Environment

The environment is, of course, one of the most important and often overlooked policy areas for any government. It seems clear to me that one of the key ways in which future generations will assess us is the state in which we leave them the planet.

When you start talking about issues as large as the planet it is all too easy to decide that it is all too hard to deal with. Sometimes I think it makes sense to focus on smaller things. For example, I have long been a supporter of the Okura/Long Bay Great Park initiative.

In general I would also like to encourage more marine reserves. Labour in government has increased the number of these to more than 30 with four more under consideration. But only about 0.3 per cent of New Zealand’s marine area is currently protected, compared to about 30 per cent of New Zealand's land area. All of the marine reserves around the coast of mainland New Zealand cover an area less than the smallest of our national parks on land. I would very much like to encourage more of these reserves if elected.

I also strongly support the government’s ongoing commitment to multi lateral environmental initiatives such as the Kyoto protocol as well as our aspirational goal of turning New Zealand into one of the worlds first sustainable economies. Effective environmental strategies will need to be a mix of small local, national and indeed global initiatives.

Disclaimer

The Labour party has a rigorous policy process whereby we debate ideas and establish the eventual party manifesto. It is the party manifesto that represents the official party policy. While unsurprisingly as a participant in this process I support the manifesto, on this site I have endeavoured to give my own personal views and thoughts so you will know where I stand on issues. In the majority of cases these will be in line with party policy, if however you want official Labour party policy please visit http://www.labour.org.nz