Ken Graham MP - Green Party Aotearoa New Zealand

Christchurch's population decreases after earthquakes

2011-11-01T16:10:00.000+13:00

Christchurch city's resident population decreased by 8,900 people (2.4 percent) in the June 2011 year,
Statistics New Zealand said today. This was due to a net migration loss (more departures than arrivals) of
10,600 people, partly offset by a natural increase (more births than deaths) of 1,700 people.
"This is the first official estimate of population change in Christchurch city, and across New Zealand's
subnational areas, since the Canterbury earthquakes," acting Population Statistics manager Deb Potter
said.
The 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes, along with a 22 percent rise in international migrant departures
(people leaving New Zealand permanently or long-term), had a major impact on local population change
in the June 2011 year.
For some parts of the country, population growth accelerated as people relocated from the earthquakeaffected
areas. The five territorial authority areas with the fastest rate of population growth in the June
2011 year were the districts of Selwyn, Queenstown-Lakes, Ashburton, Waimakariri, and Hurunui. All of
these districts are located in the South Island, with most close to Christchurch city.
However, for many parts of the country, population growth slowed as an increase in international migrant
departures was only partly offset by an inflow of people from the earthquake-affected areas. Of New
Zealand's 67 territorial authority areas, 43 had a lower level of net migration in the June 2011 year than in
the previous June year. Of these 43 areas, 39 are located in the North Island.

Colin James's column for the Otago Daily Times for 25 October 2011

2011-11-01T16:01:00.000+13:00

After the cup, back to the election grind

The was the cup that is, just. The childlike headlines can be pasted in the kids' scrapbooks -- oops, cached on their iPads. Now we come back down to earth. We may find the earth is moving.

The last seven weeks have had an end-of-empire feel -- end of the Roman empire, that is: lavish spending by imperious officials on public spectacles and games to divert and entertain the plebs and narcotise anxiety and discontent.

And as at the end of the Roman empire, barbarians hover just beyond the horizon. They come these days in the form of northern hemisphere banks and debt rating agencies. The banks require German and other well-run European countries' taxpayers' money to rescue them from what were supposed to be safe bets on risky or feckless Greeks, Portuguese, Irish, Spaniards and Italians.

But the taxpayers are less and less fond of banks: the Occupy Wall Street movement may not have a detailed programme but it -- and the Tea Party -- reflect deeper, and international, currents of discontent and anger. Peter Dunne dropped in on the Wellington branch and bothered about "wealth and opportunity disparity", as he might have in his long-gone Labour days.

And if in the end governments and banks aren't rescued, financial pain will spread round the world and this time governments and central banks do not have the wherewithal to rescue economies on the post-2008 scale. That goes for China as well as for the old rich countries whose brilliant financiers got us into this.

If the 2008 crash finally really crashes, it will cut the capacity of the old middle classes in the old rich countries and the new middle classes in the rising countries to buy our food and to buy products made from Australia's exports.

If that happens and it then takes a while to come right, the next parliamentary term here could be downbeat or even bleak.

Now note that the world's population gets to 7 billion next Monday, give or take a few days.

That is twice the 1960s population and people are using resources about 20 per cent faster than the sun and earth produces or replenishes them. (Some say faster.) This cannot go on indefinitely: outbreaks of water and food shortages round the world tell us that. That is food for conflict.

So far there is little sign of strategic Beehive or official thinking about what this means for us. No party wants to seriously debate population.

Population puts the spotlight on India, set to be the most populous country on current trends and a growing economic power. Tim Groser is seeking a free trade agreement. A "NZ Inc" strategy for India issued last Thursday after months on the desk of the dynamic Murray McCully, reshaper of our global destiny, aims to align the actions of departmental and agency officials and the private sector in the hope we do more business there.

Six other NZ Inc country and regional strategies, some completed months ago, are to be issued next year.

Trade is the NZ Inc preoccupation. McCully's speech to a foreign issues conference on Thursday focused tightly on trade. The India strategy gives one paragraph to "people-to-people exchanges" plus some tips on differences. Just as with China, there is no plan to build an educated public knowledge of the history, heritage, culture or languages of these two emerging giants.

The strategy is tactical rather than strategic.

But neither, so far, has the government been strategic about the looming 2020s fiscal crunch in pensions and health services. John Key sticks to his 2008 commitment to a pension qualifying age of 65 and Tony Ryall's vigorous (and effective) focus has been on more efficient delivery of selected services.

This is the backdrop for the election campaign which can get serious now the cup's run is over: short-term uncertainties that could turn nasty and, in the background, longer-term global structural change.

The Labour party hopes to link the external financial turmoil and its effects here such as the country debt downgrade to cabinet action or inaction. It will use today's pre-election fiscal and economic update and forecasts, which is likely to display more red than the budget did back in May, to say the tax cuts were irresponsible and fiscal management skewed.

The National party's interest is in getting through the next five weeks looking calm and in-charge. It's poster set is accordingly more-of-the-same.

The risk for National is that voters buy its soothing line but that things go bad after the election and there is a whiplash. This is obviously not a 2011 election risk but it is a 2014 risk.

Of course, there is another scenario: that there is not a new and worse global financial crisis and slowdown because Europe fixes its immediate mess and China stays on its growth trajectory, that gradually over the next 10 years rich countries fix their badly red-inked balance sheets and that smart organisation and new technology solve the global resources challenges -- and that here we stay on cruise.

Place your bets.

Meltdown; 2008 or 1931? ©

2011-11-01T15:56:00.001+13:00

The Governor of the Bank of England believes we are in the midst of the greatest financial crisis in history. George Soros says the situation reminds him of the USSR collapse. “Collapse’ has also been used at the ECB and the IMF. Robert Shapiro (IMF) seems credible when he warns that unless a solution to the EU’s credit crisis emerges soon, the world economy will face a collapse larger than the one in 2008.
Shapiro may be under-stating the gravity of the situation. If we are talking collapse, why not look at the big one: 1931?
There were many straws in the wind in 1931; the Wall Street collapse of 1929, plunging world trade, ongoing wrangles over war debts and reparations but the one that broke to camel’s back was the collapse of the largest Austrian bank, Creditanstalt. Creditanstalt was insolvent because its assets had depreciated. Investors bailed out and other banks cut its credit lines.
Creditanstalt was founded by the Rothschild’s and its failure came as a shock as it was regarded as impregnable. It had been the most important bank of the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire and also had support from central banks. Its collapse in May 1931 soon took many other banks with it, especially in Germany.
Banks fell like dominoes because the collapse of one make all banks suspect. Inter-bank lending begins to dry up. This is serious as many banks depend on short-term funding. But there is also counter-party risk. A failed bank cannot meet its contractual obligations and this causes almost endless repercussions as happened when Lehman Bros fell in 2008.
The storm in Europe 2010-2011 has expanded beyond the periphery, and is beginning to make inroads into the core. First it was Greece, then the Mediterranean’s and Irish. Last week the crisis struck through the Dexia Bank (NBR 14/10) to the Benelux area, core of the EU. Last week Max Bank of Denmark failed and swag of British banks was downgraded. This week the Erste Bank of Austria admitted to huge losses.
I have good contacts in the Erste Bank and its difficulties brought to mind the Creditanstalt collapse of 1931. The eastern periphery of Europe is presently wracked with huge difficulties of which we hear little. I might cover these in another column as they have all the usual sovereign debt problems plus Hungary’s horrors of having to repay outstanding loans in appreciating Swiss Francs.
1931
The 1931 crisis differed from 2008 because 2008 was largely a banking crisis. In 1931 a banking crisis brought down the credit of nations. When Austrian banking assets froze in 1931, the pressure moved to Germany where foreign investors tried to realise assets. A run began and massive loans were removed from Germany. The Banks of England, France and International Settlements, plus the Federal Reserve extended credit to Germany but not the long term loans which were necessary.
Meanwhile a general shortage of funds led to many realising their most liquid assets, often deposits in London. London funds drained, exacerbating fears about sterling and increased the drain. Reserves melted despite French and American loans. The British Government resigned on August 23. Although the UK’s difficulties were largely temporary, the drain of
funds led it abandon the gold standard on September 21. It also devalued. Others followed in order to remain competitive. This destroyed a pillar of the international system. .
While fiscal and monetary conditions have been very relaxed since 2008, the opposite occurred in 1931. In the UK, for example, the state cut wages, provoking a mutiny in the Royal Navy. Moreover, while the economy has almost recovered to 2008 levels, in 1931 the world economy nose-dived. There is much international cooperation now, but it virtually ceased in 1931: by 1932 Britain passed the Import Duties Act which ended 75 years of free-trade. Most countries hurriedly constructed protective economic devices like tariffs, quota, and currency controls etc. Blocs formed, like the British Empire’s preferential tariffs.
To sum up: The 2008 crisis was a severe shock to the financial system, which was contained by states supporting collapsing institutions (and adding to sovereign debt). While the economy received a severe shock in 2008, the following economic recession was moderate and most states have almost recovered to 2007 levels of GDP. There has been little deleveraging so far. Monetary and fiscal policies have been very liberal.
1931 was a severe crisis which not only damaged financial institutions but wrecked the credit of nations, destroyed the gold standard and international cooperation. Nations began to wage economic warfare. World trade withered with calamitous falls in prices, especially of commodities. The world slid into a grim depression with widespread poverty and massive unemployment.
Can a slide be halted?
A 2008 or 1931 episode is not inevitable. Policy makers are well aware of the horrors of the 1930’s and are determined to prevent a slide into systemic collapse. There is still a huge degree of international cooperation and goodwill. Both the EU and G20 will employ their best efforts in the coming weeks.
Nevertheless, there is some concern that markets may deteriorate before remedies can be put into place. The rating agencies and bond traders are concerned about the quality of many assets and the ability of sovereign states to service their debt or banks (and their counterparties) to maintain solvency.
The current secret EU plan, a very “planny” plan (NBR 14 Oct) will be hard to deliver if it involves, as anticipated, increasing bank capitalisation, the bailout fund, and haircuts on Greek debt. It may not be enough. The market wants Germany to underwrite all EU debt but the Germans are understandably averse to assuming an impossible burden

Global Challenges, the UN & NZ: A Green Perspective - Dr Kennedy Graham - NZIIA Major Economic & Foreign Policy Issues Seminar

2011-11-01T15:47:00.001+13:00

Today's discussion is about the major economic and foreign policy issues facing New Zealand over the next five years, from 2012 to 2017. The theme throughout today has been mainly on the global dimension of that - the global commons and the global economy, with specific focus on trade and security. This final session is on the multilateral setting.

I mention this because clarity in recognizing the conceptual framework for any discussion is a precondition of any consensus in policy analysis and prescription. So let me offer some thought first on the relationship among these dimensions.

The idea of global unity is millennia old in a philosophical sense - from earliest days of human thought through to modern times. The ancient civilizations carried the innocent belief that their value system was divinely ordained, intrinsically valid and universally applicable.

Greens polling at record high - is Nat coalition likely?

2011-10-28T10:13:00.001+13:00

http://www.3news.co.nz/Greens-polling-at-record-high---is-Nat-coalition-likely/tabid/370/articleID/228108/Default.aspx

Russell Norman

Green foreign Policy

2011-10-28T10:11:00.003+13:00

“The Green Party’s foreign policy differs from traditional foreign policies in one overarching way. The Greens’ worldview is qualitatively different, reflecting the 21^st century rather than the 20^th.

We do not see the world as being composed primarily of an international community of 193 sovereign nation-states.

Rather we see one planet, whose beauty and bounty is shared by humanity with other species.

We see the human race, informed by centuries of philosophical enquiry and political development, moving carefully and purposefully towards a unified global society, of which all nations are a component part with the natural rights of their peoples fully respected.

Green support a bitter saviour for Nats in power

2011-10-28T10:10:00.002+13:00

Adjournment Debate - Reform of Parliament

2011-10-28T10:08:00.002+13:00

Standing Orders Review 2011 - Debate - Dr Kennedy Graham

2011-10-28T10:07:00.002+13:00

At least one Green Party MP to be a Minister in next government

2011-10-28T10:06:00.002+13:00

TV3's Patrick Gower sings the American national athem to Green Party MPs

2011-10-28T10:05:00.000+13:00

Climate change and Tuvalu

2011-10-28T10:03:00.002+13:00

Criminal Procedure (Reform & Modernisation) Bill - Dr Kennedy Graham - 3rd Rdg

2011-10-28T10:01:00.005+13:00

http://www.greens.org.nz/speeches/criminal-procedure-reform-modernisation-bill-dr-kennedy-graham-3rd-rdg

Criminal Procedure (Reform & Modernisation) Bill - 2nd Rdg

2011-09-28T14:00:00.000+13:00

Let me begin by commending the Minister of Justice, Mr Power, for his commitment to concluding the 10-year project that this is for reforming the framework governing criminal procedure in this country. It is nothing short of herculean and I salute him for his ability and his determination. His Government will be the poorer for his departure.I pay tribute, in particular, to the substantive changes he has made to the Criminal Procedure (Reform and Modernisation) Bill within the past week.
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The politics of trading through to a new normal

2011-09-27T17:38:00.000+13:00

Relax. If it is going to hit, it won't hit till after the election. Or, at least, it won't hit hard before then.

The "it" is damage to our economy from the north Atlantic turmoil. There will be some damage. What no one knows is how much damage and in what form.

What isn't happening in the so-called rich countries is a "normal" "recovery". That is because what used to be normal is not normal now and the world hasn't yet settled into a new normal. We have been in transition for a decade or more and we are not through.
Politicians, commentators, economists and even philosophers argue over what poultices to apply. What should have worked under the old rules hasn't.

Red Zone becomes much redder

2011-09-22T16:49:00.001+12:00

Libertarianz leader Richard McGrath condemns Phil Goff's ill-thought-out and hastily concocted bribe to sway Christchurch voters to vote for his party in November. In a move that Robert Mugabe would applaud, Labour seems intent on confiscating land for a price it would fix, so it can then ration and allocate this land to people hand-picked by the Labour Party. Presumably being a friend of Labour will put you at the top of the list.
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2011-09-22T16:47:00.000+12:00

Today the Chch group of BizPro (at least a small number of us) had an informal meeting with Raf Manji.

Raf runs the online Sustento Institute and is a former market trader turned sustainable economics thinker – and a very good one (thinker, not trader).

Last night he held a public film evening (‘The Economics of Happiness’) which was attended by 115, and at the end of which I spoke and a discussion followed.

It was a good evening. He is prepared to do something similar in Wellington and I recommend that James discuss this with Raf.

We’re now planning to invite Raf to a lunch for the broader Chch BizPro group on Monday, October 3.

He will address the question: ‘How to survive the global financial and ecological crises (crisis): Tips for political parties’.

I’m inclined to think we should have this at the Green Office (finger food lunch), rather than at a café or restaurant – less expensive and noisy. That will be confirmed.

I encourage all Chch members of BizPro to come to this – he’s a thoughtful and articulate analyst, and it is an important topic.

Ian IConIC

2011-09-22T16:43:00.001+12:00

After six months of trying we finally achieved a meeting with Minister Brownlee this afternoon. The meeting ran from about 2.35 until nearly 4.00pm, although it was originally anticipated that it would end at 3.15pm. In terms of time we received a good hearing, although the Minister remains committed to a minimal intervention approach and is totally unwilling to encroach on individual property rights. There seems to be almost no interest in the public good dimension around heritage that justifies, on the one hand, public assistance for those who seek to retain heritage, and a measure of control on the demolition of heritage on the other, even in a post disaster situation.

He did state, at one point, that it was his personal view that the Provincial Buildings should be restored, but he is clearly unwilling to make a public statement to that effect, even though he is prepared to make strong statements about building owners and insurers whose wrangles are delaying progress on demolitions.

Although we were undable to cover the full range of issues we would have liked to discuss, we have left a list of those issues with the Minister and we hope that his officials will address at least some of these items in the coming days and weeks. I think it is fair to say that the meeting was as productive as we could have reasonable hoped for, and more useful than some of us anticipated.

The fact that we had the meeting at all was due to the persistence of our co-chair, Brendon Burns, and we certainly appreciate his efforts to achieve this milestone for IConIC. Brendon, however, took the occassion of this afternoon's meeting to indicate that the time has arrived for him to step down from his chairing role. I think everyone involved with IConIC will want me to thank Brendon for his efforts both on behalf of heritage in Chirstchurch but also to recognise his efforts to save as much of our built environment as possible over the last seven months. Irrespective of our individual political alliegences, I'm sure we all wish Brendon well as he seeks a further term as Christchurch Central MP. We hope he will continue to attend IConIC meetings as time allows.

There will be an opportunity to discuss today's meeeting next Monday, when we should also be thinking about our response to the CERA recovery strategy. Please consider this message as being your reminder for that meeting. I'm off to Oamaru for a couple of days to look at heritage buildings with my Honours students. I think this is what is known as a bus-man's holiday.

Cheers

Ian
--
IConIC
Interests in Conserving the Identity of Christchurch

Thank you also to all those who attended the meeting today for their contributions towards putting our case to the minister.

Auckland's success is no laughing matter

2011-09-20T18:04:00.000+12:00

A sense of humour has a place in politics. (http://www.ColinJames.co.nz)

So savour the government's sense of humour: it said a provincial coastal town up north could run a nation-promoting event beamed round the world.

And savour Auckland mayor Len Brown's sense of humour: he said Murray McCully might have been collegial, collaborative and thoughtful of others in his takeover of that event after some opening night miscues.

Both McCully and John Key kept up the humour by saying they were not pointing the finger, while shunting Mayor Brown. They said the bit the government ran worked fine (cancelled ferry sailings from their wharf were not their business).

General Debate - The Future of Christchurch

2011-09-15T14:40:00.003+12:00

In May I addressed the crisis we are facing in Christchurch following the February earthquake. I said then that knowing the challenges ahead of us in what was the new normal, we needed to engender a sense of hope in the community. Since then I have convened a series of public forums in Christchurch, marrying local expertise and civic engagement to develop a vision of a future 21st century eco-city.

In August I released my report, The Future of Christchurch, with copies going to Minister Brownlee and the parliamentary forum, Environment Canterbury, the city council, and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority. I thanked the Government for its commendation of the report when I tabled it in Parliament recently.

My report contains 26 recommendations identifying four overarching goals. They are resilience, sustainability, harmony, and beauty. This parallels the council's own plan, which conveys a green message from the people of Christchurch about the kind of city they want. But my report goes further and wider, because a necessary condition of a sustainable, harmonious, and beautiful city is its resilience, and resilience requires us to think ahead.

Riverside Community Group as part of its rally

2011-09-12T14:17:00.001+12:00

My thoughts are as follows:

“We will not accept the offers from CERA or insurance companies until:

1. “Insurance companies honour Full Replacement policies for homes that are due for demolition in the Red Zone”. Comment: That is a contractual issue between homeowners and insurers. The political issue, to the extent there is one, is to ensure that insurance companies are not fraudulently interpreting their contractual obligations (e.g. ‘full replacement’ v. ‘building to code’; replacement but only on existing (red-zoned) site….). Those are probably better for the legal profession than the politicians, though if there appeared to be a pattern of behaviour emerging, them the Green Party ought to intervene.

2. “RVs are reviewed where there is significant and demonstrable undervaluation”.

Welfare, Climate Change, Food Prices

2011-08-19T15:43:00.000+12:00

Series 2011, Episode 26

17 Aug 2011 | 0:44:06 | Classification: PGR

Wallace Chapman, Damian Christie, the Back Benches Panel and special guests discuss the week's hottest topics!

GENERAL

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Tribute to Sir Paul Reeves - Dr Kennedy Graham - Notice of Motion

2011-08-18T15:44:00.002+12:00

This nation mourns the death of Sir Paul Reeves. Put simply, a tōtara has fallen in the forest. But the occasion of his passing, although deeply sad to us all, is not tragic; rather, it is a cause for national celebration of a long life uniquely well lived. Sir Paul led as large a life as was possible—full of fun, laughter, love, and achievement. His personal fulfilment, and thus his contribution, was both spiritual and secular.

2011-08-11T21:11:00.002+12:00

Summary of Christchurch rebuild report

The future of Christchurch

2011-08-11T21:08:00.001+12:00

Report for a 21st century City

Christchurch city rebuild

2011-08-11T21:06:00.000+12:00

City Life Tuesday 12 July 2011

Vote Energy - Estimates Debate in Committee - Dr Kennedy Graham

2011-08-10T21:12:00.001+12:00

The energy estimates in front of us reflect, I believe, a particular mindset on the part of this Government. The highest stated priority of the Government is to build a stronger economy, which will provide jobs, higher incomes, and improved living standards.

Dr Kennedy Graham tribute to Norway - Notice of Motion

2011-08-03T20:58:00.001+12:00

This 49^th Parliament has, I believe, had more than the usual share of grief. We have stood in silence over tragedies in Haiti, in Afghanistan, Chile, Australia, Tonga, Poland, and Japan. Here at home we have mourned Pike River and, of course, Christchurch. We know, all of us in this House, what it is to come together to unite in a moment of grief and pay tribute. Yet we have not encountered these past 2 years the depth of evil that characterised the massacre last week in Norway.

The Lignite Mirror Maze

2011-07-15T12:27:00.000+12:00

Enter here at your own risk, into the world of Solid Energy, the NZ Cabinet and the Parliament from which it is derived. Lignite is what unites us, except that it divides us.

Once inside you are in a hall of mirrors where, under the tutelage of Lewis Carroll, nothing is as it seems.

Yesterday I thought I was asking questions, not of the Minister of Energy but of the Acting Minister. The real minister is preoccupied, understandably, with seismic duty to the south. Being an inhabitant of that region, I understand.
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Dr Kennedy Graham to the Minister of Energy: Lignite, Solid Energy and Climate Change

2011-07-15T12:18:00.001+12:00

Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM to the Acting Minister of Energy and Resources: Does she agree with the Prime Minister, who said "companies like Solid Energy are growth companies and we want them to expand in areas like lignite conversion"?
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Coalition with Greens possible - Goff

2011-07-13T14:14:00.001+12:00

EXPAND

Labour Party leader Phil Goff. Photo / NZ Herald

Labour has opened the door to a formal coalition with the Greens if it wins the election.

The Greens have never been in Government and were not wanted by the last Labour Government, but party leader Phil Goff said today that would change.

"I'd anticipate in the Labour-led government that the leaders of the Green Party, which would be a coalition partner, would have ministerial positions," he told reporters.

Budget Debate 2011: Dr Kennedy Graham: A Green Vision of an (Sustainable) Economy

2011-06-08T13:41:00.006+12:00

This year's Budget is essentially more of the same: a traditional neoclassical Budget in a time of national austerity. Let me critique it from a Green perspective, and offer an alternative, ecological Budget in a time of global crisis.

The 49th Parliament has passed 224 Acts in 30 months. These Acts reflect the Government's world view to make New Zealand a better place as it sees it. What stands apart in importance for every Government and every Parliament is the annual Budget, which sets the course for a country's macroeconomic policy.
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Extract from draft minutes of 2011 Green Party AGM:

2011-06-07T11:34:00.009+12:00

Extract from draft minutes of 2011 Green Party AGM:
This AGM:
1. Overall political positioning
Agrees that, until such time as we are in a position to lead a government, the Green Party will campaign on the basis of the following political position:
(i) The Green Party is an independent and distinct party, which in order to urgently advance Green Party policy goals, will attempt to work constructively with, and challenge, whichever party leads the government after an election;
(ii) To enable any party or parties to form a government, we would need significant progress on Green Party environmental, economic and social policies, and initiatives that give effect to the Green Party Charter.

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Effect of Proposed Lignite Mining Projects on Green House Gas Emissions - Dr Kennedy Graham

2011-06-01T16:14:00.006+12:00

Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM to the Minister of Energy and Resources: By how many tonnes would Solid Energy's proposed lignite projects in Southland increase New Zealand's gross greenhouse gas emissions in 2020?

Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister of Energy and Resources) : I understand that this morning Solid Energy informed the Commerce Committee that depending on the scale of technology used, gross emissions could be 10 million to 20 million tonnes per annum. I also understand that Solid Energy has said on many occasions that taking full responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions is a key consideration in its lignite developments and it expects its lignite-based plants to achieve full carbon compliance.
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Solid Energy defends its lignite proposals by Claire Browning

2011-06-01T16:09:00.003+12:00

In which Solid Energy defends its lignite proposals before a Parliamentary select committee, defines sustainability loosely, and fails to define some other things at all, except the megabucks

I sat in on Parliament's financial review of Solid Energy yesterday, and heard CEO Dr Don Elder tell the committee that his company — whoops, our company — meets New Zealand’s, and the world’s, sustainability expectations.

That’s sustainability as redefined by Solid Energy.

Southland has, said Elder, world-scale quantity and quality of lignite. On today’s prices, let alone projected future prices, it would earn trillions and squillions of dollars, with which might be bought: hip operations, teachers, rural broadband rollouts galore. A pony from Santa for every child for Christmas. That kind of thing.

I didn’t write the dollar-numbers down. I tried, but the CEO had the bit between his teeth, and he was galloping.
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Green Party announces Confirmed list of ranked candidates for the 2011 election

2011-05-31T22:15:00.004+12:00

1 Metiria Turei
2 Russel Norman
3 Kevin Hague
4 Catherine Delahunty
5 Kennedy Graham
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The Treasury and big Green hopes

2011-05-31T22:10:00.002+12:00

Colin James's column for the Otago Daily Times for 31 May 2011

The Greens last week celebrated the Treasury's venture into wider measures of wellbeing. Come November 26, will they be celebrating their own broader support?

"This is one of the best news stories in my living memory," Green MP Kennedy Graham enthused about the Treasury's "higher living standards" paper, which sets up a "framework" for a wider assessment of prosperity encompassing social and environmental factors in addition to economic measures.

"Our singular focus on growing gross domestic product (national production) has concealed the related decline in other measures of our prosperity, like the rapidly declining quality of water in our rivers and lakes or the record growth in inequality. If we change the measure, we're likely to change the outcome," Graham said. "It is a good start."
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Earthquake 9.3.11 - Question 5: Dr Kennedy Graham to the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

2011-05-31T17:43:00.004+12:00

Earthquake funding Question 8: Dr Kennedy Graham to the Minister of Finance

2011-05-31T17:42:00.004+12:00

Signs of Change - Keynote - Kennedy Graham - Part 2

2011-05-31T17:39:00.001+12:00

Signs of Change - Keynote - Kennedy Graham - Part 1

2011-05-31T17:37:00.000+12:00

"My vote is for Ecan"

2011-05-31T16:58:00.003+12:00

In his general debate speech on Wednesday, Green MP Kennedy Graham launched a blistering attack on the government's plans to overthrow Canterbury's elected regional council and replace it with an appointed dictator:

the Creech report is a shoddy piece of work and fails rudimentary tests of professional standards. First, the report lacks intellectual integrity. It criticises Environment Canterbury for being science-driven and not science-informed. The Creech report is politically-driven and not politically-informed. If it were politically informed, it would acknowledge that democracy is bigger than business; that the subsidiarity principle is bigger than government; and that one does not replace elected councillors with appointees of central government, just because they are making decisions one might not like. That is political arrogance of the highest order.
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E-Can Speech

2011-05-31T16:01:00.003+12:00

Mr Speaker,
The Green Party strongly opposes this Bill – the Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Bill.

This Bill may come to mark an historic occasion – which may live on in infamy in the annals of this Parliament.

Last week in General Debate I advanced a critique of the Creech Report and its recommendations. I do not wish to repeat myself here. Suffice to say that the report was politically-driven and not politically-informed, and failed basic standards of organisational and managerial professionalism.
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Ken Graham - ENGAGING AN MP CRITIC OF AFGHAN COMBAT OPS

2011-05-15T22:28:00.003+12:00

1. (SBU) Summary. On July 15, Charge lunched with freshman Green
Party MP Dr. Kennedy Graham, a former NZ and UN diplomat who recently
questioned the legitimacy of Operation Enduring Freedom in the New
Zealand Parliament. At lunch, Graham eloquently displayed his
extensive knowledge and understanding of global affairs, particularly
climate change and international law. An evident multilateralist,
Graham remained strong in his assertion that a government must, above
all, consider international law when embarking on national action to
advance global security and revealed he has sponsored legislation to
that end. Graham may be a moderating influence on his frequently
radical party. His contribution to party discussion could yield more
pragmatic policy positions which could, in turn, allow for closer
relations with NZ's two biggest parties, the more mainstream National
and Labour. The meeting with Graham was highly positive and
established the makings of a constructive relationship. End Summary.

General Debate - Canterbury Earthquake Recovery - Dr Kennedy Graham

2011-05-11T22:26:00.003+12:00

I rise to address the situation in Christchurch and the plight of the people of my city as we head into winter.

Two and a half months after the devastation that rocked and racked New Zealand's second-largest city, Christchurch remains in a strange psychological state, essentially one of suspended animation. We have survived, most of us, the immediate crisis of the death and destruction, the liquefaction, and the deprivation of power, water, and sewerage. We have mourned our dead, apologised to other nations, straightened our backs, shut down the inner city, restored basic services, shared education facilities, and established a new Government agency for the rebuild, with extraordinary powers given to the Minister. Now is the time to plan for the rebuild.
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Green Business Network

2011-05-11T22:21:00.002+12:00

The Green Business network (GB) is a group for Green Party members who are business people, or supporters of sustainable business practice. All Green Party members who have an active interest in the business sector are welcome to join.
The Green Party has a substantive policy base which we will support by networking and strengthening the links between the business sector and the Green Party. The Group will also inform and educate our Green members about the critical role business plays in our economy, ways to embed better business practice, and other opportunities for positive engagement. The Network will highlight the breadth of business models available and the ways they can address sustainability, including cooperatives, social enterprise, SMEs and larger corporates.
See : Sustainable Business Policy Summary

Key Principles
• Support and educate businesses to adopt sustainability as a core value
• Protect business from outright competition with products and services from countries with poor human and worker rights records and with poor environmental practices
• Encourage public and private investment in sustainable businesses
• Promote public recognition and pride in New Zealand companies
• Support New Zealand's manufacturing base
• Make it easier for businesses to invest in appropriate technology and research
• Make compliance easier, especially for small and medium enterprises

GB will establish an email list, a Facebook page and will meet on occasion (typically at scheduled party events) to plan activities and to network.
David Clendon is the MP responsible for Sustainable Business

Guyon Espiner: Greens' private battle for public acceptance

2011-05-10T22:17:00.005+12:00

The Greens probably don't get the media attention they deserve.

As Parliament's third largest party, and the only minor party consistently polling above the 5% threshold, they are serious, long term political players.

Perhaps too serious for the media at times, to be honest.

The struggle for control of the Act party or the fight between the Maori and Mana parties has the drama and tension news editors understandably look for when putting together appealing newspapers and news bulletins.
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Greens Kennedy Graham on government Energy Strategy

2011-05-04T22:53:00.003+12:00

Dr Kennedy Graham interviewed by TV 7 on New National Government Energy Strategy

3rd Reading- Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Bill - Dr Kennedy Graham

2011-04-15T22:34:00.010+12:00

Quake: CERA Bill - 3rd Reading - Ken Graham Speech

This is a rather historic moment. Apart from in wartime New Zealand I think we are passing into law arguably the most Draconian legislation ever passed by a New Zealand Parliament. I do not wish to be melodramatic, but we have experienced a dramatic event, and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Bill is a dramatic bill. It has generated much heat, yet only occasionally some light—but enough light—to shine a faint torch on what we are doing here today. This bill is a dusty mirror to who we are as a society. It raises issues of an underlying nature, I think, about our national identity, our national style, and our beliefs, and I shall say more about that later. In the meantime let me make three points.
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Come and have your say about the rebuild of our city.

2011-04-13T22:38:00.003+12:00

I am hosting a Public Forum on Wednesday 20th April at 7pm.

This meeting focuses principally on the rebuild of the inner city, and is the first of three meetings.

I have enlisted various recognized experts to assist including Di Lucas (ILFA), Suzanne Valance (LU), Jasper van der Lingen (NZIA), Prof Andy Buchanan (UC), Chris Kissling (LU) and Andrew Dakers (EcoEng).

Within the forum, we will address issues of land, urban design, architecture, water and transport.

Please join me and have your say on the future of our city.

When: Wednesday 20th April, 7pm
Where: Christchurch Netball Centre, South Hagley Park

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Bill - Dr Kennedy Graham - 1st Reading

2011-04-12T22:41:00.008+12:00

Of course none of us wanted this. We did not want the event of 22 February. We did not want the devastation. We did not want and never expected to have legislation of this kind before our House.

I speak with some emotion, having lived in the city through the past 7 months. I have experienced the sheer drama of death and destruction around us. I have organised volunteer groups into the suburbs to shovel and doorknock, and initiated fundraising for food delivery to those in need. I have attended the heart-wrenching memorial services for the dead. I have entered my office to retrieve equipment still cordoned inside a drop zone. I have visited civil defence headquarters on an almost daily basis. Just last week I toured the devastated red zone—a visually searing experience that simply breaks one's heart. Yet the emotion all of us in Christchurch feel over this event must be separated from our perception of the legislation before us and our responsibility to be true to the basic principles of democratic society as we know it in this country. Not only is the Christchurch disaster unprecedented but so is this legislation.
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VISION CHRISTCHURCH - Resilient and Sustainable Public Forums for Re-envisioning our City

2011-04-10T22:45:00.003+12:00

The city of Christchurch has been devastated by the February ’11 earthquake. In the rebuild, it is vital that the people of the city have proper engagement. Decisions must not be left to central government to make without adequate public consultation and input. We have a unique opportunity here to develop a strategic vision for a new city based on 21st century values and technology.
This first of a series of three public forums invites the public to make that input into the future of Christchurch. We suggest that three principles be recognised:
- community resilience
- risk management
- ecological integrity
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Peering into the Abyss: The Red Zone of Christchurch

2011-04-08T22:47:00.008+12:00

In a very compelling sense, I never really wanted this.

Under the custodianship of the National Controller and a USAR colleague, I entered the Red Zone today. Frustrated at the political machinations of inter-party politics, I requested a one-on-one visit and, to my surprise, was given it. Adorned with hard hat and jacket, and having signed away my life, in we went.

Today I peered directly into the abyss that is the broken heart of Christchurch.

Along with all others I have seen the photographs that have circumnavigated the world. And I have, since week 1, been in the yellow zone that includes my office and the Art Gallery, almost on a daily basis. I know how crumpled buildings look. I know what it is to sense death among the rubble.

Yet nothing prepares you for the inner city.
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Media Advisory: Green Party MP sets up mobile office in Christchurch

2011-03-29T23:07:00.001+13:00

What: Green Party MP Kennedy Graham has set up his parliamentary office in a mobile home which will be moving around Christchurch to meet people and see how he and his office can be off assistance.

When: Until Kennedy Graham’s office in Christchurch is repaired or a suitable alternative can be found.
Where: Moving around Christchurch
Who: Green Party Spokesperson for the Christchurch Earthquake Kennedy Graham

The Green Party office in downtown Durham Street was damaged in the earthquake and is currently unusable. As an interim measure Christchurch based Green MP Kennedy Graham has set up his office in a mobile home.

Dr Graham and staff will be based in the office and will organise a series of rolling meetings throughout the city with Green Party members and the public to listen to their concerns.

Greeting the Christchurch Office, Nervously

2011-03-18T23:00:00.002+13:00

Outside the Green office

It is one of life’s ironies to pillage your own office. But that is what the gods of wrath have done to us. I trust we do not do time for our discretionary executive action yesterday.

The cordon around the Christchurch CBD has shrunk, and my office now sits just outside it, one building north of the Durham/Armagh intersection. Thursday we were given approval to approach and enter.

Imagining a green manifesto

2011-03-17T23:03:00.002+13:00

by Claire Browning

The Greens’ policy platform needs as much rebuilding as any other party’s, to make it strong and sustainable

When I was a child, before I put away childish things, about, well, a year or so ago, I used to think that eventually, if I kept my ears open, the Greens would explain themselves to me; if I kept my eyes open, I would figure them out. They had a communications problem, I thought.
I was wrong. Communication is not the problem. In fact, I think that the Greens present a pretty true picture of themselves, and get reported pretty accurately, on the whole.

Loaves and Fishes, in Christchurch

2011-03-17T22:56:00.003+13:00

Well, OK, it was not fishes. But it was 315 loaves of bread, freshly baked by Breads of Europe (thanks, Larry ) of the Christchurch Farmers Market. We’d ordered 300. He threw in an extra 15.

And it was Westwood’s free-range chickens (thanks, Pete). We’d ordered about 20 and he’d thrown in extras. Then there were several cartons of sausages (99% meat), bacon and other meat, supplied by Cressy Farm (thanks, Spencer and Jacqui). And peppers – green and red capsicum. And potatoes and pumpkins grown by Steve.

And, with a touch of class, 30 fresh croissants baked by Jeremy, and 42 quiches baked by Essex Specialty Baker (thanks, Ingrid), discounted massively in each case. Made your mouth water, even after breakfast.

We ordered all this for the Farmers’ Market. The Market is a joy unto itself. It convenes every Saturday morning, next to Dean’s Bush, beside Riccarton House, alongside the Avon – so redolent of a tranquil and beautiful Christchurch, as it was, and still is, in that tiny quarter of the city. Except for the ugly scar that runs between the footpath in front of the House and the river – carved into Mother Earth by the god of wrath three weeks ago. And the house itself that has taken the inevitable hit.

Jamie Bennet has almost single-handedly developed the Market over 5 years from nothing into a pulsating, beautiful Saturday morning village with music and coffee, fun and friendship, and healthy food to purchase. He deserves a medal. In lieu, his business received an earthquake that could wipe him out.

So we had raised over $2,000 the previous Saturday at the Market from personal donations. Further non-market contributions brought it to $4,000. Last Saturday we spent three-quarters of it on healthy food – ordered for Wednesday. It duly turned up on our driveway that morning.

Meanwhile, I have acquired, courtesy of Parliamentary Services, a mobile office, since mine faces a mysterious future on Durham Street, next to the rubble that was the Methodist Mission Church, diagonally from the twisted ruin of the Provincial Chambers, and adjacent to the corner gymnasium that has a distinct, terminal, lean.

My mobile office is, in its other incarnation, a camper van, but it has acquired a political purpose later in life, rather like me. It is a huge beast of the road. We have quickly come to understand, if not exactly love, one another.

So, into the office went the food. And off into the post-quake traffic and over, into and occasionally above, the post-quake roads of Christchurch, the Green team cheerfully swung.

The idea was Marilyn’s. But Bruce has acted as planner, accounts manager and quarter-master, playing each role with consummate skill. I am his assistant. Claire is, temporarily, mine. Anne and Angela are the guardian angels – of the food, not us. First things first.

We dropped the food off at the Women’s Refuge Centre, the City Mission, the Waipuna Trust, the Salvation Army, the Agape Trust and the Parklands Baptist Welfare Centre.

There is something deeply bonding about supplying food to people in need. Words are few; yet communication is intimate. The experience penetrates the human psyche.

I certainly learnt much from the recipients of the food – givers of love and charity to the people.

If this is what politics is about, I welcome it. If this is what the earthquake has wrought, let us show we are not daunted.

At Last, the Tears

2011-03-15T15:33:00.002+13:00

First it was the shock. Then it was the shovelling, then the door-knocking, then the food delivery and ‘informal’ counselling. We have tried, in our myriad ways, to help. Adrenalin relentlessly drove us through the early climactic days. The sheer intensity of physical effort successfully kept the emotions at bay.

That can never last, nor should it. Today the emotion came, sweeping over us all like a tsunami.

A memorial service was held at Burnside High yesterday, for the victims from just one tragic address – the CTV building. Even more specifically, the staff and students of King’s Education, the language school housed on the 3^rd floor.

Out of the 180 presumed dead across the city, 80 (71 students, 9 staff) are from King’s Education alone. Five staff, all 71 students, were foreign citizens. 28 were from Japan. New Zealand was, effectively, remembering the visitors among us – they who chose this land for the opportunity of a lifetime.

A mournful flute caresses the faces of cheerful students, recently deceased, their trusting smiles beamed onto a giant screen before a packed, and hushed, auditorium.

Ngāi Tahu’s Mark Solomon gives the whakatau. Dean Peter Beck officiates (“This is so hard”.) Mayor Bob Parker apologises to the world for the anger of Papatuanuku.

We all pray.

Prue Taylor, widow of deceased head of the school, Brian, reads the lesson – dignity and beauty personified in the moment of grief. Two pākehā men, members of the Board, struggle through their tributes – Southern men, constricted of throat. Pui Mungkorn, a recent graduate, bids farewell to four Thai compatriots in beautiful, halting English. Margaret Aydon, staff survivor, bespeaks her love for nine colleagues.

Yet it is the music that brings on the tears. Graeme Wardop’s Let It Be – my very own vintage. Once the tears come, they just roll on of their own accord. Emily Twemlow sings You Are My Sunshine – the school favourite. She staggers back, flops into her chair, wracked with sobbing.

Gerardo Torres, of Peru, sings a song of farewell to his sister Elsa, head teacher, deceased. Raw Latin emotion sweeps over New Zealand’s cosmopolitan crowd.

I speak later with Chan, Malaysian Kiwi who provided homestays for King’s students. On Monday 21^st, he had introduced four young Filipina women to King’s Education. They had registered, taken tests, and got themselves ready for their first day of tuition in English on the Tuesday. Tuesday, 22^nd, they had duly turned up. Day 1 was their last.

Chan himself had been in the building that morning to see the Director, and had walked out at 11.30 a.m., into the fresh air.

And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
There will be an answer, let it be.

Coordination between central government agencies, local council, and NGOs, in the response to the Canterbury earthquake? Dr Kennedy Graham

2011-03-09T15:39:00.002+13:00

Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM to the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery: Is he satisfied that there is enough coordination between central government agencies, local council, and non-governmental organisations in the response to the earthquake?

Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery) on behalf of the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery: Yes. One example is the coordinated effort by Ministry of Social Development staff, non-governmental organisations like the Salvation Army, community groups, and 400 volunteers in canvassing more than 70,000 houses in the suburbs most affected by the quake, to check on the well-being and safety of residents. A second example is the head of the UK urban search and rescue team, Peter Crook, being quoted in the New Zealand Herald as saying about the emergency response: "The organisation has been outstanding, the best-organised emergency I've been to." However, as in any disaster of this magnitude, there will always be examples of situations where coordination could have been improved. But the Minister is assured that civil defence is doing its upmost to work with the city council and central government agencies to respond to the disaster. That is what the declaration of a state of national emergency is designed to do.

Dr Kennedy Graham: Is he concerned about the focus of effort between the central business district and the eastern suburbs? Has a fair balance been struck between the two?

Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON: Based on all the evidence I have seen, I can say a very fair balance has been struck.

Dr Kennedy Graham: What steps is he taking to ensure that vulnerable people in the east of Christchurch, some of whom already live below the poverty line, will not be pushed over the edge by this crisis?

Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON: I think that yesterday I indicated the number of civil defence grants that have been paid out to people, and the number of emergency subsidies towards housing that have been paid out. I am absolutely confident that if anybody is in dire straits and does need help, it is there. I made the offer yesterday that if any Canterbury member—because I think those members were all supplied with direct phone lines to the national coordinator—knows of a specific example that we have missed, the member should please not hesitate to let somebody know, and the issue will get dealt to.

Dr Kennedy Graham: I thank the Minister for that response. Having attended meetings this morning in the east, I will get back to him on that. Has he attended any local community meetings in the eastern suburbs; if not, will he accompany me to my next meeting?

Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON: The Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery is spending nearly all his time in Christchurch, and hence I can say that yes, he will have. I am doing most of the Wellington-end work, so although I have visited the place and been into the central business district and seen some of the devastation of the buildings, I have not attended any of those meetings.

Dr Kennedy Graham: Will the proposed central agency that is designed to handle the earthquake listen to the people of Christchurch by having their representatives involved in decision making?

Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON: I think as time unfolds, the member will realise that a number of issues have to be dealt with right there and then, immediately. When any human life is involved and a building is causing a risk, a decision that would normally be taken over several weeks may have to be made in that minute. But I give an assurance that where life is not at risk, or human safety is not at risk, a measured, careful process of making decisions will be followed.

Dr Kennedy Graham: Will all the information that the central agency uses for decisions be made available to the public?

Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON: It would be a bold call for me to answer that all of the information would be. Where it is possible, information will be made available to the public..

Dr Kennedy Graham: Will the Government consider a cross-party group with direct advisory powers into Cabinet for the Christchurch rebuild?

Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON: I am really reluctant to give answers about anything of a hypothetical nature into the future, because a lot of decisions are yet to be taken on this track. I assure the member there is a long, long way to go. We will be working on this issue for a very long time, so I cannot speculate on what may occur into the future.

Dr Kennedy Graham: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. With respect, the question was specific. It was not asking for speculation in the future but asking whether the Government will consider doing that now.

Mr SPEAKER: I think the Minister indicated that the Government is not prepared to do that; otherwise he would have said yes. Although the Minister may not have used those precise words, he has not jumped to his feet to say the Speaker's interpretation was wrong.

Greens get out to hard hit Christchurch suburbs

2011-03-09T15:37:00.001+13:00

Seeing the destruction of Christchurch has been tough for Ilam based Green MP Dr Kennedy Graham. Kennedy and many Cantabrian Green Party members have been doing their best to regroup and organise help for Christchurch residents. These Green teams have been going door to door offering what assistance they can - concentrating on the hard hit eastern suburbs.

Heroes (Heroines) I Have (Recently) Known

2011-03-06T15:44:00.000+13:00

A hero(ine) is defined as a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for one’s brave deeds and noble qualities. I know, now, who they are and why. Let me count the ways.

We have become, in Christchurch, a tale of two cities. Out west, we are relatively unaffected and seek to help. In the east, the CBD and the south, we are devastated and struggling to survive. There lies a natural, if tragic, marriage of interest. My heroes and heroines fall into these two categories.

They Who Struggle to Survive

Barry of New Brighton, who has been acting as a street-leader, acquiring a generator early on, linking homes for power by cable, establishing an out-door food and water distribution centre, appealing (through me) for gas coupons and port-a-loos, and devoting a large fraction of his personal money to kick-start his community’s local relief effort.

Daphne of Dallington, who, in her mid-70s, survived an eruption of liquefaction that snapped her concrete living-room floor in two as she sat there, a swirl that also poured in through the front door and enveloped her to knee-level, and who, unable to get out that way, negotiated her way through the back and out through the garage. She continued to live in her house for ten days, with putrefied carpet and thick mud to accompanying odour, until being relocated by friends to the safety of the western suburbs. She has remained indomitable through this ordeal, confining herself to the observation that her relatively new home was ‘just a building’ and that what is important is life itself. She was recently widowed.

Another heroine around the corner whom I met and whose name I have, mid-70s, with cancer and a husband with a serious heart condition, unable to leave the house, eking out a post-quake life on food brought in, concerned more for her husband than herself, asking only for water, milk and bread, and the continuing monitoring of their medical team, but prepared to continue living where they do; asking for nothing more, remaining proud.

Andrea of New Brighton, pleading over a three-day period for a port-a-loo to service two families with five kids, in a manner that was unfalteringly intense, urgent, persistent and courteous.

They Who Seek to Help

Bruce Tulloch, who works around the clock, combining compassion, energy, foresight and stamina to the myriad tasks of network building between east and west, food and water storage and delivery, food cooking (with Doreen), fund-raising, and sign-writing.

Ashley Robinson, who does much the same (with Stella), with the added brilliance of tuning in to Concert Radio so we could hear Thomas Tallis as we drove through the dusted Hell that was Wednesday’s nor’wester.

Suzanne and Jane, who attend the MP hotline for trouble-shooting with unfailing efficiency, courtesy and good cheer.

The Heirloom Boys (Jim and Logan) who run My Garden Ltd, producing the greatest organic vegetables known to mankind, who donated much of it to our Green volunteer cause on Saturday.

Mark and Annabel Roulston, with their Loburn orchard which produces the tastiest and crispest organic apples in the world (hyperbole is in order for this blog) and who donated/discounted 140 kg just like that.

Jamie, Sam and Holly, of Christchurch Farmers Market, who have deserved an honour for some time for developing the glorious market at Riccarton Bush each Saturday, and who assisted with the Green fund-raiser Saturday morning that effortlessly raised $2,061.50 within a few hours.

All the Green volunteers who have devoted time and energy and camaraderie to our humanitarian ventures out east, and those non-members who were happy to pitch in with us – especially the mother-daughter combinations: Judy and Rosie; Jackie and Olivia.

Sam Johnson, Richard Evans and their student colleagues for their remarkable feats of organization and group energy in spade work and leaflet-dropping, showing the special spirit that only youth can display in times of crisis. Thank God for youth.

None of these people – and there are others I could name — asked for, or expected, anything. Nor possibly will they receive any official acknowledgement. But they represent the best of the human spirit, and to them, I simply say – you are the heroes and heroines in my life, in this place, at this time.

'Horrendous' stories in the eastern suburbs - Green MP

2011-03-04T15:48:00.000+13:00

Some of the stories coming out of the eastern suburbs of Christchurch are “horrendous” says Green Party earthquake recovery spokesman Kennedy Graham.
Speaking to Mike McRoberts outside the Civil Defence hub this morning, Mr Graham says he has spent the last week organising Green Party volunteers to assist the student army in going door-to-door in the suburbs to see if there are people inside.
“If all you are doing is leafleting into letterboxes you will not know if there is humanitarian need behind the door,” he says.
The stories of people in need, especially the elderly are “horrendous”, Mr Graham says.
Half of the houses in the eastern suburbs are empty – whether temporarily or permanently – the other half are either badly damaged or occupied by self-sufficient residents.
Watch Mike McRoberts’ full interview with Kennedy Graham, who shares some of the stories coming out of the eastern suburbs

Grade "D" liquefaction

2011-03-03T15:53:00.000+13:00

n my last blog post, about 100 years ago, I graded liquefaction into three qualities.

Grade A, I ventured, was the best – pure black sand, easy to shovel. B was heavy and wet, but (relatively, apparently, perhaps) clean. C was the worst, sludge mixed with sewerage.

I can now report a fourth grade of liquefaction. Grade D appeared in the last few days. Whether it is worse or better than C is a matter of taste, as it were. Grade D is moon-dust, come here to land on our planet, via some mysterious route through Middle Earth.

Grade D is as light as dust can be. It is a deathly light-grey. It lies before you, seemingly innocuous, ready to display your moon-print – one small step… until, that is, a grader passes or a puff of wind stirs it into a raging beast that goes for the nostrils. The nostrils are no match – with no evolutionary defence mechanism. We’d become extinct if this kept up for long.

We have had our share of Grade D these past few days, but yesterday’s nor’wester goaded it into surpassing itself beyond all understanding. In Dallington, our team of seven volunteers braved the streets of thick silt-dust, flung into the air by heavy machinery and the whipping wind. We knew what we were in for, driving in, as the cars driving out turned off their lights. Face masks helped but did not totally prevent seepage into the lungs. The eyes were always fair game. Half-an-hour and you’re straining, three hours and you’re ready to stage a retreat.

The past five days, we have moved from shovelling to leafleting to door-knocking, to door-knocking with food. I hope that doesn’t seem too upwardly mobile. The last activity is time-consuming but justified. Humanitarian need hides behind closed doors. Once encountered, it hides behind defiant human pride. Half the homes are deserted, many permanently. Of the remainder, maybe half are occupied by people who can cope – the middle-aged who are preparing to leave. The rest are the elderly and the infirm, and we’ve met a few. Without door-knocking, the world would not know of them.

We have arranged for water tankers to be relocated, for port-a-loos to be located, for cooked food and potable water to be delivered, for gas coupons to be distributed, for books to be handed over to relieve the tedium of home detention and the pain of a wrenching fear. We do not claim big miracles; tiny ones are sufficient.

The pride of the dispossessed wrenches at the emotions. The elderly come to the door. One has cancer, and her husband a heart condition. Another is recently widowed. Others remain fearful of eye. They hesitate when offered food. They have never accepted a hand-out before. They are proud of their past, and do not wish to lower their standards of self-reliance. They are the counterpoints to the looters roaming not far from where they live – in the primordial balance of good and evil that comprises human nature.

But they accept the offering and their eyes light up. Then they talk – telling tales of adversity and challenge, a week ago, a half-century ago. In earlier times, they had triumphed. Today, they are less sure. They are old, now. We reassure them. They thank us, with a superior wisdom and knowledge.

We do what we can, here in Christchurch. We shall rebuild. We shall have great challenges ahead, great decisions to make. We shall argue and oppose, and fall out with out each other over different judgements in the great human project that is democratic life. But the rebuilding will proceed.

Yet that is for the future. For now, for the present, this moment, we are one, at least down here where the wind blows and the moon-dust stirs. We shall remain one until the last body has been recovered, the last human fragment retrieved, the last funeral observed, the last body laid to rest, the final soul freed to soar to the heavens. Until that time, our small band, and the tens of thousands of others – the farmers and the students, the rescue teams and the army and the police, the counsellors and the officials – all of us will continue to perform tiny miracles together. We shall not be daunted by this greatest of natural disasters.

Tuesday report:

2011-03-01T15:54:00.000+13:00

Tuesday report:
A group of five of us from the Green Party went into Parklands today. Thanks to Marilyn, Anne, Dot and Liz. Thanks also to Nick, a local in Parklands, too. Thanks to Dave Hill for alerting us to the needs of Parklands community centred on the Baptist Church on Queens Park Drive.

We went in, armed with 140 kg of apples that Marilyn and I had purchased wholesale price from an orchard near Loburn last night. Thanks to Annabel and Mark Roulston -- friends and suppliers at the Canterbury Farmers' Market.

We linked up with the Student Army again and followed their buses into Parklands in our two cars. Each student has a shovel; it looks for all the world like the Peasants’ Revolt. Stunningly effective organization by the Canterbury students – their (not long for this world?) student union deserves a medal.

Then, in coordination with their groups, we separated off into and around the Parklands Baptist Church which is acting as a welfare centre, meeting with the minister and his assistants. We off-loaded two-thirds of our apples there, and then took the rest with us for door-knocking, distributing the CCC emergency fliers. We had a few humanitarian cases but they were not as exigent as yesterday – the area was wealthy, houses 4 years old, many with slight signs of structural damage which usually means quite significant repair required. Much liquefacted soil, with heavy machinery operating; less sludge/sewerage than in New Brighton yesterday. Official estimate at present (as I understand it) is 10,000 homes up for demolition and 100,000 damaged, out of some 150,000.

Most people we meet, over the past three days, say we are the first humanitarian visit they have had. The students simply drop leaflets and do not door-knock. The farmers move silt with their machinery. Door-knocking is time-consuming but necessary and effective, in our view.

Mercifully, the weather has been good, pretty warm but not much wind. Once the heavy soil is removed (90% likely removed by Friday), there will remain fine silt which will be very difficult in strong winds.

We visited one Green member in need in Dallington today. No power, water, sanitation, food, or transport (cycling is a challenge through the thick silt). We shall bring her provisions tomorrow. I am encouraging her to think of a welfare centre.

One issue that emerged was arranging to get (two) business owners through the cordon to visit their offices. The Civil Defence MP line helped ensure that this worked, albeit requiring many phone calls and exhortation of the local authorities at several stages along the way. But one just called to express appreciation since it had all worked.

Others have involved pleas for portaloos for the elderly in a specific site and for food and gas (plus money) in others. Working on those.

The Graham family express took a personal hit today. The heat and silt and road surfaces proved too much for the aging Prius hybrid which expired on the way home. It is parked forlornly outside the Fendalton Library awaiting the tow truck – to the Toyota repairs, not the dump, as yet. Toyota are kindly lending us a vehicle.

When the 12.51 silence went, the heavy machinery fell silent, and our little band of six embraced in a circle off Lamorna Rd, Parklands, East Christchurch. We crossed over a grassed mound at the side of the street into a glade of sad trees, with their trunks drowned in grey liquefaction. Seemed the place to be. The generators continued to hum.

I learn that some local MPs were at the ceremony with the PM outside the Art Gallery. I have enquired with the PM’s office to learn that it was organised by the Mayor and that the PM’s office had encouraged National MPs to stay out in the field. So, I was in the right place, I reckon, albeit largely anonymous.

Quake work Sunday: Plans for next week

2011-02-27T15:57:00.002+13:00

Saturday I did volunteer work in Beckenham, shovelling liquefacted soil.

Sunday, we got a group of about 20 Greens (including Metiria) to volunteer through the Student Army.
Metiria and Worik had spent Saturday enticing Dunedin firms into donating wheelbarrows etc.
Then brought them, plus utensils plus food, up to the sister city in a rollicking SUV.
Because we were a large group, we deployed not on the buses but as a separate group with our own transport.
Read more »

Day two in Hell

2011-02-26T15:59:00.001+13:00

Thursday night I convene a meeting of Green members in my house. Twelve turn up, one from the eastern suburbs. He is not sure if he can get back or, if not, where he will stay. He has student friends, so he is not worried. He is young, so he is not worried.

We exchange stories before we get down to business. One of us was close to the crushed buses. She went to mount a step but the step kept moving away. In the end she gave up and went back into the street, knowing it was the earthquake-to-end-all.
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Cry the Beloved City

2011-02-25T22:43:00.003+13:00

I am engaged in an official lunch in Parliament when the news comes in. I move to the side of the room for cell-phone privacy. I cannot get through to my wife. I get my sister-in-law; she is seriously distressed. I contact Grace, my colleague in the Green office in the CBD. She is fleeing the city in her car. She does not frighten easily but her voice is quavering. I do not worry easily but I fear for my wife. Then she phones – calm and in control. I begin to breathe again, to think more clearly.
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17.2.11 - Question 9: Dr Kennedy Graham to the Minister of Energy and Resources

2011-02-25T17:48:00.003+13:00

Climate change, lignite, and Solid Energy: Searching for truth and reason

2011-02-18T16:01:00.002+13:00

Matters are coming to a head, on the lignite saga in Southland.

As climate change intensifies around the world and not least here in New Zealand, our national responsibility to respond proportionate to our size and liability increases commensurately.

The UN has prescribed a national emission reduction target of 25% to 40% off 1990 levels by 2020 for the rich (‘developed’) countries. Few have responded adequately. New Zealand, displaying the foresight of the Dodo, has committed to 10% to 20%, conditional. While that is shameful, let us explore the implications of how (not) to get there.
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A view from the inside: anti-nuclear diplomacy in a cold cold world

2011-02-10T22:22:00.001+13:00

Former diplomat and Green MP Kennedy Graham describes the mid-1980s as some of the best years of his life. New Zealand, under David Lange's leadership, had just become nuclear free, making, in Kennedy's words, the most fearless, independent, and moral foreign policy choice since nationhood.

I asked Kennedy to describe that time of his life and give us an insider's view of what happens diplomatically when a small country on the edge of the world declares it's independence from the world's largest superpowers.
Link to Podcast

Climate Change, Lignite & 'Growth' - Debate on the PM's Statement - Dr Kennedy Graham

2011-02-09T21:55:00.004+13:00

I acknowledge Mr Quinn's hardness of heart and meanness of spirit. I acknowledge Simon Bridges' comment that Metiria Turei's speech was a good speech. We know who has a political future. The Prime Minister's statement is simply a reiteration of Government policy enunciated first in the Speech from the Throne 2 years ago and recycled every February and May.
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Signs of Change - Interview with MP Kennedy Graham

2011-01-31T17:31:00.007+13:00

Adjournment Debate 2010: Dr Kennedy Graham

2010-12-16T22:11:00.002+13:00

2010 has come and gone, at least in a parliamentary sense. I convey the Green Party's thanks to you, Mr Speaker, for your patience, fortitude, and skill in handling this august, if rather unruly, institution.

I thank all staff who labour here to keep us functioning but get no public recognition. Their courtesy and devotion to their jobs is unfailing, and we thank them for making ours not only possible but more pleasant through their good nature.
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Dr Kennedy Graham to the Minister for Climate Change Issues

2010-12-15T22:04:00.009+13:00

Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM: to the Minister for Climate Change Issues: Will the Cancun agreements achieve the agreed goal of confining global warming to 2 degrees; if so, how?

Hon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Minister for Climate Change Issues: The Cancun agreements set a goal for long-term temperature stabilisation, confining global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. As a result of the Cancun agreements, for the first time we now have actions to reduce emissions by all major emitters brought under the UN system. Without that breakthrough any climate deal would be ineffective. So the Cancun agreements have the UN's climate negotiations back on track.
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Small is beautiful: economy of resources, and the politics of enough by Claire Browning

2010-12-09T22:18:00.002+13:00

Economy, by definition, means prudently managing resources, yet in practice growth consumes them, unsustainably. We need a new narrative, say the Greens, that decouples progress from growth: this might be a myth and it is a gamble, but so is growth

Here is a spectre of some straw men. Huddled around a carbon-emitting camp-fire, they scorn even the primitive fun of chewing on a mammoth bone: it’s burlap and lentils for these guys, if they’re lucky.
Read more »

Government Motion - Relating to the Pike River coal mine tragedy - Part 7

2010-11-26T21:31:00.003+13:00

Government Motion - Relating to the Pike River coal mine tragedy - Part 7

Government Motion - Relating to the Pike River coal mine tragedy - Part 8

Thoughts on Green growth, from a gardener by Claire Browning

2010-11-19T22:28:00.002+13:00

Among the many things people don’t get about the Greens and the green movement is -- it’s organic. This is not just a nice conceit. Greens live and breathe above and below ground, which makes them resilient

People think the Green party in Parliament is the Greens. The trolls in the blogosphere wish it were so: so easy, such rich pickings, to gobble up each of the nine as they step out on to the bridge.

David Cunliffe: a political vision? by Claire Browning

2010-11-19T14:05:00.001+13:00

David Cunliffe offers personal observations from the Greens’ economic conference, on how to do good — “to do good, first we must win” — and possibly, also on how to win

The convenor fires off two cheap shots, one not quite appreciated by his audience (a snipe about burning coal at Huntly, to air-condition the chilly late-afternoon room) and the other hugely enjoyed, including by butt of the joke Nick Smith. “I’m probably the least green person in the room,” he says, “or maybe,” (glancing at Dr Smith sitting beside him) “the second least green person …”.

He starts as he means to go on, in other words: detached, and even-handed about the politics of sustainability.

The Sustainable Economy Conference

2010-11-17T21:03:00.005+13:00

Our conference on ‘A Sustainable Economy for New Zealand’ was held in Parliament’s Legislative Council Chamber last Friday.

We’re pleased with the way it went – both the turnout (about 200 people) and the quality of the presentations. The keynote, given by Canadian environmentalist, Dr David Suzuki, was simply outstanding.

So, in my opinion, were the two theoretical expositions that followed, by Dr. John Peet and Assoc. Prof. Marjan van den Belt. But in truth, all presenters gave insightful and thought-provoking addresses and participated in the discussion constructively.

Thanks to our two National and Labour colleagues, Hon. Dr Nick Smith (Minister for the Environment) and Hon. David Cunliffe (Opposition finance spokesperson). We appreciated their decision to join us across party lines. We respected the quality of their presentations.

Pretty much all commentators have said the conference was interesting and successful. A couple, however, saw it as the Greens talking to the greens. Not so. There were many academics, think-tank experts, and others who were certainly not connected to the Green Party and who in fact go to considerable lengths to make that clearly understood.

The aim of the conference had been to strike a dialogue with MP colleagues across all parties, and all members of the general public, on the nature of economics in the 21st century, and the common understanding that might be developed between us. Invitations had been extended to all 122 MPs. Many decidedly non-green individuals had been invited through various networks.

I’m hoping this conference, whose central purpose was a cross-party initiative, will encourage others (and for that matter ourselves) to try this kind of thing again. Parliament’s Legislative Council Chamber is a perfect venue to act as an antidote to the adversarial exchanges that occur in the House, some 20 metres down the corridor. Our economic thinking and the resulting Green policies that come from the conference will be smarter as a result.

My thanks to all who participated in the conference for making it such a pleasant and meaningful event.

Green Bill to make judicial system more transparent pulled from ballot

2010-11-11T21:02:00.001+13:00

The Register of pecuniary interests of judges Bill - pulled today from the Parliamentary private members' bill ballot - will provide greater transparency within the judicial system, Green Party justice spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham said today.

The Register of pecuniary interests of judges Bill will require Judges to make an annual return of their pecuniary interests to the Judicial Conduct Commissioner. This information will be made publicly available.

“The purpose of my member’s bill is to promote greater transparency within the judicial system,” said Dr Graham.

“The messy situation around former justice Bill Wilson could have been avoided had New Zealand had a register of the financial interests of members of the judiciary.
Read more »

Political Perceptions of Economic Sustainability

2010-11-09T21:56:00.004+13:00

How do the three main political parties understand sustainability? That’s the question for the final panel of the day-long economics conference the Green Party’s organising this Friday, in Parliament.

After a full day exploring the issues of global and national sustainability, neo-classical and ecological economic theories, and how New Zealand can practically pursue sustainability in business, agriculture, trade, energy, and through fiscal and monetary policy, it’ll then be the turn of the MPs.

Up on the panel are Dr Nick Smith, National’s Minister for the Environment, Labour’s finance spokesperson David Cunliffe, and myself. The hope is that each of us can offer our insights into what sustainability means and how it can be achieved through informed economic policy.

It is not totally clear what the present Government makes of sustainability. John Key describes his Government’s policies thus:
The driving goal of the new Government will be to grow the NZ economy in order to deliver greater prosperity, security and opportunities to all New Zealanders. It will be going for growth because it believes in the power of economic growth to deliver higher incomes, better living conditions and ultimately, a stronger society for New Zealanders. My Government views economic growth as the platform upon which a stronger NZ will be built. It views political leadership from this Parliament as essential to achieving that goal.

It will be interesting to learn from Dr Smith what the Government thinks about the relationship between growth and sustainability in 2010.

Helen Clark’s Government addressed sustainability thus:
My government sees its most important task as building the conditions for increasing New Zealand’s long-term sustainable rate of economic growth… the appropriate mix of policies can, over time, return NZ to the top half of the developed world… Economic growth is a means to an end, not the end itself. It is about creating real opportunities for us all – a richer, more inclusive, more diverse and dynamic nation, and about creating the resources to enable governments to provide better social services.

Russel Norman has described the Green view as follows:
We believe that a sustainable society, one which lives within its resource limits and leaves some space for the natural world, is a society best placed to avoid ruthless competition for ever diminishing resources …The next economic wave is the green economic wave and, if New Zealand wants to prosper, we must prioritise research, science, and technology spending in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green tech manufacturing, green design, and energy efficiency.

Clearly there are subtle, and not-so-subtle, differences between the three parties on this question. It’s our hope that Friday’s conference will give us all a chance to dialogue on this critical issue and see how much common ground we can find among us.

Questioning Nick Smith on climate change

2010-10-28T12:24:00.001+13:00

Last week I attended a seminar on climate change and the prospects for the Cancun summit in December. I know that in our post-Copenhagen catatonia we all prefer not to think of climate change, but that will not solve the problem.

The seminar was comprised mainly of government officials, academics and think tank experts. There was a high-level of knowledge and acuity around the table on the subject. The Minister (Groser) came and spoke, then left. There was a general air of malaise in the air, a feeling of fin de siècle, of disempowerment. We were busy with the deck chairs – sorting where they should be arranged – maintaining the system since we only have the system.

Canterbury earthquake law: Home by Christmas?

2010-10-27T21:35:00.003+13:00

The controversial Canterbury Earthquake Response and Recovery Act can be repealed early, said the Green Party today.

The Act, heavily criticised by the Green Party during the urgent debate in Parliament, accorded sweeping powers to the Government to amend or suspend almost any piece of legislation in New Zealand through Order-in-Council (OIC).

Yesterday in the House, Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee said that he expected that all further OICs would be dealt with before the year's end in a response to a question from Green Party Canterbury spokesperson Kennedy Graham.

UN Climate Change Negotiations, Cancun, and New Zealand, Dr Kennedy Graham

2010-10-27T12:28:00.001+13:00

I rise to address the issue of climate change and this Government's failure to develop adequate national policy to combat it. Climate change has slipped below the threshold of daily media focus and that is the way that this Government seems to want it.

The failure at Copenhagen to tackle the global threat head on has sent the international community into a state of collective catatonia. We see this in the lack of leadership from the UN itself, in the actions of national Governments around the world, and in the attitude of much of the public around the world. The problem we have is that Nature is not disposed to wait for humanity to iron itself out morally and get its political act together.

A sustainable economy for New Zealand

2010-10-22T14:10:00.002+13:00

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A sustainable economy for New Zealand can no longer be achieved purely within the confines of national monetary and fiscal policy. National sustainability for every country today has to take into account the broader context of the global economy.

The impact of human activity on the planet has transformed in the past two centuries. The global population explosion and increases in per capita production and consumption have generated a sixty-fold increase in the size of the global economy. Many aspects of the global ecosystem are facing serious strain as a result, and this is being exacerbated now by climate change (and perhaps ‘peak oil’).

Southland coal would be climate disaster

2010-10-22T12:35:00.003+13:00

Digging up the reserves of lignite in Southland can only increase global greenhouse gas emissions, said the Green Party today.

Don Elder, CEO of state-owned Solid Energy, told their annual conference yesterday that mining the low grade coal lignite would reduce global emissions.

Green Party spokesperson on energy, Dr Kennedy Graham responded that the claim was simply illogical.

"Burning coal results in greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to dangerous climate change," said Dr Graham.

Kennedy on Christchurch relief efforts

2010-09-17T17:45:00.001+12:00

Canterbury Earthquake Response & Recovery Bill - 3rd Reading - Kennedy Graham

2010-09-15T21:21:00.009+12:00

This has been one tough day, and we are faced with tough circumstances that still obtain in Christchurch and Canterbury. This is the third reading of the bill, and therefore the final opportunity to comment before it is enacted into law, so let me begin by reiterating our appreciation to the Government and to Minister Brownlee, Minister John Carter, Minister Smith, and others for their good intent and their cooperative spirit down in Christchurch during and after the earthquake, and for that matter, here in the House.
Read more »

Parliament Passes 'Extreme' Earthquake Measures- Marie McNicholas

2010-09-15T12:31:00.002+12:00

Parliament has unanimously passed legislation that gives the Government
rare, sweeping powers to over-ride a raft of laws it fears could impede
the speedy reconstruction of earthquake-hit Canterbury.

But at the urging of the Green Party, the Government agreed to make a
late change to the Canterbury Earthquake Response and Recovery Bill to
ensure the Recovery Commission set up under the legislation is not
exempt from official information scrutiny.
Read more »

Canterbury Earthquake Response & Recovery Bill - 1st Reading - Kennedy Graham MP

2010-09-14T21:37:00.005+12:00

I begin by paying tribute to the Government and particularly to Ministers Gerry Brownlee and John Carter for their work and their cooperation over the past week. That is much appreciated, I think, by all of us.

I believe that all of us in this House today would prefer not to have to address this bill, the Canterbury Earthquake Response and Recovery Bill. It is the product of the ravages of nature and the cause of far-reaching human distress, yet the bill is a symbol of human resilience. It shows a determination to respond to a natural disaster with purpose and resolve and to show that our communities can rally together in the face of disaster even stronger than we were before.
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A Week in Town can be a Long Time

2010-09-12T13:42:00.002+12:00

One week after the 7.1, and we are all facing challenges here in Christchurch. To a strange extent these are shared and yet individually unique.

Above all there are those who have lost homes. I know a few personally. They shrug it off, avoiding self-pity. They help others, even as they struggle to sort their own lives. My Labour colleague, Brendon Burns, is one.
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Urgent Debate - Resignation of Justice Wilson - Part 6

2010-09-11T12:22:00.000+12:00

Ken Graham on TV 7 on the Christchurch Earthquake

2010-09-10T13:45:00.003+12:00

Christchurch Earthquake TV 7 BackBenchs

Click on the link to view...

Greens Try To Water Down 'Extreme' Earthquake Law Marie McNicholas at 5:38 pm, 14 Sep 2010

2010-09-04T14:12:00.001+12:00

The Green Party wants to water down emergency legislation setting up a special regime for speeding the earthquake recovery in Canterbury but the rest of Parliament intends to pass it into law tonight.

The Government introduced the Canterbury Earthquake Response and Recovery Bill with the backing of all parties in Parliament today but the Green Party limited its support for what it calls "shock and awe" legislation to the first reading.

Two Lignite Plants Is Two Too Many

2010-08-29T13:48:00.002+12:00

Two new lignite plants in New Zealand are two lignite plants too many, said Green Party Energy spokesperson, Dr Kennedy Graham today.

Dr Graham was commenting on yesterday's announcement that Solid Energy is proceeding with two lignite-conversion plants in Southland next year. The state-owned enterprise would trial one plant to convert lignite and biomass to synthetic crude oil. The second would produce briquettes.

Thieving from the kids: Ecological debt and other moral sins

2010-08-21T13:50:00.002+12:00

Yesterday was my 18^th wedding anniversary. It’s been a heart-warming 18 years on the personal front with Marilyn. I’d marry her again tomorrow – assuming she’d have me.

The day before was less uplifting. Saturday was Ecological Debt Day.

That is the day humanity has consumed, for the year, all the resources of the planet that it should if the planet is to be sustainable – if we are to pass it on in the same state we inherited it.

What Has to be Done to Get Transparency? Afghanistan and the NZ SAS

2010-08-19T14:01:00.001+12:00

The latest reports of coalition forces in Afghanistan handing over detainees to Afghan authorities who then torture them have concentrated the mind here once more in New Zealand.

In Britain, the High Court has upheld a ban on British forces transferring prisoners to the Afghan National Directorate for Security (NDS) because of the risk they may be tortured.

Both Keith Locke and I have raised this issue with the Government in the past, and I did so again yesterday during General Debate.

Phased milestones vs ‘Nanny State’: Exchanging views with Mr Brownlee

2010-08-05T21:27:00.001+12:00

Fresh from an exchange with the Minister of Energy last week over the left-right spectrum and our 21st century problems, I questioned Gerry Brownlee in the House about his recent draft Energy Strategy. The ideological blinkers are clearly preventing us from moving purposefully towards a low-carbon economy.

I asked what phased milestones the Minister had to achieve his stated goal of reaching 90% electricity generation from renewable sources by 2025. His reply was that his Government did not ‘determine the investment decisions’ needed to increase the availability of renewably-generated activity. Rather it sets the ‘regulatory and policy environment’ in which investments are made (such as the amended RMA and ETS). Phased milestones would be possible ‘only if we lived in a command-and-control-style economy’. “We do not,” he observed.
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Electricity Industry Bill 2nd Reading Dr Kennedy Graham

2010-07-21T14:02:00.002+12:00

This Bill is not the first, and will almost certainly not be the last, piece of legislation that seeks to tinker with the NZ electricity sector.

The generation and transmission, distribution and retailing of electricity has become one of the jabberwockies of the NZ economy.

- The policy developments over the past 20 years reflect deeply held, if dimly perceived, points of economic ideology.
- Their structural implications have made for labyrinthine institutional relationships between entities that pretend to compete and cooperate at one and the same time, since the market signals conveyed by the sedimentary layers of legislation remain unclear on whether they are to compete or cooperate with one another.
- Their retail pricing has become a political perennial in this country, ranking as one of the most sensitive electoral issues each time round.

Victory for Parliamentary democracy–Greens can be proud

2010-07-03T14:08:00.003+12:00

This week has seen parliamentary democracy in New Zealand at its best.
Most of the time, the House reverberates with two forms of adversarial action:

Question Time when the trick is (usually) to score a ministerial goal – and for the ministerial goalie to defend;
Debates over legislation in which supporting parties rationalise a draft Bill in the knowledge they have the numbers, and opposition parties heap trenchant criticism or filibuster for tactical gain.