So who is Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage gunning for? That question was raised when she announced a “targeted” ministerial review into the governance of Fish and Game New Zealand and regional Fish and Game councils.
“Targeted” seems to mean the review is limited to “a health check of the governance of Fish and Game” and is not a review of Fish and Game’s statutory roles or functions. We suppose the governors therefore can’t escape the work of the review team.
True, Sage said she was pleased with the support of Fish and Game’s leadership for a review and their help in progressing it. But the panel is responsible to, and will report to, her, not to the department.
A different question was raised by Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis when he announced COVID recovery support for Whale Watch Kaikōura. What will be the next tourism business to be deemed “iconic” and therefore deserving of taxpayers’ support? And what must you do – or who should you be owned by, perhaps – to pass muster as “iconic”?
In the case of the Kaikoura whale watching enterprise, “up to $1.5 million” has been provided from the Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme, which is a feature of the $400 million Tourism Sector Recovery Plan. The business is considered so iconic that the PM accompanied Davis for the announcement.
But $400m can stretch only so far and not all tourism companies can expect Davis to bless them with the “iconic” label.
To the contrary, small tourism operators using Department of Conservation land say they are having to continue paying various fees despite losing nearly all their visitors.
This part of our check on the doings of the inhabitants of the Beehive again puts the spotlight on Eugenie Sage.
While she might not be gunning for small tourist operators within the DOC bailiwick, she is not showing the sort of kindness we would expect from someone doing the PM’s bidding in the compassion department.
RNZ this morning reported the case of Mary Hobbs and her husband Charlie, who operate glacier tours and a cafe at Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. They are asking for DOC to waive all fees till borders reopen.
Sage (as you can hear from an interview on Morning Report) isn’t rushing to help them.
In other announcements from the Beehive yesterday we learned that –
- The billions of spending being poured into reviving the economy hasn’t done much fiscal mischief – not yet, at least – and the Government’s accounts ran stronger than forecast during the Level 4 lockdown.
- The Government now has the first-ever clear and comprehensive picture of the state of New Zealand’s hospital buildings (and the picture is not a pretty one in too many cases).
- Gisborne District Council’s local road projects funded by the Provincial Growth Fund are nearing the halfway mark.
Let’s start with the Budget stuff. The Crown accounts for the 10 months to April show core Crown tax revenue was running nearly $200 million stronger than expected, while core Crown expenses were $426 million lower. This contributed to the OBEGAL position coming in $629 million better than expected by the Treasury in the Budget.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson said:
“The impact of global COVID-19 pandemic is clear in the accounts. Even though the OBEGAL was better than expected, it showed a deficit of $12.78 billion. This reflects the significant investments to support businesses and workers during lockdown through the wage subsidy scheme of cash grants and other cashflow measures, including tax refunds.
And the debt?
“Net debt was 25.3% of GDP, compared to the average for advanced economies before COVID of about 80%. Ratings agencies Moody’s (Aaa) and Standard and Poor’s (AA+) have maintained New Zealand’s strong credit ratings, saying the peak in net debt of 53.6% of GDP in 2024 is low compared to other advanced countries. Debt servicing costs are also forecast to remain low.”
Health Minister David Clark is limbering up to deepen the debt after digesting the Current State Assessment of DHB assets.
DHB buildings are valued at around $24 billion. But the report shows many acute care facilities and mental health facilities are below modern design standards.
The Government has made a start on fixing the most pressing problems, committing a record $3.5 billion for DHB capital projects in our first three Budgets.
Over the next decade, DHB infrastructure is expected to need $14 billion in funding.
Before signing off on this Beehive check, let’s give Shane Jones a moment in the spotlight. He issued a statement to advise us that $24m of the $54.2m invested through the Provincial Growth Fund for the work up Gisborne way has already been invested in improving road infrastructure in the region and another $23m is due to be spent between now and Christmas.
Up to 150 people have been employed on roading projects in Tairāwhiti to date and as the next round of projects kicks into gear more jobs will be created. The work has also enabled growth in the local contracting industry with local contractors being used as much as possible.
Release
10 JUNE 2020
Fish and Game governance to be reviewed
The Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage today announced a targeted ministerial review into the governance of Fish and Game New Zealand and regional Fish and Game councils.
Release
10 JUNE 2020
Gisborne roading projects on track
Gisborne District Council’s local roading projects funded by the Provincial Growth Fund are nearing the halfway mark, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says.
Release
10 JUNE 2020
Iconic Kaikōura tourism asset protected
Whale Watch Kaikōura is the latest iconic tourism business to receive COVID recovery support from the Government, Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis announced today during a visit to the region with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Release
10 JUNE 2020
Govt books stronger than forecast ahead of economy opening up
The Government’s accounts ran stronger than forecast during the Level 4 lockdown, ahead of the economy opening up off the back of New Zealanders’ amazing public health efforts, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says.
Release
10 JUNE 2020
Stocktake of hospital buildings to guide investment
The Government now has the first ever clear and comprehensive picture of the state of New Zealand’s hospital buildings and other assets to help ensure future investment decisions deliver the best health outcomes for New Zealanders.
Point of Order 
It is strange that Whale Watch received government funding. Ngai Tahu runs the “iconic” enterprise and they must be flush with cash. So why the need for a government handout? I think this is corporate welfare by the government to an organisation that doesn’t need it. The government also probably hoping to garner votes from this move in what is a National stronghold electorate. I wonder why the government has not handed out money to other Marlborough businesses like Sounds Air? No votes in that perhaps?
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Reblogged this on The Inquiring Mind.
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