Forums | Green Churches Aotearoa

29 April 2020, 9:42 PM

350 Aotearoa have suggested that submissions be made to relevant ministers (Grant Robertson, Phil Twyford, and Shane Jones) to make the following points:

They need to ensure that all infrastructure projects that receive funding in the upcoming budget align with 350 Aotearoa’s Principles for a Just Recovery. 

It is vital that the government’s response to COVID-19 and investment in rebuilding our economy aligns with our commitment to mitigate climate change and transform Aotearoa to a more just, low-carbon society. 

It is suggested that they use this opportuning to build Aotearoa back better, and ensure that all infrastructure funding is accessible, sustainable, and align with these principles. 

1. Put people’s health and human rights first, no exceptions.
2. Honour Te Tiriti through partnership with Māori in all decision-making.
3. Take action to stop climate change and build a just and sustainable future for all.
4. Support workers and communities and create secure jobs and liveable incomes for all.
5. Build a resilient economy centred on wellbeing for all people, where the wealthy contribute their fair share of tax to build the society we want.
6. Ensure transparency and allow for democratic scrutiny in all decision-making.

The response to COVID-19 will set the legacy for this government in the lead up to the election. It is suggested that they demonstrate to voters that they are listening to our calls for equity, resilience, and a sustainable future for all.

NB The words in bold are mine as distinct from the text from 350 Aotearoa. In my submission I made the point that I accept that I, personally, would be economically better off with a National government but that there is no way I will vote for them unless they promise to comply with the above principles more than the current government does (which I predict is unlikely).

Contact details for the ministers are: g.robertson@ministers.govt.nz; phil.twyford@parliament.govt.nz; s.jones@ministers.govt.nz

Max Thomson

30 April 2020, 8:25 AM

Response to Mr Bridges' statements on the Covid-19 crisis

Thank you for this info, Max. It's important that we keep the pressure on for a better response to the environmental crisis.  The problem is that political leaders often put short term political gain ahead of informed dialogue and contestation of scientific insights. I sent this to Simon Bridges, Winstone Peters, Nick Smith and Erica Stanford (my local MP who is hard-working, genuine, and interested in blue-green values).

Dear Mr Bridges
I just saw you make a comparison between the Australian situation and our New Zealand context for the Covid-19 response. I have a firstdegree in pure and applied mathematics, but I don't need more than a high school background to realise that you cannot compare apples with oranges.
Your comparison reminded of Vice President Pence's comment, while visiting a hospital, that he wouldn't wear a face mask because he wanted to be able to look the health-care workers in the eye.
The facts which you seem unwilling to face, are that Australia faced the crisis some weeks before we did (meaning we had to catch up to flatten the curve) and that the rates of increase here exceeded there.
Most of important of all, but probably beyond your capacity to grasp, Covid-19 is a virus. While it is is only a borderline life-form, it inherently has the capacity to both modify itself and the hosts to which it attaches itself. The only way to stop this - to eliminate the virus spreading - is to modify the behaviours of the hosts. That is because the hosts can think and act rationally.
The good news is that many of them do so. The bad news is that some, motivated by apparent political gain, unmask their ignorance.
Pooling ignorance in a time of crisis in unworthy for those who hold the office of elected representatives.
Faithfully
David Bell

30 April 2020, 9:10 AM

Go Max and David; a really excellent response David. I have yet to contact our politicians but I surely will.  You have made my day!

30 April 2020, 5:03 PM

I got an encouraging response from Hon Phyl Twyford:

Thank you for writing to me about the principles underlying the Government’s response to COVID-19, particularly as it relates to our economic and infrastructure work. New Zealand is facing a profound public health and economic challenge, and many things will not return to the way they were before this pandemic. Your insights are a welcome contribution to finding the best response to this challenge, and I appreciate you sending them to me.  

This Government recognises climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. After years of government inaction and economic growth at the expense of our environment, our Government is taking positive steps to ensure New Zealand leads the world in combatting climate change. We want our economy to recover and grow in a sustainable way, while also protecting and enhancing our natural environment. This thinking will be at the forefront of our decision-making, including our considerations about funding infrastructure projects.

However, especially given the severe impacts COVID-19 has had on peoples’ business and work, we need to make decisions that will help people too. For Budget 2020, we remain committed to a wellbeing approach. Our priorities are:

• Just Transition – Supporting New Zealanders in the transition to a climate-resilient, sustainable and low-emissions economy
• Future of Work – Enabling all New Zealand’s to benefit from new technologies and lift productivity through innovation
• Māori and Pacific – Lifting Māori and Pacific incomes, skills and opportunities
• Child Wellbeing – Reducing child poverty and improving child wellbeing
• Physical and mental wellbeing – Supporting improved health outcomes  for all New Zealanders.

The impacts of COVID-19 are dynamic, and our Government is working hard to respond to the situation as it unfolds, and to support businesses and individuals through these difficult times. My responsibility, as Minister for Economic Development, is to understand what those impacts are and how best to support New Zealanders and our economy through the transition to a new way of doing things. Of course, to do that, we need a vision of what that new way of doing things looks like.

Last year, Minister Robertson and I set out our vision for how our economy could support New Zealand in our Economic Plan. Our key focus is creating a strong economy that is productive, sustainable and inclusive. We outlined eight key shifts that would enable that to happen:

1. The NZ economy moves from volume to value with kiwi businesses, including SMEs, becoming more productive
2. People are skilled, adaptable and have access to lifelong learning
3. Deeper pools of capital are available to invest in infrastructure and grow NZ’s productive assets
4. Our regions are strengthened and revitalised
5. There is a step change for Māori and Pacific economies
6. Sustainable and affordable energy systems are established
7. Land and resource use delivers greater value and improves environmental outcomes
8. Our housing market is transformed to unlock productivity growth and make houses more affordable.

These shifts will drive our thinking around proposed infrastructure projects as infrastructure investment will not only provide direct stimulus to the economy as we transition down alert levels, it is also a key enabler for realising our vision for a successful, sustainable, and resilient post-COVID economy.

Yours sincerely,

Hon Phil Twyford

04 May 2020, 10:14 AM

The Methodist Church of NZ - through the work of Public Issues network and membership in the Churches Ecumenical Climate network also wrote to the Prime Minister and a hit-list of other ministers on the topic of Just Recovery potential strategies.

The letter is here.

We have since been asked to circulate the letter to government policy officials for their consideration in framing the upcoming goverment policy drafts.

Peter