TPPA Negotiation Tactics: Why the Secrecy?

Gareth MorganEconomics

It’s a couple of months since we last wrote on the TPPA, has anything happened since? Only more evidence that the expectations of those involved in the process continue to be set back – which seems to be the nature … Read More

Democracy Under Threat in New Zealand

Gareth MorganTreaty

Howie Tamati, sole Maori councillor on the New Plymouth District Council, sees the granting of Maori wards on local councils as a step in the right direction, “not the right answer but a start” (Insight, Radio NZ, March 1st). He … Read More

Is New Zealand’s growth model stuffed?

Paul YoungEconomics, Environment, Uncategorized

The international organisation that reports on the economic wellbeing of developed countries delivered us a stark message last week: “New Zealand’s growth model is approaching its environmental limits. Greenhouse gas emissions are increasing. Pollution of freshwater is increasing across a … Read More

Queenstown – 100% Purely full

Geoff SimmonsEconomics

Queenstown – 100% Purely full The focus and debate lately has been on Auckland, which is bursting at the seams with population growth and an average housing market topping $1m. However, there is one area of the country that is … Read More

TPPA trust nz

TPPA – It Comes Down to Trust

Geoff SimmonsEnvironment

The controversy over the TPPA looks likely to continue right up to the signing and in the days afterward, with Prime Minister John Key confronting Maori indignation over lack of consultation, and Labour battling internal divisions. Jane Kelsey and other … Read More

Time for an OECD check up

Geoff SimmonsEconomics, Tax and Welfare

Today saw the release of the OECD report about Aotearoa New Zealand. As a part of being part of the rich countries club, we get a regular economic check up from the OECD doctor. So, everyone please pop on this … Read More

Dairy Farming in Brazil :Nitrogen Management

Gareth MorganEnvironment

With the challenge New Zealand is facing with increased nitrogen leaching that has come with intensifying of dairy, there is understandably a tendency to ‘look over the fence’ and see how we compare with others. New Zealanders have applied our … Read More

100% muddled earth

Gareth MorganEnvironment

In this its second term, a yawning gap has appeared between the actions of National and the clean and green rhetoric it trots out on the international stage. Our 100% Pure image has most recently been called out by the … Read More

Fishing for facts in the toothfish debate

Gareth MorganFisheries Management

Fishing for Antarctic Toothfish in the Ross Sea is estimated to earn New Zealand $20 million to $30 million each year. It is a highly controversial fishery and is currently the subject of a debate over marine protection.

Inequality will Lead us to a Grim Future

Gareth MorganTax and Welfare

Prime Minister John Key’s newly elected government should be bold enough to confront the message from a December 5 OECD report. It confirms rising inequality in developed economies is a major problem that needs addressing urgently – and yes, New … Read More

Fishing Quota needs to be Cast Wider

Gareth MorganFisheries Management

Two weeks ago in this column we described how New Zealand bravely confronted the tragedy of the commons that was destroying our $200-million-a-year (0.2 per cent of GDP) commercial fisheries. That came in the form of the quota management system … Read More

Our Oceans can’t Survive Fishing Madness

Gareth MorganFisheries Management

Gareth Morgan and Geoff Simmons, authors of Hook, Line and Blinkers The election is looming, but it’s a sad state of affairs when a conversation over tea takes precedence over actual policies. So we’ve decided to clock out and go fishing.