Jones not putting NZ first
While Shane Jones is having his anti-green midlife crisis, New Zealand’s reputation as a clean, green country that cares for the environment is being eroded daily.
News recently had us falling three more places on the Climate Change Performance Index to 44th in the world. In 2007, we were rated 22nd out of the 56 countries evaluated.
How can Shane Jones say he puts “New Zealand first” when he denigrates people who are working to protect the environment? Besides these dedicated people, there are thousands in this country who believe that we should be doing more for the environment, not less. I belong to the demographic Jones is pandering to but I know of no one at all who believes we can continue to ignore the effects that we humans have on the planet.
I wonder what his younger whānau think of their patriarch and his scorn of the green movement, as it is they and their generations who will bear the brunt of all his pro-fossil-fuel machinations.
Sue Rawson, Tauranga.
Council plan unwise
Government moves to abolish regional councils are not very well thought through, largely because ministers are too busy slagging off local government to be bothered engaging with it.
The listed objectives for the new combined territories boards which are supposed to replace regional councils are heavily focused on financial matters and completely overlook their very important role as environmental stewards. Did the ministers not notice that the Canterbury and Waikato Regional Councils actually have the word Environment in their name?
Claims that regional councils should be abolished to avoid duplication are nonsense as their role is complementary to that of local councils, most of which rely on the regional body to monitor and enforce compliance with environmental standards.
The move to replace directly elected local members with a collection of mayors is also a giant leap backwards. I am reminded of the founding of the Auckland Regional Authority in 1963 with representatives (usually the mayors) of 32 local government units, frequently squabbling among themselves.
Graeme Easte, Mt Albert.
Put it on the agenda
I’m sure Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown would say his “free beer” response to calls for “Free Palestine” at a council meeting was just a flippant remark with no insult intended. I’m also sure Mr Brown would never use the same response to any other group of brutally oppressed people anywhere in the world.
The more important issue is Auckland ratepayer money being spent buying goods and services from companies identified by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as supporting illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.
Our delegation was asking the council to change its procurement policy to exclude the companies on the UNHRC list.
This position has already been adopted by Christchurch, Wellington, Nelson and Palmerston North City Councils so far as well as by Environment Canterbury and Environment Southland. Unfortunately, it seems Mr Brown is refusing to even allow councillors to discuss the issue – let alone vote on it.
Israel is violating international law by shifting Israeli citizens onto Palestinian land. The International Court of Justice confirmed this again last year and all our major political parties agree.
When ratepayer money is spent supporting companies involved in such actions, that is everybody’s business. This should be the first item on the agenda at the next council meeting.
John Minto, co-chair, Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa.
Opposition to Act
Nicola Willis’ statement that National may join NZ First in an effort to repeal the new Regulatory Standards Act law at the next election speaks volumes about what National will do to gain power at all cost. They had the chance to stop the bill even seeing the light of day. But for for fear of breaking part of the coalition Government’s promise, they failed.
Jeremy Coleman, Hillpark.