Climate Commision Chair: it’s time to reform the “plant and pollute” Emissions Trading Scheme

Written By: - Date published: 11:39 am, September 20th, 2022 - 32 comments
Categories: climate change, Economy, ETS - Tags: , ,

From RNZ,

The emissions trading scheme allows companies to “plant and pollute” and needs reform, Climate Change Commission chairperson Dr Rod Carr says.

Carr spoke to more than 500 business and policy leaders at the business and climate conference in Auckland today.

He was one of a number of speakers who said the country’s plans to reduce emissions rely too heavily on planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide planting, instead of actually cutting the amount of damaging climate gases being released.

They said the practice was not in keeping with international efforts to keep warming below catastrophic levels.

The government is currently reviewing the emission trading scheme.

I’ve never made the effort to understand the mechanics of the ETS, because from a whole systems, working with nature POV it’s always looked like the kind of BAU madness one would use if you didn’t really intend to change. Plant and pollute sums it up. The same thinking that got us in this mess won’t get us out of it.

My political position has been that we needed the ETS as a stepping stone to shift politics, business and the public to a point where the real work could happen. The Greens got caught up in the mainstream’s inability to take climate seriously, and took a pragmatic approach all these years: work with what you’ve got is a valid strategy when other change is not possible.

So I am very pleased to see the Climate Change Commission’s chair Rod Carr speaking to business leaders this week about the need for reform. And indeed that the government is already reviewing it.

I’ve been pretty glum lately about our ability to make the changes necessary to save humans and other life from climate catastrophe. We know what to do, but we have lacked the political and social will to effect that change.

This announcement restores my faith somewhat, because it also points to policy not being set in stone, and it leaves a door open to other change, including the fast and radical change we will need at some point. This we can be preparing for.

I’m incredibly grateful to James Shaw and his team as well the Greens for doing the invisible, hard slog within the parliamentary and government systems that will mean as we do adopt change the governance and policy systems are already on board and in a position to move. This is gold. Do  you see yet how good it is that we have a suit as co-leader of the Greens?

If we shift from a plant and pollute model, what are the options? Carr, Shaw, the business community will work on how to help the business and political classes integrate this. I expect this will be slower and less radical than many climate activists want, but again, a move in the right direction while we are building momentum.

More and more people are starting to talk about the need to consume less energy and goods. There is heaps of work being done on models and systems like Doughnut Economics, the circular economy, degrowth and steady state. I write about the Powerdown. If you’re feeling stuck or depressed, go look at what is being done and what works. All the things we need to act are there, there is more being done now than ever before.

An explanation and critique of emissions trading (aka cap and trade), from 2009,

A last note. New Zealand is in a prime position to lead on climate transition. We have a Green party already in government (kind of), and a centre left party able to form government that is led by someone of the climate generation who gets it. Research shows a high percentage of New Zealanders want the government to do more on climate. Imagine what we could do with a third term Labour led government with strong Green and Māori Party numbers inside caucus.

 

32 comments on “Climate Commision Chair: it’s time to reform the “plant and pollute” Emissions Trading Scheme ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Robert Guyton 1
    20 September 2022 at 12:00 pm

    So, no longer "polluter pays" but, "polluter STOPS POLLUTING!!"

    YES?

    • weka 1.1
      20 September 2022 at 12:02 pm

      hope so. They were a little short on detail, I took it more about the message.

      • Robert Guyton 1.1.1
        20 September 2022 at 12:06 pm

        The pressure from the "market head" to the "market body" – primary producers especially, is most significant, to my thinking.

        This is already happening and could be the unexpected, transformative element many of us have hoped for.

        How loathsome though, to have to pin your hopes on the "dead hand" 🙂

        • weka 1.1.1.1
          20 September 2022 at 12:12 pm

          I noticed the emphasis on failed global markets if we don't change.

          My sense is still that the missing piece is a vision of where we can go that is meaningful ecologically and is something people can relate to and act upon. The business and political classes will follow, as always, once there are enough people showing the way.

          • Robert Guyton 1.1.1.1.1
            20 September 2022 at 12:31 pm

            I think the ecologically-minded people will follow, not lead. The hope that once there are enough of us, the soul-less corporations will have to change, is not realistic, despite the romance of it. Tough outcome, but I'm happy for a tidal wave of change to come from industry/business and the evil marketeers, where it addresses the problem. We ecological visionaries should thank our lucky stars we don't have to shoulder the huge burden alone 🙂 We are free now, to imagine the fun stuff that perhaps lies ahead, rather than the grinding mechanics of the structural changes needed 🙂

            • weka 1.1.1.1.1.1
              20 September 2022 at 12:50 pm

              I think we are talking about different things.

              That Carr can talk about reform of the ETS is thanks to the culture shifters like The Story of Stuff people who made that cap and trade video in 2009. The more the culture shifts, the easier it is for business/political leaders to get on board. Journalists play a crucial role as well, eg the Guardian in the UK being one of the first MSM to commit to serious climate coverge.

              If people can't see a way forward, if it all looks like catatrophe or it's too late, then people won't act. Business people are people too, as are their partners and children who are shoulder tapping them.

              Agree that we are freed up from the burden of structural change.

            • Poission 1.1.1.1.1.2
              20 September 2022 at 12:55 pm

              Yeah but he contradicted himself with confusing renewable with a reduction in carbon emissions.

              Dr Carr also pointed out the opportunities Southland has when it comes to creating a sustainable carbon cycle.

              “Biomass production has huge potential in Southland and could, for example, be used as an alternative to coal in electricity generation, which is already being explored in New

              https://www.es.govt.nz/about-us/news?item=id:2jdatqe0n1cxby7o5f4t

              That does not reduce emissions,there is a big shitstorm with Europe and so called biomass energy production and the laws of physics.(around 40% of Europes renewable comes for the denaturing and combustion of wood much from the US)

              https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2021/07/us/american-south-biomass-energy-invs/

              • weka …
                20 September 2022 at 12:59 pm

                the problem there is the people making the change having a particular kind of mindset that means they can't see the wood for the trees. So to speak.

                Biomass can help reduce emissions, but it depends on how it is done. Technologically, but also the systems used. Thinking we can swap fossil fuels out and replace with biofuels, and carry on BAU, is exactly the kind of thinking that is block real change.

                • weka …
                  20 September 2022 at 1:00 pm

                  eg degrowth, and use biofuels for essentials where the power of the burn is especially needed. Everyone being able to drive around in their own car at will doesn't count.

                  • Poission …
                    20 September 2022 at 1:05 pm

                    Burning trees produce Co2.That is the science,that is the mindset.

                    Burning wood is also carbon-inefficient, so the wood burned for energy emits more carbon up smokestacks than using fossil fuels. Overall, for each kilowatt hour of heat or electricity produced, using wood initially is likely to add two to three times as much carbon to the air as using fossil fuels.

                    https://www.woodwellclimate.org/letter-regarding-use-of-forests-for-bioenergy/

                    • weka …
                      20 September 2022 at 2:13 pm
                      1. you don't have to kill a tree to produce energy from biomass

                      2. unlike fossil fuels, biomass can also be used to sequester carbon, improve soil, increase biodiversity, help retain moisture in the soil and thus mitigate drought.

                      3. reductionist measurements are useful. Reductionist thinking is what is killing the planet.

                      The question isn't do FF or biomass produce more GHGs? It's how can we stop using FF, and in what ways can biomass help us with that regeneratively rather than just creating more problems.

                    • Robert Guyton …
                      20 September 2022 at 2:15 pm

                      Wood is a renewable fuel, coal is not. Both produce CO2 but only one of those fuels; the living one, can reclaim that CO2.

                      The problem lies with the (insane) desire to maintain our level of energy consumption. Powering down, without breaking us all, means wood could provide much of what we need, sustainably.

                    • Robert Guyton …
                      20 September 2022 at 2:18 pm

                      Woody biomass should be purpose-grown, not scavenged from other industries/activities, so as to have efficiency and best return for investment.

                    • weka …
                      20 September 2022 at 2:25 pm

                      I'm curious how/if coppicing for energy production stacks up with its carbon sequestration potential.

                      Powering down without breaking us all… indeed the challenge. Biomass BAU is quite different from biomass for essentials within sustainable cycles.

                    • Robert Guyton …
                      20 September 2022 at 2:27 pm

                      Coppicing is the answer. The high value of sycamore will be a revelation 🙂
                      Trees sequester carbon in their roots too.

                    • Poission …
                      20 September 2022 at 2:34 pm

                      No it is how we reduce Co2 that is important.This is done by reducing output,to allow the sinks to absorb Co2,by biological processes or weathering.

                      Here in NZ we use 4x more biomass for solid fuel heating then coal,the European plan to reduce agriculture,so as land can by freed for Biomass (22 million hectares) destroys a significant part of the economy exchanging food for energy.

                    • Robert Guyton …
                      20 September 2022 at 4:41 pm

                      Yes, we have to reduce CO2 output, pronto! If we don't do it by choice, our overseas friends will force us, using trade levers, to do it to the level they require.

                      A hospital boiler can't be shut down to help that process. Wood pellets are better than coal.

                    • Poission …
                      20 September 2022 at 5:12 pm

                      You burn it,it transforms and stays in the atmosphere for 100's years,big difference in biogenic emissions and thermogenic.

                      https://empowerplants.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/scientist-letter-on-eu-forest-biomass-796-signatories-as-of-january-16-2018.pdf

                      Sorry your fire has to go.

                      The trade lever fulcrum has gone,as Europe becomes a significant net emitter by the inclusion of all sources.

                    • gsays …
                      20 September 2022 at 6:40 pm

                      One way around the CO2 release from burning wood is to do it in a retort.

                      Catch and condense the smoke and you have wood vinegar or pyroligneous acid as well as the other tars and wood gases.

                      https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016523701830456X TBH, a lot of this goes over my head, but I understand it from my own experiences with my home-made retort.

                      Herbicide, insecticide, fertilizer, helps with seed germination and keeps birds away.

                      There is still the heat generated from the destructive distillation to be utilized.

                      I agree that the BAU must stop, we need a RADICAL shift and none of it will win votes.

  2. tinderdry6 2
    20 September 2022 at 12:22 pm

    Hi Weka. Not sure if you've seen this from Jack Santa Barbara. He discusses not only problems with current system, but also proposes some alternatives.

  3. That_guy 3
    20 September 2022 at 1:22 pm

    I agree Shaw is shawing his worth. In the long term it's good to see some concrete examples of what ending capitalism looks like.

    Would like to see someone in power explicitly say that the end of capitalism doesn't mean the end of goods, services, products, shops, trade or money. Because I think a lot of people think it does, and they just can't visualise how it would work. And then they are like "but where would I go to get shoes?"

    As an aside, if Patagonia gear was composed of dogshit, I would buy it. Good insulatory properties. I’d cope with the smell.

    • weka 3.1
      20 September 2022 at 2:22 pm

      I'm hoping Icebreaker will turn another corner and go regenerative. Might draw the line at dogshit.

      Would like to see someone in power explicitly say that the end of capitalism doesn't mean the end of goods, services, products, shops, trade or money. Because I think a lot of people think it does, and they just can't visualise how it would work. And then they are like "but where would I go to get shoes?"

      this is the conversation I want us to have too. Because the answers aren't that hard, it's just that too many people in power lack the experience and skills to see the transition and how it can work. The people that can see and do have the experience are often not in power. But it is changing, I definitely see more people in power who get it now to some degree at least.

      Where would I go to get shoes, and how would I afford them if they were made in NZ? How would my business make any money if the things I produce last a long time? People are afraid because there aren't enough stories out there about how to do it differently.

  4. Patricia Bremner 4
    20 September 2022 at 1:35 pm

    This our most pressing concern. Thanks Weka.

  5. barry 5
    20 September 2022 at 7:16 pm

    The ETS was an adequate answer 30 years ago if it had been allowed to work properly. But too many free credits were given out and the fraudulent overseas credits were allowed until recently, so it was not effective in reducing emissions. The same has been true of similar schemes worldwide.

    Price signals are too slow. If someone buys an EV now, it may pay for itself in 20 years of cheaper energy, but only a small number of people will pay the extra cost. Even ventilation and solar power don't pay their investment back quickly enough.

  6. Mike the Lefty 6
    20 September 2022 at 7:46 pm

    The ETS came about because the political right hit on a way to make money out of pollution and the political left went along with it because it seemed better than nothing at the time.

  7. Roy cartland 7
    20 September 2022 at 10:09 pm

    Thanks for a hopeful take on this, Weka. Personally, it makes it easier to get engaged and make changes, discuss and motivate others.

    Between NRT and Bradbury, it's all too easy to throw one's hands up.

    • weka 7.1
      20 September 2022 at 10:24 pm

      appreciate that Roy. Am trying to stay focused in what we can do, although it's hard at times not to just rant about the bad shit.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

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

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

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

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

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

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New Fast Track Projects advisory group named
    The coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pacific and Gaza focus of UN talks
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters says his official talks with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York today focused on a shared commitment to partnering with the Pacific Islands region and a common concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.    “Small states in the Pacific rely on collective ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government honours Taranaki Maunga deal
    The Government is honouring commitments made to Taranaki iwi with the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its first reading Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the commitment the Crown made to the eight iwi of Taranaki to negotiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Enhanced partnership to reduce agricultural emissions
    The Government and four further companies are together committing an additional $18 million towards AgriZeroNZ to boost New Zealand’s efforts to reduce agricultural emissions. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the strength of the New Zealand economy relies on us getting effective and affordable emission reduction solutions for New Zealand. “The ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • 110km/h limit proposed for Kāpiti Expressway
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will begin consultation this month on raising speed limits for the Kāpiti Expressway to 110km/h. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and this proposal supports that outcome ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand Biosecurity Awards – Winners announced
    Two New Zealanders who’ve used their unique skills to help fight the exotic caulerpa seaweed are this year’s Biosecurity Awards Supreme Winners, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. “Strong biosecurity is vital and underpins the whole New Zealand economy and our native flora and fauna. These awards celebrate all those in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Attendance action plan to lift student attendance rates
    The Government is taking action to address the truancy crisis and raise attendance by delivering the attendance action plan, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today.   New Zealand attendance rates are low by national and international standards. Regular attendance, defined as being in school over 90 per cent of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • World must act to halt Gaza catastrophe – Peters
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York today that an immediate ceasefire is needed in Gaza to halt the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.    “Palestinian civilians continue to bear the brunt of Israel’s military actions,” Mr Peters said in his speech to a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to United Nations General Assembly: 66th plenary meeting, 78th session
    Mr President,   The situation in Gaza is an utter catastrophe.   New Zealand condemns Hamas for its heinous terrorist attacks on 7 October and since, including its barbaric violations of women and children. All of us here must demand that Hamas release all remaining hostages immediately.   At the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government woolshed roadshow kicks off
    Today the Government Agriculture Ministers started their national woolshed roadshow, kicking off in the Wairarapa. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said it has been a tough time for farmers over the past few years. The sector has faced high domestic inflation rates, high interest rates, adverse weather events, and increasing farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • PM heads to Singapore, Thailand, and Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines this week (April 14-20), along with a senior business delegation, signalling the Government’s commitment to deepen New Zealand’s international engagement, especially our relationships in South East Asia. “South East Asia is a region that is more crucial than ever to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Prime Minister launches Government Targets
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced further steps to get New Zealand back on track, launching nine ambitious Government Targets to help improve the lives of New Zealanders. “Our Government has a plan that is focused on three key promises we made to New Zealanders – to rebuild the economy, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Natural hydrogen resource should be free of Treaty claims entanglement
    Natural hydrogen could be a game-changing new source of energy for New Zealand but it is essential it is treated as a critical development that benefits all New Zealanders, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones is seeking to give regulatory certainty for those keen to develop natural, or geological, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-16T22:40:39+00:00