Press Release
Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of New Zealand (CORANZ)
The environment and outdoor recreation has slipped badly down in political party agendas says the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of NZ (CORANZ).
The comment was based on a pre-election questionnaire that CORANZ put out to the parties currently in Parliament and to three, judged to be credible, outside Parliament.
Tony Orman CORANZ administration officer said the failure of parties, especially those in Parliament, and with three reminder e mails during the 15 days given to respond, reflected a disinterest in the environment and outdoors.
“The inescapable conclusion is they don’t care about the public’s estate or the public’s recreational values associated with rivers, fisheries of whichever resource.”
The ten questions were especially wide ranging even covering the credibility of the current economic system relative to the environment, population planning relative to demand on resources, foreign ownership controls and restoring full democracy to select committee hearings.
The other six questions dealt with issues like advocating formal enquiries into the integrity of fisheries Quota Management System and use of poisons such as 1080 and brodifacoum, the loss of productive farmland to unmanaged “carbon forests”, the competency of the Department of Conservation and strengthening the laws prohibiting the sale of fishing and hunting rights.
Of the three parties in the coalition government, ACT’s response came out top with 14 out of 20, followed by National with 12.5. NZ First failed to respond.
Outside of Parliament Outdoors and Freedom ranked top with 20 out of 20 followed by the Conservative Party with 19.
Zero Score
Tony Orman expressed surprise that the Greens scored zero for not replying, despite three reminders after the initial e mail. Similarly Labour and NZ First failed to respond both also scoring 0.
“Basically there is no party currently in Parliament that cares about the environment. The CORANZ panel commented that the Green Party seemed to have sacrificed its environmental roots built under the late Rod Donald and Jeanette Fitzsimons for social issues.
“That’s a real pity – almost tragic – there’s no party in Parliament dedicated to environmental and outdoor recreation advocacy,” said Tony Orman. ”After all most Kiwis are green in their positive leanings to the outdoors and environment. Over a million New Zealanders go sea fishing, hundreds of thousands go tramping, mountaineering, trout fishing, duck shooting and other outdoor recreation forms. It’s a gigantic voting bloc. It’s a sleeping voter giant. It needs awakening.”
He said voters in this year’s election need to seriously weigh up voting options.
“Other issues such as cost of living will inevitably be to the fore but if you value clean rivers, public lands not being hocked off to the highest bidder, well managed sea fishery resources, the need for game animal management, if you abhor the aerial scattering of ecosystem poisons over public lands, plus others, then chose your party vote wisely.”
Tony Orman said outdoor organisations and “green minded individuals” should ramp up efforts before the 2029 election to lobby the new government if it’s elected or the coalition government if returned, to raise issues around the environment, public resources and outdoor recreation, to the top of priority issues for the next term of government.
“If it comes to voting for party outside of Parliament so be it. Some will say wasted vote, others might say, the education of politicians has to start somewhere, sooner rather than later,” he added, referring to the two top high scores by Outdoors and Freedom and Conservative parties.
Contact: Tony Orman 03 577 7875 or 027 362 0075
Every election is determined by the people who show up. Make sure you vote.
Our outdoor freedoms are vanishing. If you do not get active to take a stand now against all that is wrong while we still can, then shame. Just vote and think before you do.
Excellent work by CORANZ, thanks. I agree wholeheartedly.
Democracy is vital. You must participate in it, otherwise —dictatorship emerges.
It is important to remember there still exist other forms of government in the world today, and that dozens of foreign countries still long for a democracy such as ours to be imposed on them.
I note that NZ First, Greens and Labour, with three reminders did not respond. I agree that it’s pathetic on their part. Thank you to CORANZ for exposing the indifference by them.
I belonged to the Green Party when Jeanette Fitzsimons and Rod Donald were the co-leaders. They were essentially an environmental party but were also taking on other causes including health issues and had an essentially down-to-earth approach.
It’s a tragedy for New Zealand that the party is now dominated by ego-tripping political opportunists who will do anything to catch votes.
For the first time in my memory, I honestly don’t know who to vote for!
This coalition promised the earth yet delivered nothing of substance. We still have a burgeoning Public Sector, divisive racial policies that are expanding still, a doldrums economy (OK Iran hasn’t helped), environment policies that favour destruction over restoration and now intrusion into civil liberties with the concept of social media passports. Luxon is completely hopeless in his abject failure to read the room, and his minor coalition partners seem unable or unwilling to help him change direction. We are committed to Paris, increased Carbon Farming and loss of valuable agricultural land. And it seems National are now actually left of centre having lost their way of the past few decades in an inexorable drift leftwards.
What can I say of the opposition? Hipkins was Ardern’s Lieutenant and subsequent replacement for a party that caused mayhem. Debt doubled with harsh treatment of subjects and the quashing of the Parliament sit-in was frankly disgusting. The voices of Iwi rung loud and clear and we lurched even further into an apartheid abyss.
Yet what of NZ First? Well I have never forgiven Winnie for bringing Ardern into power in the first place – the election bribe of his Deputy Prime Ministerial role was enough to sway him. When Ardern did confine herself for the delivery of her first-born, Peters was sworn in a Prime Minister pro tem, boosting his final superannuation substantially – nice work if you can get it. Now returning to parliament as a junior coalition partner they drag the un-electable Shane Jones in as Fisheries Minister – what a conflict. Seymour fairs not much better with their adherence to Paris and a bag of promises left over from last time they have failed to deliver on.
Opportunities could be the greatest downfall of all for NZ, an ultra left party trying to pretend they are middle of the road.
So all in all – who do I vote for? Waste a vote on a minor party with no hope of getting in, or join the ever growing throngs of those full of apathy that they can’t even be bothered to express an opinion on polling day?
Perplexed
Steve
OK Kiwis what Corporate Muppet Leader ,are we going to choose again ! this time ?
The political response regarding its environmental protection is a huge concern, when hearing that the Greens of all parties fail to respond tells the true story about this part, New Zealand First doesn’t surprise with a party leader thats only interested in filling his own pockets while keeping his buddies happy.
The environment that has been a pride and used by most New Zealanders is fast begin taken from us.
The outdoors party are the only smart small party vote the others, the opportunity party is a plant for Labour.
The CORANZ questionnaire is at odds with two packed meetings organized in Christchurch by Greenpeace to hear from local candidates give their presentation on the Environment followed up with seminars from non party experts.
This “in the flesh” canvassing with David Williams of Newsroom was insightful.
At the first meeting only Steve Abel of Greenpeace actually knew what NWCO is.
At the second meeting Chris Bishop a d other MPs were a no show.
Instead we got a first time list candidate who admitted he knew nothing of the environment but robotically trotted out the Natinal script about deregulation and economic benefits from water.
Lan Pham representation the Green Party much as I hate to admit it was the standout. Opportunities Party simply wanted to please. Act and NZ First wete MIA.
Rachel Brooking, who I spoke to before and after appeared to know the issues that concern anglers, but was plain vanilla on the stage giving the impression Labour’s strategy is to sleepwalk through this campaign. Her off stage comments to me all referenced David Parker.
Last Monday I spent 45 minutes with Nicola Grigg the National Candidate for Selwyn. Pleasant enough but had no idea due to corporate capture.