest such is just ignorant of how MMP governments work.
Equally, he can't come out and say, hey we wanted to do this but Labour wouldn't let us. For pretty obvious reasons.
Green Party policy may or may not be the same as what James Shaw does as both leader of the Green Party and as responsible Minister. But that's got zero relevance to anything in parliament.
If the Green Party were dissatisfied we would have heard about it. So far it's you.
If you think he's powerless and needs to speak out more, he should take lessons from Peter Dunne, Laila Harre, Shane Jones or Winston Peters. They got billions, and they negotiated live in the media That's MMP 101.
You could always just tell him you're not happy. He will probably respond that he's doing really well within his portfolio, and of course he'd like to go further. That's just patting the supporter on the head.
James Shaw isn't speaking out because this is his policy right to the core. He built it, wrote it, negotiated it. He's not complaining precisely because he's getting his portfolio responsibility done.
This really is James Shaw policy. And it is also government policy.
If you think he's powerless and needs to speak out more, he should take lessons from Peter Dunne, Laila Harre, Shane Jones or Winston Peters. They got billions, and they negotiated live in the media That's MMP 101.
Um yes, and where are they all now? Maybe Shaw is playing a long game, one that ensures he and his party will be able to continue sticking around, ready for when their time does come. A lot of noise and flurry that achieves some short-term gains at the expense of one's later disappearance from the scene may be good tactics, but it's pretty ineffectual strategy.
All of those characters have retired with massive policy gains and projects delivered. Good politics is good delivery.
We're still waiting on Shaw's plan the Commission said he was supposed to have ready for December – but now due in the 2022 Budget. Gotta be able to show something for it after 7 years as Co-Leader, 3 terms as climate spokesperson and 1.5 terms as CLimate Change Minister.
Anything would be good.
spot on. They are playing the long game. They want change not power, and this is how they're getting it at the moment.
It's a nonsense to say that Labour aren't controlling the agenda here when they have a majority government. Bizarre.
"Winning slowly is the same as losing"
Bill McKibben
"If we don’t win very quickly on climate change, then we will never win. That’s the core truth about global warming."
https://world.350.org/pittsburgh/bill-mckibben-winning-slowly-is-the-same-as-losing/
This a Labour government …100 per cent Labour around the cabinet table….Shaw and the rest of the Greens have been sidelined by Labour and so are doing their best with hands tied
That just disrespects the actual work and skill Shaw has brought to the portfolio.
Imagine if James had been responsible for the mess in immigration, local government, or transport. He'd be given a solid roasting.
He's taken a small portfolio within a fairly minor Ministry (MfE) and got a huge amount of legislation, an entire cross-government workstream, and a really big budget bid in play for 2022.
That actually takes a lot of skill. He sure hasn't been sidelined. In fact right now he's centre stage.
Until we feel consequences of human induced climate change attitudes won't change.
Politicians have elections to win until more people vote green .Climate action will be a very hard sell.Putin and Xaoping didn't show.
So the attitude of the majority is why should we change when no one else is.
Xi Jinping will address cop26 by written statement.
Who is Xaoping?
Well even the Guardian has noticed that Xi Xinping really hasn't done anything new.
The ABC digs a little deeper.
Why exactly are you so keen to give the CCP a free pass on this?
Where have I given the 'CCP (sic) a free pass on this''? I haven't read his statement yet.
You may be satisfied with the Guardian's report. I will read the original statement.
FYI
His name is (in English) Xi Jinping. He is the President of the People's Republic of China. The Guardian manages to spell his name correctly. This seems to be beyond you, along with your inability to name the country correctly.
https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub/where_we_work/amazon/amazon_threats/other_threats/logging_amazon/
https://theconversation.com/climate-explained-what-would-happen-if-we-cut-down-the-amazon-rainforest-150054
https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/topics/palm-oil
Climate is regulated by circulation and exchange of water in all its forms through air and ground. No amount of planting in NZ will make a difference if we don't stop the deforestation of the last remaining Rainforests the world over.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/
Next to the strong reduction of consumerism that causes the sea to be come a grave for all water animals as well as humans as the circulation (see above) wont work.
The issue here is that all people need to survive and many have to toil in those industries causing the destructing as they need to feed their family and have a roof over their head.
And this essentially what it is about. If for the sake of being “right” people are being made to suffer you have no buy in of any group. And hungry people will take to the pitch forks, literally.
True, NZ has to contribute in deed and words. But it doesn't have to hold the burden of the world. As long as we talk about race and people dividing policies, nothing will happen due to the always successful blame game. Divide and conquer.
Industry, be it forestry, farming, agriculture, mining etc.. need to be brought to a table and discuss how they can provide solutions. No one is interested in divisive hate propaganda such as is being placated lately. I am convinced that 98% of people would follow any path that provides a solution on reasonable terms. The 2% greedy to the hilt just need to accept that the majority wants a future.
Let's start by totally banning palm kernel imports and enforcing sustainable stocking levels.
Let's start by banning the buying up of carbon credits in other countries just to make the numbers look good. I cannot believe that we are considering this.
Let's start by enforcing the fencing off and planting of waterways. It's not happening in a meaningful way.
Let's start by inspecting and enforcing of conditions around effluent and waste water disposal.
This massive talkfest in Glasgow will result in sweet FA – it's nothing more than a junket. How much is it costing?
RosieLee, I fully agree.
Exactly who is going to "enforce" any of these?
At one Farmer's meeting it was reputedly said: 'There are not enough of you'
Well, this is the problem in one sentence. WHY would we need to excessively control, check and enforce anything? The situation is so dire that any farmer of repute working the land will or ought to know that their kids can look forward to a killer time to take over their job. On land or sea.
Palm kernel controlled via import control
Carbon credits via government controls
Fencing and waterways via DOC
If all else fails, than fees on every m2 of farmland to create a fund repairing the damage will do what words obviously cannot.
Like this one:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/126860610/why-was-300kg-of-crayfish-dumped-to-rot
How about putting a price on each cray (commercial) plus GST, an environmental fee, a fee related to age of the animal and charge the proprietor. It takes up to 11 years for a cray to mature.
Just to reiterate on my previous comment:
"Palm kernel controlled via import control"
That would end up at the WTO as it has with the EU in the case of the oil.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysia-escalate-eu-palm-oil-dispute-wto-2021-05-28/
Besides which cows would starve.
"Carbon credits via government controls"
Already Farmers are gaming that system with the consequences that huge tracts are being planted with non-native mono-culture Pine trees – as one instance.
"Fencing and waterways via DOC"
ROFL – DOC cannot even look after Crown Land let alone Farm Land
"If all else fails, than fees on every m2 of farmland to create a fund repairing the damage will do what words obviously cannot."
Ah! More Tax – many farms are so negatively geared that they pay little tax now and I am sure the Banks will have something to say about wanting their interest first!
Essentially, all of this is just creative accounting. This will not see the environment improve anytime soon.
If cows starve than ecological NZ has an unsustainable number of it. Farmers have negatively geared because of forecasts increasing the heard even more so. The pines are just planted for carbon credits and yes you guessed it, increasing the bottom line. We are talking about the same folks that releases viruses into the environment because they "know better" than science. Only to find a few years later that the rabbits are back, more and stronger. The wisdom of those connected to the land… yeah right.
But we needn't worry, the land is being sold under our feet and we will not have any say of any environmental damage caused.
Not that there is substantial effort to make things better, but ROI overrides everything.
https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/WRC/WRC-2019/tr0737.pdf
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/317103/foreigners-continue-to-invest-heavily-in-nz-farms
And yes, if a tax is needed to force a change so be it. It has worked with smoking, fuel and any other "behavior" regulator.
Protesters in Glasgow are sending a clear message to the Cop 26 participants in the main hall, singing "You can shove your climate crisis up your arse". Good to see Greta Thunberg smiling as she sings along.
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/greta-thunberg-glasgow-sing-climate-crisis-cop26-b1949431.html
Big demo with striking Glasgow workers planned for Friday by climate protesters. Mass action on the streets is the only way timid politicians are going to take any action.