Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Taranaki leaders calling for greater certainty

Taranaki leaders calling for greater certainty and investment from the Government as the region becomes Ground Zero for the Just Transition

A group of Taranaki’s civic and business leaders had a discussion with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and senior Government ministers today regarding its decision to halt all future off-shore block offers for oil and gas exploration, the backbone of Taranaki’s economy for decades.

The group agrees New Zealand needs a greener future but they highlighted to the Prime Minister the uncertainty the announcement had created without any accompanying plan to manage the transition to a Carbon Zero New Zealand by 2050.

“The Government’s policy announcement has many Taranaki people and businesses nervous because it was not accompanied by a plan. We are looking forward to working with the Government to address this uncertainty and work on the plan together, as we progress towards Net Carbon Zero New Zealand by 2050.”

The leaders are asking for $42 million dollars over the next three years to be invested in supercharging Taranaki’s regional economic strategy called Tapuae Roa and to establish an expert team to plan, research and advise on the transition.

Taranaki has the leadership, world-class engineering and scientific expertise and the capabilities to make a huge contribution and has welcomed the Government’s commitment to holding a New Zealand wide Just Transition Conference in New Plymouth in the near future because Taranaki is going to be Ground Zero for the Just Transition.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“We will work hard to take carbon out of the economy while continuing to keep the country running, the lights on and houses warm across New Zealand when there’s no wind or rain, retaining jobs in our region in the process.”

The key to the transition in New Zealand will be well-designed Government policy supported by significant strategic investments.

Based on the work undertaken in Taranaki over the past six weeks, including analysis of the Vivid Report and the Productivity Commission Report as well as international literature on decarbonisation on a national scale, it is our view that the foundations of an effective transition must involve:

· Collaboration to develop a robust, science-based policy framework

· Research and investment with industry on low carbon pilot programmes for use in New Zealand

· Investment in education and training facilities to create the people capability to deliver the transition

· Establishing Taranaki as the centre for Sustainable Development, utilising specialist engineering skills.

Joint statement from:

David MacLeod, Chair of Taranaki Regional Council

Ross Dunlop, Mayor South Taranaki District Council

Neil Volzke, Mayor Stratford District Council

Neil Holdom, Mayor New Plymouth District Council

Jamie Tuuta, Board Member Venture Taranaki

Robin Brockie, Chair of Venture Taranaki, Chair of Western Institute of Technology

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.