Clive Bibby: Dealing with Climate Change on our own terms

In spite of efforts to discredit my recommendations for dealing with Climate Change in my home region of the East Coast, North Island, l plough on undeterred.

The reason l do so is because l believe the best interests of the residents of this community are not being served by a continuation of the current " head in the sand " attitude towards a threat we all agree is real.

No amount of accusations that my refusal to accept the IPCC theory of who is to blame for this phenomenon should reduce the need to examine the credibility of my proposals.

Gerry Eckhoff: Water symposiums and the RMA

One of the most disturbing headlines in the Otago Daily Times recently was – “Shocking how bad our waterways have become”. So stated Environment Minister David Parker. It is a pity he did not add – “under the RMA”. 

Minister Parker oversees the Ministry responsible for the administration of our environmental legislation - the Resource Management Act (RMA). He made those comments in an address to an “in house” symposium at Otago University where 50 selected attendees listened and spoke to the Catchments Otago Water Symposium. The public were excluded.

Gerry Eckhoff: Opportunity cost of Water

A report by Global Water Resources Group projects that by 2030, annual global fresh water needs will reach 6.9 trillion cubic metres – 64% more than currently existing reliable supply. The implications for further global and domestic conflict are obvious as interest groups vie for influence and control. 

In NZ, evidence suggests that variation of rainfall from year to year and not scarcity of water is the real problem. Despite this obvious reality being easily overcome by water storage - nothing is now to be done - by Government decree.  The Labour led collective (Government) decided to do away with the ineptly named “irrigation fund” in favour of other expenditure. There will be a massive future cost associated with that decision. Economists call it the opportunity cost – in this case - of fresh water. 

NZCPR Weekly: The Water Debate

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week, we look at political manipulation in the debate over fresh water, our NZCPR Guest Commentator Michael Coote examines Maori plans to create a perpetual revenue stream of royalties from commercial water levies, and this week’s poll asks whether you support a charge on the commercial use of water.

And with the election fast approaching, please feel free to forward our newsletters on to others that you believe would be interested in our research and commentary. Anyone is welcome to register for our free weekly newsletter.

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NZCPR Weekly: Charging for Water

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week we reflect on the Government’s fresh water reforms and outline why the call for a price on water is so dangerous, our NZCPR Guest Commentator former Judge Anthony Willy examines the complexities involved in charging for water, and this week’s poll asks whether you think the Government should put a charge on water.

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Bruce Moon: False Claims About Water

Two Victoria University academics are reported as claiming that three bottom lines - outlined in a Cabinet paper on water in May 2016 - breaches the Treaty of Waitangi. The three options are: “nobody owns freshwater”; “no national settlement favouring iwi/hapu over other uses”; and “Allocation determined catchment by catchment based on resource availability, efficiency of use, good industry practice and a positive contribution to regional economic development”.

Their claims are blatantly false.

Anthony Willy: Straws in the wind

Readers will be well familiar with the blame mentality on which some Maori people thrive and the depressing slide into racial separatism associated with it which has been gaining momentum over the past few years; connived at by the Wellington bureaucracy and encouraged by The Waitangi Tribunal and a series of pronouncements from our highest Court many of which are unnecessary to the issue before them and seem to be made on the basis of what some of the Judges would have decided if the facts had been other than those before the court. 

Maori lobby interests such as the Iwi Leaders Group, a self-appointed collection of individuals handsomely funded out of the public purse by way of past treaty settlements and purporting to speak on behalf of all people of Maori descent (but do not) have become increasingly bold in their demands.