Rumoured to have been plotting a return to public life from his redoubt in Auckland, Winston Peters confirmed expectations by his opportunistic attack on the review of the foreshore and seabed legislation.
It was a reprise of an act with which we're all familiar. Full of the hyperbole of looming calamity and capitalising on the politics of division, it was a signature headline grab - and nothing if not predictable. The only thing that departed from the norm was the timing.
In the past the trigger for one of Peters' thundering appeals to "ordinary New Zealanders" was the general election. Six or so months out from the poll was when the Grey Fashionista would stir. Confident that a well-judged blend of outrage, fear mongering, and appeal to "right thinking" Kiwis would deliver him another term in office for least amount of effort, he would pick whatever target current events offered up and play them for all they were worth. Immigrants, Māori and law and order were his ready mainstays.
But that was with the luxury of incumbency. It's easier to nudge the elbows of the media when you're just down the corridor from the press gallery and their most immediate watering hole. Now less conveniently situated, Peters will have to work hard to rebuild a support base at least some bits of which will have discovered that the sun did in fact manage to rise in the sky even without the Dear Leader around to bid it shine. Reconstruction will take time.
Much too depends on which particular election Peters is setting his watch by. Aucklanders - already in the throes of what promises to be the longest local body campaign in memory - could be forgiven for thinking that the prize upon which he gazes is that of El Supremo of the new unitary council.
But this doesn't take account of the fact that it will be easier to get 5% support for a return to the national stage than to get the more hotly contested 35% plus that he will need to take out the Pacific's capital. Peters has ever been a pragmatist. So Auckland, if it figures at all, may well be just a vehicle for his greater ambition. The city's armorial motto "Advance" also implies a degree of ongoing effort that Peters will find unattractive and there's a sense too that he would be much happier needling Government up close and personal, instead of from 652 kilometres away.
Will he succeed? Charming and able when he chooses and effortless in his exploitation of fear and loathing, he has a durable audience.
Foreshore and Seabed Review
The Government is showing a generally deft hand in its management of Treaty and customary ownership issues. That is also true of the Review of the Foreshore and Seabed legislation foreshadowed in National's Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Māori Party.
Although careful not to tip its hand and anxious to avoid attacks from the uninformed and the opportunistic, National is showing the sort of sensitivity to property rights that it failed to show when the foreshore and seabed legislation first made its way through the House.
It is Treaty Negotiations Minister and Attorney-General Chris Finlayson who is providing the intellectual starch in National's approach to Māori and Treaty issues. Outspoken in his disdain for his predecessor's politically driven approach to grievance resolution, Finlayson has stuck to his mantra "do it once and do it right." He has also been unfazed by the efforts of the media to recycle alarmist headlines about Māori radicalism and the demise of barbies on the beach.
What remains to be seen though is whether he is able to carry his colleagues with him. He may not be exercised by the opening offered to the likes of Winston Peter and Michael Laws, but others will be. In his favour, though, is that matters have moved on and there may be less public anxiety about access issues.
For a summary of the Foreshore and Seabed Review click here.
Twyford Conjures Privatisation Bogeyman
Pushing his Local Government (Protection of Assets) Amendment Bill to forestall the sale of Auckland's assets, and at the same breathing extra life into Labour's privatisation scare campaign, Phil Twyford has launched his 'Not Yours to Sell' campaign. "We have to act now to save our parks, libraries and pensioner housing,” he has dramatically announced.
It's clever politics. Keeping the twin spectres of asset sales and Rodney Hide in front of the electorate may well force National into another pre-election "not in this term" undertaking in 2011. The idea of compelling a referendum on any proposed asset sale will have the additional virtue of providing another platform for Labour to position on and - even better - at someone else's expense.
But there's also an element of crying wolf. For all that Labour keeps pointing at ACC and now the new and improved Auckland as likely arenas of Government perfidy, the actual evidence is light on the ground. Of course that is part of the calculation. Eventual Government inaction will be evidence not of an absence of intent, but rather of the effectiveness of Labour's defence of the common weal.
But it also gets old and after a while the determination to forestall informed consideration of alternative ownership models, free of political tub thumping, may well appear polemical and self-serving.
Greens Back on the Margins and Conscience to the Fore
Last week saw the Greens with three Bills on the Members' Day agenda: two from newly elected co-leader Metiria Turei proposing the medicinal use of cannabis and a total ban on liquor advertising, and one environmental initiative from Jeanette Fitzsimons aimed at increased funding for public transport.
Whatever excitement may have been engendered by their dominance of the day's business it was short-lived. Conscience votes ensured the rapid demise of the permissive approach to cannabis and the prohibitive one on liquor advertising - measures that at least some members found paradoxical. The proposal for increased funding for public transport fared better on the numbers, but with the parties under the whip, it went the way of its fellows.
Most interesting in the rout was the continued use of the conscience vote on matters of alcohol regulation. Not only is it a practice the Law Commission has questioned, but in the present instance it seemed anomalous given the negative Bill of Rights Act assessment of the Bill tabled by Attorney-General Hon Chris Finlayson.
Assiduous in his duty to notify Parliament when any Bill trespasses on civil and political freedoms, Finlayson blew the whistle on the proposed advertising ban.
On that basis alone the Government ought to have been prepared to take a party position. And it, it seems, it was. But Labour, unable to whip its caucus, had to ask the Government to let things run on the basis of conscience. National voted en bloc. Labour didn't.
Antarctica (Environmental Protection: Liability Annex) Amendment Bill
Type of Bill: Government
Member in Charge: Hon Murray McCully
This Bill implements New Zealand's international treaty obligations regarding environmental emergencies in Antarctica.
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Bill
Type of Bill: Government
Member in Charge: Hon Simon Power
This Bill brings New Zealand towards compliance with international anti-money laundering standards and counter-terrorism financing standards.
Road User Charges Amendment Bill
Type of Bill: Government
Member in Charge: Hon Steven Joyce
This Bill amends the Road User Charges Act 1977 to allow regulations to be made that could exempt light electronic motor vehicles from road user charges.
Bills To Select Committees
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Bill
Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill
Motor Vehicle Sales Amendment Bill
Public Works (Offer Back and Compensation for Acquired Land) Amendment Bill
Radio New Zealand Amendment Bill
Open for submissions
Bill |
Select committee |
Submissions close (2009) |
Report due (2009) |
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Bill |
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |
6 August |
15 September |
Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill |
Māori Affairs |
31 July |
30 September |
Motor Vehicle Sales Amendment Bill |
Commerce |
20 August |
30 December |
Public Works (Offer Back and Compensation for Acquired Land) Amendment Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
14 August |
17 December |
Radio New Zealand Amendment Bill |
Commerce |
13 August |
24 December |
Regulatory Improvement Bill |
Commerce |
16 July |
12 November |
Submissions not yet called
Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Bill
Marine Reserves (Consultation with Stakeholders) Amendment Bill
Methodist Church of New Zealand Trusts Bill
Road User Charges Amendment Bill
Submissions closed
Bill |
Select committee |
Report due (2009) |
Aquaculture Legislation Amendment Bill (No 2) |
Primary Production |
24 August |
Arms Amendment Bill (No 3) |
Law and Order |
26 February 2010 |
Corrections (Contract Management of Prisons) Amendment Bill |
Law and Order |
26 September |
Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
12 August |
Children, Young Persons and Their Families (Youth Courts Jurisdiction and Orders) Amendment Bill |
Social Services |
18 August |
Eden Park Trust Amendment Bill |
Government Administration |
29 July |
Education Amendment Bill |
Education and Science |
28 August |
Electricity (Continuance of Supply) Amendment Bill |
Commerce |
31 July |
Franklin District Council (Contribution to Funding of Museums) Amendment Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
4 September |
Gangs and Organised Crime Bill |
Law and Order |
10 August |
Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Bill |
Transport and Industrial Relations |
10 September |
Legal Services Amendment Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
2 October |
Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill |
Auckland Governance Legislation |
4 September |
Marine Reserves Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
30 December 2010 |
Palmerston North Showgrounds Act Repeal Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
30 September |
Patents Bill |
Commerce |
5 November |
Privacy (Cross-border Information) Amendment Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
1 October |
Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
30 March 2010 |
Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill |
Primary Production |
10 September |
Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill |
Social Services |
5 October |
Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
27 July |
Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
10 September |
Sale of Liquor (Objections to Applications) Amendment Bill |
Social Services |
30 June 2010 |
Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill |
Law and Order |
18 August |
Sentencing (Offender Levy) Amendment Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
12 August |
Social Assistance (Payment of New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans Pension Overseas) Amendment Bill |
Social Services |
30 September |
Student Loan Scheme (Repayment Bonus) Amendment Bill |
Education and Science |
30 July |
Trade Marks (International Treaties and Enforcement) Amendment Bill |
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |
7 October |
Unit Titles Bill |
Social Services |
5 September |
Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill |
Transport and Industrial Relations |
10 September |
Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill |
Māori Affairs |
31 December |
Bills Awaiting Second Reading
Bills that have recently been reported back to the House from a Select Committee are in bold and the Select Committee reports on these Bills are linked.
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Bill
Children, Young Persons and Their Families Amendment Bill (No 6)
Cultural Property (Protection in Armed Conflict) Bill
Disputes Tribunals Amendment Bill
Dog Control Amendment Bill (No 2)
Domestic Violence (Enhancing Safety) Bill (report of the Justice and Electoral Committee)
Insolvency Amendment Bill
Judicial Matters Bill
Oaths Modernisation Bill
Port Nicholson Block (Taranaki Whanui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika) Claims Settlement Bill (report of the Māori Affairs Committee)
Public Health Bill
Rail Network Bill
Regulatory Responsibility Bill
Resource Management (Climate Protection) Amendment Bill
Serious Fraud Office (Abolition and Transitional Provisions) Bill
Settlement Systems, Futures, and Emissions Units Bill (report of the Commerce Committee)
Taxation (International Taxation, Life Insurance, and Remedial Matters) Bill (report of the Finance and Expenditure Committee)
Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill
Trade (Safeguard Measures) Bill (report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee)
Trustee Amendment Bill
Waka Umanga (Māori Corporations) Bill
Whakarewarewa and Roto-a-Tamaheke Vesting Bill (report of the Māori Affairs Committee)
Appropriation (2008/09 Supplementary Estimates) Act 2009
Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Forestry Sector) Amendment Act 2009
Imprest Supply (First for 2009/10) Act 2009
Land Transport Amendment Act 2009
Parliamentary Service (Continuation of Interim Meaning of Funding for Parliamentary Purposes) Act 2009
Alcohol Advisory Council Levy Order 2009
Alcohol Advisory Council Levy Order (No 2) 2009
Child Support Amendment Rules 2009
Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Amendment Rules 2009
Domestic Violence (General) Amendment Regulations 2009
Domestic Violence Amendment Rules 2009
Family Courts Amendment Rules 2009
Family Proceedings Amendment Rules 2009
Fisheries (Infringement Offences) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009
Fisheries (Southland and Sub-Antarctic Areas Amateur Fishing) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009
Goods and Services Tax (Local Authorities Accounting on Payments Basis) Order 2009
Health (Deferral of General Application of Sections 69S to 69ZC) Order 2009
Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Amendment Order 2009
Immigration Amendment Regulations 2009
Income Tax (Fringe Benefit Tax, Interest on Loans) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009
Local Government Elected Members (2009/10) (Except Auckland) Determination 2009
New Zealand Geographic Board (Nga Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa) Act Commencement Order 2009
New Zealand Railways Corporation (Increased Capital) Order 2009
Public Finance (Transfers Between Outputs) Order 2009
Racing (New Zealand Greyhound Racing Association Incorporated) Order 2009
Securities Act (Charitable and Religious Purposes) Exemption Amendment Notice 2009
Securities Act (Industrial and Provident Societies) Exemption Amendment Notice 2009
Securities Act (ING (NZ) Administration Pty Limited) Exemption Amendment Notice 2009
Securities Act (Macquarie Investment Services Limited Gilt Edge Access Account) Exemption Notice 2009
Securities Act (Wool Equities Limited) Exemption Notice 2009
Student Allowances Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009
Takeovers Code (Metlifecare Limited) Exemption Notice 2009
Taxation (Use of Money Interest Rates Setting Process) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009
Taxation (Use of Money Interest Rates) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009
The coming week looks quiet on the political front. The House is in recess until 21 July. The Prime Minister is visiting South Pacific nations. There is not even a Cabinet meeting next week.
The one frantic group next week is the Auckland Governance Legislation Select Committee, which is meeting for 12 hours per day for the next few weeks to consider the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill.
Budget vote allocations and responses from responsible Ministers consumed most Select Committee time in the past fortnight. The information below relates mainly to non-vote proceedings.
Commerce Committee
Communications Minister Hon Steve Joyce summarised the Government's telecommunications and related broadband policy direction. He advised that no decisions have yet been made as to structure, but Joyce ruled out free local calls and foreign ownership, noting that implementation of the broadband scheme would be delayed by a two months.
Finance and Expenditure Committee
State Owned Enterprises Minister Hon Simon Power highlighted three priorities in the State Owned Enterprises' portfolio. Enhanced business capacity and commercial focus of SOE boards is a primary goal, as are improved transparency and accountability. Power noted the Government wanted to move towards imposing a disclosure regime akin to that in place for publicly listed companies.
Health Committee
The Committee heard submissions concerning the interaction between Private and Public Health sectors. Private Hospitals Association President, Terry Moore, noted that New Zealand needs a health care system that balances the public and private sectors, and that there was a national lack of public and private data collaboration. Deputy Director General of Health, Debora Roche. commented that the two sectors were effectively competing for the same workforce, but that the public sector was more affected by emergency and seasonal demands. In a written submission the Ministry outlined that longer term planning and contracting in the private sector could improve access to the private services.
The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) briefed the Committee on its audit of the Ministry of Health's implementation of the Primary Health Care Strategy. The OAG noted the insufficiency of the measures to assess progress on the Strategy. The Office indicated that it did not consider the Ministry's attempts to remedy the deficiency to have been adequate.
Justice and Electoral
The Committee heard submissions on Privacy (Cross-Border Information) Amendment Bill and Legal Services Amendment Bill.
Local Government and Environment
Environment Minister Hon Nick Smith noted the importance of setting the 2020 carbon target in the lead-up to the Copenhagen negotiations. He stressed that, in contrast to the position taken by the former Labour-led administration, New Zealand was not a world leader on climate change policy development, and that there was a need to engage publicly before considering any emissions-based regulation in either the agricultural and forestry sectors.
Minister of Local Government Hon Rodney Hide briefed the Committee on the Government's response to the Royal Commission's report on Auckland Governance via the Local Government Reorganisation Act 2009, and the Local Government Auckland Council Bill (introduced in May). Hide outlined that a third Bill was to be introduced that will target the ongoing Government structure, functions, roles, and powers of the Auckland Council. A review of the Local Government Act 2002 is also in train.
Primary Production
Minister of Agriculture Hon David Carter speaking to the Committee outlined a number of key priorities for this portfolio, speaking briefly on the matter of water infrastructure.
Transport and Industrial Relations
Minister of Labour Hon Kate Wilkinson briefed the Committee on the Government's labour policy and discussed the review of the Holidays Act.
Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade
The Committee heard submissions on the Trade marks (International Treaties and Enforcement) Bill. The Bill amends the Copyright Act 1994 and the Trade Marks Act .
Law and Order
The Committee heard submissions on the Corrections (Contract Management of Prisons) Amendment Bill. Submissions were sharply divided. The New Zealand Nurses organisation and Human Rights Commission took an essentially polemical position, opposing private engagement in what they regarded as a core function of the state. Other submitters, including private prisons provider GEO Group noted that issues of accountability and rights protection were matters for the state and could be addressed readily in any management contract entered into with a private provider.
Regulations Review
The Committee heard complaints made concerning the Resource Management (Forms, Fee, and Procedure) Amendment Regulations 2009, which amend and increase filing fees for appeals to the Environment Court from $55 to $500. Officials from the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Justice briefed the Committee that the Regulations would not prevent further public participation, but instead would enhance the ability of the Environment Court to recover costs from such hearings.
Transport and Industrial Relations
Minister of Transport Steven Joyce briefed the Committee on the review of the Government Policy Statement on Transport.
Genetic Engineering Trial Decision
GE Free NZ in Food and Environment Incorporated v Environmental Risk Management Authority & Others CIV 2007-485-1340 in the High Court saw a decision of the Environmental Risk Management Authority ("ERMA") appealed on a point of law by interested group, GE Free NZ in Food and Environment Incorporated ("GE Free") under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 ("HSNO Act").
The New Zealand Institute for Crop and Research Limited ("Institute") was conducting a 10 year limited field trial of a number of genetically engineered brassica species. Having received ERMA's permission under the HSNO Act to conduct this trial, the Institute began testing the plant species, looking at the agronomic performance of the species' abilities to resist caterpillars. ERMA's decision was appealed by GE Free, and a number of other interested parties (all organic producers) joined the appeal.
GE Free contended that ERMA's decision to grant approval for the field trial was wrong in law, because the Institute should test not just for benefits associated with the genetically-engineered brassicas, but also for negative effects, relying on an interpretation of "effect" as defined by the HSNO Act. GE Free was concerned that this was the only time when the brassicas could be properly tested before potentially being released in a limited way in New Zealand.
The organic producers were also concerned about the decision made by ERMA to allow the testing. When making a decision, the producers argued, ERMA must first consider whether the positive effects of the testing will outweigh the adverse effects of the testing, and then whether or not the brassicas could be properly contained. They furthermore argued that because potential adverse effects were uncertain, ERMA should have imposed a requirement for the crops to be tested for adverse effects.
ERMA defended its decision, noting that its role was regulate new organisms, not direct scientific research, and that there was no obligation for ERMA to impose upon applicants for testing consents a requirement to monitor for adverse effects. Lack of data about adverse effects could be considered in future decisions about the crop in question. The Institute also weighed in on ERMA's side, arguing that it is not for ERMA to determine the purpose of field tests, and that while the Institute was not obliged to test for adverse effects, it intended to do so regardless.
The High Court found that ERMA had not erred in law when making its decision, and noted that ERMA would take adverse effects into account if the Institute applied to release the new brassica species, and that appropriate controls had been placed on the test. The Court further said that a field test did not necessarily connote the need to test for adverse effects, and did not find that ERMA had mixed the HSNO Act decision-making requirements as the organic producers had contended. It found that ERMA had approached the decision appropriately, and had considered appropriate concerns.
The appeal was dismissed.
Foreshore and Seabed Review Report
The Ministerial review panel on the foreshore and seabed has reported back. The panel comprised Hon Taihākurei Edward Durie DCNZM (chairperson), Assoc Prof Richard Boast and Hana O’Regan. Its report runs to many hundreds of pages and is available here. The panel also released an 18-page summary of its report which is available here.
The panel considered the questions posed in its terms of reference.
What were the nature and extent of mana whenua and public interests in the coastal marine area prior to the Ngāti Apa case?
- Customary interest extended across the coastal marine area to the outer limits of the territorial sea, unless clearly extinguished.
- Public interest extended to navigation of waters and fisheries
- The popular belief is that there is free access for all to beaches and the foreshore.
What options were available to the Government to respond to the Court of Appeal decision in the Ngāti Apa case?
- Appeal by the Crown to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which the panel preferred.
- Leave the courts to decide, which the panel saw as an appropriate response.
- Pass the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004, which the panel disagreed with.
Did the Act effectively recognise and provide for customary or Aboriginal Title and public interests (including Māori, local Government and business) in the coastal marine area and maintain and allow for the enhancement of mana whenua?
- No because it removed the ability for legal rights to be tested by the courts.
If the Panel has reservations that the Act does not provide for the above, outline options on what could be the most workable and efficient methods by which both customary and public interests in the coastal marine area could be recognised and provided for; and in particular, how processes of recognising and providing for such interests could be streamlined?
- The panel recommended four options.
- Option 1 - judicial model. Re-setting the law to the status quo ante immediately after the Ngāti Apa case so that the Māori Land Court and the High Court could make status orders and vesting orders relating to the foreshore and seabed).
- Option 2 - staged settlement model. Control and ownership of the foreshore and seabed would be settled on a case-by-case basis through negotiations between the Crown and iwi/hapū as part of the historic Treaty settlement process.
- Option 3 - national settlement model. A national settlement similar to the fisheries or aquaculture settlements in which iwi/hapū share in income accruing from the seabed foreshore.
- Option 4 - mixed model. The panel prefers the mixed model. The model starts from the premise that Māori enjoy "some form of customary or tikanga title" to all of the foreshore and seabed and that the general public also enjoy interests in navigation and free access. The mixed model combines a national settlement, allocation of rights and interests, local co-management and an ability to gain more specific access and use rights.
The Government is now considering the panel's report and will most likely reply in August.
Indigenous Water Rights - Wellington Forum
The University of Otago Faculty of Law and Landcare Research have organised a new indigenous legal water forum to be held in Wellington on 27 July 2009. This international conference will feature speakers from New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, and consider questions of governance, management, and ownership of freshwater by indigenous peoples.
Keynote addresses on this important legal issue include Professor Bradford Morse (Canada), Professor Lee Ross (Australia) and Steven Ross (coordinator of the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, Australia). Other speakers include Tom Bennion, Kathy Ertel, Dr Robert Joseph, Linda Te Aho, and organiser Jacinta Ruru. Topics include international law, the Treaty of Waitangi and the common law of native title.
Registration is limited to 100 places (the registration fee is $100). Please click here for more information.
Auckland Consultation Kicks Off
The gruelling process of public consultation by the Auckland Governance Legislation Committee began 6 July 2009. Having received 2,487 submissions on the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill, the dedicated Select Committee begins a series of 12 hour days of consultation at a number of different venues (to be announced). So far, two hearings have been announced:
- 6-9 July 2009: Barrycourt Accommodation and Event Centre, 10-20 Gladstone Road, Parnell
- 10 July 2009: Northridge Country Lodge in Silverdale
The Select Committee expects to hear approximately 780 oral submissions during this consultation period, and a Māori sub-committee will be holding hearings at various marae. Other locations for whole-committee hearings include the North, West, and South of the region, and Waiheke Island. A sub-committee will also sit on Great Barrier Island.
Turia on Forestry and ETS
Hon Tariana Turia raised highlighted the effects of the ETS on Māori during the debate on the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Forestry Sector) Amendment Act 2009.
Mrs Turia used the debate to reiterate the Māori Party's view that the ETS should adhere to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Party is concerned that deforestation penalties for pre-1990 forestry owners could diminish the value of Treaty settlements (an issue that some iwi raised during in submissions to the ETS Review Select Committee). Ngai Tahu, for example, estimates that it could be penalised anywhere between $40m and $120m.
The second concern specifically concerned the Forestry Amendment to the ETS Act. Mrs Turia expressed concern that the Act delayed the ability of the "Treelord" beneficiaries to trade forestry-generated credits in the ETS and could mean the credits diminished in value.
Such comments are a salutary reminder that Māori have a significant vested interest in the ETS and its successful operation.
Consultation on 2020 emissions targets
This week the Government began consulting on New Zealand's 2020 emissions target. The consultation is intended to feed into the December 2009 negotiations in Copenhagen.
The consultation material is available here.
Who |
What |
By when… (2009) |
Biosecurity New Zealand |
Draft Import Risk Analysis: Onions (Allium cepa Liliaceae) Fresh Bulbs for Consumption from China |
31 July |
Proposed IHS amendment for Fish Food and Fish Bait from all Countries |
3 August |
Review of submissions and supplementary draft RA - freshwater / marine ornamental fish, marine molluscs and crustaceans |
17 August |
Commerce Commission |
Transpower Process and Recommendation Discussion Paper |
17 July |
Input Methodologies Discussion Paper and Farrier Swier FINAL Report - Treatment of Expenditure in CPPs |
31 July |
Reset of DPP for EDBs |
31 July |
Revised Draft Guidelines on the Cost of Capital and Experts’ report |
31 July |
Department of Conservation |
Implementation of the Marine Protected Areas Policy in the Territorial Seas of the Subantarctic Biogeographic Region of New Zealand |
31 July |
Ministry of Health |
Maternity Action Plan 2008–2012 |
31 July |
Inland Revenue Department |
Making it easier for borrowers to repay their student loans |
17 July |
The taxation of distributions from profit distribution plans |
7 August |
Standards New Zealand |
Fire sprinkler systems for life safety in sleeping occupancies (domestic dwellings) |
7 August |
Specification for Portland and blended cements (General and special purpose) and Specification for pozzolan for use with Portland and blended cement |
12 August |
Methods of testing child restraints: Part 1 Dynamic testing; Part 7 Test for suitability of seat belt length; Part 8 Test for suitability of seat profile |
28 August |
Who |
What |
By when… (2009) |
Biosecurity New Zealand |
Import risk analysis: Cats, dogs and canine semen |
17 July |
Review of the Undaria Commercial Harvest Policy |
31 July |
Department of Conservation |
Lichens and freshwater invertebrates |
30 September |
New Zealand Geographic Board |
Place name change from Wanganui to Whanganui |
17 August |
For other name change consultations click here |
Various dates |
Statistics New Zealand |
Electrical equipment for mines and quarries - General requirements; Distribution, control and auxiliary equipment; Substations |
17 July |
New Zealand Transit Agency |
Traffic control devices manual: direction, service and general guidance signs |
17 July |
Traffic control devices manual: advertising signs |
17 July |
SH20 Waterview Connection |
31 July |
