March 2007 highlights

NAC had much to be proud of

Celebrations are being held throughout the country to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the National Airways Corporation. Jim Anderton, Wigram MP and Leader of the Progressive Party, was a guest speaker at the celebratory dinner at the Wigram Air Force Museum in Christchurch.

I'm not a fan of nostalgia but I am a fan of looking back with respect to things we achieved in the past and I am a fan of learning from history. NAC and its national air service was an achievement to be proud of. Clearly the fond memories are of a different era in aviation. From ground staff to cabin crew, from engineers to ticket desk staff, NAC was a glamorous and adventurous business to be in. It meant a career with sophisticated technology and the beauty of flight. And as for staff, so too for passengers. Long before the days of metal detectors and security screening, flying was a novel experience. These days, in the age of discount airlines, it's hard to believe passengers used to get dressed up to travel.

Airlines often base their advertising around amazing journeys connecting up families and friends. That's always been part of travel but when NAC was flying into those centres, it was also making a crucial contribution to the economic lifeblood of New Zealand. The development of our cities depends on them being able to make connections to the rest of the world, and on their businesses being able to connect to the global economy. I think NAC staff knew how important their services were. What you realise when you look around a reunion like this is how much passion NAC staff had for their airline and how they had a pride in what they did. NAC staff knew they were doing something remarkable for New Zealand.

23.03.07 High Court clears the way for honey imports

I welcome the High Court’s decision validating MAF Biosecurity New Zealand’s actions in allowing imports of honey products from Australia. The decision endorses Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s (MAF’s) current risk analysis and import health standard process and confirms that MAF was authorised to make the decision it made in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 1993. This case was the latest attempt to prevent Australian honey entering New Zealand. It follows a long process, started in 2001, when MAF started developing a new Import Health Standard for honey and related bee products from Australia. The process included international expert peer review, as well as two rounds of domestic consultations with industry.

Justice France, in announcing the court’s decision, said that there were challenges to preventing exotic pests and diseases entering New Zealand but to be too absolute would require our border to be shut to all traffic.

The High Court has also ordered the lifting of the current injunction placed on imported honey. However, since the decision is subject to appeal, the current injunction could stay in place for another 5-6 months.

For more, go to: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=28753

22.03.07 Every day should be World Water Day

A small but significant number of dairy farmers are compromising the quality of waterways by failing to control effluent and nutrient run-off, according to the latest Snapshot of Progress on the Clean Streams Accord which was released by my Cabinet colleague, the Environment Minister David Benson-Pope on World Water Day. The report is a timely reminder of what most dairy farmers are doing to reduce their impact on waterways and companies, such as Fonterra, are to be commended for coming up with practical, industry-led solutions to improving nutrient management on farms.

Environmental management is core business for the modern farmer and this year’s Accord results show that most dairy farmers understand this. However, the ten percent of Fonterra dairy farmers who are ignoring effluent disposal requirements are putting the environment at risk. If the Accord is to be a success then these management plans are not optional. If the sector wants to avoid much greater regulation, they must adhere to their voluntary targets. All New Zealanders need to make every day 'World Water Day', but especially land managers who use the vast majority of extracted water. Copies of the Accord report are available on www.mfe.govt.nz

For more, go to: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=28741
22.03.07 Minister to consider kahawai fishery decision
The Judge’s findings in the kahawai court case mean decisions around catch limits and allocations in the kahawai fishery may have to be reconsidered. The recent court case arose because both recreational and commercial fishers were unhappy about how the previous Minister of Fisheries set catch levels for kahawai in 2004 and 2005.
There has been a lot of passion around this case, with both groups of fishers challenging the previous Minister’s decisions. The judge’s ruling is that the catch limits and allocations made for kahawai will have to be reconsidered. Much of the hearings have been taken up with issues of procedure and information, but the heart of the issue has always been the question of “who gets the fish?”

I’ve requested advice from my Ministry of Fisheries and Crown Law on the implications of the judge's ruling and the options before the government for future courses of action. I expect this advice within the next few days, and then I will consult with my Cabinet colleagues on the way forward.

The Labour-Progressive Government is currently considering submissions on new Shared Fisheries policies that should spell out how fisheries that are important to recreational, customary and commercial fishers should be handled. This court decision should focus attention on how important this current consultation really is. The challenge before us is to manage these fisheries in a way that ensures all New Zealanders get as much value as possible from them; not only for today, but into the future as well.

For more, go to: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=28740

20.03.07 Te Papa gifted largest ever colossal squid specimen

The colossal squid caught by a New Zealand fishing vessel, owned by Sanford Ltd, in the Ross Sea in early February has been delivered to Te Papa. Together with Dr Seddon Bennington, Chief Executive of Te Papa, I signed a Deed of Gift in a ceremony at Te Papa’s Tory St research facility transferring ownership of the colossal squid to Te Papa. It is believed to be the first adult male specimen to be landed. It is thought to weigh approximately 450kg and measure 10metres in length. As Minister of Fisheries, I have had calls from media outlets all over the world wanting to know more about this fantastic creature from the deep.

It was the careful work of the Sanford crew and the Ministry of Fisheries observer that delivered the squid in such good condition. As I said at the time of the find, the excellent co-operation between Te Papa, the Observer Programme and the New Zealand fishing industry has made this once in a lifetime opportunity an exciting reality. The squid will be a great source of interest to the world’s scientific community, to New Zealanders and for visitors to Te Papa.

It is unlikely that the specimen will be unfrozen for several months as the research facility is currently undergoing renovations and a special tank will need to be designed and built to house the colossal squid.

Only a handful of colossal squid have ever been sighted.

For more, go to: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=28743

16.03.07 Government backs steps to protect Lake Taupo

Nutrient flows into Lake Taupo are affecting its viability and I welcome Environment Waikato’s announcement that it is proposing to cap nitrogen levels in the lake in order to reduce manageable discharges in the lake's catchment by 20 percent over 15 years.

Our agriculture depends on water and New Zealand depends on agriculture. Managing nutrient flows into water is absolutely crucial for both the reputation of our exports and for New Zealand to retain its reputation as a 100% Pure tourist destination.

Environment Waikato is seeking a regulatory approach that will place strong incentives on landowners in the catchment to control the amount of nitrogen run off. It is proposing a variation to its regional plan, which includes a rule about spreading animal waste on land. It will also work with landowners to find ways to reduce the amount of manageable (almost 90% of the total) nitrogen flowing into the lake. This work is being conducted through the Lake Taupo Protection Trust, which recently received $81.5million from central government, Environment Waikato and the Taupo District Council.

There is a great deal that farmers can and are doing about these problems, beginning with nitrogen budgeting, fencing riparian areas, going on to nutrient management plans and the use of nitrogen inhibitors – all of which can be shown to improve farm productivity and profitability. New techniques and technologies are available to help achieve sustainable farming objectives.

For more, go to: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=28672

15.03.07 Maori Party turns its back on sustainability

The Maori Party appears not to be in favour of managing New Zealand's fish stock sustainably as it was the only party in Parliament to vote against the Fisheries Amendment Bill at the completion of its first reading today. Clearly they don't support sustainable management of the fisheries; they don't support taking the precautionary approach; and they're not in favour of recognising our international obligations, such as the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement.

There were 115 votes in favour of the Bill, which amends the Fisheries Act 1996 to better reflect the widely accepted international interpretation of the precautionary approach, as it applies to fisheries management decisions in New Zealand where information is uncertain, unreliable or inadequate.

Sometimes you need to sacrifice one fish today for the opportunity to catch 10 fish tomorrow. In Parliament, the Maori Party voted for short-term gain at the expense of long-term, sustainable development. Tangaroa must be ashamed.

For more info, go to: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=28669

15.03.07 New Drug Policy launched – pressure kept on

At the launch of the latest New Zealand Drug Policy (NDP) at Parliament, I said New Zealand has a drug problem, New Zealand has an alcohol problem and New Zealand has a problem admitting the seriousness of the problem. The new policy is the Government's five-year framework for preventing and reducing harm from alcohol, tobacco, illegal and other drugs and builds on the previous NDP. The new, broader policy aims to encompass the social, economic and health harms caused by drugs and was finalised after an extensive public consultation process undertaken last year.

It was vital that those affected by the drug policy were given the opportunity to have input into it, and the document is better for it. The new policy better reflects the current New Zealand 'drug culture', which has seen some major changes in the last ten years, such as the establishment of methamphetamine, the availability of party pills, increased binge drinking and the continued bedding in of cannabis use.

We're not starting from scratch in combating these problems and have made a significant difference already. There has been a change in our attitude to tobacco; there is stronger enforcement around methamphetamine and its ingredients; we now have research into BZP; we have established community action programmes around drugs; and we have embarked on the culture change campaign aimed at binge drinking.

Under this new National Drug Policy we will continue to make a difference – not by hectoring, not by hand-wringing, not by hoping. We will make a difference by bringing government and non-government agencies together around a strong policy, and the Ministerial Committee on Drug Policy, which I chair, is committed to keeping the pressure for strong actions well and truly on.

For more, go to: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=28664

08.03.07 Interest rate rise will cause pain but is it worth it?

I have real concerns that the rise in the official cash rate will have severe impacts on our exporters. The rise, and the foreshadowing of further rises, is likely to stimulate further demand for the Kiwi dollar. Our exporting community needs this like it needs a hole in the head.

I’m not convinced that the official cash rate mechanism will cool down the property boom or inflation – we already have some of the highest real interest rates in the developed world but property prices continue to rise. So if the mechanism is not having the desired effect then we are sacrificing our exporters for limited overall gain for New Zealand. The rise was probably inevitable, within the current framework, given that the economy and the housing market has rebounded so well. But it is hard to see how the current heavy focus on price stability serves the national interest if it comes at the expense of our most important productive sectors. We need to find a better way and I am pleased that the Reserve Bank is continuing to look at alternative measures.

From a longer term perspective it remains a major concern that our approach to monetary policy may underpin a higher Kiwi dollar than is desirable for the long-term sustainable development of the primary industries, upon which New Zealand’s prosperity depends.

There is no doubt that New Zealanders need to save more to reduce our demand for foreign capital, and in turn take pressure off our exchange rate. The Government has been doing its bit with the Superfund and Kiwi Saver but New Zealand households need to be doing their bit too. Financial institutions should temper their efforts to load households with debts that might be unsustainable.

Whilst the recent fall in the value of the Kiwi Dollar has been welcome, the current volatility makes life difficult for all who depend on overseas trade and trade is the lifeblood of the New Zealand economy.

The Progressives believe that ways should be found to reduce the volatility that springs from our dependence on short-term speculative capital flows, often induced by monetary policy moves to change the Official Cash Rate.

For more, go to: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2614
06.03.07 Key stumbles with policy on the hoof
John Key’s uncosted policy-on-the-hop, which he announced with Nick Smith, signaled that National would give foresters carbon credits dating back to 1990. This would create large windfall gains for a few forest owners at the expense of ordinary taxpayers. The value of carbon credits accrued to New Zealand from forest plantings since 1990 is $1.24 billion. The money to pay out on this can only come from two places, taxpayers or from farmers, motorists and major industry. Mr Key must come clean on how many credits National would devolve, what this will cost and where the money is coming from. To suggest he would give away the credits and offer tax cuts is simply not credible - unless Mr Key has a plan to seriously scale back social services and sell assets.

The majority of Kyoto forests were planted before the Kyoto Protocol was even negotiated at the end of 1997, before it was signed by New Zealand in 1998, ratified in 2002 and well before it came into force in February 2005.

The Government has already devolved carbon credits for Permanent Forests and is now consulting on a range of options to encourage afforestation. One option proposed is to devolve credits to those who plant new forests from the 1st of January next year. This would be a world first.

It is instructive that the National Party did not include devolution of carbon credits in their Blue-Green discussion document, which was launched just before Christmas and with so much fanfare. The announcement by John Key, which has been clearly orchestrated by National party strategist Mathew Hooten, who moonlights for Roger Dickie's Kyoto forestry lobby, is the latest evidence of National working with vested interests who wish to line their pockets at the expense of ordinary taxpayers.

The only good news in this announcement is that John Key appears to have finally accepted the reality of climate change and seen the opportunities of the Kyoto Protocol. This is a complete flip flop from his statement to Parliament regarding climate change that ‘this is a complete and utter hoax, if I may say so. The impact of the Kyoto Protocol, even if one believes in global warming-and I am somewhat suspicious of it-is that we will see billions and billions of dollars poured into fixing something that we are not even sure is a problem’.”

For more, go to: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=28559

01.03.07 John Kirwan’s openness makes for a successful campaign

I met up with Former All Black John Kirwan in my office, while he was in New Zealand, and I took the opportunity to thank him for his important contribution to the well-being of his fellow New Zealanders. He came to be briefed on the media campaign on depression in which he and his family feature. He has had a major impact on the lives of many New Zealanders who experience depression and by speaking so candidly about his personal experiences and what helped him to get his life back on track all those years ago, he has made it possible for many others to see the potential for a better life after depression.
Early research results show that the depression ads on television are communicating exceptionally well across ethnicities, genders and most ages. Seventy eight percent of respondents recalled the advertisements, and of these the vast majority were very positive about the ads. They showed particular admiration for John Kirwan's willingness to talk openly about his experiences.
The ads are prompting people to seek help and advice, which is what the campaign is all about. We want to give people with depression some self-help options that are known to be effective. And of course we want people who need professional help, to understand how to get it.
For more, go to: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=28526

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