Watts will be bracing for the cold in Antarctica while Luxon is bracing for a White House change (and Trump’s taste for tariffs)
He could read about it or watch a documentary – but Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is a fellow who wants to find out for himself. Hence he is headed for Antarctica to see the impacts of climate change first-hand and check out New Zealand’s scientific work on the ice.
He will see some of New Zealand’s leading scientific research programmes and meet international partners on the ice including the US.
That statement from his office followed Watts releasing news of countries reaching a deal on carbon markets at the annual United Nations climate change meeting (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The negotiations on Article 6 (carbon markets) – concluded successfully with all 196 Parties agreeing to the final text – were co-chaired by Watts and Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu.
While Watts was sorting out carbon markets, Children Minister Karen Chhour was announcing the establishment of a new Child Protection Investigation Unit “ to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in care”.
The unit will be established by independent experts led by Janis Adair the current Chief Inspector at the Office of the Inspectorate.”
The objectives of the Child Protection Investigation Unit are to:
That statement from his office followed Watts releasing news of countries reaching a deal on carbon markets at the annual United Nations climate change meeting (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The negotiations on Article 6 (carbon markets) – concluded successfully with all 196 Parties agreeing to the final text – were co-chaired by Watts and Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu.
While Watts was sorting out carbon markets, Children Minister Karen Chhour was announcing the establishment of a new Child Protection Investigation Unit “ to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in care”.
The unit will be established by independent experts led by Janis Adair the current Chief Inspector at the Office of the Inspectorate.”
The objectives of the Child Protection Investigation Unit are to:
- Conduct rigorous and transparent investigations into cases where the care provided to a child by the state has caused harm
- Identify systemic failures to reform to the systems and practices of Oranga Tamariki
- Provide a voice for survivors by working with the Crown Response Office – ensuring the experiences of survivors inform ongoing improvements in care standards
- Promote accountability at all levels of the care system.
Yep – there’s a speech by the PM which deserves more media coverage than it is likely to get from news media which seem more focused on judging him and his government after a year in office.
The speech was delivered to the United States Business Summit 2024 just a few weeks ahead of Donald Trump again becoming President of the USA.
Luxon acknowledged the presence of Todd McClay, whom he described as “the hardest working Trade Minister in the world” who was “making one of his rare appearances here in New Zealand!”
Readers are invited to suggest other Ministers who would serve their country well by making only rare appearances here.
The same goes for some – maybe many – Opposition MPs.
In the light of what Trump has said he intends doing to disengage the US from global arrangements and protect its workers with tariffs, and so on, Luxon sounded remarkably optimistic:
In a world that is more contested and more complicated, New Zealand’s interests are best served by an America that is strongly engaged. A world where the US acts as a force for stability. A world where the US economy, which accounts for over a quarter of global GDP, continues to act as an engine room for growth. A world where the US acts as the standard-bearer for democratic institutions, for the rule of law, and the power of markets.
Perhaps because we were living in more benign times, previous New Zealand governments have not said enough about the importance of the stabilising security role of the US in the Indo-Pacific. During my travel this year, I’ve seen the US furnishing security on several occasions.
Luxon acknowledged the imminent changing of the guard politically in the US:
I have the greatest of respect for the Biden Administration’s achievements. At APEC, I thanked the outgoing President for his 50 years of public service and leadership, and for the contribution he made to the relationship with New Zealand.
I was also delighted to speak to President-elect Trump ten days ago, now. What came through loud and clear in that call was his fondness for New Zealand. We spoke about world affairs, but we also discussed the need to build on the very deep foundations of our relationship.
Whoever is in office, whether Democrat or Republican, my Government’s job is to pursue New Zealand’s interests, to fully harness what our two countries offer one other, and ensure the relationship is at its best.
So, you can expect my Government to bring action and urgency across three inter-connected lines of effort with the United States:
* Growing both countries’ prosperity;
* Strengthening our security; and
* Deepening our relationship.
Luxon proceeded to address each in turn, first by noting that the US recently eclipsed Australia to become our second-largest export market (he did not mention our biggest).
My Government will continue to work with colleagues in Washington DC to sustain that trade and, where possible, to increase it, by tackling the non-tariff barriers that snarl up exporters’ trade. We will also work with the Administration to build our economic security agenda.
It’s worth noting that his has been achieved despite our having no free trade agreement with the US – or perhaps it was because we don’t have one.
Luxon reminded his audience that there can be no prosperity without security and – besides Australia – the United States is our most important defence and security partner.
New Zealand welcomes the step-up in US commitment in the Pacific. We will continue to work with Washington DC as a constructive partner for our region.
New Zealand must also remain a credible strategic partner. That’s why my Government tasked Defence to complete a capability plan. One that ensures the NZDF is fit for purpose and builds on its capability for tomorrow.
Luxon then assured his audience that, with the Trump Administration coming to power, they could and should expect New Zealand to be investing in building connections.
“Indeed, that is a focus right now. In addition to talking with the President-elect last week, I used my July visit to build connections with influential Republicans on the Hill and elsewhere in Washington DC. Winston Peters has been doing the same and, as the new Administration unfolds, other ministers will be connecting with their new counterparts, too.
There would always be areas of difference between Wellington and Washington DC – whoever occupies the White House., Luxon said
Just as we have things on which we do not see eye to eye with Australia, that is true with the US, too. But these differences are dwarfed by our common interests, and so the relationships we build will enable us to manage those differences sensibly
Latest from the Beehive
25 November 2024
New Zealand is strengthening its global connections with Asia and Latin America, as 119 individual recipients have been awarded Prime Minister’s Scholarships for education experiences abroad, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is travelling to Antarctica on Monday to see the impacts of climate change first-hand and see New Zealand’s scientific work on the ice.
Countries have reached a deal on carbon markets at the annual United Nations climate change meeting (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
22 November 2024
A new Child Protection Investigation Unit is being established to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in care, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says.
Speech
22 November 2024
One of the things that excites me most about the US is the extraordinary well of energy and innovation that exists in the American business community.
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
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