RECENT MEDIA RELEASES ON THE ENVIRONMENT:
For a complete list of National Party media releases on the environment, click here.
Mess at Mapua gets worse
Today's revelations that the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has identified financial irregularities during the clean-up of the Mapua site and referred them to the Auditor-General just adds to the mess surrounding the clean-up says National's Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
by Hon Dr Nick Smith, Environment/RMAThursday, 7 August 2008
Government in denial over botched clean-up
The Government has its head in the sand in refusing to accept the findings of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment over the botched Mapua clean-up, says National's Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
by Hon Dr Nick Smith, Environment/RMAThursday, 31 July 2008
Kea deaths warrant independent review
The deaths of seven kea at Fox Glacier as a result of DOC's 1080 poisoning programme must trigger a wider review of the department's pest management, says National's Conservation spokesman, Nick Smith.
by Hon Dr Nick Smith, ConservationWednesday, 30 July 2008
Worrying deficiencies identified in Mapua clean-up
There are important lessons to be learnt from the remediation of the contaminated site at Mapua that need to be applied to other contaminated sites of this kind, says National's Environment spokesman Nick Smith.
by Hon Dr Nick Smith, Environment/RMATuesday, 29 July 2008
National to enhance protection of NZers' birthright
National's Outdoor Recreation policy will ensure that current and future generations will continue to enjoy the great outdoors, while the safeguarding of New Zealand's unique biodiversity remains a priority.
by Eric Roy, Outdoor RecreationFriday, 18 July 2008
Consider Aussie ETS before passing bill
New Zealand needs to give careful consideration to the design of the Australian emissions trading scheme before passing the current bill, says National Party Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.
by Hon Dr Nick Smith, Climate ChangeThursday, 17 July 2008
Damning biofuels report must trigger rethink
Wednesday, 25 June 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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"Labour must reconsider its biofuels policy in response to Oxfam’s damning report," says National’s Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Cynical bid to sway MPs on ETS
Tuesday, 24 June 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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MPs will react with cynicism to the report funded by the government-owned Meridian Energy and Mighty River Power companies urging them to quickly pass the emissions trading legislation, says National's Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.
Unsustainable biofuels add to fuel price hikes
Monday, 23 June 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Government is out of touch with the concerns of New Zealanders over high fuel prices and the international problems with biofuels by pushing ahead with a compulsory biofuels requirement this year, says National's Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
Flawed ETS needs more work
Monday, 16 June 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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New Zealand's environment and economy will be compromised if the Government's emissions trading scheme [ETS] is rushed through Parliament in its present form, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Worst deforestation figures in 50 years revealed
Tuesday, 10 June 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The worst ever loss of 13,600 hectares of forest last year is a disaster for the environment and makes a mockery of Labour's climate change commitments says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Putting a spotlight on Govt's poor environmental record
Thursday, 5 June 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Government's record on environmental protection is out of step with its hosting of World Environment Day, says National's Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
Embarrassing Govt waste on World Environment Day
Wednesday, 4 June 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Government has had to recall 20,000 15-page colour brochures produced by the Ministry for the Environment for World Environment Day because of a serious content error, says National's Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
Greens and Labour steal National's solar policy
Friday, 23 May 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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National's Environment spokesman Nick Smith welcomes Labour's adoption of National's policy on solar water heating systems to double the $500 grant to $1000 and to simplify the grant system, as announced today by the Greens.
Parker panics over slowing of ETS process
Monday, 19 May 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The cost of rushed, ill thought-out ETS legislation will be far more disastrous for this country than any minor delay while the details are worked out, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Mallard forced to explain MfE bungles - again
Sunday, 18 May 2008 - Jacqui Dean
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Environment Minister Trevor Mallard has been forced to admit his beleaguered Ministry has bungled again by cancelling public workshops to enable a staff member to take a jaunt to Australia, says National's Associate Environment spokeswoman, Jacqui Dean.
National won't cut corners on ETS at kiwis' expense
Sunday, 18 May 2008 - John Key
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National wants to get the emissions trading scheme right and is not prepared to cut corners when kiwis' financial security is at risk, National Party Leader John Key told the party's Lower North Island conference in Wellington today.
Secret talks on ETS complete nonsense
Friday, 9 May 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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A report in the National Business Review of secret talks between National and Labour on a deal over the Emissions Trading Scheme is complete nonsense, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Labour asleep on Blue Lake logging
Thursday, 8 May 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Labour Government has been asleep at the wheel in regards to the logging of 90-year-old forests on Crown land surrounding the Blue Lake, Tikitapu, in Rotorua, says National's Environment & Conservation spokesman, Nick Smith.
'Carbon neutral' policy added to scrap heap
Tuesday, 6 May 2008 - John Key
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National Party Leader John Key says Helen Clark's promise of 'carbon neutrality' is heading the same way as closing the gaps, taking New Zealand to the top half of the OECD, the knowledge wave, and economic transformation.
Kyoto liability tops $1 billion
Monday, 5 May 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Treasury figures released today that put New Zealand's Kyoto liability at over $1 billion for the first time demonstrate the extent of Labour's climate change failure, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
UN award puts rhetoric ahead of record
Wednesday, 23 April 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The United Nations is putting rhetoric ahead of record in honouring Prime Minister Helen Clark with a Champion of the Earth Award says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Labour's credibility on climate change dies with latest figures
Friday, 18 April 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Today's figures showing yet another increase in New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions are a fatal blow to the credibility of Labour's climate change record, says National's Climate Change spokesperson, Nick Smith.
Biofuels joins climate change debacles
Tuesday, 8 April 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Biofuels is set to join the list of climate change policy debacles, with the Minister admitting sustainability standards will not be in place by 1 July, says National’s Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Biofuels bill blasted by Environment Commissioner
Thursday, 3 April 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Government must heed the message of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment that its biofuels bill is flawed and a risk to New Zealand's clean, green brand, says National's Environment spokesman, Dr Nick Smith.
Solar water heating grant to double under National
Friday, 28 March 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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A future National Government would introduce a $1,000 per household solar water heating grant and simplify the complex building consent rules for solar water heating in order to double the number of systems, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Saving Rotorua lakes? Or saving Rotorua seat?
Wednesday, 26 March 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Today's belated announcement of $72 million to help save Rotorua's lakes has more to do with Labour's desperation to save the Rotorua seat, says National's Environment spokesman Nick Smith.
Chainsaw massacre continues unabated
Tuesday, 18 March 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Figures released today on deforestation are nothing short of an environmental disaster, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Dr Nick Smith.
More dodgy dealings at Environment Ministry
Wednesday, 20 February 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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An admission today that a Ministry for the Environment official attempted to threaten a submitter at a select committee is further proof of political interference in the public service, says National's Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
Climate change bungle tops $2 billion
Thursday, 14 February 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The admission from Labour that New Zealand's Kyoto obligations have deteriorated from a $1.1 billion surplus in 2002, to a $967 million deficit now, confirms the extent of the failure of Labour's climate change policies, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Independence essential in environmental reporting
Sunday, 10 February 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Revelations that Government officials suppressed parts of the recently-released State of the Environment report add weight to calls for such reports to be prepared by the independent Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, says National's Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
Environment report highlights gulf between rhetoric and reality
Thursday, 31 January 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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New Zealand is going to have to significantly lift its environmental performance if it is to live up to its 100% Pure branding image, says National's Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
$245,000 DOC loo typifies Labour culture of extravagance
Sunday, 13 January 2008 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Revelations that the Department of Conservation spent $245,000 on a new architecturally designed toilet in the Nelson Lakes National Park illustrates a culture of extravagance within the Government, says National's Conservation spokesman and Nelson MP Nick Smith.
2007 and earlier
Labour delivers billion dollar Kyoto blowout
Thursday, 20 December 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The nearly $1billion bill for Kyoto revealed by Treasury exposes just how badly the Government’s climate change policies have failed, says National’s Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.
Govt admits NZ will have to pay others to meet Kyoto
Wednesday, 19 December 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Environmentalists and taxpayers will be disappointed by the admission by Labour that New Zealand will have to pay other countries if we are to meet our Kyoto obligations, says National’s Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.
Practise what you preach on deforestation, Minister
Thursday, 13 December 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Climate Change Minister David Parker's calls in Bali for an end to global deforestation ring hollow, when at home deforestation is at an all-time high, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
UN report highlights ongoing climate change failure
Wednesday, 21 November 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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New Zealand's record of ever increasing greenhouse gas emissions in the just released United Nations report makes a sick joke of the Government's carbon neutral rhetoric, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Embarrassing emissions growth at Environment Ministry
Friday, 16 November 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Ministry for the Environment's greenhouse gas emissions grew by 22% this year, a rate 10 times faster than the rest of New Zealand, despite it leading the Government's programme on carbon neutrality, says National's Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
Confusion compounds over conservation pledge
Thursday, 8 November 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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It is extraordinary that Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick is at odds with Director-General Al Morrison over a key Labour conservation pledge after only a few days in the job, says National Party Conservation spokesman Nick Smith.
Electric cars disconnected from reality
Thursday, 18 October 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Government plans for New Zealand to be a world leader in electric cars lack credibility and are disconnected from reality, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Bureaucratic delays make mockery of renewable energy pledge
Tuesday, 16 October 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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New Zealand will never achieve the Government's ambitious 90% renewable electricity pledge when bureaucracy is holding up renewable energy projects for years, says National's Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.
Govt's sustainability bubble burst by A-G
Thursday, 11 October 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The bubble of Labour's $200 million sustainability programme has been popped with the Auditor-General's advice today that the Cabinet committee responsible for its implementation did not meet once in three years, says National's Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
Transparent environmental reporting needed
Sunday, 7 October 2007 - Hon Bill English
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National will introduce new environmental reporting laws to ensure New Zealand lives up to its clean, green image.
Labour ignores calls for RMA reform
Friday, 5 October 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Government needs to heed the latest calls for reform of the Resource Management Act, says National's Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
National welcomes policy change on forestry
Thursday, 20 September 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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National welcomes the Government's announcement today to reverse its decision on the allocation of carbon credits on forests, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
MAF expects worst deforestation year ever
Tuesday, 18 September 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Estimates by MAF that New Zealand will lose 12,000 hectares of forests, or 3 million trees, makes a mockery of the Government's climate change and sustainability policies, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Bureaucratic bungle over climate change bid
Sunday, 16 September 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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It is no wonder New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions are growing at record rates, when major budget bids to offset emissions are lost in bureaucratic bungles, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Wood promo no substitute for carbon credits
Friday, 14 September 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Government needs to do much more than run a promotional campaign on the merits of wood to reverse the massive deforestation taking place, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
New army coal burner embarrasses carbon neutral Government
Thursday, 13 September 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The army's commissioning of a massive new coal-fired boiler at Waiouru makes a mockery of the Government's commitment to a carbon neutral public service, says National's Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.
Clark's record on climate change undermines NZ credibility at APEC
Friday, 7 September 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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It is a bit rich for Helen Clark to be telling other countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions when they are growing like there is no tomorrow at home, says National's Climate Change Spokesman Nick Smith.
Minister blames councils for Labour's consents mess
Thursday, 6 September 2007 - Jacqui Dean
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David Parker's attempt to blame local councils for consent processing delays are a feeble attempt to divert attention from the real problem, which is Government red tape, says National's Associate Environment spokeswoman, Jacqui Dean.
Panicky Parker tries to hide climate change failure
Wednesday, 5 September 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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It is a sign of desperation that Climate Change Minister David Parker is playing numbers games to hide the Labour's awful record on emissions, says National Climate Change Spokesman Nick Smith.
TradeMe carbon initiative embarrasses Govt
Tuesday, 4 September 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Good on TradeMe and Meridian for taking the initiative in selling carbon credits on the internet, says National's Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.
PM's speech contradicts reality on climate change
Tuesday, 28 August 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Helen Clark's talk of carbon neutrality and more energy efficient homes* is out of step with Labour's record, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Conservation House built with Aussie wood
Tuesday, 21 August 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Revelations that the new Conservation House used large volumes of Australian imported timber makes a joke of the Government's claim that the building is a model for sustainability, says National's Conservation spokesman, Nick Smith.
Government solar water policy backfires
Monday 13 August 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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A Greens-Labour climate change initiative to double the use of solar water heating systems has backfired causing the first drop in years in the number of new installations, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Cheaper hut fees an election-year stunt
Thursday 09 August 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Labour's announcement of reduced Great Walks hut and camp fees to take effect just three months prior to the next election contradicts eight years of increasing the charges, says National's Conservation spokesman, Nick Smith.
$85 million climate change Treaty stuff-up
Thursday, 19 July 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Taxpayers will have to pick up an $85 million bill for a stuff-up between the Office of Climate Change and the Office of Treaty Settlements over the Te Arawa Settlement, says National Party Climate Change Spokesman Nick Smith.
Energy data makes farce of carbon neutrality
Wednesday, 18 July 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The latest energy data makes a farce of the Government’s commitment to carbon neutrality, says National’s Environment spokesman Nick Smith.
More Government Policy creating more pollution and more costs
Tuesday, 3 July 2007 - Eric Roy
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Older cars will dominate New Zealand roads unless the Government rethinks its plans to tighten up on vehicle imports, Invercargill MP Eric Roy said today.
Environment, economy a balancing act
Sunday, 25 June June 2007 - National Party Leader, John Key
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Balancing environmental protection with the need for better economic performance will be a major consideration for a National-led government, says National Party Leader John Key.
National calls for Arbour Day rethink
Tuesday, 5 June 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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New Zealand must reverse the record rates of deforestation to control climate change emissions and to prevent erosion, says National's Environment and Climate Change Spokesman, Nick Smith.
New data highlights chainsaw massacre
Friday, 25 May 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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A record 13,000 hectares of deforestation last year, amounting to the felling of over 3 million trees is an environmental disaster, says National's Climate Change spokesperson Dr Nick Smith.
No credits will mean no new forests
Tuesday, 22 May 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Government's refusal to state whether trees planted this winter will gain carbon credits is environmental and economic madness, says National's Environment Minister, Nick Smith.
Carbon neutrality – where is it
Friday, 18 May 2007 - John Key MP
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National Party leader John Key says he is surprised that Helen Clark abandoned her slogan of 'carbon neutrality' in the 2007 Budget.
Chickens come home to roost on botched aquaculture reforms
Tuesday, 15 May 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Labour need to come clean and admit they botched the 2005 aquaculture reforms, says National's Environment spokesman, Nick Smith.
Climate Change Target: 50 by 50
Sunday, 13 May 2007 - John Key MP
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National Party Leader John Key says his party willl set a target of a 50% reduction in carbon equivalent net emissions, as compared to 1990 levels, by 2050. In shorthand: A 50% cut by 2050. 50 by 50.
Weak climate change announcement fails to impress
Tuesday, 08 May 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Today's announcement that the Government will make 'important decisions' on climate change policy in the next three months is too little too late, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Emissions increase exposes failure of Govt climate change policies
Friday, 04 May May 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The release today of figures showing large increases in New Zealand greenhouse gas emissions exposes just how much hot air the Government has been spouting on climate change, says National Party Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.
Send projects like Hayes to Environment Court
Monday, 30 April 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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"Major resource consents like that required for Project Hayes would be directly referred to the Environment Court under a National Government," says National Party Environment Spokesman Nick Smith.
Govt breaks key conservation promise
Friday, 27 April 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Labour has broken its key conservation promise to implement a National Policy Statement under the Resource Management Act to protect our native plants and birds, says National's Conservation spokesman, Nick Smith.
National welcomes Govt u-turn on emissions trading
Tuesday, 24 April 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The National Party is welcoming Labour's belated realisation that the answer to reducing carbon emissions is not new taxes, says National's Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.
Kyoto deficit now $1.7 billion: AG called in
Thursday, 19 April 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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National is accusing the Government of understating New Zealand's Kyoto deficit by $1 billion and is seeking an independent review by the Auditor-General.
Govt should stop fudging on Kyoto forest credits
Monday, 16 April 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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National is calling on the Government to come clean and admit it has backtracked on giving foresters the benefit of carbon credits, following the release today of further Cabinet papers, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
National backs call for emissions trading
Friday, 13 April 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Emissions trading is the right way to address climate change, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Climate change report exposes govt inaction
Tuesday, 10 April 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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"The Government should be deeply embarrassed at the lack of action and policy in the wake of today's major United Nations report on climate change", says National's Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.
Labour tries to hide critical environment report
Thursday, 05 April 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Easter release of a critical report into the Government's environmental track record shows Labour is more interested in protecting itself than the environment, says National Party Environment spokesman Dr Nick Smith.
Papers highlight deceit and broken promises
Wednesday, 14 March 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Official Cabinet and MAF papers tabled in Parliament today contradict statements by the Prime Minister and Forestry Minister that foresters have no right to or expectation of receiving carbon credits, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Dr Nick Smith.
Anderton attempts to distract from carbon fiasco
Tuesday 6 March 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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Jim Anderton's hysterical response to National over carbon credits isn't surprising from someone seeking to distract attention from Labour's carbon credits fiasco, says National Party Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.
Anderton embarrassed over carbon credit fiasco
Wednesday 28 February 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Government cannot arrogantly dismiss claims by landowners for carbon credits from their forests when official papers show that MAF encouraged new plantings on this very premise, says National Party Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.
Chainsaw massacre bad for climate change
Tuesday 27 February 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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MAF figures showing record high rates of deforestation are a climate change disaster, says National's Climate Change spokesman Nick Smith.
Lop deforestation tax, says National
Friday 23 February 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Government's desperate attempt today to bail out of its public relations disaster over deforestation will not succeed until it categorically rules out its proposed deforestation tax, says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
PM's power station opening more greenwash
Thursday 22 February 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Prime Minister is engaging in more greenwash in opening the new Awapuni power station in Palmerston North, says National's Environment and Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Noisy vehicle amendments not good enough
Wednesday, 21 February 2007 - Nicky Wagner
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Proposed amendments to the vehicle equipment rule will not bring New Zealand's noisy vehicle standards up to scratch, says National Party Associate Environment Spokeswoman Nicky Wagner.
Government rhetoric on waste contradicts record
Thursday, 15 February 2007 - Nicky Wagner
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Labour's talk of a new waste strategy exposes the failure of their 2002 strategy, says National Party Associate Environment spokeswoman Nicky Wagner.
Government's biofuels target too little, too late
Tuesday, 13 February 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Government's 3.4% biofuels target by 2012 is too little, too late and will make negligible difference to the vacuum in New Zealand's climate change policy, says National's Environment spokesman, Dr Nick Smith.
Drinking water fails clean green image
Wednesday, 31 January 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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New Zealand cannot pretend it is clean and green when 24% of our drinking water fails to meet bacteriological standards, says National's Environment spokesman, Dr Nick Smith, commenting on the just released Ministry of Health report on drinking-water quality in New Zealand.
Didymo discovery disaster for region
Friday, 19 January 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The discovery of Didymo in the Pelorus and Speargrass rivers at the top of the South Island is a disaster for the region, says Nelson MP Nick Smith, who is also National's Conservation spokesman.
Another Government strategy fails
Tuesday, 16 January 2007 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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An increase in the number of threatened species in New Zealand signals a failure of Labour's environmental policies, says National's Conservation spokesman, Hon Dr Nick Smith.
Court decision contradicts PM's foreshore assurance
Friday, 22 December 2006 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The decision by the High Court to confirm title of 850 acres of mudflats north of Nelson contradicts the Prime Minister's assurances that Maori would not be able to get freehold title to the foreshore and seabed, says National Party Conservation spokesman Nick Smith.
Marina decision embarrassment for Labour
Tuesday, 19 December 2006 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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The Government’s backdown on the Whangamata Marina decision is a victory for Kiwi battlers who took on an arrogant Government and won, say National Conservation spokesman Nick Smith and Coromandel MP Sandra Goudie.
Forestry tax plan is madness
Monday, 18 December 2006 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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"The tragedy of today's proposal from Labour is that it will trigger more deforestation at the very time we need to be planting more trees," says National's Climate Change spokesman, Nick Smith.
Labour pays lip service to water quality
Thursday, 7 December 2006 - Jacqui Dean
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Labour is simply standing by as New Zealand's water quality goes down the drain, says National's Associate Environment/RMA spokeswoman, Jacqui Dean.
Good reserve: bad process
Wednesday, 6 December 2006 - Hon Dr Nick Smith
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National welcomes approval of the new marine reserve on Wellington's south coast but believes the process for creating such reserves needs urgent reviewing, says National Party Conservation spokesman Nick Smith.
Carbon neutrality goal is all hot air
Tuesday, 5 December 2006 - John Key
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The Labour Government's plan to make New Zealand 'carbon neutral' has been shown up as hot air even before it starts, says National Party Leader John Key.
[To visit the environment policy page on the National website, click here.]
Environment policy discussion paper launch: Friday 06 October 2006
Seen here: Images from the National Party launch of a major policy discussion document (click here for more) on the environment -- A Bluegreen Vision for New Zealand. At the launch were then National Party Leader Don Brash, Environment Spokesman Nick Smith and Associate Environment Spokeswoman Jacqui Dean, here chatting before the press conference, which was held at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington.
Above: Don Brash, Nick Smith and Associate Spokeswoman for the Environment/RMA, Jacqui Dean
Below: Dr Nick Smith takes questions from the media.
For a gallery of candid pictures from the 2006 Bluegreens Forum, held over the ensuing weekend at the Maungatautari Ecological Reserve (40 minutes drive from Hamilton), click here.
