this post was submitted on 16 Feb 2026
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During yet another climate disaster, the govt is moving to abolish the Ministry for the Environment (bills.parliament.nz)
submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) by rimu@piefed.social to c/politics@lemmy.nz
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That takes balls, doesn't it?

For those of you tuning in from outside NZ, check these out:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/586975/winds-gust-to-240km-h-on-lower-north-island-s-east-coast

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/587001/weather-local-farmers-clear-mudslide-which-trapped-20-vehicles

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/586968/in-pictures-heavy-rain-and-wind-hits-wellington-region-bringing-down-trees-flooding-roads

BTW it's summer here.

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[–] absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz 1 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

Agreed, I know it sucks. But it is election year; encourage everyone you know to vote these idiots out.

I'm voting Opportunity!

But honestly keeping Act and NZF to a minimum should be everyone's goal who can think beyond the end of their own nose. Ideally no seats, but they have too much support for that.

[–] TechnoCat@piefed.social 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Am I wrong that the Opportunity platform just sounds like neoliberalism?

[–] absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Quite wrong.

Take a look at the FAQ; specifically the tax section:

  • Citizens Income - close to a UBI but with a few caveats
  • Land Value Tax - biggest change to the tax system in generations; shifting the burden closer to capital and away from labor.
[–] TechnoCat@piefed.social 3 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Not my platform I guess:

  • It positions nature as subservient to commerce
  • It mentions monopolies as a problem, but then offers no solutions to it
[–] absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

It mentions monopolies as a problem, but then offers no solutions to it

The site has specific solutions...

It’s time to rein in the monopoly sectors that aren’t competing to bring prices down - like our supermarkets, banks, building materials and power companies. It’s not right that these businesses make record profits while ordinary Kiwis cut household budgets and our economy stalls. To save the average Kiwi household more than $40 a week (projected) and boost competition and growth in the wider economy, Opportunity will:

  • Bring power prices down by reforming the electricity sector.
  • Bring other prices down by breaking up or regulating the cozy mock-competition among the big banks, building material suppliers and supermarkets.
  • Strengthen the Commerce Act and boost funding to the Commerce Commission.

Detailed policy is coming, they are looking at this issue. Both major parties have taken a pass on this; what more are you looking for?

[–] TechnoCat@piefed.social 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I mean, the party is fine I guess. I just want something further left then center.

[–] absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz 1 points 5 days ago

How far?

Major tax reform; monopoly breaking and strengthening regulation.

What are they missing?

[–] absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz 2 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

It positions nature as subservient to commerce

The FAQ specifically calls out old exploitative business models; the leader comes from a background in sustainable business leadership.

One reason I like Opportunity is because they focus on a sustainable economic model, working within the natural boundaries and moving NZ forward into a stable future where we don't have to destroy the awesome natural environment, I and most kiwis enjoy and want to see protected.

From the site:

We depend on nature, but we’re stuck in old economic models that ignore the health of the land and ocean we call home. In the next economy, nature and business aren’t separate, but one and the same. We believe that people can wear suits AND fight hard for the natural world at the same time. To build the next economy where purpose-led, low-emissions businesses grow wealth by restoring nature, Opportunity will:

  • Invest in new, nature-positive sectors like continuous cover native forestry and a nature market, where actions to improve biodiversity are rewarded.
  • Support landowners to transition to high-value, low impact land uses through spatial planning and innovative technology.
  • Listen to business and community leaders pathfinding nature-positive business frameworks, like Rewiring Aotearoa.
  • Design a circular plastics economy aligned to the objectives of the New Plastics Economy Roadmap developed by the New Zealand plastics industry.
[–] strypey@piefed.social 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Given past evidence, voting Opportunity is like voting Greens, but without getting anyone into Parliament. Also, in 2023 their leader Raf Manji tried to get an Epsom style deal from CLuxon on the condition Opportunity would join the current coalition. Is this really your best bet for voting out the CoC?

[–] absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Yep, the strategy last time didn't work.

This time they are going for 5% and moving in the correct direction. Evidence based policy as a core principal is my personal goal.

Every other party gets by on what the feel their voters want.

Voting for the Greens in 96 was the same as TOP in 23; 26 is the year that they get in and start making a difference.

Also the ability to work with both sides is a key driver; we had a very FPTP style election in 23, you just chose your flavour of left/right. We need to have a real cross bench party that can move us forward no matter who is in power.

[–] strypey@piefed.social 2 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

@Me:

Is this really your best bet for voting out the CoC?

@absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz

the ability to work with both sides is a key driver

So ... no. TOP, like Winston First, or United Future, or Māori Party 2005-2017, will prop up any government that allows them to sit under the table and get thrown the odd bone. That hasn't changed. Good to know.

The Greens are willing to work with both sides too, where there is policy alignment, and have done, even in the current term. For example, Chloe's work with Matt Doocey on the Mental Health and Addiction Wellbeing cross-party group, which has led to significant changes to the availability of ADHD diagnosis and medication, and free up scarce psychiatrist time for other work.

The Greens would consider forming a government with National if they weren't pushing obviously ecocidal policy on every front, for example, making plans to can the Ministry for the Environment. If it was Labour pushing that policy, and National opposed it, do you really think the Greens would go into coalition with Labour out of some kind of tribal allegiance? Whereas TOP were and are willing to work with a National party that is profoundly opposed to their entire policy framework, to 'get a seat at the table'.

[–] absGeekNZ@lemmy.nz 2 points 5 days ago

I think that the ability to give the Nats an option that is not ACT or NZF holds huge value.

I don't think Nats are going to do well this time around. But if they do enough; and it either ACT or Op...I know who I would want them to go with.