Climate and food security: annual cropping vs regenerative agriculture

Written By: - Date published: 9:59 am, February 13th, 2020 - 67 comments
Categories: climate change, farming, food - Tags: , , , , , ,

This popped up in my twitter feed last night. It’s some research published in October 2019 looking at the risks of multiple crop failures as the planet moves between 1.5C and 2C global warming increase.


First the bad news then the good news. From the research abstract,

The increasingly inter-connected global food system is becoming more vulnerable to production shocks owing to increasing global mean temperatures and more frequent climate extremes. Little is known, however, about the actual risks of multiple breadbasket failure due to extreme weather events. Motivated by the Paris Climate Agreement, this paper quantifies spatial risks to global agriculture in 1.5 and 2 °C warmer worlds. This paper focuses on climate risks posed to three major crops – wheat, soybean and maize – in five major global food producing areas.

Risks of simultaneous crop failure, however, do increase disproportionately between 1.5 and 2 °C, so surpassing the 1.5 °C threshold will represent a threat to global food security. For maize, risks of multiple breadbasket failures increase the most, from 6% to 40% at 1.5 to 54% at 2 °C warming.

This is science not news. We already know that crops are at risk. Here’s the IPCC’s chapter on food security (PDF) if you want to read more.

Shifting mass numbers of people onto an annual cropping plant-based diet doesn’t seem so smart after all.

The good news is that permaculture and other regenerative food growing systems have been developing techniques and practices for this scenario over the last 40 years. Below are some examples. Coupled with relocalising food supply, they give a much more stable system of food production and distribution, at the same time as lowering GHG emissions with the potential of being carbon sinks. Bear in mind this doesn’t mean an end to annual cropping, it means we aren’t so reliant on food systems that are already set to fail.

Countries like New Zealand are well placed to lead the world on this, in terms of dropping our own emissions and increasing food security, but also providing models and expertise to other countries. We can and should still grow some excess food for export but with the aim of increasing food security for vulnerable countries rather than merely supporting the global economy. Imagine trade agreements centred around that.

The following examples aren’t silver bullets, but show case a range of foods production systems that feature resiliency and how to adapte food growing in different climatic conditions.

In this five minute slide show of the permaculture classic Greening the Desert, the Lawtons show the process whereby they established trees in Jordan that were bearing food within the first year in one of the harshest climates on the planet. The area has one of the lowest rainfalls per head of population in the world and the land in the area had been overgrazed and salinated.

This TED talk (20 mins) shows how to graze animals so you don’t end up in a drought (both locally and from climate change). Alan Savory has been doing this on-the-ground research for over 50 years, and developed systems of mob grazing that reverse desertification, sequester carbon, and restore local microclimates on such a large scale that they would probably effect macro climate if adopted en masse.

At the end the TED host calls the presentation truly astonishing, but these farm technologies, based on mimicking natural cycles, are well known in sustainably land management circles and are also being used successfully in NZ.

 

Our own Robert Guyton and his wife Robyn’s food forest in Riverton, now over two decades old.

Things that stand out for me from this video are:

  • how they’ve raised the temperature of the garden allowing a wider range of foods to be grown in that exposed Southland climate
  • the variety of plants supporting insect and bird diversity
  • the range of plants, including multiple varieties of some species also means that if one variety fails due to climate/weather the whole crop is not lost.
  • Rebuilding deep soil that retains moisture well (drought-proofing and increasing fertility)
  • No need for external fertiliser inputs

What’s really needed right now is for central and local government to lead by putting funding and direction into regenerative agriculture. I’d like to see subsidies in place to encourage food growers from backyard to large scale farming stations, as well as advice and R and D support built in across the relevant government departments.

Needless to say, we still have to urgently reduce GHG emissions, locally and globally.

Mod note: no climate denial under my posts thanks, including ‘it’s too late’ or ‘there’s nothing we can do’.

67 comments on “Climate and food security: annual cropping vs regenerative agriculture ”

  1. Dennis Frank 1

    What’s really needed right now is for central and local government to lead by putting funding and direction into regenerative agriculture.

    True. Out situation requires a leader to lead the lobbying process. I suggest checking with the parliamentary Greens to see if one of them is ready, willing and able to do this job. 🤔

    Perhaps Robert ought to jump the Labour ship and join the Greens, to do that job? We know it'll never happen if people expect Labour to do it. 😇

    To succeed, it will need to be a community-led social enterprise. Local workshops to show folks how. Someone from the relevant part of the civil service to steer development of that enterprise in liaison with local/regional govt…

    • weka 1.1

      Greenpeace put out a bit on regenag, so definitely potential from the NGOs too. I'd also like to see the Greens do something on this, although I suspect it would be more likely once they have more MPs. One of their list candidates is a farmer, but he's also a bit pro-faux meat I think.

      Robert is a Labour member? I think the work he is doing in Southland is invaluable (community and ES).

      Lots of willing people to step up and teach, needs the infrastructure and funding. Also need some solid NZ based research that the mainstream will want.

    • Gosman 1.2

      This seems like a backward step if the process take much more effort to get the same level of output that we have now if we also take in to account the environmental benefits.

    • Robert Guyton 1.3

      "jump the Labour ship"

      Funny. I stood for The Greens in Clutha-Southland some years ago, pitting my ways against Bill English in a region as blue as a blowfly's undercarriage. I didn't topple the double-dipper from Dipton, but he and I had some fun on the hustings. Labour and I are…distantly related smiley

      Regarding the post, I take issue with the framing, "annual cropping .v. regenerative agriculture"; for me the issue is annual crops .v. perennial crops. The forest garden suits plants such as hosta, cardoon, French sorrel etc. that are planted once then harvested forever. Annuals, cropped en masse and attractive to monoculturalists and industry, have always been asking for it; it being collapse through various means: disease, politics and now, extreme weather events and or locusts.

      • Dennis Frank 1.3.1

        Perennial crops seem preferable. I've experimented with the notion of re-wilding one's garden somewhat – to the extent allowing self-seeding to become part of my praxis.

        Kale (the broad, flat-leaf kind) is extremely robust & prolific at reproducing here – you can take as many leaves as you need all-year round since it seems not to be noticeably seasonal.

        Spring onions seem also to be season-independent, but not prolific. I leave the seed heads and scatter then too but still only seem to get a dozen or so plants growing each year out of the hundreds of seeds. Enough, though.

        Borage, on the other hand, is too prolific! From a single plant three years ago I now have them all over the property. I use it to pull bees from elsewhere. Buttercups are prolific self-seeders too, and make better soup than the best pumpkins!

        • Robert Guyton 1.3.1.1

          Buttercups? Hope you meant butternuts smiley

          I've wild onions growing beneath most of my plum trees and they appear and multiply all by themselves, every year. Naturally, they are regarded by most as a weed. I agree that perennials are the way forward (a way forward, WTB, if you're reading smiley If you're keen, Steven Barstow's book, "Around the world in 80 plants" and his website/facebook page, is for you!

        • WeTheBleeple 1.3.1.2

          A clever permie showed us how he got the whole seed head of alliums (spring onion, onion, leek, etc) and just planted that about an inch down in good soil. Then he got lots of seedlings and thinned them out to grow further. Clever and easy. I have tried your method (scatter seeds) as well, and the results weren't great.

          Thanks for the heads up on the book/page robert. And yes – buttercups? (Every permie in town:) WHAT!

          • Dennis Frank 1.3.1.2.1

            Butternuts, indeed! That was a senior moment. There's a species of pumpkin called buttercup & my mind swapped the name unconsciously apparently. 😕 Good tip re planting the seed-head!

      • weka 1.3.2

        "I take issue with the framing, "annual cropping .v. regenerative agriculture"; for me the issue is annual crops .v. perennial crops."

        Aren't most regenerative systems based around perennials? Fair point though, I probably should have spelled that out. I think I probably need to do some posts on what regen is and how it is done. Unless you would like to write some 🙂 (or have some elsewhere that I can cross post).

  2. Gosman 2

    Why does localised food production make sense? Surely you want the most efficient and environmentally sound food production on a global scale and ensure people can source different food from anywhere. If NZ can produce Dairy produce in a more environmentally friendly way than anywhere on the planet why wouldn't it make sense for us to focus on that and export our surplus to other nations?

    • weka 2.1

      We can't produce export dairy in an environmentally friendly way Gosman, that's been well and truly demonstrated. Regenerative ag means that the land is regenerated (let me know if it's not clear what that means). Almost impossible to do that on a large scale in many places in NZ, dry climates, but also places like Southland that is basically a wetland.

      Reasons why local food makes sense:

      1. if the global food supply fails (read the links in the post) then you and I still get to eat.
      2. the global food supply is artificially propped up by fossil fuels, extractive industries (eg artificial fert or palm oil for dairy cows), all of which are causing enviro problems. If we accounted for those then we would see that the global system isn't very efficient, it just outsources the costs. If you take away those props, then the system fails.
      3. significantly less GHG emissions
      4. more people can make a better living when money stays locally rather than being accumulated in a small number of companies elsewhere
      5. if all places were producing much of their food locally using regenag, then everyone gets to eat (leaving aside political reasons that underpin food scarcity)
      6. export is a net loss of fertility. The only way to counter that is to farm regeneratively, but there are still limits on how much we can do that sustainably and in a CC world. This is a simple matter of physics.
      • Gosman 2.1.1

        Of course we can produce dairy in a more environmentally friendly way. Certainly the way NZ produces Dairy is much more environmentally sound than other countries on the planet. If we are better than other nations then it would make sense that we make dairy produce and other nations do something else. This is unless you think no dairy can ever be produced environmentally sound in which case it doesn't matter if it is local or not.

        • weka 2.1.1.1

          stop splitting semantic hairs Gosman. If you don't understand the argument being made in the post, I'm happy to explain more, but if you just want to create diversions I'm happy to ban you off the post for the day.

          'more' environmentally friendly as you are using it is just killing a bit more slowly.

          • Gosman 2.1.1.1.1

            No, it means that all activity has an environmental impact. People need to work out a formula to decide what is acceptable and what isn't it.

            I don’t think enough has been done on that to state whether something is or isn’t sustainable.

            • weka 2.1.1.1.1.1

              you've said this before, that you think sustainability isn't well enough defined yet because it is dependent on maths and no-one has done the work yet. Sustainability experts, of which we have a very large number, disagree.

              What is acceptable to people is largely irrelevant to defining sustainability, although it does factor into politics.

              • weka

                Btw, I can't tell if you are genuine here and simply don't understand the concepts and the post, or if you are just running diversionary comments. My patience is running out, so my suggestion is that next time you want to comment under one of my posts, you make some effort to lay out your arguments at the start, and explain your thinking. You’ve improved on this as the thread has gone along, but to me it looks like it took the threat of a ban for that to happen.

      • Gosman 2.1.2

        I'm not sure you really understand about what it means by "?If the global food supply fails". Think about that for a second and then think about what would happen if the localised food supply for NZ fails.

        • weka 2.1.2.1

          I have thought about Gosman, and I write posts after I have thought about it. If you want to explain your own thinking, you are welcome, but if not then please don't post patronising comments at me the authors. There is an expectation here to stay reasonably on topic. I'm ok with you making an argument about what concerns you about the global or local food supply failing, but at this stage I don't actually know what your concern is (eg you think it won't happen?)

      • Enough is Enough 2.1.3

        "if the global food supply fails (read the links in the post) then you and I still get to eat"

        And what happens when the local food supply fails?

        I prefer to rely on the global thanks as that isn't putting all the eggs in one basket

        • weka 2.1.3.1

          The point here is that the global food supply chain as the thing we are reliant on IS putting all the eggs in one basket. Did you read the research abstract? What is your proposal for when those three crops fail in significant quantity that people starve? Are you saying that you should have access to those grains and others shouldn't, or are you ok with being the one dying? Why would you choose that over having a more resilient system?

          • Gosman 2.1.3.1.1

            All that will happen is the price of food for those three food crops will sky rocket as there is a shortage and people will have to source other food instead. They will be able to source other food relatively easily because there will be a globalised transport network which will move the produce from the areas it is in to the areas that demand it. However if a localised food production system fails on a large scale then people end up starving because there is few long distance transportation and associated logistics to manage to get food to the affected areas.

            • weka 2.1.3.1.1.1

              what is the food that people will be able to source that isn't wheat, soybean and maize? Please be specific about the replacement plant species and where they are grown so we can see if they will also be affected by climate and weather.

              • Gosman

                All plants are going to be impacted by a change in climate. It doesn't matter if it is local climate change or global. I don't see what your point is.

                • weka

                  You said "They will be able to source other food relatively easily…"

                  Are you now saying that you accept that there will be food shortages and this won't be possible?

                  It's not the plants being affected (although that's an additional issue), it's the way they are grown. Regenag specialises in growing food that is resilient and more secure. This is the literal point of the post. Conventional ag is vulnerable, regenag is more resilient, because of the techniques it uses. There are a number of people in this thread that can easily explain this to you if you ask. Or you can follow the links in the post and do your own reading.

                  • Gosman

                    "Regenag specialises in growing food that is resilient and more secure"

                    That is a very debatable point and regenerative agriculture does not necessarily mean localised agriculture.

                    • weka

                      yes Gosman, it is debatable. It's a post on a political blog where we debate, this is what we do here. If you want to debate it, please do. I would love someone to put up some intelligent argument against the post instead of this superficial 'oh it won't work because I don't believe in it' stuff.

                      Regenag doesn't necessarily mean local, it's true, which is why I spoke about it in addition to the regenag point. I think we can relocalise and do regenag, and have limited export that is grown regeneratively.

    • Dennis Frank 2.2

      Your faith that the current economy is sustainable is likely to be unsustainable. Viability depends on fossil fuel usage, eh? Until someone builds an electric container ship, global trade is vulnerable. Likewise an electric aeroplane…

      • Gosman 2.2.1

        No. A globalised economy existed well before fossil fuel industry was established. The British Empire was largely established prior to the invention of steam powered sea born transport.

        • Graeme 2.2.1.1

          Yeah, very good point, and speeds and passage times aren't all that different between a China Clipper and container ship, most of the improvement is from canals shortening the passage.

          Maybe the challenge / solution is to go back to a similar economy and motive power, but with modern technology. By a similar economy I mean trade reduces to more essential item and higher value goods, as it was in late 1800's. That'd mean less personal / disposable stuff but maybe a better quality of products and life.

          • weka 2.2.1.1.1

            This is what I am hoping we get to, where we can work within the limits of the world but also make the most of our current knowledge and tech within that. I also belief we can have a good quality of life this way. In addition to the benefit of not destroying the environment 😉

          • Gosman 2.2.1.1.2

            Major civilisations have tended to rely heavily on transporting large amounts of food to places which needed it rather than growing it locally. The Romans relied heavily on Egyptian grain to feed Rome's teaming masses. The Aztecs imported massive amounts of food in to Tenochtitlan from the territory of people surrounding the capital that they had conquerred.

            • Dennis Frank 2.2.1.1.2.1

              All true, but unsustainable. We could do adhocery & get away with it for a century or two, but why not shift to a sustainable society?

              • Gosman

                Why is it unsustainable? If I produce food efficiently and have a surplus of it in one location why would it not make sense to move it in bulk quantities to places where people are willing to pay for it?

                • Dennis Frank

                  I meant the historical models you cited proved to be unsustainable. I agree with the principle you delineated – with the caveat that true-cost accounting is applied so that the efficiency is real. Rather than the delusional efficiency promoted by accountants in traditional capitalism.

                  • Gosman

                    Then we are quibbling over accounting terms but do you agree that "Localised good – Global bad" in relation to ALL food (not just the stuff we can't grow here) is overly simplistic?

                    • Dennis Frank

                      Perhaps so, but I wouldn't assume that the issue was originally framed as a simplistic binary. Better to develop employment opportunities for our regions via booming regen-ag, I reckon, even if we continue to import some food on a sustainable basis…

  3. Robert Guyton 3

    Gosman asks: "Why does localised food production make sense?"

    Make sense to whom, Gosman? It makes sense to locals and aren't we all … locals? There are some foods that are best sourced or only available overseas; Brazil nuts, the name might hint to you, come from elsewhere and we need the selenium they contain (we could take supplements instead) but our own needs could largely be met locally, imo. People who eat from their own gardens and visit supermarkets for toilet paper only, are pretty happy about that arrangement.

    • Gosman 3.1

      It doesn't make sense to locals. If I can work in an office 40 hours and earn say $2000 per week and spend $200 on imported food why would I be better off spending those 40 hours growing the same amount of food?

      • WeTheBleeple 3.1.1

        Nobodies asking you to grow the food yourself. Only a portion of us will be feeding the rest. I'm all for the bulk of your food spend money circulating back in the local economy. It makes the economy more resilient. I don't think you'll be missing out. as Robert illustrates with Brasil nuts, some things we can't grow, so we import. With dairy, some countries can't produce it, so we can export too.

        But should we put all our eggs in the same udder? That's not business, that's gambling, and the dice are loaded against us.

        • Gosman 3.1.1.1

          Only a proportion of people feed the rest of us already. I just prefer to source my food from the most efficient producers. It doesn't matter if they come from overseas or not. For some reason it does for you.

          • WeTheBleeple 3.1.1.1.1

            Yep it does matter. Oil based systems are destroying the weather systems. Large scale monocultures require poisons and are destroying biodiversity. It will matter to you too when ecosystem collapse occurs on your doorstep. Oh that's right, it was only your neighbors doorstep so no worries aye. There's nothing efficient about behemoth oil based industries, they ride a carbon bubble and mine wealth to the detriment of our future.

            You might lack the nous to ascertain the world's food supply is under threat, that's why we have scientists.

            • weka 3.1.1.1.1.1

              And bloggers who put the science reports at the top of their posts 😉

            • Gosman 3.1.1.1.1.2

              We don't need oil based transport to move food on a mass scale over large distances.

              • WeTheBleeple

                Well if you cherrypick that part of the system (transport) and then imagine the worlds shipping is currently wind powered…

                Oil based fertilisers and pesticides. Oil driven machinery. Utter reliance on the thing breaking the planet to feed the planet. Not clever, not even close.

                But but efficiency, but but billionaires yacht funds!

                We'll use superyachts to transport the food. No worries aye.

                • Gosman

                  All those things can be replaced with non oil based alternatives.

                  • Robert Guyton

                    pfffffft

                    • Gosman

                      As they were prior to the mid to late 19th Century when there was a globalised food distribution system.

                    • Robert Guyton

                      And look where that led to.

                      It wasn’t the source of power for the ships, it was the mindset that sought to profit, no matter the cost (to everyone/thing else!)

                  • weka

                    "As they were prior to the mid to late 19th Century when there was a globalised food distribution system."

                    You're ok with goods taking 3 months to get from Europe to here? I'm impressed Gosman. I'm ok with this too, we still get to eat chocolate and drink coffee, but obviously it's not going to work for lots of the food we currently eat, and there's still the issue of the maize, wheat and soy crop failures.

                    • Graeme

                      The 3 months passage was because they had to go around Cape Horn, now shipping goes through Panama. There's been several orders of magnitude increase in vessel capacity, but speed hasn't increased that much.

                      IRT crop failure, with global trade a population can handle a local crop failure by importing food, without it they starve.

                    • weka

                      How long does it take now?

                      It was the % re those three crops that got my eye. I didn't read the paper, and I'll keep my eye out for critique of the science, but those are not small numbers.

                    • Graeme

                      https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jul/25/slow-ships-cut-greenhouse-emissions

                      A combination of the recession and growing awareness in the shipping industry about climate change emissions encouraged many ship owners to adopt "slow steaming" to save fuel two years ago. This lowered speeds from the standard 25 knots to 20 knots, but many major companies have now taken this a stage further by adopting "super-slow steaming" at speeds of 12 knots (about 14mph).

                      Travel times between the US and China, or between Australia and Europe, are now comparable to those of the great age of sail in the 19th century. American clippers reached 14 to 17 knots in the 1850s, with the fastest recording speeds of 22 knots or more.

          • Robert Guyton 3.1.1.1.2

            The "most efficient producers" you cite, Gosman – who, where and how?

            Have "the most efficient producers" exploited their "buying power" to grab land to apply their monocultural, environment and community destroying processes to, "efficiently" produce food with which to "feed the world"?

  4. WeTheBleeple 4

    I love fresh annuals, but not so keen on high maintenance. Last year early spring I built some garden beds and planted trees in them, but also annuals surrounding them. The weed suppressing layer of cardboard with thick mulch on top design meant I did not have to weed or water, merely plant and harvest. My kind of garden.

    Last years drought followed by this years drought has seen very little decomposition of the mulch layer. This has seen less nutrients than were expected, and a need to supplement with extra compost, comfrey, whatever's on hand. The lack of rain means annuals in thick mulch die, or I must water them every few days. Those without mulch on their gardens are watering annuals almost daily. As the trees grow and provide shade conditions will improve with cooler temperatures and better water retention and decomposition rates in this system.

    My established trees are still producing well. Other than planting day, I've only watered them twice – this year. Some young trees planted last year are alive but have barely grown. The new kowhai, titoki, coprosma need no care but are planted close to previous earthworks made to hydrate the soil. Nuts, bananas, peaches, plums, guavas, feijoas, olives, woody herbs, blackberries and more… easy peasy – once established.

    The lawn, which I treat in a manner to make Allan Savory proud (diverse, let it grow, chooks to knock it back, let it grow, never remove residues) is the only green lawn on the street (that isn't watered).

    One neighbor beats his lawn to death. His well established camellias are dead and dying where they stand isolated on the lawn. Only the ones receiving partial shade are healthy.

    Trees are going to be a big deal no matter what you want to grow. The aquifers won't replenish at the rate we draw from them. Water and trees will be key to surviving in agriculture. If not for trees I'd be feeling rather food insecure right now. With all my knowledge and diversity and earthworks – shit's getting real.

    • Robert Guyton 4.1

      When the tap's turned off, metaphorically speaking, and too-little rain falls, it's all on! You wrote some time ago, that forests attract rain and I concur. Two things worry me; drought (definitely not a concern in Southland…presently) and tumultuously, churning, wild-weather (grey and cold). Both states slow/stop/negate plant growth. This is a serious state of affairs. Trees; forests, woodlands, plantations or wilding-break-outs, serve to ensure our survival, imo. Sure, farm regeneratively, but if you're not attracting rain, you're not gonna make it, imo

      • weka 4.1.1

        I would hope that farming regeneratively includes reforestation. Salatin (for all his faults) apparently has a huge amount of their land still in forest rather than converted to pasture.

        What interests me here is how in NZ we can get up to speed fast on different local climates and what is needed regarding forestation i.e. what is the best way to proceed. I'm good with just planting as many trees as people possibly can and I am heartened that so many people are into this now, but we seem to be still chopping down trees at an alarming rate, and lots of people are focused on natives without thinking through the deeper climate mitigation issues.

        High winds are also an issue in some places, forestry needing good system design to both be resilient and to cope with trees that come down.

        • WeTheBleeple 4.1.1.1

          If wind breaks were to go (on windward side) from shrub layer to medium to tall tree the wind stress on any particular subset of the wind break would be minimal. We might also make these fire resistant species, so that the edge of the forest is harder to light. If one placed small earthworks while creating the firebreak/windbreak, it would greatly enhance water holding and thus fire thwarting potential. Such a design kills several birds with one stone being self reliant, fire resistant and wind resistant. Forestry itself should move to mixed models rather than monoculture, but reductionists have trouble counting past one.

  5. WeTheBleeple 6

    Here's something for the survivalists out there. Gosman, relax – nobody is suggesting you do this.

    https://honest-food.net/acorn-flour-recipe-cold-process/

  6. Robert Guyton 7

    "‘I found in many instances pines can be used as a nursery for native forestry, but in some parts of the country, such as the Canterbury plains, there needs to be quite a bit of intervention.

    ‘‘It works well in warm, moist climates like Rotorua and Marlborough, and in North Canterbury, on southwest-facing gullies on hill country.’’"

    https://www.odt.co.nz/rural-life/horticulture/ambassador-has-free-tree-advice

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    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    8 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    10 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    21 hours ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 day ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    1 day ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    1 day ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
    The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 13
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • AT Need To Lift Their Game
    Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
    6 days ago
  • Christopher's Whopper.
    Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

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

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