Press Release by Council of Outdoor Recreation Assns of NZ (CORANZ)
The two major political parties Labour and National have shown disinterest in the outdoors and the environment judging by both parties failure to respond to an election questionnaire says the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of NZ (CORANZ).
CORANZ sent a 14 question charter to all political parties almost four weeks ago, inviting responses.
CORANZ chairman Andi Cockroft said the failure by National and Labour was most disappointing. Nor did the Maori Party respond.
“The utter discourtesy is in reality a snub to well in excess of a million New Zealanders who enjoy recreation in the outdoors, whether it be tramping, fishing in fresh and/or saltwater, hunting and so on,” he said. “Labour and National’s indifference is more marked by the fact they were reminded of the need to reply. In addition, CORANZ delayed closure by three days and yet they still failed.”
Andi Cockroft said in contrast, the response from most minor parties had been good.
The Outdoor Party scored 100%, followed by Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party also on 100%, New Conservative at 89% and New Zealand First at 82%.
Surprisingly ACT scored 46% and the Green Party just 39%. TOP scored mid-range 50%. A CORANZ panel comprising “politically uncommitted” members assessed the responses.
The CORANZ panel’s assessment of the Green Party’s response being well down at 39% probably reflected its shift in policy emphasis from environmental issues to a more centrist scial philosophy plus ideology infiltrating its ranks said the panel.
“For example the Greens dismissed the need to plan New Zealand’s population future when that is so fundamental to environmental issues plus the party is heavily influenced by the anti-introduced ideology of Forest and Bird,” explained Andi Cockroft.
Illogical Phobia
As a result the Green Party supported the use of the eco-poison 1080, dismissed viewing trout and deer and other ‘introduced wildlife’ as valued species and did not agree with a review of the Department of Conservation and its priorities.
“They unfortunately are still hung up on the anti-introduced phobia. Illogical because humans are introduced as are farm stock, vegetables and grasses,” commented Andi Cockroft.
CORANZ’s election charter comprised 14 questions on river quality, firearm issues, foreign ownership, the value of deer, trout and other fish and game species, sea fisheries mismanagement, restructuring the Department of Conservation, erosion of democracy, treaty issues and “macro-issues” such as the need for a population policy and measuring the nations progress by a “well-being” based Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) thus replacing GDP based solely on monetary values..
One of the panel, former CORANZ chairman Tony Orman, said the environmental strength of minor parties which were not in Parliament, should be remembered in future elections. New Conservatives and the Outdoor Party were particularly impressive.
In addition voters should consider current parties performances when recently in a position of management in parliament.
“For example, while they may have promised in 2017, did they deliver on pledges?” he added. “What was National’s performance like in its eight years before 2017?”
Population planning for the future, ignored by he Green Party, was a particularly vital issue and vital to the issue of global warming by climate change.
“Government’s approach to global warming is by way of free market ideology with tradable carbon credits and a carbon sequestering criteria that does not count any vegetation under five metres high, a bizarre rule as many New Zealand trees and shrubs are under five metres height – reportedly a UN ruling,” he said. “Governments still haven’t realised people cause emissions by way of using automobiles and jet aircraft and other practices. More people means more emissions.”
Vital to Vote
CORANZ urged all New Zealanders and particularly those who enjoyed the outdoors, to vote.
“It’s imperative and it’s urgent because each three years between elections sees a slide downhill in terms of the environment and outdoor recreation,” said Andi Cockroft.
It has been estimated a million New Zealanders enjoy the outdoors in one form or another such as sea or freshwater fishing, hunting, shooting, tramping, 4 wheel driving, mountain biking, canoeing and others sports. A Horizon survey a few years back revealed fishing had five times more participants than rugby.
“Outdoor recreation is not a small self-interested sector but the major sporting activity for most people,” said Andi Cockroft.
Contacts:
Andi Cockroft 027 204 1878
Tony Orman 03 5777875
© Recreational sea fishing is a sport for New Zealanders of all ages. Studies estimate fishing s a billion dollar general for the economy. But the management is plagued with commercial fish dumping, over-fishing, corporate power, donations to political parties to curry favour, mineral ineptitude and bureaucratic bungling
Excellent work CORANZ.How pathetic it is that some Parties failed to respond!!One can recall how badly NZ first failed on promises for 2017.
On the bright side, minor parties are leading the way!!
Bud Jones QSM
Wairarapa
Agree. Top work by CORANZ. Fish and Game did election questions but only asked a few parties. Dozey!
I’m fed up with Labour and National and NZ First betrayed me after I party voted for them in 2017 on 1080, foreign land sales, immigration etc.
New Conservatives have well rounded policies, e.g. against 1080, opposed to foreign buying of land, sensible firearm laws (e.g. repeal Adern’s panicked impractical, useless law which was undemocratically passed after mosque tragedy), want clean rivers, etc., So I gave New Conservatives a tick for party vote.
Several told me they wouldn’t vote for New Conservatives because of Jamie Lee Ross. Ross is not in New Conservatives – thank goodness! How dumb can voters be!
Former National MP Jami-Lee Ross set up his Advance New Zealand party and merged with the Public Party, in the hope its leader Billy Te Kahika will win the seat of Te Tai Tokerau. If he wins it, Ross would make it back into Parliament as a list MP under the coat-tail rule, even if he lost Botany where he’s standing.
Just do your homework properly before voting.
Nick McGregor
Thanks CORANZ for asking great questions, and for speaking out for the environment and for hunters, fishers, trampers – those of us who love and want to protect our great outdoors. Tracy Livingston, Health Spokesperson, NZ Outdoors Party