Invermay: Meddling Joyce Ignores the Evidence
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9:39 am, March 10th, 2014 - 8 comments
Categories: farming, jobs, science, Steven Joyce -
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My brother has posted across at Red Alert on Steven Joyce’s bungling oversight of AgResearch’s current $100 million restructure. The Crown Research Institute is New Zealand’s largest, and a recipient of generous Government support. Andy West, the former head of AgResearch stands to gain as head of Lincoln University from a plan that independent review found wanting. Cosy board relationships leave plenty of room for speculation about a back-room deal.
The independent report was commissioned by the people of the South concerned that an effective scientific and commercial hub in Mosgiel was about to be destroyed for no good reason. Southern community leaders already put work into generating a more robust analysis to assist Joyce – but saw no flicker of light in his eyes when they met with him.
My brother’s the Dunedin North MP so has been doggedly pursuing the Invermay case which has become a touchstone issue in the South. It has a regional jobs angle and an ideological Government angle, both of which show how arrogant and out of touch National has become.
What is most intriguing is that National is looking to shaft National-voting Sheep and Deer breeders – most of whom hate the Invermay proposals. It’s going to be a real humdinger of a meeting when AgResearch’s Chief Executive stares down breeders in Gore on Wednesday.
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Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...2 weeks ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
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- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
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In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
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Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...2 days ago
- New intelligence oversight appointments
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...2 days ago
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- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
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- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...3 days ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
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- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...3 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...3 days ago
- Appointments to the ENZ board
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...3 days ago
- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...3 days ago
- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...3 days ago
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- GDP data highlights importance of growth
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...3 days ago
- Strengthening Free Speech in Universities
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...4 days ago
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State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...4 days ago
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The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...4 days ago
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Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...4 days ago
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- A busy year in the House
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...5 days ago
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Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...5 days ago
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This is a prime example of the supposed independence of these entities leaving them prey to parochial and professional agendas. I’d prefer the days when the Minister was fully accountable/meddling; at least we elect them. David Clark has worked hard on this, but where are the regional development, science, agriculture spokespeople?
I wonder how many National voting sheep and dairy farmers will vote Labour or the Greens this year – none, I expect. Just like a lot of people in Christchurch will still vote National despite their anger regarding earthquake rebuilding and school closures. If you vote for National, then you have no-one to blame but yourself when they do what they do.
Nah. Be angry at those who gave you no other viable choice.
fambo
+1
Joyce has fucked up virtually every department he has headed Mobie is a joke .
Farm research has been hacked to pieces by this numpty.
Joyce Cut farm research at lincon in 2008 allowing the worlds foremost wool research scientists to be lost to south Africa.
Joyce cut research to bits in 2008 only to bring it back to its previous funding levels 3 years later.
The damage this thug does is imeasurable.
Then where is Mobie on Peter Whitall.
Joyce is is all image and no substance just like the rest of Nactional.
Has he got his knighthood yet?
Oh to be in Gore – any chance of meeting feedback?
All the best to those breeders/farmers fighting this plan. I hope that they can get it stopped. Then maybe the plan to relocate staff from Ruakura to Lincoln/Massey will be looked at again. The staff involved in relocation are just sitting there waiting for news of any sort as to what is happening. They are not kept informed and AgResearch will answer none of their queries. There is a lot of despondency and stress felt by these employees. Most of who are not in a position to just up sticks and move to another part of the country. Most of the women involved have husbands who are fully invested in their own careers,they have children who are settled in the community and at school, they have family close by who they would lose close touch with and so on. And from some I have spoken to it just doesn’t make economic sense to them. They are all living in limbo, with no funding available to carry on with any work and no offer of redundancies so that these PROFESSIONAL people can get on with their lives. Maybe Ag thinks that if it waits them out they will leave with no redundancies. But what is it costing to have these people sitting there with nothing to do.?