TPP11 close to being signed?
Mesia reports suggest that a possible TPP11 agreement is close to being signed.
Environment
Bouquets for the new government
Mining, big data, social investment, paid parental leave, and pēpi in the House. The new government’s not mucking around remedying some of the previous government’s plunder and pillage policies.
TPP, Corporate Coup or “Free trade”?
However. TPP ( The trans Pacific partnership) is NOT a “Free trade” agreement. It is an attempt to cement in corporate power, to override inconvenient local Democracy, and collect rents from local communities in perpetuity.
Since when was giving large companies extra rights in law, and rights to extract even more economic rents, “Free trade”?
Labour and rural voters
In recent years Labour has allowed National to dominate rural politics. Maybe it is time for Labour to think about reaching out to rural voters and suggest to them that a progressive vote is in their interests.
She’s back …
National’s Parliamentary list has been announced. The big mover is Judith Collins who has jumped 7 places to number 9 and she is on the front bench.
Auckland’s impending environmental crisis
Unless Auckland Council finds more funding for the environment the predictions for what will happen are dire.
NZ Government: Stand with the Pacific at COP23
Petitions and links to further info on COP23.
Aquifer recharge
Lifelong angler John Hodgson explains why the water table in Canterbury and what we are doing to it matters.
(post updated with recommendations)
Climate Change and the Actual Challenge to This New Government
A new report from the Deep South National Science Challenge highlights the infrastructure issues and that adaptation could require significant and expensive changes to stormwater and wastewater networks.
Why is James Shaw our new Minister for Statistics?
Why statistics? Some speculation as to how this fits together with James Shaw’s other portfolios, and what the motivations and goals were taking up what is seemingly a minor ministerial position as part of a confidence and supply agreement.
The Green Party on 1080 and predator control
Let’s clear up some misconceptions about the Green Party’s Conservation Policy.
oh fuck
Sorry about the title. But seriously, what other reaction is there?
Overseas land sales, Landcorp land sales, and the environment
Our land needs threefold protection.
The Great Australian Bight honest Government ad
The Australian Government just released this ad about the Great Australian Bight and it’s surprisingly honest and informative. 
🌎
🐋
Better roads rather than fighting to maintain them against trucks.
Truckers don’t own the roadways. We do. If Ken Shirley wants a stricter adherence to user pays, then he should start with his trucking members. In the meantime the best thing we can do for improving the roading network is to get large trucks off of the road – they damage it way too much.
Say goodbye to roads of national significance
National’s roads of national significance programme looks to be no more with an early casualty being the East West Link in Auckland, which per kilometre was destined to be the most expensive transport project the world has ever seen.
A Sugar Coated World
Yum! That would make for generations of ecstatic kids, no?
The mess that the new government inherits
This post is too long to read. Its purpose is to serve as reference material, a “one stop” snapshot of where we are as a country. The mess that the new government inherits. The consequences of the nine long wasted years of National. The magnitude of the challenge ahead of us.
A message from Generation Zero
Otago University to start reducing fossil fuel use
The University has a 3 year plan to decrease its carbon fuel use.
Industrial dairying and blue babies
When you run an economy that sees harm to babies as acceptable risks that can be mitigated, then you are approaching society’s end game.
NRT: This stinks
Idiot/Savant points to the unfairness of the Government having forced Christchurch red zone families off their land and now trying to sell that land at a profit.
Arrival
Incognito writes about the need for a new narrative in politics and how the Green movement is providing one that takes us beyond neoliberalism and unfettered capitalism.
Pike River families win a “political reality”
Among the biggest winners of the election will be the Pike River families. Labour and Greens support re-entry. Gower on National: “They will not go into Opposition over this… They will literally go back on everything they’ve said in order to get Winston into power.”
ETS is useless, scrap it
I suspect that ETS has become a political football in the next parliament, but probably not part of a coalition agreement with either National or Labour. My guess is that both NZ First and the Greens will want it off the table unless it is agreed that it will go. That leaves them able to vote against further stupid patches being added to it.
Indigenous and green politics require changes in perspectives
One of our key political challenges now is to broaden the understanding of what matters.
The environmental open letter to political party leaders
Climate, water, conservation. Whoever forms government now has a citizenry with high expectations for the environment.
National no friends
In a sign of desperation Bill English rang Winston Peters on the weekend but the call was not answered. Clearly National realises that waiting for the special votes to be released will significantly weaken its bargaining position.
Resistance is futile …
The Standard regular Incognito writes about the unique voice the Greens bring to NZ politics and why a coalition deal with National would be the end of that.
Climate Scientists Open Up
Four climate scientists offer a little bit of their personal stories, and their plans in relation to global warming.
The Future of Food
A short film about a Wairarapa organic farm using Community Supported Agriculture to bypass agribusiness control of the market and sell direct to customers.
National the anti-environmental party
You can stop the silly chat now media – the Greens can’t go into coalition with National because of their members, their social polices… but mainly because of their environmental policies.
Good work if you can get it
During the election campaign elements of the farming community protested the possibility of a water tax and of farming being in the ETS on the basis the sector could not afford it. In awkward news it has since come to light that the Chief Executive of Fonterra and senior executives are being paid huge salaries.
Vote for compassion and competence
National has created the perception that it is a better manager of Government than Labour and is suggesting that it is more compassionate. Neither claim is true.
Federated Farmers need to cut the crap
Federated Farmers continued their fear campaign today in a Herald editorial. Their anonymous demand is that “Farmers should know they are still appreciated”. It is hard to have respect looking at bills that urban dwellers and businesses pay tofix their environment, while Federated Farmers bullshit about the environmental impacts of farming and how they don’t like paying to fix them.
The Green Party Policy Manifesto (fully costed and seriously progressive)
The Greens have a fully costed plan of their goals for New Zealand’s future. Anything but boring, this is bold vision, progressive values, and detailed planning as well as solid economics for the fiscal geeks.