15 National Party Caucus members attended this year's Forum

The Bluegreens is the National Party's Policy Advisory Group on environmental issues Please remember that the views provided in this newsletter are personal views, and do not necessarily reflect current National Party policy. E&OE. 23rd Annual Bluegreens Forum

FORUM DINNER SPEAKER A feature of the Forum was the keynote speech by our Dinner speaker, Climate Change Commission Chair, Dr Rod Carr.

BLUEGREENS CO-CHAIRS, Chris Severne & Hon Scott Simpson Dr. Rod Carr Dr Carr gave a The 23rd Bluegreens Forum has just thoroughly concluded in Masterton. Held over the 20th entertaining, yet insightful speech, into both his & 21st February it was attended by close to background, and his work in establishing the 100 Environment and Conservation minded Commission. He said that he came to the members of the Party, NGO’s and major Commission with no baggage, saying he knew industry groups including farming, forestry, little about climate change, prior to his tourism and waste. This was another appointment. extremely successful Forum, and as such Dr Carr said that more than half of all CO2 won accolades from many of our attendees emissions into the atmosphere had been emitted – from both the left as well as the right in the last 30 years, and stated that we have to politically. act now if we are to ensure a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. The Bluegreens are the ‘practical environmentalists’ who have a core value He said that is only 0.06% of the of using strong evidence-based science to world’s population, but all nation’s need to take improve sustainable environmental collective responsibility if we are the reverse Visit our outcomes. global warming to less than 2 degrees. WEBSITE: Dr Carr said “We are doing transition over time, because we do have time”. He said that we can’t bluegreens.national OUR SECOND “TAKEHE AWARD” just rely on free markets to execute this, because .org.nz there are three things that markets don’t do well. Bluegreens stalwart and founder, Dr These include: Hon Nick Smith 1. Markets don’t do longer term valuations very presented Geoff well. Thompson with the 2. They don’t deal well with distributional Bluegreens second matters, and “Takehe Award”. 3. They don’t do probability of ruin well. Geoff is recognised

Geoff Thompson for his services to Dr Carr concluded by saying: the Bluegreens, having Co-chaired this “I like evidence, but opinion is fine”. Bluegreens PAG from 2012 to 2017.

Authorised by G Hamilton, 41 Pipitea Street, Wellington Page 1 Lord Deben noted that Great Britain started the Industrial Speakers at this year’s Forum Revolution, so it is appropriate that it has responsibility ZOOM MEETING WITH LORD DEBEN to take a lead – despite being less than 1% of global UK’s Climate Commission Chair, emissions. He said that the UK CC Committee has just Lord Deben came to us from produced its 6th Climate Budget (through to 2038), and the UK via Zoom (due to Covid- that this is its most important budget, because it brings it 19 complications). to just 12 years short of the 2050 target. He went on to say that the previous 5 Budgets had been accepted by Many will remember Lord Parliament (which then can’t be changed), and this gives Deben coming in person to our industry a very clear direction and certainty. He noted 2017 Bluegreens Forum that the first Climate Budget set a 60% reduction to Net Keynote Dinner speaker. As he Zero, but this has recently been upgraded to 80%. did then, he gave an insightful “Importantly, it has been accepted by all Parties within Lord Deben presentation and praised the the UK Parliament”. Bluegreens, noting we have been instrumental in getting a cross-party agreement to form New Zealand’s Climate He went on “It means that we (UK) do have to change. Change Commission. NZ’s Commission is based upon the We can’t continue to heat our homes with fossil fuels. We British model. do have to farm differently. But there is a general acceptance that we must do this”. Lord Deben commented that “Spring now comes 17 days earlier in Britain than it did 40 years earlier”, and stated “We will only win if the Market is part of the solution. that Climate Science is now accepted by the majority of Central Government has a role, but it won’t work if it is industrial nations, with even China has done so – albeit only run by the State”. with an extended target date of 2060. “The Market has to work effectively. People need proper Lord Deben stated “The question is: What do we do now, choice, and at a cost that won’t destroy the planet. And to actually achieve the Paris Accord?” He continued not with monopolies – market choice is the key.” “While the US, under Trump, reversed the Net Zero Responding to a question “What do you mean that objective – that has now been reversed under Biden. farmers have to farm differently – Lord Deben said: However, many cities and US States had continued on (despite the Trump vacuum).” It was interesting that Lord “We need to ensure that we don’t denude our soil. In Deben continued to use the target of minus 2%. Britain, we have to reduce meat production by 20%, but He stated that New Zealand is a stable society, with a we are doing that anyway. We are going to plant a great long history ‘without baggage’. He said “You shouldn’t number of trees, but we are still going to have to use start with farming – don’t apologise. You have an fossil fuels on our farms. UK farmer organisations are enormously positive story as the world’s lowest carbon working proactively to get their members to do this”. emitting agricultural economy. Agriculture does have to Lord Deben explained that no car or van will be able to be play its part. We have a Net Zero, rather than a Total sold after 2030, if it isn’t EV. Industry has recognised this, Zero, so we accept that farming will always have some so it is moving fast in developing a non-EV truck. He said emissions. We can’t totally ignore methane, because the problem is heavy goods vehicles, and that is why a while it is a short-term emitter, it does have an effect on hydrogen solution is being pushed (which is looking very our climate”. He went on to say “Just because New positive). Lord Deben concluded by stating that the next Zealand’s farming economy relies on Climate Change, all big challenge will be to get our shipping industry to industries do have to make a contribution. We are all in accept this. this together”.

Authorised by G Hamilton, 41 Pipitea Street, Wellington Page 2 KEYNOTE SPEECH BY HON Judith stated that National must be pragmatic, and The keynote address by our Labour’s virtuous announcements must stop. Leader the Hon Judith She concluded by reiterating that “We need more money Collins, who set the scene by to protect our environment, as it takes money to do this”. highlighting her farming In the Q&A following her address, Judith agreed that it upbringing in rural Waikato. has been a travesty that our highly productive soils She said that she knew to around both Pukekohe and Levin have been lost to respect the environment – housing. to respect and protect. She She also responded in support of genetic editing being a stated that 2021 will be a gamechanger for New Zealand, saying legislation does critical year for the need to recognise this as a valid new technology.

environment. “National is not afraid to discuss the environment. We believe A BLUEGREEN FUTURE WILL RELY ON: that the key is likely to be in . Resource use must be based on sustainability. new technologies. Be . Economic growth and improving the environment assured that we will hold this can and must go hand in hand. Party Leader Hon Judith Collins Government to account”. . Good Science is essential to quality environmental Leader Judith Collins National went on to state “National decision making. has a strong record on environmental matters, and we . People respond best to change when engaged and must tell this story better. As a Party we saw Renewable given incentives. Energy move from 65% to 84% under our last National . We have a unique birth right to access and enjoy our Government. Since Labour came to power in 2017 that ‘Special Places’. figure has gone backwards”. Judith then stated that “Peru and China both have much FORESTRY – FRIEND OR FOE higher levels of emissions; and yet our farmers are being Panellists for this session were Mike Butterick (50 Shades asked to reduce production – knowing that these ‘high of Green); Glen Thorlby (Scion), and Phil Taylor emission’ countries will just replace NZ’s loss of (President, NZ Forest Owners Assn). There was robust production, with an increase in global emissions”. discussion about the merits of using plantation forestry, In 2017 Labour campaigned on a moving of the as a climate mitigation method, on productive land. Government vehicle fleet to EVs – that includes 17,000 MIKE BUTTERICK stated that the ETS wasn’t working, light vehicles. Ardern is all about platitudes, and the because it doesn’t force conversion to EVs to date number only in the hundreds. change at the source. “Ardern did not start the Climate Change work Regarding the Paris Accord, – National did”. he noted that farmers do Judith re-emphasised that we would be inspired by the what they do incredibly technological changes that are ensuring environmental well, and planting trees just excellence. She said that this country’s wealth has been reduces food production built on R&D, and adapting and adopting technological (contrary to the Accord); changes will be a key focus of the next National and this production would Government. only be replaced by high- emission nations – like Peru. “National will reverse the ban on Oil & Gas exploration, because this Labour Government’s actions has just meant He stated – Right tree / that we are burning a huge increase in coal. Meaningful Right place? differences will require technology developments. New Mike sees the solution is to Zealand can make a big difference in emissions reduction close the ETS to new by investing strongly in more agricultural research. It can entrants of exotic forestry. be a gamechanger if we share our technology advances He said the ETS should with the world – as long as they pay for this IP”. incentivise planting Mike Butterick Judith then raised the issue of New Zealand’s water partnerships with farmers. quality, saying that “It is becoming a political football. She Mike stated that we need a Plan, that includes: assured the Forum attendees that National will come to . A 2100 Vision the next election with a nuanced policy of making water . Kaitiakitanga – farmers are guardians of their land quality a realistic solution”. . Stocking rate – here he is talking about a human She then moved to RMA reform, saying it is past its use stocking rate (what is a sustainable population for NZ). by date, being ‘neither fish nor fowl’. On Climate Change, Authorised by G Hamilton, 41 Pipitea Street, Wellington Page 3 GLEN THORLBY (Scion) gave a compelling presentation, NGOs, that included Rob Langford (Packaging Forum talking about the ‘Wilding CEO); Sue Crockett (Fight the Tip); Mike Chapman Pine’ issue. He stated that (Horticulture NZ CEO); John Mcfadzean (Wairarapa over the past 20 years this Farmer); Dr Rene Haeberli (Director, Envosolve): and has grown to become an Kevin Hague (Forest & Bird CEO). increasingly large both ROB LANGFORD, argued that packaging should be social and environmental reusable, recyclable and compostable by 2025. He stated issue. that 5 years ago we were recovering 35% of our glass, Glen said that Scion is and now that figure has reached between 60-65%. He doing research on said that industry can fix this for you – it just needs protection methodology practical regulations as to what you want to achieve. He to ensure that we can said “Don’t make it complex or it will fail”. Glen Thorlby continue to plant productive forestry. He said that “If we can stop cones SUE CROCKETT is a strong local advocate of waste from developing, we will both boost productivity and minimisation, and is currently prevent wilding plants emerging”. working in opposition of the proposed Dome Valley landfill. Glen raised the issue about Genetic Modification (cross She stated that New Zealand species breeding) versus Genetic Editing – saying “There needs to achieve a cross-Party is nothing unusual about developing sterile plants”. He strategy for waste minimisation, noted that Douglas Fir takes 10 years before it is ready to saying we can’t go on burying reproduce, so this makes a very strong case for using our rubbish in the ground – we genetic editing to speed up the selection process. Sue Crockett just have to protect our In the Q&A, it was agreed that this debate should now be waterways. She said that the risk raised, and National should front foot this debate. was too great, and new technology can make this achievable. However, the Government needs to create a PHIL TAYLOR (NZ Forest Owners Assn) noted that over workable framework. “The market will make it happen”. the years we have spent MIKE CHAPMAN, Hort NZ CEO, stated “We are facing a $60m on forestry research, real threat from this government. They want to regulate funded by Association both water and climate change. They need to empower members. He agreed that landowners. They need to trust the farming sector / the New Zealand needs to attack land owners”. emissions at the source. We also need to take into JOHN McFADZEAN, a well-known Wairarapa farmer, account social impacts, as stated that in this Electorate well as environmental people don’t understand what impacts. National stands for. He stated that one of National’s Spokesperson Phil stated that, per hectare, said “If we talk about the forestry achieves equivalent environment, we will lose the exports to the meat and election” – this is total rubbish, he wool sector, on half of the John McFadzean said. land area. He stated that the Phil Taylor ‘value add’ of forestry is 3 John’s policy pitch is for all government building being times that of the sheep and beef production (without ETS required to use wool carpeting and wool insulation. He subsidisation) – quoting PWC data. He stated that native said that this would be a practical way the Central plantings sequest less than half that of exotic pines, and Government could support New Zealand farmers. A win- 16% of our current landscape is already in native trees. win policy for all New Zealanders.

DR RENE HAEBERLI stated that “landfills are an absolute ‘PITCH A POLICY’ travesty. He said that 15.5m tonnes of waste are The Bluegreens, over its 23 years, has built a reputation, discarded to landfill annually. That is 734kg per person ensuring that all NGOs be invited to attend and annually”. His answer to reduce waste to landfill includes: participate in our Forums. All we ask is respect, and we (1) Prevention – education of our youth; (2) Recycling – have never been let down. The Bluegreens do not believe but only if it has a positive energy balance, and an ‘end of in receiving advice from a narrow section of the life’ use; and (3) Economic and sustainable waste to community. Those attending our Forums are welcome to energy solutions need to be considered by local & central ‘pitch a policy’ that will be listened to and put forward to government. Dr Heaberli said that Switzerland has a the relevant Policy Advisory Group (PAG). , population of 8m, and no landfills for the past 40 years. our spokesperson for Conservation, chaired this panel of

Authorised by G Hamilton, 41 Pipitea Street, Wellington Page 4 KEVIN HAGUE, CEO of Forest & Bird, advocated last year said it will be a $50bn fix, but is critically urgent as, when for 1% of the Budget being spent on it rains, raw sewerage enters the waste water system, Conservation, and he thanked the and directly pollutes ’s beaches. National Party for picking it up. He said that the Left like to blame farmers, but are His thoughts this year are to make the unwilling to take responsibility for their own back yard – Bluegreens PAG more influential in this has to change – and immediately. the National Party. He asked that the Simon noted that only 7% of the total tax take (including National Party embrace, as much as rates) go to Local Government, with the other 93% of tax possible, the recommendations of the going to Central Government. These ratios just aren’t just released Climate Change sustainable. Commission Report. Kevin Hague MP CHRIS LUXON, ex CEO of Air New Zealand, spoke about the need for Government, the community and KEYNOTE ADDRESS – TOURISM & THE Business to act collectively to strengthen our society. He ENVIRONMENT said that sustainability is good for business, and we need a much more integrated approach. On EVs, he said ANDREW McCARTHY (Office of the National’s policy isn’t good enough. We need to Parliamentary Commissioner for the systematically go through our emissions and find a Environment) solution. Andrew gave a great presentation, speaking on the topic ‘What Chris is our Local Government spokesperson, and said we challenges does tourism pose to our need to restructure local government to bring us into the environment? 21st century. He also quoted sewerage systems as no He said that in 2018, Tourism longer being fit for purpose. Andrew McCarthy overtook Dairying as New Zealand’s Chris also talked about the need to strengthen rights and leading export earner. In 2019 The PC for the responsibilities in the water debate.

Environment produced a report on ‘Tourism & its effects on the Environment’. He said that the key finding from PANEL DISCUSSION - REGENERATIVE that 2019 report was that tourism was not environmentally benign, as it had often been portrayed, AGRICULTURE; SLOGAN OR SUBSTANCE and in fact accounted for 9% of this country’s emissions. There was a lively debate over regenerative agriculture, Andrew said that you could then add another 10% for with the four panellists giving a passionate presentation travel to/from NZ – totalling 19% overall. He said that both for and against this topic. 2019 policies weren’t up to dealing with the pressures of JONO FREW (Regenerative Ag Coach), is a passionate tourism. supporter, saying that, when Andrew stated “All the emphasis was on infrastructure asked: What is it? Responds that for tourism – but didn’t take into account issues, such as it is nothing, but a change of congestion, noise and loss of natural quiet in the perspective. He explained the conservation estate. Covid-19 is giving us an opportunity role that photosynthesis plays as to rethink these environmental issues”. the genesis of life. He talked about using sunflower planting Andrew closed by saying “Travel to & from New Zealand being included in your pasture makes up over 60% of all tourism emissions”. mix to break up the soil, and help

Jono Frew increase the microbes in the soil. NATIONAL’S NEW MPS Jono stated that overgrazing reduces plant root/root (MP for recovery, and understocking increases the problem. He North Shore) and Chris argued against using nitrogen fertilizers (like urea). Luxon (MP for Botany)

attended their first Bluegreens Forum. Each DR DOUG EDMEADES, retired Ag Scientist and now was given a few minutes Managing Director of to outline the AgKnowledge Ltd, gave an equally Bluegreens credentials passionate presentation, but and the vision for a countering Jono’s address. He Bluegreens vision called Regenerative Agriculture as Simon Watts & Chris Luxon going forward. absolute bulls..t, saying a 100ha dairy farm is putting back MP SIMON WATTS, a Chartered Accountant by training, between 100 and 200 tonnes of said that his key environmental focus will be on the water compost into the soil. He stated infrastructure needs around greater Auckland City. He Dr Doug Edmeades that “Jono’s example says that Authorised by G Hamilton, 41 Pipitea Street, Wellington Page 5 you need no fertilizer, but this is just nonsense. It defies Manager, Emily Court who talked about the work of the logic and scientific evidence. Exporting nutrients need Centre and the changes that have occurred in recent replacing”. years. We had a chance to see the kiwi house and meet Doug said that after about 20 years soils become the three young kiwi that are living in the enclosure. We saturated, and can no longer sequest nitrogen. also viewed Takahe grazing outside, and heard about Therefore, Regenerative Agriculture can’t mitigate other breeding programs at the Centre. climate change. He said that regenerative agriculture is Each year the sanctuary expands and has recently found based on pseudoscience. 40%of the world’s population success with a breeding program involving Kokako, relies on urea to support their food production. received from Auckland Zoo, where they had previously Doug closed by saying that “In Australia, accountants did failed to breed. A tour of the grounds included a a client survey on RA versus conventional agriculture; and fascinating weta sculpture- plus live ones too. RA returned 1% ROE against CA at 4% ROE. Later this year, building starts on an accommodation PETER BARNETT (Regenerative Agriculture Advocate – project for groups and events, which is being constructed Linnburn Station owner) with assistance from the Provincial Growth Fund. Also due to start is a Ranger education programme for people who Peter talked about a practical way want to learn all aspects of conservation – trapping, plant to optimise pasture growth. He control, wildlife preservation. used multi-species pasture mixes, where tall plants (like sunflowers) Take home points were protect the soil to ensure . This Pukaha Wildlife Centre is mainly funded by grants moisture is retained. He brought and donations. It receives just $200K per year in practical application of RA from government funding. actual farming practice, and . It is dependent on the likes of Pub Charity grants. They Richard Barnett added another level of balance to do not have a bequests progamme, at this stage, and the discussion. receive no financial support from Iwi .

PROF RICHARD ARCHER ((School of Food and Advanced Technology, Massey University). NATIONAL PARTY (BLUEGREENS) TRACK Richard is a Food Engineer and RECORD IN GOVERNMENT broke his presentation into three The Bluegreens is the most active of National’s Policy segments. These included (1) Tree Advisory Groups. Their mission is to advise the Party on forage, (2) Guided cows, and (3) environmental policy. It is motivated by the dual growing a combination of Pines objectives of making this country greener and wealthier. (on the sheep country) and Manuka (in the valleys). The most Bluegreens leadership on the environment is heard very interesting concept (quite clearly in the National Party Caucus, and has helped Prof Richard Archer controversial) is the use of an achieve conservation milestones for the National Party. electronic collar around the cows neck, which guides the . In the 9 years of a National Party Government, the cow where to eat, without the use of conventional Bluegreens took New Zealand from generating 65% to fences. 85% in renewable energy. Richards use of contour to ring manuka honey . Established Predator Free 2050 production, surrounded by pine trees (on the steeper country) which keeps the bees focused on the manuka . Established ‘Battle for our Birds’ to protect our native plants. species, and set up ‘War on Weeds’ to tackle invasive

species such as wilding pines. FIELD TRIP TO PUKAHA NATIONAL WILDLIFE . Created 11 new marine reserves, and we’re still CENTRE, MT BRUCE committed to secure the Kermadecs as the third Another highlight of the largest marine reserve in the world. weekend was the trip to the . We developed and funded a threatened species Wildlife Centre at Mount strategy to ensure our native species flourish. We Bruce. funded a kiwi recovery programme whose aim is to We had a pretty full muster of have 100,000 wild kiwi by 2030. around 60 (including several . Helped tackle kauri dieback with funding of close to MPs) attending the Sunday $22 million for research to turn the tide on this trip, and our group received a devastating disease. great welcome at the visitor centre from the General

Authorised by G Hamilton, 41 Pipitea Street, Wellington Page 6 YOUR BLUEGREENS EXECUTIVE

Chris Severne Scott Simpson MP Andrew von Dadelszen Mike Rutledge BLUEGREENS CO-CHAIR BLUEGREENS CO-CHAIR BG TREASURER & NELSON chris@obsidiancommunications. Scott.simpson@ .org.nz NEWSLETTER AUTHOR [email protected] co.nz [email protected]

Grant McCallum Diane Sorensen Kerry Worsnop David Holmes NORTHERN CNI – BAY OF PLENTY CNI – EAST COAST LNI – WAIRARAPA [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Message from the Bluegreens Co-Chairs – Chris Severne & Scott Simpson

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