Greenpeace’s Green Covid Response

Written By: - Date published: 10:34 am, April 12th, 2020 - 77 comments
Categories: climate change, covid-19, Environment - Tags: , , , ,

A press release from Greenpeace NZ on the last of the oil giants to leave NZ,

Austrian oil giant OMV has announced that it’s indefinitely postponing its last remaining oil and gas exploration plans in the Taranaki Basin.

Greenpeace is claiming “a win of generational significance” that signals an end to offshore oil exploration in New Zealand.

This one is easier than other examples of how covid brings an opportunity to make the changes that we’ve been desperately needing to make. An end to oil exploration has been high on the activist agenda for a while, because it makes our immediate environment safer, but also because it opens the door for NZ to transition to a post-carbon society.

If we are saying no more oil, then it’s on us to walk our talk and reduce our dependence on oil imports now. We can’t really say no oil exploration here but we’re ok with other countries taking the risks.

So how can we do this?

Greenpeace again, pointing out that we can make fast change and adapt when we have to,

“Now is the time to reimagine and rebuild the world we want so that when we come out the other end of this crisis, we are living in a more resilient Aotearoa. This starts with a rapid transition away from fossil fuels, and towards a society powered by clean, renewable energy.”

In light of the Government’s post-Covid economic recovery plan, Greenpeace has produced a Green Covid Response package and presented it to Government Ministers.

We can sign the petition to government here.

From the Green Covid Response,

We currently face three simultaneous crises in Aotearoa New Zealand: the Covid-19 pandemic and an associated economic downturn, rising inequality, and a worsening climate and ecological crisis. As the Government turns its attention towards the long-term project of economic recovery, we urge you to plan a response that protects us from the impacts of climate change and lifts up workers and vulnerable communities.

Greenpeace talks about the unprecedented opportunity to prevent catastrophic climate change, make New Zealand more resilient to extreme weather events, and transition society to a regenerative model for ecological,  and social/economic well being.

In this paper, we outline a collection of solutions that fall under the banner of a “green stimulus”, providing jobs and boosting economic activity whilst fast-tracking much-needed projects to restore the natural world we depend on. These include:

Immediate shovel-ready projects to prioritise

  1. Providing finance and support for home insulation and heat pumps.
  2. Fast-tracking fencing and planting of on-farm waterways with Government finance.
  3. Attaching strict, science-aligned decarbonisation, biodiversity enhancement and workers’ rights conditions to corporate bailouts.
  4. Introducing a Universal Basic Income.

Priority investments for the long-term wellbeing of Aotearoa

  1. Unprecedented investment in public transport, cycling and rail infrastructure to accelerate our mobility into the 21st century.
  2. Billions in finance for distributed solar and wind, alongside upgrades to the power grid.
  3. A billion-dollar regenerative farming fund to support farmers to transition to regenerative agriculture.
  4. A sizable boost in finance for DOC to employ a “conservation corps” of people to eradicate pests, plant native trees and restore critical habitats.
  5. Constructing new, affordable homes that meet the highest energy-efficiency standards.
  6. Put millions into ocean restoration projects to restore critical marine ecosystems

Good stuff. Full details of the Green Covid Response and petition to sign are here.

To which I would add a few things from further out on the regen/sustainability/resiliency edge,

  1. In addition to heat pumps, for the colder parts of the country, push NZ to up its game on ultra efficient wood stoves, alongside regenerative forestry that provides firewood and creates a net carbon sink. This is zero carbon space, water and cooking heating.
  2. I’m not yet convinced fast-tracking a UBI is better than mending welfare, or that a NZ UBI is in fact shovel ready. I’m open to it, but I’m not yet seeing the convincing arguments beyond the surface appeal. My concern is that doing a UBI too fast will give us a system that isn’t tory-proof and doesn’t centre the most vulnerable people in NZ. I’m still not seeing emerging models of how to do a UBI in  NZ in a useful way. Hope that happens soon.
  3. Do a stocktake of housing in NZ, and look first at extensive, sustainably designed, retrofitting of existing housing to make it healthy and energy efficient (this is beyond simply insulating).
  4. Regulate the building industry to make owner/builder housing more accessible and affordable. Create interim regulations to allow people to live in mobile tiny homes. Look at currently unused housing, and rentals about to be put on the market that the government could buy. I suspect we need to build less houses than most are thinking. Building new homes needs to be done along side industry reform to urgently address the ecological, environmental and climate damage being done.
  5. As part of the incentives to farmers to transition to regenag, put the support into developing localised food supply chains.

Greenpeace ends by acknowledging they don’t have all the answers and encouraging the bringing of all good ideas to the table. So have at it Standardistas. Check out the Green Covid Response, pick out your areas of interest and bring your good ideas to the table.

77 comments on “Greenpeace’s Green Covid Response ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Dean Reynolds 1
    12 April 2020 at 10:48 am

    Let's hope that Greenpeace's initiatives will give the Green Party a kick up the arse & get them enthusiastically supporting Greenpeace's program

    • weka 1.1
      12 April 2020 at 10:51 am

      Perhaps you could explain your thinking there Dean, because as far as I can see the Greens and Greenpeace have similar positions on these things.

      • Pete George 1.1.1
        12 April 2020 at 11:33 am

        The Green Party has been quite quiet lately. Nothing on anything like this on their website or on their Facebook or Twitter feeds that I can see.

        James Shaw was interviewed on NZ Q+A this morning but nothing stood out (I admit I didn't take much notice of what he said) and I can't see any new item on him yet (an item on Chris Hipkins was quick from 1 News and NZ Herald).

        Is Greenpeace effectively operating as an activist arm of the Green Party?

        • weka 1.1.1.1
          12 April 2020 at 11:54 am

          Both Greenpeace and the Green Party are part of the green movement.

          There's nothing particularly surprising about the Greenpeace proposal from a sustainability pov. You can easily match it to Green Party policy (on their website).

          I'm sure the GP's low public presence is due to be being busy dealing with the pandemic crisis.

          • Pete George 1.1.1.1.1
            12 April 2020 at 12:54 pm

            That may be the case for Shaw and Genter and perhaps Sage. But what about the backbench Green MPs? Hughes seemed to lose interest some time ago. The others are probably not so motivated by green issues?

            • weka 1.1.1.1.1.1
              12 April 2020 at 1:05 pm

              Hughes is leaving parliament this year.

              Read the post Pete. The green movement doesn't separate environmental from social/economic issues. Saying the other MPs are not motivated by green issues is a nonsense from a green perspective.

            • KJT 1.1.1.1.1.2
              12 April 2020 at 2:27 pm

              Just like any party, individual MP's are given specific areas to concentrate on.

              With your, intensive, knowledge of NZ politics, I thought you would know that.

      • Dean Reynolds 1.1.2
        12 April 2020 at 12:10 pm

        Weka, as a Green Party member I've been concerned for some time that the Greens are stuck on 5% (or less) in the polls & have lost focus. When Russell Norman was the GP leader, he strategically decided that the GP would only achieve cut thru if they narrowed their focus down to 2 key themes – climate change & eliminating poverty in NZ. As they changed public opinion in their favour, the GP rose in the polls, but since Russell's departure, they've struggled to find focus & their polling has dropped.

        The best thing the GP can do is to enthusiastically endorse Greenpeace's comprehensive program & adopt it as their manifesto for this year's election. The GP, with these sorts of policies, could be polling at 15% – imagine what that would do for the combined strength of NZ's Left?

        • weka 1.1.2.1
          12 April 2020 at 12:17 pm

          The GP did poll high for a long time after Norman left. Their popularity only dropped after the fall out from Turei's speech and the rise of Ardern at the last election.

          They were in the process of stepping up on green differentiation from Labour when the pandemic hit. I'm expecting them to resume that but there's a timing issue here around electioneering and the lockdown/crisis. I also think it's hard to get MSM coverage for non-covid things right now.

          So, the GP should be more visible, I'm more interested in the how. They're a small party, they still have their various Ministerial responsibilities (more than normal presumably because of covid). I don't know what the solution is for them, because the left is likely to once again adore Ardern and not put their money where their mouth is when it comes to the environment, climate or social justice. I find it really frustrating too, but I'm not sure I blame the Greens for this. NZ has long resisted giving the Greens power and it's disappointing to see lefties still doing that.

        • Incognito 1.1.2.2
          12 April 2020 at 2:21 pm

          A loss of focus combined with a lack of a clear point of/for differentiation between the Green Party and Government/Labour?

          I also wonder if the Green’s idealism has been tempered by/with political realism by virtue of being in Government for the first time.

          • weka 1.1.2.2.1
            12 April 2020 at 3:04 pm

            I think so. It's not like they have all this time to be putting out press releases and doing tours of the country.

            Otoh, I have seen pointed criticism about their social media management.

            • Incognito 1.1.2.2.1.1
              12 April 2020 at 5:58 pm

              I have to admit that I don’t follow the Greens on SM and therefore I can’t comment on that.

              • KJT …
                12 April 2020 at 6:11 pm

                The MP's are followed around on face book by a bunch of right wing nutters, that are so consistent in their comments, I'm almost certain they are paid sock puppets.

                • Incognito …
                  12 April 2020 at 6:15 pm

                  Does FB have effective blocking tools? Or ways to delete crappy stuff? Surely, people have some control as to what appears and stays on their FB page?

                  • KJT …
                    12 April 2020 at 6:18 pm

                    They do. But MP's blocking people, no matter how daft, they are, doesn't look good.

                    Chloe and Co tend to reply patiently and nicely. But they are much nicer people, than me.

                    I’ve been blocked by National MP’s though.

                    • Incognito …
                      12 April 2020 at 6:30 pm

                      True that, leave it to an emotional junior staffer to do the deleting 😉

                      If there’s a way to moderate (or should I say quarantine) before it appears then any deleting won’t be so obvious. Zoom has the so-called Waiting Room and although it’s not the same as FB, the same principle could be used there too.

                      There comes a point at which it is clear that replying is pointless and a waste of time.

                      Heh, I’m almost inclined to ask what your crime was because National has a pretty high threshold for all things pretty legal.

                    • KJT []
                      12 April 2020 at 6:46 pm

                      Making a National MP, look like a fool on climate change, pointing out the obvious contradictory statements, was one.

                      The latest one was a picture comparing Simons bubble to David Clarks. LOL. I expected that one though.

                    • Incognito []
                      12 April 2020 at 7:10 pm

                      Ta

                      That’s pretty thin-skinned to block you for, I’d say.

                    • Carolyn_Nth …
                      12 April 2020 at 6:43 pm

                      On FB, it's possible to hide comments, so the poster can still see it, and the FB manager, but the public can't.

        • KJT 1.1.2.3
          12 April 2020 at 2:24 pm

          If you have a look at Greens existing policies, they are not that far apart from the above.

          The party is looking at covid specific policies', but the Green party, unlike others, doesn't work on Dictatorship from the top.

  2. Forget now 2
    12 April 2020 at 11:08 am

    "Shovel ready"? Does that mean; ready for implementation? How did that turn of phrase come about?

    I can only visualise corpses rotting in a hall next to a full cemetery as being "shovel ready". But I am sure that's not what they are going for. A big heap of gravel doesn't make much sense either.

    • weka 2.1
      12 April 2020 at 11:26 am

      It's the projects that could be acted upon now. It's a common enough phrase and many have been using it in their pandemic response. I think it's self-explanatory, but there's a tighter definition here,

      The New Zealand Government is working with the construction sector to identify large infrastructure ‘shovel ready’ projects to kick-start the economy.

      ‘Shovel ready’ is defined as being ready for construction to commence within 180 days of the Lockdown being lifted.

      https://www.tonkintaylor.co.nz/news/2020/4/how-do-you-get-projects-shovel-ready-quickly/

      • RosieLee 2.1.1
        13 April 2020 at 9:35 am

        It may well be a common enough phrase, but it's also a silly piece of jargon which adds nothing to the clarity of the debate whatever the issue is. If I see it again I'll scream.

  3. Carolyn_Nth 3
    12 April 2020 at 11:52 am

    Some are predicting that many "mum and dad" landlords will be selling up after lock down.

    I suspect that many of those rentals will not be in the greatest state of repair. Not sure whether those are the homes that should be bought up for state housing?

  4. Ad 4
    12 April 2020 at 12:27 pm

    Minister Genter has this morning announced that footpath widening to enable social distancing will be a high priority. So she's ahead of Greenpeace there.

    The system is already well advanced on public transport projects. The big public transport projects needing shovels, are already in construction or in procurement. They include: AMETI next stage, Hamilton-Auckland commuter line and double tracking and electrification, and of course City Rail Link. Also the Palmerston-Wellington upgrade. A reasonable question is whether public transport will ever recover its growth? (Personally I think social distancing is best cured from working at home where possible).

    The Conservation Corps is a no-brainer and Minister Jones is already repurposing the forestry teams already.

    Since the Green Party desperately needs some airtime in any media, all the MPs and members should pop down to Mackenzie country and the Remarkables and have a crack at the wilding pines. They're not going to get back to Parliament in September if they keep so deep under the radar.

    That would be good to see Greenpeace members doing something useful besides complaining as well,

    • bwaghorn 4.1
      12 April 2020 at 12:46 pm

      Footpath widening !! Your fucking joking surely.

      How about the think of proper problems like how public transport is going to operate social distancing

      • weka 4.1.1
        12 April 2020 at 1:03 pm

        people need safe transport right now. Popup bike lanes can be done immediately. Putting in a new train or bus service takes much more time (but you know they're working on that too).

      • Ad 4.1.2
        12 April 2020 at 1:14 pm

        Footpaths is a good one – people are finally using them.

        The safest and best social distancing to do in the meantime if you have to commute is, of course, to take your car. That's that thing most of us do already where you get to be by yourself and enjoy life unconstrained by other people.

      • Patricia 2 4.1.3
        13 April 2020 at 1:08 am

        Some footpaths in Auckland CBD are done already ; ready to bet they won't be unwidened any time soon. Main streets only one lane each way now.

      • Graeme 4.1.4
        13 April 2020 at 9:06 am

        Footpath provision and widening was a big part of Muldoons PEP schemes to mop up unemployed in the late 70's. A lot of those paths are the basis of today's cycleways.

        Could put Key’s cycleway project into the same category. That’s been a huge success around Queenstown for commuting and recreation.

    • Pete George 4.2
      12 April 2020 at 12:57 pm

      Oddly though nothing will be done until we drop from Level 4 – in other words, extend footpaths and cycle lanes when people take to their cars again to get back to shopping and work.

      Automobubbles will be safer virus-wise than public transport.

      Not sure many local bodies will see it as a priority.

      • Ad 4.2.1
        12 April 2020 at 1:16 pm

        All local bodies in New Zealand view roading as a priority and it's where they put most of their money.

        The only exception to that at the moment is Auckland. And a little bit of WRC.

        • Pete George 4.2.1.1
          12 April 2020 at 1:20 pm

          Most local body money does go into roads because a huge majority of people usually use the roads.

          However Dunedin is putting quite a bit into cycle paths and they keep removing car parks from around the CBD, which pleases some and annoys others.

          Increasingly people don't shop in Dunedin's CBD due to congestion and lack of parking.

          • Ad 4.2.1.1.1
            12 April 2020 at 1:28 pm

            I'm not sure what the Dunedin Council contribution is to the cycleways as they are almost all on state highways – and hence NZTA projects.

            The project at risk is the George Street rebuild which would turn it into a single lane. That petition going around is going to carry some weight when so many "Out Of Business" signs go up.

            I see the surrounding settlements getting hit harder than George Street. Portobello, Waitati, St Clair, Maori Hill, bits of South Dunedin – so many restaurants and cafes will die. Actually the place that I see as really at risk is Port Chalmers. No cruise ships, no one going to go out to cafes. Potentially George Street and the Princes Street bulk retail shops could do really well out of all those closures.

            And most thankfully, Dunedin is one of the only cities in New Zealand which still has a strong functioning main street where the life isn't being actively drained out of it by malls.

            • Pete George 4.2.1.1.1.1
              12 April 2020 at 1:43 pm

              A lot of the cruise ship business is in Dunedin's CBD, so that will be hit hard by what's likely to be a big drop in visits.

  5. Sabine 5
    12 April 2020 at 12:36 pm

    and this has nothing to do with the fact that oil at the moment has no buyers?

    https://twitter.com/robinenergy/status/1248554667291955200

  6. Bazza64 6
    12 April 2020 at 1:11 pm

    Good luck for Greenpeace trying to bring in a UBI when we will have to deal with the debt taxpayers have incurred to cover the Covid 19 shutdown.

    Thats a bit like telling a millennial “winner” who has maxed out their credit card not to worry about the debt, let’s go buy something and put it on afterpay.

    • pat 6.1
      12 April 2020 at 1:14 pm

      "Good luck for Greenpeace trying to bring in a UBI when we will have to deal with the debt taxpayers have incurred to cover the Covid 19 shutdow(n)"

      the gov debt since covid isnt the main problem….but the debt thats fueled the economy these past decades is….one way or another it will be defaulted

    • KJT 6.2
      12 April 2020 at 1:59 pm

      Because "Austerity" to get out of a recession, works so well. Eh?

  7. RedLogix 7
    12 April 2020 at 1:45 pm

    All interesting and worthwhile initiatives. Without quibbling for the sake of it, I'd be inclined to consider the international perspective associated with them. Here's my quick take:

    Unprecedented investment in public transport, cycling and rail infrastructure to accelerate our mobility into the 21st century.

    Once NZ eradicates CV19 (and I'm sure we will) public transport will return with a rush. But PT alone is not the whole story, we need to address the critical vulnerability we have to imported oil. The current oil price war is going to end badly, Saudi will crush their OPEC competitors and combined with an almost certain conflict and disruption in the ME, the price and supply of refined products is going to be very uncertain.

    Aus/NZ/Singapore should be thinking about a combined project to build a 100% locally sourced EV project and accelerate the replacement of the ICE fleet as rapidly as possible. While not quite a shovel ready project, it's one that's well within our capacity.

    Billions in finance for distributed solar and wind, alongside upgrades to the power grid.

    While from a global perspective renewables have some serious limitations, Australia and NZ are remarkably fortunate in our solar and wind power potential. But we are going to need to think through exactly where we are going to get the equipment from and the security of the supply chains.

    A billion-dollar regenerative farming fund to support farmers to transition to regenerative agriculture.

    The big carrot for farmers would be the opportunity to access state backed, low interest mortgage finance linked to transition support AND market development. So much of our farming practice at present is constrained by the bloody mortgage … get that off the farmers backs and focus on improving their margin and cash flow, and everything will change.

    A sizable boost in finance for DOC to employ a “conservation corps” of people to eradicate pests, plant native trees and restore critical habitats.

    Good idea in principle, but I'd be very keen to see it linked to a strong educational program for the participants. Just using otherwise idle backs to grub weeds is a dead end.

    Constructing new, affordable homes that meet the highest energy-efficiency standards.

    Major can of worms. I have a low opinion of the NZ building industry, low innovation, low trust and poor value on the whole. Essentially I'd be looking to demolish the bottom 30% of our housing stock and start from scratch. But finding an organic process to get to an outcome that we can be proud as a society, is a daunting challenge. A very focused industry educational process would have to happen first, drawing on successful models that have worked globally. We need a coherent vision of what we want before we charge into digging dirt.

    Put millions into ocean restoration projects to restore critical marine ecosystems

    An inherently global problem.

    • Poission 7.1
      12 April 2020 at 1:58 pm

      The big carrot for farmers would be the opportunity to access state backed, low interest mortgage finance linked to transition support AND market development. So much of our farming practice at present is constrained by the bloody mortgage … get that off the farmers backs and focus on improving their margin and cash flow, and everything will change.

      The first priority is to ban foreign ownership of nz land completely.

      • RedLogix 7.1.1
        12 April 2020 at 2:00 pm

        As many other nations around the world head back into isolationism then yes NZ is likely to follow suit.

        The trick is … when overseas owners are forced to sell, who is going to be in a position to buy?

        • Incognito 7.1.1.1
          12 April 2020 at 2:26 pm

          The trick is … when overseas owners are forced to sell, who is going to be in a position to buy?

          Oooh, that’s a tricky one 😉

      • Wayne 7.1.2
        12 April 2020 at 2:03 pm

        No, banning foreign ownership is not the first priority. Supporting existing farms to keep exports flowing is the priority. For the next few years, they will be by far and way New Zealand's most important source of foreign exchange.

        • Poission 7.1.2.1
          12 April 2020 at 2:14 pm

          In Canterbury where cropping and seed production is still a large industry( they produce 70% of the worlds carrot seed) one of the largest constraints on growth has been the pricing out of local ownership of land.

          No one has ever been able to provide a significant argument on why foreign ownership of nz land is good for NZ.

        • bwaghorn 7.1.2.2
          12 April 2020 at 5:34 pm

          Do you support the growing call to stop the clean water work this government is doing .

          The polite our way out of debt voices will get loud in the near future

      • bwaghorn 7.1.3
        12 April 2020 at 5:31 pm

        Na the best way to fix farming is for land Corp to become a leasing company . Then set rules around stocking rates and fertilizer use .

  8. Wayne 8
    12 April 2020 at 2:01 pm

    A lot of the GreenPeace platform makes sense , and I am sure will happen.

    The big debate will be on the transport choices. The government has recently just announced a big roading programme. I don't see them backtracking on that. If anything it will be accelerated, and quite likely expanded. There will be a lot of debate on the prospect of expansion.

    How much rail and public transport makes sense in New Zealand? In my view, way less than the Greens think. Clearly New Zealand's existing rail network could be substantially improved. At least Auckland to Christchurch could be fully electrified. Obviously the northern railway to Marsden Port should be done, and could also be electrified.

    But I would also say we should be planning and building a four lane highway from Whangarei to Christchurch, with a side road to Tauranga. I can't imagine the Greens would favour this, but it could also be part of electrifying heavy trucking, at least on this road. Electric trucks are coming, and will be in volume production by 2030.

    The covid crisis has shown the importance of the private car. And the public won't forget that. Not that the Greens will recognise that.

    It makes no sense for New Zealand to build electric cars. they are way too complex for an industry base as small as New Zealand. Even Australia, with five times our population could not retain local car manufacturing. It was not economically efficient and the Australian cars were not sufficiently technically advanced. The technical gap was increasing with each passing year.

    • KJT 8.1
      12 April 2020 at 2:09 pm

      Agree on electrifying rail.

      However.

      There are very good reasons for not supporting long haul electric trucks. And wasting money on more roads for long haul trucks.

      Julie Ann Gentor is well up with the play in this area.

      Firstly, compared with electric trains, they are still a very inefficient use of energy.

      Secondly. Battery capacity to do so is years, if not decades, away.

      I've been following developments in this area, and it looks like Hydrogen will be viable long before we have long range high energy density, batteries.

      And Greens have been throwing ideas around, about future electric cars for some time now. I’ve mentioned some on this blog. Including commuter cars which are no more complex than golf carts, and can be easily built cheaply and locally.
      You are making the oft made assumption, that new technology will mirror the old, in exact form and function.

      • weka 8.1.1
        12 April 2020 at 2:19 pm

        Nice one.

        Even if the truck fleet is electrified, it we had more public transport, why would the trucks need more roads?

      • Wayne 8.1.2
        12 April 2020 at 3:40 pm

        KJT

        I am making the assumption that electric cars will be similar to the Nissan Leaf and Golf E in complexity. There is no way that a golf cart type of vehicle could ever be as safe as a modern car, even as a commuter limited to say 70 kph.

        As a student, I had a Fiat Bambina, 500 cc two cylinder engine. It could do 85 kph absolute max speed. To use your analogy, it was about as complicated as a Golf cart. But it was way less safe than a modern car, without any of the accepted safety features and convienences (no ABS, no crumple zones, no electric windows, no aircon, seats about as comfortable as a plastic chair, etc). It was not really suitable for the open road. In Auckland, how many people would never take their car on the motorway or a regional road?

        In India, the Tata Nano never succeeded because it was too small and basic. Conceptually the Nano, with a 624 cc engine, was a modern version of a Bambina. The Indian middle class who could afford such a a car wanted something better. For instance the modern Mini has been vastly more successful than the modern Fiat 500 (875 cc). Largely because BMW were inspired by the idea of the old Mini, they didn't try to recreate it.

        • KJT 8.1.2.1
          12 April 2020 at 4:48 pm

          Already many cities overseas are keeping cars away from city centres.

          Not much of a stretch to limit speed and size of cars allowed into cities.

          70k. Have you ever commuted from West Auckland in the rush hour?

    • weka 8.2
      12 April 2020 at 2:18 pm

      There are still the significant issues of how to transition the whole NZ car/van/truck fleet to electric fast, then the GHG emissions from that, as well as ongoing pollution/resource use including in maintenance, and then the extra demand on the national grid and the GHG emissions and pollution/resource use in upping power generation. I'd be interested to see an analysis of what will be needed in various scenarios.

      Public transport and local walking/biking/ebiking are better solutions from a sustainability pov than everyone in NZ owning an EV and driving BAU like they do with their FF vehicle. This doesn't mean the end of personal cars, it means we don't start with that and we use sustainability design rather than BAU thinking. Sustainability design requires whole systems thinking.

    • pat 8.3
      12 April 2020 at 2:22 pm

      "Electric trucks are coming, and will be in volume production by 2030."

      assumptions…a lot of which will be being revisited in light of events

    • RedLogix 8.4
      12 April 2020 at 2:57 pm

      It makes no sense for New Zealand to build electric cars. they are way too complex for an industry base as small as New Zealand. Even Australia, with five times our population could not retain local car manufacturing.

      Electric cars actually have far fewer moving parts and in many ways are a lot simpler to manufacture. Moreover they're highly adapted to automated manufacturing.

      EV's are sophisticated electronically, but they're a lot simpler mechanically. Just drawing parallels with the old ICE manufacturing paradigm because both have four wheels, misses most of the important differences.

      And Aus has quite enough lithium and rare earths to support a regional industry.

      • KJT 8.4.1
        12 April 2020 at 3:02 pm

        Good old lead acid works for short ranges..

        We used to make them.

        Had to laugh, when the Tesla saleslady said the only moving part that required annual maintenance, was the windscreen wipers.

  9. joe90 9
    12 April 2020 at 3:10 pm

    So how can we do this?

    I've no idea. And this is the kind of shit the world is up against.

    After the fossil fuel industry spent hundreds of millions of dollars undermining climate science, it’s easy to see how epidemiology came next.

    […]

    Decades of climate denial now appear to have paved the way for denial of Covid-19 by many on the right, according to experts on climate politics. After the fossil fuel industry spent hundreds of millions of dollars attacking climate scientists and accentuating the supposed uncertainty of climate science, it isn't hard to understand how that happened.

    https://insideclimatenews.org/news/08042020/science-denial-coronavirus-covid-climate-change

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  • 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 ...
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  • 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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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  • 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 ...
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  • 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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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  • 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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    7 days 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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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, ...
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    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, ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government responds to unsustainable net migration
    ...
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  • New Zealand on stage at global Space Symposium
    Space Minister Judith Collins will speak at the Space Symposium in the United States next week, promoting New Zealand’s rapidly growing place in the sector as we work to rebuild the economy. “As one of the largest global space events, attended by more than 10,000 business and government representatives from ...
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    1 week ago

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