Media release

For Immediate release
Monday 25 February 2008

Delegation Of German Renewable Energy Experts To Meet With New Zealand Energy Companies

Key players in the German renewable energy sector arrive in New Zealand this week to meet with local businesses involved in the energy sector and to attend this week’s National Power New Zealand 2008 conference.

The Renewables made in Germany initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. This week’s visit to New Zealand will be the delegation’s third - confirming Germany’s interest in New Zealand as a leader in the adoption of renewable energy systems.

Worldwide distribution of state-of-the-art German renewable energy expertise using wind, geothermal, solar and biofuel technologies is making a major contribution to climate protection.

Companies participating in the Renewables made in Germany initiative offer a number of solutions to New Zealand’s energy sector in the quest to move to sustainable, environmentally friendly systems.

New Zealand German Business Association CEO, Monique Surges, says the attendance of the German delegation to the National Power New Zealand 2008 conference is a fantastic opportunity for both businesses operating in New Zealand’s energy sector and for the delegation who want to learn more about the opportunities available in New Zealand.

“Germany is not only the world leader in the development of renewable energy systems, but is dedicated to shaping the future of the industry.

“The German initiative gives those attending the National Power New Zealand 2008 conference the opportunity to learn about the latest technological advances and discuss business opportunities with leading German experts,” Surges added.

Ends –

Gordon Campbell: On John Key’s Agenda For The Nation

There seemed to be three main components to John Key’s speech :

a) tax cuts largely paid for by a hike in GST
b) mining in national parks and on conservation land, while building more roads.
c) giving firms easier access to the r&d from Crown Research Institutes, so that business can continue to get the taxpayer to pick up the tab for the research that keeps them competitive.

After all, corporate welfare is always such a blessed thing – its only social welfare that corrodes enterprise and ambition. More>>