A proposal to deploy marine carbon storage technology in New Zealand waters raises a familiar question. Not whether innovation should occur, but whether it should proceed ahead of clear evidence and established regulatory frameworks. The distinction matters because the environment … Continue reading
Fuel constraints expose an assumption that often goes largely unexamined. Much of New Zealand’s outdoor recreation depends on private vehicles, whether to reach trailheads, transport equipment, launch boats, or access remote backcountry areas. That system functions efficiently when fuel is … Continue reading
A critical deadline is now days away. Incorporated societies must re-register under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 before 11:59 pm on Sunday, 5 April 2026, and many small organisations are not yet ready. For larger entities this is an administrative … Continue reading
or – Water Governance: Who Is Accountable?Guest Post by Dave Rhodes Water reform has not disappeared. It has changed form. Recent developments suggest that new water service entities may be governed through layered structures that sit at some distance from … Continue reading
The most controversial part of the Fisheries Bill is gone. The proposal to allow commercial operators to land undersized fish has been withdrawn. But it was only one part of a much larger bill. What Actually Changes? Individually, each can … Continue reading
New Zealand made a deliberate choice in 1996. After decades under First Past the Post (FPP), voters chose Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) to correct what many saw as a fundamental imbalance: governments wielding full power without majority support. MMP delivered … Continue reading
New Zealand First has signalled a clear direction for mining policy. Faster approvals.Longer permits.A reduced role for the Department of Conservation.And a commitment to return a significant share of royalties to the regions where mining occurs. On the surface, this … Continue reading
New Zealand changed its electoral system in 1996 for a reason. Under First Past the Post (FPP), governments regularly secured large parliamentary majorities on the back of minority vote share. In 1978 and 1981, the party that won fewer votes … Continue reading
Every election cycle brings bold commitments. Transformational housing programmes.Infrastructure revolutions.Environmental resets.Tax reform.Constitutional change.Regional revival. But how often do major promises translate into measurable delivery? Before accepting new fast-tracked infrastructure, sweeping regulatory reform, or urgent structural change, it is worth examining … Continue reading
Lake Onslow may well be the most important infrastructure proposal of this generation. A pumped hydro scheme capable of delivering up to 1000 megawatts of dispatchable power and 4 terawatt hours of storage is not trivial. In dry years it … Continue reading
There is a legislated vision for the Waikato River: water that is safe to swim in and safe to take food from. That is not a slogan. It is embedded in Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato, the … Continue reading
New Zealand is a long way from most global conflicts. But we are not insulated from global supply chains. The current instability in the Middle East has again exposed how dependent we are on imported fuel. New Zealand no longer … Continue reading
Election years sharpen everything. Promises become louder. Statistics become selective. Headlines become sharper. Every party claims evidence is on its side. This is not new. It is the rhythm of politics. But it raises a serious question: how confident can … Continue reading
The Government’s decision to withdraw the proposal allowing commercial operators to land and sell undersized fish is a welcome correction. It is also only a partial victory. Public pressure worked. Recreational fishers, advocacy groups, and ordinary New Zealanders made their … Continue reading
MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday, 25 March Fisheries Bill Still Not Dead Pressure is growing on the government to drop a controversial Bill that has riled the public into action over the past week. Fishing and environmental advocacy groups have been rallying … Continue reading
Rakiura is not a large place. It is small, remote, and socially close-knit. When something shifts in the mood of that community, it is noticeable. Environment Southland has reported “emerging tensions” on Stewart Island following recent pest control operations. Staff … Continue reading
The announcement of a $784,000 taxpayer contribution toward restoring 44 hectares of wetland on the Rakaia is being presented as a turning point. It is not. It is an admission. For seventy years, Glenariffe Stream - once responsible for roughly … Continue reading
Guest post by Dave Rhodes The Government’s proposal to scrap minimum legal size limits for commercial fishing operators is not reform. It is a breach of public trust. For generations, New Zealanders have understood a simple principle: small fish go … Continue reading
Queenstown Lakes District Council now says discharging treated wastewater into the Kawarau River is its “only realistic option.” That phrase should concern anyone who values rivers. Queenstown did not wake up one morning to discover it had too many visitors, … Continue reading
The removal of more than 400 tonnes of invasive weeds from Lake Horowhenua sounds impressive. It is. Sadly, it is also not a cure. For decades, raw sewage was discharged into the lake. That legacy does not disappear because a … Continue reading
