Sage refuses permission to mine conservation land

Written By: - Date published: 10:09 am, June 18th, 2018 - 94 comments
Categories: Conservation, Economy, Environment, Mining, national, Politics, same old national, Simon Bridges - Tags:

A week is a long time in politics.  A week ago Green Minister Eugenie Sage was being lambasted for not stopping a Chinese water supply company from buying sensitive land in Aotearoa New Zealand.  Now she is being attacked by the right for refusing to allow conservation land from being desecrated.

From Stuff:

A controversial application to mine coal on conservation land on the West Coast has been declined by the Government.

The company behind the mining proposal said the announcement was “just another kick in the teeth” for the West Coast community, while environment groups have celebrated the decision as one “future generations of New Zealanders will be thankful for”.

Forest and Bird had taken Rangitira Developments Ltd to the Environment Court over the application, which would have allowed mining in a 12 hectare patch of conservation land at Te Kuha, near Westport.

The company still has access to about 96ha of reserve surrounding the conservation land that it could develop. However, it had indicated the mine would not be economically viable without the higher-grade coal within the conserved area.

The mine was estimated to provide about 60 jobs to the region but would have done “irreparable damage to an area with very high, unique and nationally significant conservation values”, a joint statement released on Saturday by Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and Minister of Energy Resources Megan Woods.

Because of extensive mining elsewhere, the Te Kuha area was one of the last two intact, elevated Brunner coal measure ecosystems, and home to threatened plant and animal species, including the great spotted kiwi, South Island fernbird, West Coast green gecko, and the largest known population of the rare forest ringlet butterfly.

“It is an undisturbed area which is precious and unique,” Sage said.

“We have seen, with the major lay offs at Stockton [Mine], with the establishment of the Escarpment then being mothballed that coal has been a rollercoaster industry. It hasn’t provided long-term sustainable jobs.

“The economic benefits assessment for the mine showed it was at a poor risk with a perfect storm if operating costs were higher than anticipated, if there wasn’t as much coal as anticipated, and if coal prices continued to be at low levels.

“The economic benefits of the mine didn’t outweigh the permanent loss and destruction of conservation values.”

Buller Mayor Gary Howard has criticised the decision and has described the mining proposal as “boutique”.  That is a funny phrase to describe the desecration of a pristine natural area.  Again from Radio New Zealand:

Buller Mayor Garry Howard said the decision put the whole project, and 60 jobs, in doubt, as the land in question was at the entrance to the larger site.

“It has a large effect for employment and we’re trying to diversify from mining but there is a place for boutique mining such as this one.”

Mr Howard said DOC had 1.6 million hectares of land on the West Coast, and this application involved just 12 hectares of it.

It was not that long ago that National wanted to remove protection from significant areas of conservation land.  It only backed down from its position after huge public pressure.

And Simon Bridges has rekindled thoughts that National may still be open to such an approach by saying that National has no problems allowing the mining of conservation land that is not “pristine”.  From Newshub:

Simon Bridges says National would have no problem approving coal mining on conservation land that isn’t “pristine”.

The Government on Saturday said it had declined an application to build an open-cast mine across 12 hectares in the Mt Rochfort Conservation Area on the South Island’s West Coast.

Mr Bridges told The AM Show on Monday he wasn’t sure if the party agreed or disagreed with the Government’s decision, because it’s yet to be discussed in caucus.

But he said National “definitely” opposes what he’s calling a “blanket ban” on mining in conservation areas.

“A third of New Zealand is conservation estate. Some of it’s pristine – there shouldn’t be coal mining. But some of it’s scrubland.”

Nearly 30 percent of New Zealand is conservation land, but not all of it is Schedule 4 land – the most protected. The previous National Government did plan to allow mining in Schedule 4 land, but backtracked after 50,000 people took to the streets in Auckland in 2010.

A few years later Mr Bridges, then Energy and Resources Minister, signed off a block offer for exploration in Victoria Forest Park – the biggest of its kind in New Zealand. He later admitted he had never heard of it before he signed it off.

Victoria Forest Park isn’t Schedule 4 land, and nor is the Mt Rochfort Conservation Area, east of Westport. Nonetheless, Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage called it “an undisturbed area which is precious and unique and supports complex and diverse habitats for threatened plants and wildlife”, including kiwi, snails and lizards.

The earlier incident where Bridges granted a block offer allowing for prospecting of Victoria Forest Park and admitted he had never heard of the area.  Hopefully such indifference to our environment will not be shown again.

94 comments on “Sage refuses permission to mine conservation land ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. roy cartland 1
    18 June 2018 at 10:16 am

    These West Coast Mayors should be turfed out. Are they seriously complaining, like Taranaki, that they didn’t see this coming? Why haven’t they pulled finger and encouraged some other industry? Time they stepped into the 20th Century.

    • Gosman 1.1
      18 June 2018 at 11:03 am

      What sort of industry should they encourage?

      • tc 1.1.1
        18 June 2018 at 11:08 am

        Ask them as after all they’re meant to be leaders of their communities so time they showed the folk who voted them in they’re either progressive or dinosaurs.

        • Gosman 1.1.1.1
          18 June 2018 at 11:17 am

          Extractive industries such as Mining/Forestry are probably the best economic option for places like the West coast which have low population spread out over a large area with significant transport issues. Tourism is the other major option but it is very low paying industry for most people involved and also comes with capacity and environmental issues. If you look at potential high return low impact industries such as IT the West Coast has significant disadvantages which mean it is unlikely to compete with places such as Christchurch, Wellington, or Auckland.

          • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1.1
            18 June 2018 at 11:57 am

            Well then – perhaps we should just make the whole place a conservation estate and move everyone out of it.

            No point having anyone there if there’s nothing that they can do.

            • Gosman 1.1.1.1.1.1
              18 June 2018 at 1:21 pm

              No point in wasting money in doing that Draco. Just let the current policies do the work for you.

          • Robert Guyton 1.1.1.1.2
            18 June 2018 at 2:34 pm

            Forestry’s an “extractive” industry? They claim it’s a sustainable industry, with no net loss???

            • Gosman 1.1.1.1.2.1
              18 June 2018 at 2:37 pm

              Logging is extractive unless plantings occur. I am not sure if native forestry on the West coast involves plantings. I suspect not. It doesn’t mean it isn’t sustainable if you manage the resources carefully.

      • Naki man 1.1.2
        18 June 2018 at 11:20 am

        I was going to make a similar comment.
        This clown thinks you can just pull an industry out of your arsehole.

      • bwaghorn 1.1.3
        18 June 2018 at 2:36 pm

        Native logging . I tree a hectare every ten years should do it . But na greenies just take jobs and workers be damned.

        • Naki man 1.1.3.1
          18 June 2018 at 2:45 pm

          Yes welcome to the Green Party, fucking NZ one industry at a time.
          Farming will be next wag.

          • solkta 1.1.3.1.1
            18 June 2018 at 2:51 pm

            Farming will be next

            I hope so.

          • Tricledrown 1.1.3.1.2
            18 June 2018 at 3:05 pm

            nakered man farmers are their own worst enemies voting in National year after year .
            The scolds party of the farmers allowing fonterra to under invest in R&D deliberately under funding bio security.
            Not following through on stock movement monitoring leaving the tax payer to pick up the $880 million bill.

          • millsy 1.1.3.1.3
            18 June 2018 at 3:15 pm

            Do you like Mt Taranaki? Do you think that it should be blown up for a mine?

            • alwyn 1.1.3.1.3.1
              19 June 2018 at 12:18 pm

              What a silly question.
              Tell me. Do you think windfarms are a good thing?
              If so you clearly want to install them all over Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill. You are therefore an environmental vandal.
              Your question about Mt Taranaki is completely stupid.

          • bwaghorn 1.1.3.1.4
            18 June 2018 at 4:59 pm

            Just to be clear I have no problem with stopping mining and drilling .It’s the complete lack of replacement jobs for us no office dwellers that’s fucking me off .

            • millsy 1.1.3.1.4.1
              18 June 2018 at 6:35 pm

              The mining industry will become largely automated in 10-20 years anyway. The romantic days of coal mining are gone. Any new mines will only employ a handful of people.

              • chris73 …
                18 June 2018 at 7:07 pm

                Why do you hate poor people millsy?

              • alwyn …
                19 June 2018 at 12:25 pm

                What the hell was “romantic” about coal mining, particularly in the underground mines? I doubt that very many of the miners would have thought it so.
                I suppose you think being a vassal tied to the land in a feudal society was just as “romantic” do you?
                Is the life of the San, hunter-gatherers in Southern Africa, an idyllic one?

      • Grafton Gully 1.1.4
        18 June 2018 at 7:48 pm

        What sort of industry should they encourage? Monastic Communities. They exist in a variety of faiths in other parts of NZ and the natural beauty and isolation of the south island west coast would seem ideal. A place where people could go in search of solace and peace – a sort of “spiritual tourism”.

        • solkta 1.1.4.1
          18 June 2018 at 8:14 pm

          Like cult homestay tourism? There could be a range from Gloriavale to Centrepoint.

      • Ken 1.1.5
        18 June 2018 at 8:01 pm

        Tourism.
        Foreigners will pay a lot to see Kiwi in the wild.

    • alwyn 1.2
      18 June 2018 at 2:28 pm

      I asked a couple of MPs what they would recommend the people on the Coast to do.
      One name Twyford, or Twtford or something like that said.
      “If they don’t want to exist on the dole then they should get out of the area and go and live in Pokeno or Dairy Flat”
      A Green one, who shall charitably be allowed to remain anonymous said.
      “They should set up Morris Dancing schools. We plan to support them by using the arrival levy on those evil businessmen who come here to try and set up firms to employ New Zealanders in productive jobs and to spend the money on our preferred frivolities”.

      • Tricledrown 1.2.1
        18 June 2018 at 2:31 pm

        alwynger the West Coast’s unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the country!

        • alwyn 1.2.1.1
          18 June 2018 at 4:34 pm

          Well you very thick Green Clown.
          Your friends favour equality don’t they?
          They are working very hard to get equality between Westland and the worst unemployment rates in the country, aren’t they?
          Actually the unemployment rates in Westport, and even more so along the road through the proposed mining area seem to be worse than the average for the country.
          It is not easy to tell from this map whether it is in the 4%-6% or in the more that 8% area.
          https://figure.nz/simple-map/JbuYMDLuWf7yVzNJ-ueOZ02ffx6T4BWkS
          It is hard to get recent accurate figures for the exact area, and they may never become available, because of the mess in the Census process.

      • Robert Guyton 1.2.2
        18 June 2018 at 2:33 pm

        “Morris Dancing schools”!!
        Nearly died laughing, you Great Wit, alwyn!

        • Frankie and Benjie 1.2.2.1
          18 June 2018 at 5:35 pm

          Maybe Alwhine is more of a “Shining Wit” according to Spooner.

      • mikes 1.2.3
        18 June 2018 at 3:22 pm

        Morris dancing? Not if idiots like this get their way…

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVwbWxgl04M

  2. gsays 2
    18 June 2018 at 10:23 am

    Fair’s fair.
    As disappointed as I was with the water bottling decision, well done minister on this decision.
    Now we can see what attitudes and opinions emerge.
    For example Roy’s above.
    Be rid of these mayors whose thinking belongs in the middle of the last century.
    Time for new blood.

  3. Hooch 3
    18 June 2018 at 10:29 am

    I do laugh when National go on about working with the greens or having a blue/Green Party etc when all they ever say is this sort of stuff. Mine conservation land reverse oil and gas exploration. How could they ever possibly work with any slightly Green Party?

    • Draco T Bastard 3.1
      18 June 2018 at 11:55 am

      +111

    • bwaghorn 3.2
      18 June 2018 at 5:02 pm

      You would have loved richardson on the am show this morn said in one breath that he’s green and that we should be mooning coal .
      Is he thick or is he running Nat muddy the waters lines ?

      • Jeremy 3.2.1
        18 June 2018 at 7:43 pm

        Definitely both.

      • Naki man 3.2.2
        18 June 2018 at 10:20 pm

        “You would have loved richardson on the am show this morn said in one breath that he’s green and that we should be mooning coal”

        I am not sure about the mooning, But most of us think we should be mining coal.
        The link is not working but 63% say yes to mining coal

        https://www.newshub.co.nz/…/poll-should-we-still-be-coal-mining-in-new-zealand.ht..

  4. Venezia 4
    18 June 2018 at 10:42 am

    Brava to Eugenie Sage. The Mayors are behaving as they usually do – hand in glove with the business interests who put them in office. Just as the John Key Appointed ECAN councillors were put there to feather the nests of the irrigation and farming lobby.

    • tc 4.1
      18 June 2018 at 11:12 am

      Exactly and if it’s anything like Hawkes Bay or Waikato they’re lucky they’re not drinking contaminated water or having sewage in their harbours….or are they and don’t realise it ?

      Epic fail for wider NZ and future generations from this bunch of NACT supporting troughers.

  5. Puckish Rogue 5
    18 June 2018 at 11:14 am

    So all those lambasting her previously should now praise her for this

  6. One Two 6
    18 June 2018 at 11:33 am

    ’60 Jobs’…

    Same figure as used the water extraction story last week..

    Mining water and mining coal…same script writers…

  7. Gabby 7
    18 June 2018 at 11:34 am

    The mayor on the radio reckoned the 12ha was needed for access rather than mining? Was he being a bit fibby?

    • solkta 7.1
      18 June 2018 at 11:58 am

      it would seem:

      The 12 ha area is part of the company‘s 116 ha mining proposal and compromises approximately 10 per cent of the planned mine site and open cast pit.

      https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/government-declines-application-mine-conservation-land-te-kuha

      • Wayne 7.1.1
        18 June 2018 at 12:53 pm

        I don’t think you can conclude from the quote from the press release that the Mayor is making it up. The quote refers to “planned mine site”. That probably includes access, especially access that is relatively close to the “open cast pit”.

        I don’t actually know the details of the mine site so don’t know one way or the other. However you have simply made an assumption about the mine when accusing the Mayor of “being a bit fibby.”

        Though I note the Stuff report refers to high grade coal in the 12 hectares. I wonder if that was right. It seems unlikely the whole viability of the mine would depend on 12 hectares. But who knows?

        Maybe the miner will go for a revised plan where they develop the mine without the 12 hectares.

        • solkta 7.1.1.1
          18 June 2018 at 12:57 pm

          Either the open cast pit extends into the area or it doesn’t. I know who i will believe out of the two.

          • dukeofurl 7.1.1.1.1
            18 June 2018 at 4:23 pm

            It does
            Crown Land Block X Kawatiri SD

            There is also two blocks
            Section 14 Blk VIII Kawatiri SD Water Conservation Reserve
            Section 17 Blk II Ohika SD Water Conservation Reserve

            Not clear if these 2 are council reserve land or DOC reserve land

            These 3 blocks constitute the bulk of the site.

            The road access will pass over private land plus this small segment
            Pt Section 6 Blk II Ohika SD which I presume is conservation reserve too from the reports.

            Full list of stuff here
            http://www.wcrc.govt.nz/our-services/resource-consents-and-information/Pages/notified-consents.aspx

            A summary of the Council Consent Commissioners says:

            The vegetation of the proposed site is considered as one of the least modified
            examples of Coal Measures vegetation in what is known as the Ngakawau Ecological District
            and is particularly significant because of the absence of recent fire.
            These Coal Measure communities of Te Kuha area are part of a vegetation type (Coal Measures vegetation) that is virtually confined to the Ngakawau Ecological District.
            This vegetation type is typical of ground containing coal deposits and contains a particularly unique combination of species in a
            complex mosaic of grassland, heathland, shrubland and low forest communities.
            One of the outstanding features of the Coal Measures vegetation is the very high diversity of
            communities within a small area.

        • Macro 7.1.1.2
          18 June 2018 at 2:14 pm

          Even if it is only for access the environmental damage can be just as great.
          Wayne if ever you travel down to the Karangahake Gorge you might like to take some time to travel off the main road to visit the site of the New Talisman mine which was granted consent on conservation land by the last National Govt. The access to the mine is up a public pathway and the mining company was been granted permission to fence and gate off some of the path. The driving of heavy vehicles up essentially an unformed road has caused severe damage to the path. This track is the main pathway onto Karangahake Mountain, a sacred mountain for local iwi. The development of the mine – if ever it was to take place – would entail large numbers for trucks trucking ore from the site to Waihi for processing. That is, they would be travelling through the Karangahake Gorge (much visited by tourists) which is along a narrow winding section of SH2. A section of road already at maximum carrying capacity, and one of the most twisting sections of road in NZ.

          • dukeofurl 7.1.1.2.1
            18 June 2018 at 4:30 pm

            The particular road access block may be small but the larger Council Water reserve is significant for its ecologic diversity and otherwise unique characteristics and thats the area you would want to protect.

  8. Draco T Bastard 8
    18 June 2018 at 11:53 am

    The company behind the mining proposal said the announcement was “just another kick in the teeth” for the West Coast community…

    It’s only a kick in the teeth if the only thing that the West Coast can do is mining.

    It’s not.

    This is a great opportunity for Shane Jones to shine some of that billion dollar fund around and look at developing the region. What else can they do (Ask the West Coasters)? What infrastructure is needed to make that happen.

    Of course, being a business person, he simply doesn’t give a shit about the West Coasters or the West Coast. He’s just concerned about the profit he can extract from them.

    • Tricledrown 8.1
      18 June 2018 at 1:52 pm

      DTB your stoic dogmatic derision of any type of capitalism is right up their with Gosman etc fanatical derision of socialism.
      So whats your evidence that socialism can survive without capitalism vice versa their is evidence that both can’t survive with out pragmatism.

      • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1
        18 June 2018 at 2:16 pm

        DTB your stoic dogmatic derision of any type of capitalism is right up their with Gosman etc fanatical derision of socialism.

        Logic and evidence tells us that capitalism always fails.

        So whats your evidence that socialism can survive without capitalism vice versa their is evidence that both can’t survive with out pragmatism.

        Pragmatism doesn’t mean what you think it means:

        a practical approach to problems and affairs

        Capitalism is simply not practical. What happens when a few people own everything and the rest have nothing?

        Poverty and eventual collapse of society.

        Exactly as we’re seeing.

        And there’s been several societies throughout history which lived, sustainably and for thousands of years, under ‘socialist’ paradigms.

        No capitalist system has survived more than a few hundred.

        • Gosman 8.1.1.1
          18 June 2018 at 2:45 pm

          Ummm… we’ve only ever had Capitalist systems for a few hundred years.

          Your argument would be like trying to state Electronic Computing will inevitable become redundant because the concept has only survived less than 100 years.

        • Tricledrown 8.1.1.2
          18 June 2018 at 2:52 pm

          pragmatism trying strike a balance between ideologies.
          Conveniently you have chosen your version to suit your argument.
          Dogmatically.
          Democracy reigns in the excesses of unfettered capitalism or communism.
          Looking at the support level of both ideologies in NZ ACT<.5% socialist party< than .5%.
          Pragmatism wins 99%.

          • Gosman 8.1.1.2.1
            18 June 2018 at 2:54 pm

            Pragmatism is not an economic system.

            • Tricledrown 8.1.1.2.1.1
              18 June 2018 at 6:22 pm

              gooseman its a balance between the 2 dogma’s .

              • Stuart Munro …
                18 June 2018 at 7:16 pm

                Dewey was rather keen on pragmatism as I recall. His reputation remains reasonably good.

            • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1.2.1.2
              19 June 2018 at 1:00 pm

              Actually, it is.

              Well, technically, it’s a political-economic philosophy.

          • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1.2.2
            19 June 2018 at 1:06 pm

            Conveniently you have chosen your version to suit your argument.

            I used the dictionary definition. It is you is choosing the definition dogmatically.

            Democracy reigns in the excesses of unfettered capitalism or communism.

            A communist system is, by default, democratic. In fact, it would be true to say that a democracy is, by default, communist – the people are in charge and not some clique.

            We don’t have a democracy. We have Representative Democracy which was designed to prevent democracy and leave the rich in charge which is what appears to be happening.

            I also note that over more than thirty years in NZ the dogmatic faith has been deregulation and releasing the unfettered capitalist model – against the wishes of the people.

  9. Antoine 9
    18 June 2018 at 11:54 am

    A pleasing decision

    A.

  10. Robert Guyton 10
    18 June 2018 at 1:31 pm

    “The Minister has saved a whole mountain from being dug up and turned into a scar. But she’s also sent a clear message to the coal industry that they have no future in New Zealand (or at least, no future on conservation land, which is pretty much the same thing, because that’s where most of the coal is). If it has a chilling effect on future coal investment, so much the better: this is not an industry we want or can afford to have in New Zealand anymore. The sooner it dies, the better.”

    NoRightTurn.

    • Tricledrown 10.1
      18 June 2018 at 1:57 pm

      The problem is that national will reopen conservation land when the tide of this government goes out.
      The greens need to get some funding from the $1 billion to help improve the west coasts tourist infrastructure.

      • Robert Guyton 10.1.1
        18 June 2018 at 2:19 pm

        Tourism…and other alternatives. The economic wizards of the Right must have page after page of these viable alternatives ready to be deployed…yes?

        • Gosman 10.1.1.1
          18 June 2018 at 2:40 pm

          Tourism is a bit of a joke. There is no way you will get the highly paid jobs that could make a real difference to the West Coasts long term prosperity just relying on Tourism.

          • Robert Guyton 10.1.1.1.1
            18 June 2018 at 2:43 pm

            Tourism’s a bit of a joke? I thought it was second only to dairying in importance to NZ’s economy.

  11. Richard McGrath 11
    18 June 2018 at 1:55 pm

    So utilising natural resources is “desecration”? Better dismantle all those hydro dams, solar panels and wind farms then

    • Robert Guyton 11.1
      18 June 2018 at 2:17 pm

      “Utilising”, Richard? Mining is “utilising” and equivalent to hydroelectricity? One takes and leaves a hole, the other uses the passage of the resource and leaves it (the water) untouched (* best case scenario). But you knew this.

      • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1
        18 June 2018 at 2:25 pm

        One takes and leaves a hole

        The hole isn’t the problem. Nature’s been dealing with them since forever. Lake Taupo is a good example.

        Even the death of species isn’t really a problem. Another species will evolve to fill the slot.

        The problem is the rate of change that mankind has force upon Nature and the outright poisoning of the environment that mankind almost inevitably does. These Nature cannot handle in such a short time frame which must result in the collapse of the entire world environment.

        As we’re now seeing.

  12. Chris T 12
    18 June 2018 at 2:12 pm

    It doesn’t particularly do much for Labour’s credibility when they are doing this with what appears to be zero actual ideas of alternatives for small town economies.

    They knew they were going to do it and had 9 years to come up with some

    May be they can make it an underground mine. What could go wrong?

    • Robert Guyton 12.1
      18 June 2018 at 2:18 pm

      Chris T – coal towns “knew” this also, as did their mayors and industry leaders. So did the National Government of the time; did any of those make provision for this outcome? If not, why not?

      • Chris T 12.1.1
        18 June 2018 at 2:35 pm

        Neither the towns or National wanted to wipe out mining

        Labour did

        And as the govt doing it, it is their responsibility to not screw over NZ citizens in the process

  13. Tricledrown 13
    18 June 2018 at 2:28 pm

    Richard McGrath strawman argument.
    Richard moving the coast from 1800’s extractive industry is the way NZ needs to future proof our economy.
    NZ is trapped in the past while other economies have modernized .
    Micro Bovis is a warning how vulnerable New Zealand’s economy is.
    We have barely moved our economy beyond the iron age.
    Solar wind and hydro are all renewable energy sources.
    That don’t need huge amounts of energy to constantly dig up huge amounts of ground then repeatedly transport the source of energy half way round the world requiring vast amounts of energy to do so.
    A no brainer!

  14. millsy 14
    18 June 2018 at 3:14 pm

    Good to see the right wingers on here wanting to blow the whole Southern Alps up to get the minerals.

    Let’s face it, that is what they want. No national parks, no nothing, just a big mine. Give the mining industry and inch, they will take a mile. And no, the government isn’t shutting the whole industry down. Just keeping it out of DOC’s estate.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 14.1
      18 June 2018 at 5:35 pm

      Here’s how it works. You say “we will return the area to its original state when the mine is exhausted.” Then, when your mountaintop removal mine is exhausted you say “why waste all this potential?”.

      Then you get resource consent for a golf course and real estate development.

      And then you get a knighthood, and the National Party minister who gave you the green light gets a directorship or two, because it’s all legal.

  15. Stunned mullet 15
    18 June 2018 at 5:20 pm

    Good.

  16. Ad 16
    18 June 2018 at 5:55 pm

    Let’s just remind those extractive capitalists and their elected supporters of the many New Zealand towns that started as extractive but evolved well into something that the country could cope with:

    – Arrowtown (gold)
    – Roxborough (gold)
    – Alexandra (gold)
    – Wanaka (gold)
    – Cardrona (gold)
    – Thames (gold)
    – Coromandel (gold)
    – Kaitaia (Kauri gum)
    – Whangarei (Kauri logs)

    Anyone trying to mine anywhere near those areas now would be hounded out of town by very rich landowners and environmentalists alike who are motivated to protect their interests and the common land.

    The acceleration of Dunedin in the 1870s, 1880s, and 1890s was all down to gold.
    Now it is a city dominated by a university.

    We can all do the list of those towns who have failed to maximise the very long tourism boom. Ghost towns of New Zealand. Most of their failure comes down to lack of sustained and bold civic leadership, plus lack of a direct international airport.

    • Stuart Munro 16.1
      18 June 2018 at 7:25 pm

      It is said that Auckland was built on Otago gold, and Dunedin was built on Tahakopa’s timber.

      But there are lots of industries for which the coast is uniquely suited. Wasabi. Sashimono carpentry. Farmed paua. Harakeke fibre and textiles. Jade carving. Beer. Microhydro construction and generation. To name a very few.

    • mikes 16.2
      19 June 2018 at 1:52 am

      “…that started as extractive but evolved well… – Kaitaia…”

      Been to Kaitaia lately?

  17. Tricledrown 17
    18 June 2018 at 6:39 pm

    gooseman its a balance between the 2 dogma’s .
    Your ignorants show no bounds.
    Look up the history then admit you have got it wrong gooseman.
    Ffs you must be the dumbest troll around

  18. Ken 18
    18 June 2018 at 8:09 pm

    Legalise cannabis and build secluded bush retreats where people can come from overseas, kick back and smoke a bit of pot in a beautiful relaxed natural setting with a good supply of nice cakes supplied by the bakery in town.

    Might need a few good bakeries and restaurants to feed the munchies – I bet they could employ more than sixty people keeping all those tourists fed and comfortable.

    • One Two 18.1
      18 June 2018 at 9:31 pm

      Yes…

      Green industry would end the stranglehold of destructive industry in regions such as West Coast…

      Governments know this and so do the toxic and chemical poison industry who have governments in their pocket…

  19. millsy 19
    18 June 2018 at 10:28 pm

    Naki Man, you gutless bastard. I ask you again. Do you think that Mt Taranaki should be blown up and turned in a mine?

    • Naki man 19.1
      18 June 2018 at 10:53 pm

      Calm down old trout,
      No i quite like Mt Egmont just the way it is.
      Why do you ask dear??

      • millsy 19.1.1
        18 June 2018 at 11:05 pm

        Beacause it’s clearly obvious you want to turn our great national parks into open cast mines for US mining companies.

  20. Naki man 20
    18 June 2018 at 11:44 pm

    The country has more than 10,000 protected areas, covering more than 8.6 million hectares (around 32% of the total land area). We are talking about mining 12 hectares to keep 60 people in highly paid employment, in area that has bugger all else they can do.

    • millsy 20.1
      19 June 2018 at 12:13 am

      Firstly, there are plenty of existing mines on the Coast, and Labour/Green policy is to keep mines open until they are exhausted. Secondly, the 60 jobs will probably end up going to immigrants, thirdly 12 hectares will become 24, hectares,then 48 hectares, then 96, and so on, until US mining companies are given carte blanche to blow the top off the whole Southern Alps. Which is what you want. Finally, as the mining industry becomes more and more automated, there won’t be the need for that many staff to run a mine.

    • dukeofurl 20.2
      19 June 2018 at 10:17 am

      Its a specific ecosystem there, as they said during the resource consent process
      “The vegetation of the proposed site is considered as one of the least modified
      examples of Coal Measures vegetation in what is known as the Ngakawau Ecological District and is particularly significant because of the absence of recent fire.
      These Coal Measure communities of Te Kuha area are part of a vegetation type (Coal Measures vegetation) that is virtually confined to the Ngakawau Ecological District.
      This vegetation type is typical of ground containing coal deposits and contains a particularly unique combination of species in a complex mosaic of grassland, heathland, shrubland and low forest communities.
      One of the outstanding features of the Coal Measures vegetation is the very high diversity of communities within a small area.”

      Not all human communities are the same , why are we allways expecting ecosytems to be the same everywhere.
      The coal mine isnt even expected to last a generation, a typical example of the cut it, dig it and ship it out process that really doesnt benefit the Coast at all.
      What happens when the coal price plunges , the miners walk away. And yes steep open caste mines can have wall collapse too.

  21. AB 21
    19 June 2018 at 10:39 am

    Coal has no future in a carbon-neutral economy.
    But the people who actually work in coal mines can’t be thrown to the economic wolves – which they normally would be under capitalism when demand for a product starts evaporating for whatever reason.
    Making the carbon-neutral transition liveable for people will need to be played out countless times over this century if we want to survive.
    If NZ can’t even get this right over one sh*tty little coalmine, then God help us.

    • solkta 21.1
      19 June 2018 at 10:55 am

      There is nobody working in that coalmine as it does not yet exist and hopefully never will.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    40 mins ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 hours ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    4 hours ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 hours ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 hours ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 hours ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    8 hours ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    11 hours ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    12 hours ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    13 hours ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    13 hours ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    14 hours ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    14 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    15 hours ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    17 hours ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    18 hours ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    20 hours ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 day ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-19T11:04:09+00:00