National’s Record On The Environment – Abysmal

Written By: - Date published: 9:48 am, August 19th, 2017 - 24 comments
Categories: Environment, paula bennett - Tags:

In a stunning display of cynical politics, the sort only National can do so well, Paula Bennett announced yesterday that now is the time for her government to “own” the conversation on environmental isues.

If Bennett is suggesting that National “own” the conversation on environmental issues with regard to how a government can get away with sustained wholesale environmental vandalism, then she might have a point. But, of course, that’s not what she meant. Bennett was actually suggesting that National’s performance on environmental issues was such that it had some sort of record to be proud of and one that New Zealanders could get behind and support.

Well, in the style of how John Key’s contribution to the truth was discussed, lets take a wee look at National’s record . . .

Since its election in 2008 National Ltd™ has:

 
been caught out repeatedly lying in the run up to and during the election campaign about its real intentions in relation to the environment

celebrated the opening of the foreign-owned Pike River Coal Ltd mine on DOC land adjacent to the Paparoa National Park from which 1 megatonne of coal will be extracted per year for the next 20 years – Pike River Coal Ltd has announced that it has found additional coal in the national park

cancelled a proposed efficiency standard (MEPS) on incandescent lightbulbs

reversed a moratorium on building new gas/oil/coal power stations

removed the bio fuel subsidy

scrapped the scheme that would have penalised imported vehicles producing high emissions

removed regulations for water efficient new housing by Order in Council

renewed leases on sensitive high country farms which were meant to return to DOC

reversed restrictions on the freeholding of vast swathes of land on the edge of the Southern Lakes

arbitrarily excised 400 hectares from the brand new Oteake Conservation Park, including the most important and, ecologically, the rarest part of the new Park, the tussock and shrubland that went right down to the banks of the Manuherikia River, to enable future access to lignite

said nothing to say in regard to the World Commission on Protected areas of IUCN’s severe criticism of its intention to investigate mineral resources and mining opportunities in protected conservation areas including our three UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Te Wahi Pounamu-South West New Zealand, Tongariro National Park and the Sub Antarctic Islands

approved two prospecting permit applications lodged by Australian iron-ore giant Fortescue Metals Group subsidiary FMG Pacific lodged in June – areas covered by the two-year permits include an 8204-square-kilometre area of seabed adjoining the west coast from Cape Reinga to the Manukau Harbour and a 3798-square-kilometre prospecting area of land from Cape Reinga to the Kaipara Harbour including Ninety Mile Beach, the west side of the Aupouri Peninsula, Kaitaia and the Hokianga.

approved an additional prospecting permit for Fortescue Metals in relation to 3568sq km right next door to the Kahurangi National Park where the Heaphy Track is

was forced to release its Ministry of Economic Development (MED) report under the Official Information Act that proclaims “significant mineral potential” in the Fiordland, Kahurangi and Paparoa national parks – the report said the Waitutu area of the Fiordland National Park had sufficient petroleum reserves to be “worthy” of inclusion in a review of conservation land protected from mining

secretly granted the minerals industry the right to veto proposed National Park boundaries and permission for any such vetoes to be kept confidential – in spite of recommendations from its own officials against any such a veto

called for caring New Zealanders to halt their “emotional hysteria” and recognise that conservation land should be mined for minerals and went on to say “Mining in a modern, technological way can have a negligible effect”

rubished the Department of Conservation (“Canterbury Farming” June 2010 issue – now offline) suggesting it was incapable of looking after the high country reserves and parks under its control

gutted the home insulation scheme

pulled $300 million out of public transport, walking and cycling schemes and added it to a pot of $2 billion to ‘upgrade’ state highways

changed the law to provide billions of dollar in subsidies for polluters via the ETS casino

begun a process of gutting the Resource Management Act to make it difficult/impossible for the public to lodge appeals against developers

removed the ability of Auckland to introduce a fuel levy to fund planned public transport upgrades

left electrification of the Auckland rail network up in the air without promised funding commitments and then came through with a dodgy loan scheme and then unilaterally reorganised the local government structure before finally setting about the privatisation-by-stealth model when busting KiwiRail

removed the programme to make Government Departments ‘carbon neutral’ and also began its first wave of public sector redundancies starting with the Ministry for the Environment which was responsible for the scheme

removed funding for public tv advertising on sustainability and energy efficiency

pulled funding for small-town public litter bin recycling schemes

displayed cabinet ministers expressing public support the bulldozing of Fiordland

reduced Department of Conservation funding by $54 million over three years

cancelled funding for the internationally acclaimed ‘Enviroschools’ programme

usurped the democratic role of local Councils of determining policies for their citizens by requiring the abandonment of the efficient and well-established tree protection rules for urban areas

set about revamping Auckland governance in a way that is likely to greatly reduce the ‘Environmental Watchdog’ role of the the current Regional Council (since completely fucked it up with the SuperShitty)

removed Auckland’s metropolitan limits and opened the gateway for unfettered urban sprawl

defended internationally the importation of rain-forest-wrecking palm kernel and stood silent while Federated Farmers called Greenpeace “despicable” criminals, traitors, and robbers

stood silent while Godfrey Bloom, a Member of the European Parliament and infamous Climate Change Denialist, publicly rejoiced in the 1985 bombing of the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior – who was doing so while standing on a dock next to the replacement vessel

took a 0% emissions reduction target to Copenhagen. Yes, seriously, that isn’t a misprint – that was the lower bound of their negotiation platform – then missed the 01/02/10 deadline for commitment to action it had agreed to – meanwhile 55 of the 80 countries which attended did make the deadline

secretly cancelled the internationally recognised scheme for the mandatory labelling of exotic woods to ensure the timber has not been taken from rain forests in direct contradiction of its own statements made at the 13th World Forestry Congress in Argentina

supported the Department of Conservation’s decision to open up the pristine Cathedral Cove to an ice-cream franchise

gave the Department of Conservsation $1.7 million to further develop commercial activities on DOC land and started an “off set” plan allowing company’s to damage the conservation estate if they agree to improve land elsewhere – no monitoring regime has been suggested on put in place

left DOC director-general Al Morrison to announce that DOC is to charge for services that had been free and, to soften the public up to the idea that there will be more “energy generation schemes” operating on DOC land

took no action to reduce existing pollution pouring into the Manawatu River and is “leaving it up to industry” to come up with solutions to heal the river which was described by the Cawthorn Institute as “one of the worst polluted in the Western world”

announced a $1.69 million industry subsidy to kick start marine farming without identifying no-go areas nor putting in place a consultation process for individiuals, communities, and other general coastal users

been forced to release documents under the Official Information Act which confirm that DOC has “giving up” on ecologically valuable high-country land in the Mackenzie Basin because of funding cuts. The released documents cite “statements made by ministers”, “diminishing funding” and the Government’s new high-country policies as reasons for the changed stance – the comments from DOC were made after Land Information New Zealand (Linz), which manages the tenure review process, ignored DOC’s previous conservation recommendations for the farms

used former National Party minister and current director of Open Country Cheese – a company convicted of filthy farming practices and found by the supreme court to be a dodgy employer – Wyatt Creech to head up an enquiry into Environment Canterbury which had been standing up the dairy farmers’ demands for more and more water resources and less and less regulation. The Creech report recommended the Environmental Canterbury be sacked and replaced with government appointments and the voters of Canterbury do without democracy until the water situation had been resolved. The Canterbury area holds 50 percent of New Zealand’s fresh water reserves and 50 percent of the water required for hyrdo energy. The Creech report said Environmental Centerbury put too much focus on the environment

been subjected to international condemnation for knowing next to nothing about the parlous state of the New Zealand fisheries

bucked international trends and poured more acid on the 100% Pure brand and increases the bluefin tuna quota

squirmed when New Zealand is subject to international criticism for its backing of commericial whaling which National Ltd supports

funded Government-owned company Solid Energy runs an essay competition entitled “ The role of coal in sustainable energy solutions for New Zealand” for school children. First prize is a trip to New Zealand’s largest coal customer, China.

supported access fees for entrance onto DOC walkways – fee introduced following cuts to DOC’s budget.

pressed on with PR bullshit about how New Zealand’s environment would profit from mining national parks, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

Department of Conservation director-general Al Morrison said the conservation estate created “opportunities to do a whole lot for a lot of different people . . . we’ve got to get away from this idea that somehow we have to protect one-third of New Zealand for a certain constituency and put it in a jar of formaldehyde and leave it

created random fantasies of abundant wealth to promote all forms of mining

ignored reports on sustained non-compliance with resource consents and worsening pollution of water ways.

ignored its own Ministers possible conflicts of interest

done nothing as both its own SOE Meridian and the Department of Conservation to withdraw appeals against an 85m high damn with a 14km long reservoir on conservation land.

granted Energy Resources permission to ship Australian yellowcake uranium ore through New Zealand.

apologised but does nothing else for breaching the Treaty of Waitangi by granting a mining exploration permit to Brazilian company Petrobras

continued to remove environmental protection powers from local authorities

totally reversed gains made in the protection of National Parks and other high-value conservation areas in the South Island.

commenced a divide-and-rule strategy by attempting to paint New Zealanders interested in protecting the environment as outside of the “mainstream” and in defence of the fact that the media is catching to its bare-faced lies in the lead up to the 2008 election

carried on with more lies by talking about modern mining like that at Reefton being carried out by Oceana Golds as being like “key hole surgery”

appeared to believe that the tourists it is attempting to bring to New Zealand are all blind and won’t see for themselves the impact of the dairy farming it is subsidising to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars

appeared itself to be blind when it comes to the Chairman of Fonterra

forced the Commissioner for the Environment to delay the release of a report into the ramifications for climate change in regard to lignite mining and proposals to convert the lignite into diesel

employed financial sleight of hand in shuffling funds towards business interests and away from community groups looking to protect the environment

made more empty promises when a report showing that a third of New Zealand lankes have poor quality water is released

backed down on promises to protect New Zealand children (and the environment cleaner by more informed disposal) from harmful chemicals by improving labeling and imposing mandatory standards on containers

Ignored the findings by attacking the messenger when a World Health Organisation report confirms that New Zealand’s main centres have the worst air in Australasia and Auckland is the most polluted with twice the concentration of damaging airborne particles as Sydney.

studiously ignored so as to take piss about dire warnings concerning the quality of drinking water in Reidstone

failed to mention in its 100% Pure promotions that visitors to the Kerikeri Basin near the Stone Store – one of Northland’s iconic tourism and heritage sites – could come face-to-face with warning signs telling them the water is polluted

failed to mention in its 100% Pure promotions that tourists in the Coromandel could come face to face with New Zealand’s environmental standards when finding hundreds of dead snapper washed up on Beaches

presented bogus evidence concerning air pollution

made more empty promises in relation to air pollution while also extending deadlines for local councils to reduce air pollution

extended deadlines for businesses previously require to reduce air pollution by 2013

put tourism operators in Akaroa at risk by refusing to make the harbour a marine reserve . . . and then rubs salt into their wounds

done nothing after the United Nations finds that National Ltd™’s targets for reducing pollution are not consistent with the measures put in place to achieve those targets

attempted to defend the Emissions Trading Scheme from comparisons with the Australian model while Environment Minister Nick Smith indicates there’s little chance of the two schemes being integrated any time soon

then further slowed down the implentation of New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme

allowed major retailers to reap the benefits of its earlier and secret decision to abandon the mandatory labelling of exotic woods after it is found that the retailers are contributing to the death of native Australian forests despite an independent, year-long investigation which finds otherwise

tried to keep a meeting between John Key and mininng company Anadarko’s boss secret. The company is responsble for a massive oil spill and is looking to to start drilling off New Zealand soon

continued to ignore yet more evidence of farmers failing to comply with environmental regulations

handed over $400 million to farmers to extend water storage and allow for more land to be used for dairy farms. No mention or provision is made for additional protections required to deal with the increased pollution

failed to point out in its 100% Pure promotion that tourists (and locals) should avoid the Opihi River along State Highway 1 because of the risk of exposure to toxins from phormidium

failed to point out in its 100% Pure promotions that tourists arriving at New Zealand’s “nuclear free” sea ports will be sharing the environment with up to 5,000 tonnes of radioactive yellow cake uranium

lied about how bad the RMA is

ignored top scientists and academics who point out that its underfunding of the Department of Conservation will send more species into extinction and hurt its 100% Pure image.

Ignored John Key making an international arse out of himself in regard to New Zealand’s 100% Pure image

carried on with its lies as New Zealand is identified as jeoparising its good name by allowing us to become one of a small number of states stalling progress in forming an international climate agreement
kept stringing us along even after Next thing, New Zealand received the 2nd place Fossil Award for “proposing the most Flexible Mechanism imaginable with no oversight or review. Bring on the wild west. They want to be able to use any market mechanisms they wish with absolutely no oversight or international review! There would be no way to ensure that the units from one mechanism have not been sold two or three times to another such mechanism. This would likely unleash a wild west carbon market with double or triple counting of offsets and a likely increase of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.”

stood silent when Fonterra was caught out lying by overstating its farmer’s compliance on excluding stock from waterways by 100%

put World class surfing waves and Maui’s dolphin’s at Raglan at severe risk by encouraging a proposed iron ore seabed mining in New Zealand’s coastal waters

never followed up after the scientific models created by New Zealand and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to allow fishing are called into question

set the scene for our children heading down to the park to find an overseas’ owned company had set up a dairy farm in one corner. Over time the shit builds up

ignored data which shows the expansion of fish-farming in the Marlborough Sounds could cause unacceptable changes in the coastal environment

strategically removed the word “environment” from the lexicon of local and central government

failed to tell the tourists it hopes to attact with its 100% Pure campaign that every year, New Zealand drops huge quantities of poison-laced food into its forest ecosystems; enough poison to kill its human population 4 times over, every year. No country has ever done anything remotely similar, on such a scale

failed to tell the tourists it hopes to attract with its 100% Pure campaign that more than a third of Auckland’s beaches fail water quality checks and are closed for swimming

ignored the closing of the beaches, this time as extremely high concentrations of the bacteria enterococci are identified

ignored Ministerial conflicts of interest, this time involving John Key who is identified as shareholder in the Bank Of America which is backing mining in New Zealand and Australia . . . even when more information is made available . . . and more information . . . and more information

pressed on with additional policies that move away from the protection of the environment towards exploitation

limited , as part of its effort to cash-in on the environment, access to some of New Zealand’s most endangered species and isolated islands only to those who those who contribute financially displacing conservation staff and scientists

ignored a World Wildlife Fund report, Beyond Rio, which makes clear New Zealand now risks some of the highest rates of biodiversity loss on Earth unless urgent action is taken

continued to give confidence to Fonterra director Colin Armer being convicted and fined $72,000 for “fouling” a Bay of Plenty waterway after a judge found he could have prevented the pollution were it not for his “systemic” failure to monitor what was happening on his company’s farm

lied when it said New Zealand has the environmental laws and regulations to control oil and gas development on the continental shelf because there is no equivalent of the Resource Management Act to control oil and gas activity outside of the territorial sea (12 nautical miles offshore).

lied when it had already agreed coastal plans to allow marine farming consent holders in the Waikato and Marlborough to move from mussel farming to finfish farming without considering the additional environmental effects imposed

placed short-term business interests ahead of long-term consequences to New Zealand’s environment, particularly biodiversity by allowing damage in one area on the condition that it be “off set” in another creating a dangerous precedent in that such a provisin means that one part of biodiversity can be wrecked in return for “protecting” an area that was never under threat anyway.

promoted proposals that include include a plant producing about 2 billion litres of diesel per year, using at least 12 million tonnes of lignite per year and another producing 3 billion litres using 12-17 million tonnes of lignite annually. A further project would produce by 2016 1.2 tonnes of the nitrogenous fertiliser, urea, using 2 million tonnes of lignite annually

tried to hide the fact that its Department of Conservation was ordered to permit Meridian to to build a damn on the Mohikinui River despite its position that “the public conservation land within the Mokihinui River has such high value that it is most unlikely to be suitable for exchange at all

continued to ignore the slow-motion extinction of Maui’s dolphins:

gone into hiding after it was discovered that significant cuts to the Ministry for the Environment in the 2012 Budget are not publicly detailed or announced

continued to ignore its international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to “protect and preserve” the martime environment

refused in the face of repeated calls to set national standards for water quality despite mounting evidence of the need to do so

further weakened protection for wild rivers in Canterbury with the ECan Act and indicates that further weakening provisions will follow.

rubber stamped a motorway project with no economic benefit and likely to waste over $1 billion of tax payers’ funds.

been forced to admit that it has spent $1.67 million in a survey of minerals on the West Coast of New Zealand, including within the Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand world heritage area. Te Wahipounamu is one of 183 natural heritage

secretly ordered that world heritage sites on the West Coast be surveyed as part of a $3 million mineral study spanning more than 16,000 square kilometres. The survey was only puiblicy revealed after Green MP Catherine Delahunty asked for details in a parliamentary question

appointed thoroughtly unsuitable but politically useful members to the Establishment Board for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

facilitated by neglect the employment of inexperienced managers, making poor policy decisions resulting in additional threats to New Zealand’s biosecurity.

under resourced New Zealand’s biosecurity system to such an extent that it is fundamentally flawed preventing any way of identifying how the Kiwifruit killer virus got into New Zealand and, thus, no way of preventing it from happening again.

handed over a further $80 million to business and farmers to subsidise their pollution.

ignored its own guidelines to provide consent the Milford Dart tunnel and Fiordland Link Experience which would otherwise never have been granted.

appointed an advisory group to recommend a significant rewrite of the Resource Management Act to remove references to the protection of coastal areas, wetlands, lakes and rivers and indigenous flora and fauna.

splashed tax payer cash around its consultants considering conservation and environmental protection of the Mackenze Basin and Waitaki Valley

further weakened the resource consent process for foreign-owned mining companies,

locked New Zealanders out of the consultation process on the alloting of areas being made available for resource exploration.

ignored the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment and scrapped government grants for solar water heating

used the Navy along with police and Crown Law to bully environmental protesters in a legal case they knew could not be won

put 23 massive blocks of deep and wild waters east of Wellington and Dunedin on the international market for exploratory oil drilling

allowed its own consultants do a u-turn on the economic benefits of additional roading and then handed them a $200 million contract for further consultation work

Supported the Department of Conservation into granting foreign-owned multinational mining company OceanaGold permission to destroy 55 hectares of beech forest so as to extend its Reefton mine to a total 81 hectares without public notification

envouraged the Minerals Industry Association to bully local authorities to step aside from what little environmental protections they are able to impose

reduced its environment agencies to little more than a ramshackle collection of underfunded and ineffective small back offices with no direction or policy for dealing with the vast marine resources of New Zealand

eroded New Zealand’s bio-security to such an extent that Christchurch Airport is found to have failed at a basic level

removed the directive terms “protect”, “preserve”, “maintain” and “enhance” from the RMA fundamentally weakening the legislation and deliberately introducing confusion as to its overall intent.

futher ensured that New Zealand tax payers continue to subsidise 95% of big polluters’ emissions

drastically reduced the size of proposed marine reserves off the West Coast so much so that one advocate says they are “an insult” to those who spent years trying to establish them

instructed its delegates at the world’s largest conservation conference , the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s conference in Korea, to oppose any further measures to protect Maui and Hector dolphins in defiance of 117 other countries and 460 environmental organisations requesting New Zealand ban gill and trawl nets in waters up to 100 metres deep

lied about the environmental impact of fraking

refused to enforce its own legislation to protect the environment

ignored concerns about fracking which has seen the practise banned around the world

twisted the knife by exploiting news of redundancies at Solid Energy in a statement which claims opponents to a proposed mine are “getting in the way of” potential jobs as part of an effort to discourage legal action

changed to law allowing a consideration of the effects on climate change to allow Australian-owned mining company Bathurst Resources (also known as Buller Coal) to build a 200-hectare open-cast coal mine on the plateau and excavate 80 million tonnes of coal that, when burnt, will release about 200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

further ensured the extinction of New Zealand sea lions by failing to extend necessary fishing restrictions

failed to protect the New Zealand marine environment and ignored international obligation with its Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf Act oil drilling legislation

continued to obfuscate and dither while More than half of monitored recreational sites on our rivers are declared unsafe for swimming

ignored its own scientific evidence and advice from its own authorities to lock-in tax payer funding of business which pollutes New Zealand’s air

refused to enforce its own laws in respect to water pollution

changed the law to make it more difficult to build a deck on a house than it is to drill for oil

avoided its international obligations “to ensure the conservation and management of sharks and their long-term sustainable use” while its fishers carry on with the barbaric practise of shark finning.

ignored public support for conservation by ordering another round of cuts to the Department of Conservation.

stood alone at the world’s largest conservation summit and voted against more protection for species at risk

further gutted environmental protection legislation to speed up the building consent process for developers

vancelled without notice the five-yearly State of the Environment report put together by the Ministry of the Environment, the report is the largest stock-take of trends relating to land, water, air, plants and animals

abandoned the Kyoto agreement completely

allowed its on lobbyist to publicly attack a prominent New Zealand scientist for speaking truth about New Zealand’s environment in an effort to silence the accurate reporting of scientific evidence

attracted international mockery for the fact that the pristine landscape featured in The Hobbit and used as the basis for the 100% Pure New Zealand campaign as fantastical as dragons and wizards

remained “relaxed” about the fact that New Zealand is now the 18th worst out of 189 nations when it came to preserving its natural environment

pulled out of Kyoto just weeks after the OECD reports that global greenhouse gas emissions could rise 50 per cent by 2050 without more ambitious climate policies, as fossil fuels continue to dominate the energy mix

laughed when New Zealand received two “Fossil of the Day” – first-equal and second place – awards on the first day of international climate talks in Doha, Qatar

used Hobbiton – Waikato – as the centrepiece of its 100% Pure campaign when the area is the country’s major source of pollution to the Hauraki Gulf

handed over responsibility for the monitoring and reporting of fraking activity , for which it has inadequate legal protections, to the foreign-owned multi-nationals which are carrying out that activity thus totally ignoring its own Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment

lied, obfuscated and used government resources to attack and undermined local authority plans to improve water quality

sanctioned an unnamed foreign-owned multinational to go ahead with a major road through pristine South Island National Parks

employed disingenuous gobbledeegook to defend its decision to withdraw from the Kyoto Agreement.

turned a deaf ear to calls for New Zealand to assist pacfic island nations by taking a stronger position on climate change

displayed contempt for existing agreements and Environment Case law by approving new salmon farms in recreational areas within the Marlborough Sounds

refused to investigate the impact on increasing use of neonicotinoid pesticides which is likely to be a major contributor to the sudden and dramatic decline (aka colony collapse disorder) of the New Zealand honey bee population, National Ltd™ also refused to consider the development of a strategy to protect what is left of the honey bee population.

lied about its commitment to addressing climate change

failed to monitor Sanford Ltd’s pollution resulting in an international embarrassment

allowed foreign-owned multinationals to proceed with oil exploration without the financial resources available to mitigate any environmental damage should it occur

been caught out ignoring its own advice on implementing environmental monitoring procedures

used changes to the Resource Management Act to remove local authorty’s rights and planning for the protection of trees

commenced removing local authority’s rights to plan for housing

allowed more than 53 percent of Canterbury’s major water users to avoid having meters installed

mixed the cooperative model of climate change negotiations with the competitive model used in trade negotiations, thus putting outcomes in both areas a risk

ducked questions asking for evidence as to the safety of genetically engineered food

ignored the fact that New Zealand carbon credits are no longer the unit of choice in the New Zealand’s own carbon market. Figures from the official Emission Unit Registry show that emitters who initially supported NZUs are now using a range of international units to meet their carbon obligations under the Emissions Trading Scheme

used highly dodgy figures in calculating the reduction New Zealand’s net carbon emissions by including trees due to be harvested in the next few years

ignored news that New Zealand’s first glyphosate resistant weed has been found and the resulting call for the use of glyphosate (Monsanto’s “Roundup”) to cease

stayed silent for five months after being advised that Fonterra’s milk product were contaminated with dicyandiamide (DCD) and now face an international backlash.

set no maximum level of contamination of dicyandiamide (DCD) (AKA cyanoguanidine) in milk products for consumption by New Zealanders, stood silent while the farming industry says the withdrawal of dicyandiamide (DCD) will result in yet more pollution of New Zealand’s waterways

stood silent as NIWA announced findings of research which showed 20 per cent of marine life in the Milford Sounds port area could be killed off as a result of copper leaching from anti-fouling paints on boat hulls

secretly without consultation and any right of appeal used a short-term draconian law to ammend a water conservation order for the Rakaia River

been locked out of the international carbon market because of its trucculent attitude

continued in its efforts to eliminate tree protection of any kind in Auckland and elsewhere

stood alone as the only developed country not to have tabled an unconditional single number target as part of the international climate change negotiations

cut funding into research about protecting the last remaining giant kauri

continued to endanger the 100% Pure brand

been unable to explain how genetically engineered mould escaped from Massey University laboratories and remains unable or unwilling to provide further information

introduced foreign species without a consideration of the risk to human health

allowed oil companies to ignore breaches of resource consent and set neihhbours against neighbours

obfuscated on the negative economic benefits of major raod works

obfuscated on the level of cuts to the Department of Conservation

disengaged the previously widely held concept of environmental protection from any consideration of economic development

sacked 140 staff at the Department of Conservation

inserted last minute changes to environmental legislation that were not announced and, thus, not considered during public submissions and earlier readings of Bills.

lied about the practise of fracking going on in New Zealand for the past 30 years

funded its Economic Development Ministry’s membership of the Coal Association lobby group

staged a consultation process on the restructuring for the Department of Conservation and then completely ignored any submissions generated

proposed handing over recreational paua gathering areas to commercial operators

opened a further 190,000 square kilometers of New Zealand’s coastal waters for oil exploration

allowed the Minister of Energy’s own political adviser to make public calls for the boycotting of the environmental iniative Earth House

held secret meetings with oil company executives known international as irresponsible and mendacious

exposed Auckland beaches to the unmonitored risk of oil exploration by companies unable to afford any clean up operations if required

breached international law and used parliamentary urgency and ignored international guidelines to rush through legislation depriving New Zealanders of the right to protest against drilling for oil within 350 miles if New Zealand coast

given permission for oil drilling to take place over earthquake ridden continental plate fault lines just off shore from Wellington

stood idle while water quality used by households continyes to worsen

ensured that the MacKenzie Basin is turned from a conservation estate into a development area

used parliamentary urgency to avoid public notification, consultation and/or consideration of a law allowing companies with no experience nor financial resources to drill for oil on earthquake-ridden fault lines lying in New Zealand coastal waters

here would be significant and irreversible adverse effects on the conservation values and overall ecological integrity of the application area and the Denniston Plateau should the proposed activity be approved”?

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00452.htm <— back up on Chris Bishop

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10869801 <— irony much

It is disgusting that if you are a sportsperson you get no conviction for an offence that endangered peoples lives because it might affect their ability to play overseas, but an actress convicted for taking part in an environmental protest gets no such consideration.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1306/S00244/savage-attack-on-bee-health.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1306/S00240/positive-changes-to-fishing-regulations-announced.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1306/S00219/report-highlights-risk-of-governments-mining-agenda.htm

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10892481

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/pollution/news/article.cfm?c_id=281&objectid=10884397

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10892985

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1306/S00647/new-zealand-waste-policies-stuck-in-the-past.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1306/S00309/environment-commissioner-releases-water-report-update.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1307/S00024/iwc-says-govt-must-act-for-survival-of-mauis-dolphins.htm

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10895428

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10904557

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2013/jul/29/hobbit-new-zealand-lord-of-the-rings-middle-earth-oil-gas-drilling

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/06/us-newzealand-milk-image-idUSBRE97503H20130806

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/xinhua/2013-08-05/content_9769307.html

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10910158

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10913041

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/nz-commits-2020-climate-change-target-5534697

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1308/S00273/national-admits-defeat-on-climate-change.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1308/S00257/gutted-emissions-trading-scheme-damaging-forestry.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1308/S00219/public-silenced-on-oil-well-consents.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1308/S00179/rma-changes-risk-further-damage-to-nzs-reputation.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1308/S00177/key-stacks-deck-plays-cute-with-rma.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1308/S00172/government-welcomes-king-salmon-decision.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1308/S00154/minister-must-shoulder-the-blame-for-mpis-mistakes.htm

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/planned-oil-exploration-outrages-kaikoura-residents-5535929

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1308/S00287/more-deforestation-following-ets-changes.htm

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11115218

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9099326/Nats-plan-to-remove-right-to-oppose-drilling

http://www.3news.co.nz/Residents-against-proposed-Fonterra-mine/tabid/423/articleID/311296/Default.aspx

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1309/S00100/bills-failure-highlights-nationals-empty-slogan.htm

http://www.mfe.govt.nz/website/closed-sites/bioethics.html

http://www.indymedia.org.nz/articles/1255

Environment Canterbury (

Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Act 2010

Denies access to the Environment Court for the resolution of environmental and resource

management matters in the

Canterbury region

Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Act 2010

Enables the Minister for the Environment to choose what law will or

will not apply to Commissioners appointed to replace

the Canterbury regional councillors

http://www.rethinking.org.nz/assets/Newsletter_PDF/Issue_112/02_United_Nations_Universal_Periodic_Review_170613.pdf

http://lsa.net.au/wcb-content/uploads/lsa/files/2011/Henry%20VIII%20clauses.pdf

Henry VIII Clause

http://www.rethinking.org.nz/assets/Newsletter_PDF/Issue_112/02_United_Nations_Universal_Periodic_Review_170613.pdf

^^ law society UN submission

http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/business/9107225/Rod-Oram-Time-for-economic-leadership

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9121336/Deep-sea-oil-plans-anger-stars

http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/9134466/Ross-Sea-proposed-sanctuary-slashed

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1309/S00064/concerns-over-revised-plan-for-ross-sea-protection.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1309/S00059/serious-risk-in-fed-farmers-short-term-thinking.htm

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9143526/Environmental-OK-for-holiday-highway

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1309/S00108/analysis-of-proposed-freshwater-rma-sir-geoffrey-palmer.htm

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11122601

http://www.labour.org.nz/news/why-not-wholly-independent-reporting-minister

http://www.labour.org.nz/news/minister-buying-needless-fight-with-local-authorities

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/221858/doc-paper-says-dam-proposal-%27risky%27

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/222020/eight-new-o-and-g-exploration-areas-up-for-grabs

Nick Smith and the Ruataniwha dam

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1309/S00222/coal-trumps-climate-at-supreme-court.htm

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=11126724

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9190899/Govt-calls-for-platinum-mining-tenders

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9143526/Environmental-OK-for-holiday-highway

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11130588

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9222669/Fears-for-goldmine-grants-on-green-land

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9242194/Turoa-diesel-spill-contaminates-town-water-supply

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11137661

EDS attacks Nick Smith’s Ruataniwha Dam process

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9278305/Spill-leads-to-fuel-tank-use-review

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9302439/Digging-deeper-on-coal

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9302591/Homeowners-undermined-by-decision

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9284604/Loophole-allows-DOC-to-swap-land

http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/9278492/Voluntary-groups-may-fail-rare-birds

http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/rena-crisis/9247168/Rena-row-still-raging

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00198/eds-gets-leave-to-appeal-approved-by-supreme-court.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00195/grazing-not-normal-behaviour-for-dairy-cows.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1310/S00184/eds-says-proposed-new-oil-drilling-regulations-not-adequate.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1310/S00292/epa-board-appointment-announced.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1310/S00257/fonterra-gains-consents-for-coal-mine.htm

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11143781

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9310767/Dirty-dairying-inspection-tipoffs-criticised

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/9309575/Most-RMA-breaches-dairy-related

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/9293549/Fonterra-dumping-milk-byproducts-in-Taranaki

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/9306679/Buttermilk-lake-investigation-under-way

^^disposal at sea

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/9285515/Record-114-000-Waikato-dirty-dairying-fine

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/8027832/74k-fine-for-dirty-dairy-farming

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/7857273/Dirty-dairying-fouling-Golden-Bay

http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/21626

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/opinion/9317016/One-rotten-apple-spoils-dairy-farmers-lot

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/agribusiness/9320472/Rural-water-quality-concerns-mount

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/agribusiness/9299807/Farmers-fighting-proposed-animal-welfare-changes

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/canterbury/9315917/Nitrate-warning-freaking-out-Cantabrians

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1311/S00125/holes-in-govts-freshwater-policy-create-licence-to-pollute.htm

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/9372047/Good-and-bad-in-Canterbury-dairy-report

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/9366266/Big-fine-for-dairy-farms-effluent-dumping

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9385615/Aquifer-fears-spur-call-for-exploration-rethink

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9427016/Risks-of-deep-sea-drilling-kept-secret-Labour

http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/22286

Ms Adams said that the EPA only had to assess the "completeness" of an application and not its effectiveness.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11160976

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1311/S00277/urgent-action-required-in-response-to-water-quality-warnings.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1311/S00274/anadarko-oil-spill-equipment-grossly-inadequate.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1311/S00255/report-change-in-land-use-putting-pressure-on-water-quality.htm

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/228548/fears-over-possible-business-influence-at-doc

http://www.doc.govt.nz/about-doc/news/media-releases/new-doc-chief-executive-appointed/

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11161882

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/9425289/Waterways-will-get-worse-Commissioner

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/9431281/Salmon-decision-reserved

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1311/S00328/councils-around-the-country-warn-against-changes-to-rma.htm

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/229478/nz-may-face-challenge-over-dolphin-measures

NRT: Who’s scaremongering now?

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/230744/eds-unhappy-about-new-drilling-rules

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11174568

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=11174771

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11175901

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1312/S00405/independent-advice-sought-on-monorail-financial-viability.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1312/S00405/independent-advice-sought-on-monorail-financial-viability.htm

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/232289/experts-say-5-degreesc-rise-disastrous-for-nz

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11188369

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/241553/nz-%27not-playing-part%27-in-helping-climate

http://www.inthehouse.co.nz/video/32516

http://www.3news.co.nz/Minister-didnt-know-park-was-in-drilling-plan/tabid/1607/articleID/339311/Default.aspx

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10023498/Major-defects-in-environmental-bill

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11251714

http://www.3news.co.nz/Collins-wetlands-comments-outrage-environmentalists/tabid/1160/articleID/343032/Default.aspx

http://www.inthehouse.co.nz/video/33390

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/246245/report-urges-drilling-rule-changes

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11268239

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11268406

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11245986

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10171432/Mauis-dolphin-sanctuary-in-oil-drilling-move-Greens

http://www.3news.co.nz/Govt-gave-Shanghai-Pengxin-conservation-land/tabid/1607/articleID/355268/Default.aspx#ixzz39JLdw9y7

http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/20147474

http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/20147479

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/10457343/Dairy-company-cops-35-000-fine-for-stink

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/10444703/Farmer-tried-to-influence-inspectors

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/10436385/Resident-worried-by-Fonterra-stink

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/10452599/Big-leap-of-faith-for-Fonterras-baby-food-future

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11319558

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/253832/massey-questions-milk-test-results

http://publicaddress.net/speaker/vote-for-water/

http://publicaddress.net/speaker/science-and-democracy/

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/257187/doc-denies-giving-reserve-permission

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/257211/public-told-to-avoid-toxic-algal-bloom

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1410/S00147/move-from-clean-and-green-to-mega-farms-spells-disaster.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1410/S00143/government-misleading-public-over-1080-and-trout.htm

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/20154644/environment-minister-threatens-to-fast-track-planning-rules

NRT: National lets Shell drill illegally

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1411/S00331/stop-fracking-in-our-big-blue-backyard-frack-free-kapiti.htm

http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/64377272/questions-remain-on-1080-risk-to-anglers

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11388336

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/65751239/department-of-conservation-revamp-badly-flawed

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11400374

http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/66524920/oil-spill-off-taranaki-coast

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/67427485/new-ecan-structure-by-late-2016

http://www.inthehouse.co.nz/video/36073

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/20174211/nz-govt-%27out-of-step%27-to-reject-solar-power

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/70219348/doc-review-criticises-handling-of-government-conservation-fund

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/75072126/new-road-linking-west-coast-to-nelson-would-cut-through-national-park

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/75046069/help-us-replant-fresh-call-from-foresters-after-paris-climate-deal

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/75557691/Some-of-Wairarapas-best-swimming-holes-are-now-too-dried-up-or-polluted-to-swim-in

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/293736/govt-accused-of-lying-about-waterway-fencing

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/78074905/government-blocking-public-access-to-environmental-assistance-legal-fund-say-greens

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/78100722/canterbury-rumblygut-outbreak-linked-to-dairying

. . . oh, fuck it – I give up.

24 comments on “National’s Record On The Environment – Abysmal ”

  1. Peter 1

    Terrific effort. I wonder what the come back will be?

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 1.1

      Knowing National – silence will be their response.

      Or a dead cat.

      Or lies.

  2. dv 2

    Stunning effort BLIP

  3. savenz 3

    Shocking. National really are opening up NZ to massive and polluting exploitation, it’s only getting worse and worse.

    Please change the government.

    And it is a shame that the Greens did not lead with those messages because that is what people need to know, all this information is hidden from most people and the Greens and Labour should have been shouting it from the rooftops. A lot of soft National supporters really support the environment and they would be shocked to know that is what National are up to.

    • Tracey 3.1

      They have consistently led with that message. How many of their policy and press releases have you seen in mms since Turei resigned?

  4. Janice 4

    Whew, thanks.

  5. tc 5

    Nice to see you doing the oppositions job for them BLIP, top work.

  6. Tracey 6

    By own it she means do to the conversation what they have done to the environment… sell it to industry

  7. Tracey 7

    Awesome BLiP

  8. Doogs 8

    Absolutely bloody amazing BLiP. This is the most serious condemnation of a slack and self centred government since somebody published the long list of John Key’s lies, which I still have. It should be written across the sky for all to see. How do we get this message out there? Danger is that to keep plugging the negative message could backfire a bit. However, people need to know. I wasn’t aware of even half of that stuff. Tremendous research!

  9. CLEANGREEN 9

    Bloody awesome blog – BLIP 1000%

    National Government = A Bloody shocking dirty toxic government.
    During the last nine years national has taken our newly bought environmentally clean Kiwi Rail system and almost demolished it completely, for the benefit of road freight companies, at the same time as they have made Government less effective at controlling their carbon emissions!!!!!

    But then removing the one land transport system that is more carbon neutral and also now has removed any Government oversight is despicable.

    This Government must be assigned to the dustbin next month!!!!!

    “National has removed the programme to make Government Departments ‘carbon neutral’ and also began its first wave of public sector redundancies starting with the Ministry for the Environment which was responsible for the scheme”

  10. Dot 10

    AWESOME Blip
    We are better off with your hardwork and generosity !
    Paula Bennett was not given the job of environment for her scientific knowledge
    or even her environmental aspirations , I suspect it was for her ability to spin .
    Above there is plenty of evidence awaiting a response .

  11. Whispering Kate 11

    This needs to be printed out and one handed to all of the Government members – what they do with it doesn’t matter, but it will make them uneasy when they see how easily this could be circulated around in places like shopping malls, clubs, gyms – anywhere where there will be a proportion of people who will take the time and read it.

    Very good work Blip – thank you for the effort, like other contributors I couldn’t get over how many transgressions this Government has done to the environment. Sickening really that still so many ignorant selfish people vote them into power election after election.

  12. millsy 12

    National is all about lowering standards and reducing environment regulations so profits can be made. They dont give a shit about the environment.

    And the only way that farmers are ever going to give a shit about clean water is if we start taking their farms off them and throwing them in jail.

  13. millsy 13

    Poisoning water supplies are generally regarded as crimes against humanity. Having a few farmers in the dock in the Hague will probably be a good incentive to have the waterways pristine in a couple of years.

  14. Incognito 14

    Has anybody ever attempted to calculate the total carbon footprint of the 3.65 million visitors to NZ in the year ending in June? This includes the air travel as well as travel while here in the country plus whatever one produces by being here.

    Bennett means owning the narrative & spin as well as a few convenient facts. She’s counting on MSM being complacent & complicit as usual; the Greens don’t seem to have many friends in MSM …

  15. Bruce Jefferies 15

    Very depressing reading – Our approach and management of World Heritage sites, National Parks and Conservation Areas used to be the envy of the world. These was even a time when we had an international Ranger training units associated with Tongariro National Park. I was proud to be associated with the former Lands and Survey Department and after the 1987 restructuring the Department of Conservation. Sorry that pride has been ripped away by a government that’s only interest is to serve its greedy, self serving and rapacious mates and funding supporters.

  16. Mrs Brillo 16

    We have all been witnesses to rape — by a government of its own country. We must publicise this material as far as we can.
    Thanks so much to the author for the extent of this research.

  17. JC 17

    Tumeke Blip! Thank You!

    Clearly Ministers Bennett, Smith, and Barry need to be called out!

    A further example is Nationals complete inaction in addressing the issue of Public Conservation Stewardship Lands in NZ.

    About 2.8 million hectares – a third of the DoC estate, and 10% of New Zealand’s total land area – is parked in the stewardship holding pen, where it has the weakest level of legal protection of all conservation land.

    ”The relatively weak legal protection of stewardship land quite naturally signals to the private sector that this part of the conservation estate is ‘open for business’,”

    This, from a 2013 report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Jan Wright in a 2013 report calling for greater protection of stewardship land.

    Stewardship land is vulnerable to prospective developers particularly through the mechanism of “land swaps”, where conservation areas are traded for private land if a net benefit is perceived,

    Hence the Ruataniwha debacle.. among others..

    https://fmc.org.nz/campaigns/forgotten-lands/

    We’re also now seeing Okuru Enterprises being given approval to build a water pipeline through a Kiwi Sanctuary..

    http://thejackalman.blogspot.co.nz/2017/08/kiwi-petition-ignored-by-national.html

    https://thestandard.org.nz/wont-the-government-think-about-the-kiwis/

  18. JC 18

    And the conclusion that DOC has ‘lost its way’ in performing its duties and discharging its responsibilities, and is following a pro- development agenda.

    And, a Government that doesn’t have the “Guts” to inform voters in the upcoming elections if the current minister intends to abide by the purpose of the Conservation Act and prevent destructive hydro development from proceeding in outstanding wild places like the Waitaha.”

    https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/west-coast/opposition-river-proposal-call-decision-release

    http://www.noted.co.nz/currently/environment/rough-waters-at-waitaha-river-as-environmental-battle-rages-over-hydro-power-scheme/

    https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/a-tale-of-two-currents/

  19. philj 19

    BUT Wait …. There’s more!
    I had a feeling something wasn’t quite right. Thanks for the ammo Blip.
    I’m off to play with the grandkids!

  20. Graham Townsend 20

    Until National’s core supporters realise that every last bit of our economic well-being depends on a healthy environment, this dishonesty will continue.Of course the most urgent challenge of all is climate disruption. Every authoritative assessment I’ve seen predicts a massive hit to the global economy and to world security. We can expect those under 40 to bear the brunt of the current contemptible short-termism by our so-called ‘leaders’

    • One Anonymous Bloke 20.1

      Until National’s core supporters realise that every last bit of our economic well-being depends on a healthy environment, this dishonesty will continue.

      When enough of the National Party’s owners realise that they backed the wrong horse, the followers will follow as usual.

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

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
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