Nats to pay miners to dig up national parks

Written By: - Date published: 9:37 am, March 17th, 2010 - 14 comments
Categories: Conservation, Mining - Tags: , ,

During Question Time yesterday, Metiria Turei exposed National’s plan to subsidise mineral exploration by foreign companies in the most important parts of our national parks.

John Key refused to confirm Turei’s information but couldn’t deny it. Clearly, the Nats had been planning to slip it through in the Budget unnoticed.

Metiria Turei: Can the Prime Minister confirm that his Government is planning a $4 million subsidy for the mining industry to survey Kahurangi National Park, Mount Aspiring National Park, and Rakiura National Park on Stewart Island?

Hon JOHN KEY: I am not in a position to confirm that at this time

You’ve got to ask what’s in it for New Zealand? If these minerals are so valuable why do we need to offer a $4 million bribe so that foreign companies can come in and dig up our most precious natural environments?

14 comments on “Nats to pay miners to dig up national parks ”

  1. Lanthanide 1

    This whole mining business seems a bit strange to me.

    When challenged on the national standards, National always replies that they “had a mandate” because this was part of their election policy. When told that most people weren’t aware of this policy, and probably voted them in just for the tax cuts, they replied by saying “well whenever you vote in a party, you get all of their policies, even if you didn’t agree with some of them”.

    However they never mentioned any of this mining stuff prior to the election, so surely they have no mandate to do it? Just like they said they definitely wouldn’t raise GST, so they have no mandate to do that either. Yet they do it anyway. So claiming they have “a mandate” to implement national standards is actually not a reason at all, because they do other (much bigger things) without any mandate whatsoever.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.1

      For National it was always about the power of being in government. This was made clear in the Hollow Men where the saying that National was working on was something like “Promise whatever to the public to get elected and then do what WE want to do” the implication being that what they wanted didn’t have anything to do with what they promised.

  2. freedom 2

    Is there anything we can legally do to challenge the continued authority of this Government?
    At the rate they are going we will be in a very bad way when the election rolls around.
    Is there any way to save New Zealand?

    • Lanthanide 2.1

      NZ has no provision of recall by the public. If there was found to be gross incompetence or corruption or somesuch, the governer general could probably step in. Or if parliament became hung and unable to pass any legislation (eg Act and Maori party broke their agreements on supply and confidence) then it could be dissolved.

      But otherwise there’s nothing the average NZ can do except wait for next year.

      • Watermelon 2.1.1

        Can we petition the Queen? Are there any obscure laws that would have come from being a colony of the British empire? Magna Carta etc?

        I guess if someone somehow managed to get a petition with 2 million signatures attached to it, we might see something happen. Would be a laugh, “2 million Kiwis think you are useless John…”

        Shush, let me enjoy my wet dream.

      • Bill 2.1.2

        The legal entity of NZ might not have a mechanism or provision allowing for a public recall of government ministers.

        But that does not mean that we (the public) have no mechanisms that would facilitate recall at our disposal.

        We could start with petitions, demonstrations, and strikes. We could escalate to a general strike. We could further escalate to dispensing with the current levers of power altogether.

        Or you convince the government that threats to bring about the above are very real and uncontainable. Then they back down and sit down and become very keen to talk and accommodate.

        But that involves a popular movement. And popular movements are built over time and sustained across issues and time. But every time there is a nascent popular movement in NZ, along comes the predictable sections of the left to demarcate it, limit it and exercise control over it; ultimately sending its various constituents running for the hills.

        Just saying.

        • Bored 2.1.2.1

          I like your inclination to action Bill, but it will require the “dozytariet” to awake, shake lose their mental chains and leave their TV sets and aspirational armchairs. They dont believe in the apocalypse or similar events, but should these tribulations occur John Key has assured them that the new restructured TVNZ will bring the whole event to them on free to air (delayed of course).

          Myself, I shall wander the bush in the certain knowledge that nobody else will be there as I torch the miners bull dozers. As an alabi I shall then retreat poste haste to the TV to see (delayed) coverage of my “terrorist” action, claiming to have been in my aspirational armchair (working out tax avoidance rorts) all the time.

  3. Shona 3

    Couldn’t agree more freedom! Been my foremost concern ever since they were voted in. Thanks to the Standard i have accurate stats that i sprinkle into my daily conversations and never let people forget how selfish, short sighted and gullible they’ve been in voting these thieves in.There are alot of frightened people out there.

  4. toad 4

    To be fair to TV3 and NZPA, they have covered the story, Marty:

    Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei wanted confirmation that the Government was going to give the mining industry a $4 million subsidy to survey Kahurangi, Mt Aspiring and Rakiura national parks for minerals.

    Mr Key said he wasn’t in a position to confirm that at this stage.

    Ms Turei said the Government was delaying its decisions.

    “Week after week the prime minister is torturing himself and the public with his shifting rhetoric about balancing the environment against the economy,” she said.

    “There is no way to `balance’ permanently destroying our last remaining wild places against a short-term, one-off gain for foreign mining companies.”

  5. freedom 5

    well done, i just wanted to check that NZ had not forgotten that people do have power.
    There are many ways to stop a popular movement, and National know them all.
    The important bit is that the popular movement actually starts in the first place.

    this is your responsibility as a free citizen.
    talk to your family, friends, co-workers, the farmer, the telemarketer, the shop assistant, the policeman, the electrician, the organic honey maker. They are every bit as important as you are. Even if you disagree with their lifestyle choices you must begin to protect their rights and abilities to make those choices.

    Ask them if they agree with what the government is doing?
    Don’t accept soundbite answers. Make them think of an actual reaponse. Find ways to relate the issues to their life. Stay away from taxes as subject matter whenever possible. Taxes are always going to be there and always going to be needed and always going to be a problem for many. Do not be weak. Engage people every day. People are asleep and only aggressive communication can awaken them.

    As a starter, give up one hour of TV a week and spend it talking to those near you or far away, about the realites of today. Blogs are fun but the world will survive without them. Your future and your children’s future and your neighbour’s future may not survive without your effort to restore democracy in our country. We can affect real change but it requires real effort

    • Bored 5.1

      I have little faith that the “dozytariet” actually want to do anything for themselves like participate in democracy. Your sentiments are admirable, but 35 years of activist activites now lend me to more direct action. Lenin worked through the same issue by decidng that people would only act in concert if things got really bad…so make them worse. Osama got a big impact with an aeroplane or three to make his point…but Gandhi did best by being at the centre of the frontline setting an example, leading the news, forcing the debate (and by not being a violent twerp).

      • freedom 5.1.1

        you will notice all my suggestions are non-violent and i hope always will be. but do not forget anger is a very powerful force. it is all the more powerful without violence

        p.s. i think you mean Cheney had some luck with an aeroplane or three to make his point.

  6. tc 6

    There’s a stench about this as exploration’s a licence granted to speculating entities (normally divisions/owned by large mining companies) so WTF do they need a subsidy for ?

    They get first call on any minerals as part of the licence so there’s the risk/reward for them but in the Nat’s world they don’t have to pay to explore so they can’t lose……FFS we’re now subsidising mining !

  7. Rodel 7

    John’s comment was something like ‘we won’t do anything to harm New Zealand’s image……”
    John, oh John.. The point should be ” We won’t do anything to harm New Zealand.”

    Stop living in the world of images Mr Key. Think about the real world.
    But I guess that’s how you get votes …images only.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-29T11:44:44+00:00