Just magnificent Paul Keating, Brilliant #auspol

1. Where now on the dispute between NZ & Cook Islands? There is no doubt in my mind that under the terms of the Joint Centenary Declaration of 2001 that CI should have been upfront with NZ on the agreement it was considering signing with China. ➡️ 2/

Dame Anne Salmond wrote “Where will the bellbird sing?”. Yesterday the bellbirds sung physically to those present and figuratively via Justin Tipa’s fine Waitangi Day speech saying “We are not the radicals … A nation is not a blank canvas”. Worth reading.

Fast track should be about efficient processes, not the overriding of the environmental projections Kiwis value. This is a sad day for New Zealand.

This is the Morgan gorge on the Waitaha river. This is dewatered by the diversion of its flow if the Waitaha river hydro scheme is approved by overriding the Conservation Act. https://t.co/z0fmqwhIYh

Pt 2. Approvals under our fast track are listed on the EPA website and include wind generation and solar farms, roads, factories, subdivisions and retirement villages. The override of environmental protections to enable previously rejected projects is a backward step.

Pt 1 The National coalition’s Fast Track list is out. Labour’s fast track has enabled quick affordable approvals of 100 projects without overriding the environmental protections of the RMA, Wildlife, Conservation and Mining Acts. This lots war on nature is confirmed by the list.

At an election forum in Auckland. Chris Luxton just said it takes 8 years to consent a wind farm in NZ. Not under Labour! We introduced fast track.

#nzmusictshirtday Thinking of Hamish. Support @MusicHelpsNZ by texting MUSIC to 2448 to donate $3. Or visit https://t.co/kIXPx8lfmU.

Talking with the taxman about poetry. Went out for a curry tonight in Wellington with @grantrobertson1 Lots of chat about Labour politics and 1980s NZ tour dates.

Stephen Colbert on JA

For Grant

Today marks one year since New Zealand and Spain signed a Memorandum of Understanding to reduce seabird bycatch. Together we’re continuing to promote best practice for seabird bycatch mitigation across the world, and we look forward to continuing our work in 2023.

Fav shots from our visit today to Kaipara Moana restoration field, Helensville where Jordan & team are doing amazing work on his land. In addition to fencing and planting, he’s been working on an alternative to grass trials to reduce farm nitrogen inputs and Carbon balance.

Exceptionally good to be part of the formal opening of Sanford’s new bioactives facility in Blenheim. The very essence of moving from volume to value, lifting skills, delivering higher productivity and supporting exports. Congratulations to Sir Rob, Andrew and all the team.

Always look out for the underdog!

Interesting tour of Ruataniwha Salmon Farm with Mt Cook Alpine Salmon CEO David Cole, Director of Aquaculture Brian Blanchard, board member Sir Bill English, and Dan Bolger (DDG FNZ) and attend launch of prototype land-based salmon farm developed with the help of Govt funds

That is snow to sea level - high tide mark today

We need to house our people and feed them too. Thanks to Paul Paynter of Yummy Fruit Co for hosting Meka Whaitiri and me at the launch of the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land - enhanced protection for the land best suited to grow the healthy food we all need.

Today we release our response to the PM’s Chief Science Advisor’s report on commercial fishing and also at the Seafood NZ conference in Nelson I have announced funding for further work on a trawling innovation that enables most undersized fish to escape unharmed.