Buzz from the Beehive
Hard on the heels of Stats NZ telling us about greenhouse gas emissions rising 1.7 per cent in the March quarter, largely driven by electricity, gas, water, and waste services, the Government has published the terms of reference for its New Zealand Energy Strategy.
Correction: it’s the Government’s “landmark” New Zealand Energy Strategy, setting out “the ambitions and next steps for transitioning the energy system to a high performing, low emissions future”, as Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods described it.
Her press statement can be found on the Beehive website, along with news that her colleagues have been …
Transport Minister Michael Wood announced the signing of the National Ticketing Solution contract with supplier Cubic,
He described this as a key milestone in the journey to increase public transport use by providing a single payment system and a range of easy-to-use payment methods, no matter where you are in the country.
As well as the contract between Waka Kotahi and Cubic, a participation agreement has been finalised between Public Transport Authorities, Auckland Transport, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Environment Canterbury, and a Regional Consortium of ten smaller councils, to deliver the solution.
The National Ticketing Solution will be rolled out in a stage process across the different public transport authorities, starting with Environment Canterbury in 2024.
Associate Foreign Affairs Minister Aupito William Sio delivered a speech as Niue marked 48 years of self-government in free association with New Zealand.
He recalled that Niue and New Zealand recommitted to their relationship when Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Niue’s Premier signed a refreshed Statement of Partnership setting out our commitments and expectations of each other in the coming years.
Niue and New Zealand have agreed on five priority areas for cooperation.
Sio’s listing of these priority areas in his speech raised an interesting question: does the Niuean language have words for “peace and security”. He said they are
- Ko e Feutuaki he tau Malolō mo e tau Lotomatala Gahua Fakalataha – Partnership
- Omoiaga he tau Matagahua Tutuli Monuina he tagata mo e faka-Fakatufono – Prosperity
- Gahua Fakalotomatalla ke Fakatūvelae Monuina mai he Takatakaimotu mo e tau paleko he hikihikaga he matagi – Resilience environment and climate change
- Peace and Security, and climate change.
- People – Te Tangata – Tau Tagata Niue nofo motu.
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Bracing us for the ACC to be “modernised” for workers and women (but not for the rest of us???)
ACC Minister Carmel Sepuloni, noting that the Accident Compensation Act passed in the House 50 years ago yesterday, said parts of the ACC that need modernising.
For various reasons women, Māori, Pacific and Disabled people don’t receive the same support through the scheme, despite paying the same percentage of their wages and salary in levies as everyone else, she said.
Work began last month on extending cover to parents giving birth and reviewing the Accredited Employers Programme and Sepuloni now has announced a new framework to be used review Schedule Two of the Accident Compensation Act. It will be used to consider which occupational diseases should be covered.
“As part of this, a regular review framework, which takes gender into account, will improve our understanding of how occupational diseases impact different population groups in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Noting that emissions from energy made up 40% of our total gross emissions in 2020, Megan Wood warned
“… we will need to do things differently if we are to create a sustainable energy system for generations to come”.
The New Zealand Energy Strategy will tie together the comprehensive programme of work already under way.
The Terms of Reference outline further detail to explain the strategic direction of the move from polluting and expensive fossil fuels, preparing us for a renewable future.
The Strategy will have the following high-level objectives:
- Energy affordability and energy equity for consumers
- Our energy system transitions at the pace and scale required to support a net-zero 2050
- Energy supply is secure and reliable, including as we adapt to the effects of climate change and in the face of global shocks
- Our energy system supports economic development and productivity growth aligned with the transition.
The Energy Strategy was one of the main recommendations from the Climate Change Commission’s advice Ināia tonu nei: a low emissions future for Aotearoa, and was committed to in the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) released in May. It will be developed over the next two years, with the final strategy due in December 2024.
The Government has set a target that 50% of total energy consumption will come from renewable sources by 2035.
More information is available on MBIE’s website.
Latest from the Beehive
21 OCTOBER 2022
Stage set for Government’s landmark energy strategy
The Government has published the terms of reference for its landmark New Zealand Energy Strategy, setting out the ambitions and next steps for transitioning the energy system to a high performing, low emissions future.
One stop ticketing solution for public transport
Whether it’s on the bus, train or ferry, New Zealanders will soon be able to use a singlepayment system across Aotearoa, with today’s signing of the National Ticketing Solution contract with supplier Cubic.
Speech
Speech to the Niue Constitution Day flag-raising ceremony
It goes without saying that it is a privilege to be here today, to join Niue as it marks 48 years of self-government in free association with Aotearoa.
20 OCTOBER 2022
Fifty years of ACC – Government acts to modernise ACC for workers and women
“The Accident Compensation Act passed in the House fifty years ago today,” Minister for ACC Carmel Sepuloni said. “Back then it was a revolutionary change to the status quo and unique to New Zealand. Today it continues to be world leading and something we should all be proud of as a nation.
Point of Order 
This is old hat!
There has been such a fare pay system operating throughout NZ for a number of years.
Who do these policy hijackers think they are fooling??
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please tell me …….what is greenhouse gas?? from Trevor.
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