Stuart Smith: Are We Captured by the Bureaucracy?

Voters elect members of parliament, mayors and councillors to make decisions, set priorities and keep a tight rein on spending. But over my political career, I’ve observed too many instances where real power seems to sit with the bureaucracy that writes the reports, sets the agenda and controls the information. It is fair to ask: have some elected representatives been captured by the machines they are supposed to lead?

Stuart Smith: ECAN and the Blythe River

As local MP I have had a lot of complaints about the inaccuracies in ECan’s report which led me to write to them seeking an explanation.

What is particularly alarming is ECan’s dismissive response to these legitimate grievances. Instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue and addressing the substantive issues raised, ECan has chosen to cling to hollow assurances of being “Honest Brokers” and championing the accuracy and integrity of its science reports. Such platitudes ring hollow in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Stuart Smith: Our Energy Must Be Sound

We owe much to our ready access to affordable and reliable energy: it is closely correlated with increases in population, GDP per capita and life expectancy. But we have been putting all this at risk with a focus on sustainability which, while in itself is a good thing to pursue, has put reliability and affordability at risk.

Stuart Smith: The Creeping Loss of Our Freedoms

The fundamental human right of freedom of speech is being threatened in New Zealand, and, if we fail to resist, we risk losing it entirely. The recent shutdown of Posie Parker’s Let Women Speak tour by protestors serves as a clear illustration of this danger. Another instance is Julian Batchelor’s nationwide tour promoting his booklet Stop Co-Governance, where his public meeting in Dunedin was forcefully disrupted by protesters who disagreed with his perspectives.

Stuart Smith: RMA Looks Like a “Step Towards Tribalism”

I attended the Taxpayers Union’s ‘Stop Central Planning Committees’ meeting in Blenheim recently. Kudos to the Taxpayers Union for raising awareness about David Parker’s RMA reform bills which propose the establishment of 15 ‘Regional Planning Committees’ (RPCs). These RPCs – co-governed and required to give effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – will significantly diminish the planning responsibilities of democratically elected councils.

Stuart Smith: NZ Law Society and the ToW

Professional bodies have a crucial role in establishing standards of conduct and protecting the reputation of their respective professions. It is expected that their directives remain apolitical and do not infringe upon the freedom of their members to hold their own political views.

However, the recent proposal by the New Zealand Law Society to introduce a new statutory duty for lawyers to adhere to the “principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi” is a highly controversial and a politically motivated move. It appears to be driven by the influence of woke socialists who seek to advance their own agenda, rather than prioritise the best interests of the people they serve.

Stuart Smith: We Don’t Want a Feudal Society

This week we celebrate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. For many of us, this will be the only coronation we have experienced. As we celebrate the coronation of our new head of state it is timely to reflect on the history and values that have shaped our nation.

New Zealand has been moulded by the convergence of different cultures and traditions. Maori were the first settlers, followed centuries later by Europeans who established their own society. In the early days of the colony, leadership was based on tribal structures and social status. With the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, we all became British subjects.

Stuart Smith: The Case for the NZ Battery Project

The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment recently released the Indicative Business Case (IBC) for the New Zealand Battery Project. However, the IBC has raised more questions than it has answered.

Last month, Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods announced that the New Zealand Battery Project will move forward to a detailed business case, on two favoured options: pumped hydro at Lake Onslow and a portfolio option of alternative technologies. The portfolio option includes the combustion of biomass, a new geothermal plant used flexibly and interruptible hydrogen electrolysis. Despite this, the emphasis will be on the Onslow option, which Minister Woods is a strong advocate for.

Stuart Smith: We Must Fight to Retain Our Democracy

Democracy in New Zealand is being challenged from within.

And those who fought and died to protect our freedom would never have believed that the biggest threat to our democracy is not a foreign power, but our very own government.

The Three Waters rebranding is a strategy aimed at diverting attention from the true intent of the policy and reducing the intensity of the ongoing debate.

Stuart Smith: An Opportunity Not to Be Missed

Did you know it is estimated that there is potential for biogas to provide 80% of the gas needs for the East Coast of Australia?

Last week I had the opportunity to visit several renewable gas projects in Australia with Gas NZ to see what opportunities there might be for renewable gas in New Zealand. We visited a range of projects, from hydrogen being injected into a natural gas network at a ratio of 5%, to a Gasification facility that transforms biosolids from human waste into renewable energy and biochar, to landfill gas capture and everything in between.

Stuart Smith: The Right to Free Speech

The right to freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, and it is crucial for the functioning of a democratic society.

It allows individuals to express their opinions and beliefs, even if they are unpopular or controversial. This right is protected by international law and is enshrined in our Bill of Rights.

Stuart Smith: A Minister Committed to Her Silver Bullet

A silver bullet solution is hard to resist: it is easy to promote and potentially the stuff that legacies are made of. Last week we saw Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods succumb to this, when she doubled down on the Lake Onslow Pumped Hydro Scheme, despite the expected build cost quadrupling.

The potential for pumped hydro at Lake Onslow in the event of a dry year was first identified by Waikato University Professor Earl Bardsley, in 2002. An electricity dry year usually lasts around four months and comes to a head in the colder months when most of the precipitation is locked up as snow and ice and not available to replenish our hydro lakes. Therefore, Lake Onslow was initially seen as a potential solution.

Stuart Smith: We Need a Drydock, Now

The condition of our infrastructure has reached a critical point where it is significantly affecting our economy – particularly evident with ferry services in the Cook Strait.

Prior to 2002, Interislander was the only road, rail and passenger option on the Cook Strait. The introduction of StraitNZ brought much-needed competition to the route.

Unfortunately, one of Interislander’s ships the Kaitaki has had a significant breakdown and one of StraitNZ’s ships the Feronia is in drydock. [This] has disrupted sailings for weeks, highlighting the vulnerability of our transport links.

Stuart Smith: Coordination, Local Resources and No Red Tape

The scar that Cyclone Gabrielle has left on New Zealand far exceeds the physical damage, it is hard to comprehend the devastation and loss of life and my heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones.

There are some who have lost their homes, and their livelihood, and it will be a mammoth undertaking to get them resettled and back on their feet again.

Stuart Smith: The Basics of the Treaty

Waitangi Day has been and gone with much ink spilled over what it means for present-day New Zealand, and where we go from here.

The Treaty was drafted in English and translated into Maori and, while there are disputes about the meanings of different terms, there is no compelling evidence that the Treaty said anything more, or indeed less, than the three articles below:

Stuart Smith: Ethical Trade vs Solar Panels

We have rooftop solar at home which has proven to be a sound investment and has made us far more aware of our electricity consumption, thanks to the helpful app. We’ve consciously changed how we consume electricity, to maximise our use of solar power.

Last year New Zealand’s distributed solar generation capacity increased by 33.8 per cent, which is a record increase, so there are many others also enjoying the benefits of rooftop solar.

However, have you ever wondered where solar panels are manufactured and what goes into making them?

Stuart Smith: Local Governments’ Natural Hazard Information Based on Inaccurate Model

Great news! COP 27 confirmed at their recent conference in Egypt that the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) expects the global temperature to increase by only 2.5 0C by 2100.

Not such great news is that the IPPC’s former prediction of a 5 oC increase, which triggered some – including our Prime Minister – to declare a ‘Climate Emergency’, was based on a model that has proven simply implausible.

Stuart Smith: We Must Not Be Idle About Crime

Stuff asked the following question
Teens are running amok on crime sprees and military-style boot camps for young offenders are back on the political agenda.
But boot camps have been promised many times before - and failed. A 2012 report found more than 50% of those sent to camps reoffended. So what is the real answer for stopping teens turning to crime?

Below is Stuart Smith’s response.

Stuart Smith: We Need to Open Up Immigration

Stuff asked the following question
We are missing almost a quarter of the midwives we need in the health system and it’s predicted to get worse.
What can be done to urgently get more midwives working and ensure the safety of mums.

Below is Stuart Smith’s response:

Stuart Smith: Platitudes Should Not Drive Energy Policies

Last week I reaffirmed that National is committed to net zero by 2050 and announced that we will reverse the offshore oil and gas exploration ban should we be successful at the next election.

I also announced that we would not pursue a 100 per cent renewable electricity target, nor would a National Government build a pumped hydro scheme at Lake Onslow.

The oil and gas exploration ban has had far reaching effects for New Zealand. We were considered a low sovereign risk nation in which to invest: the ban changed that significantly.