e-policy bulletin
E-Policy Bulletin September |
24 September 2007 |
Conference
The FoMA AGM and Conference will be held in Hamilton the 9-11 November more information, and registration forms are available from http://www.foma.co.nz/our_people/foma_agm.htm. The timetabling of the conference follows last years and the 2006 programme can be accessed as we are working on getting the 2007 programme up shortly.
The places are now limited, so be in quick to secure your place.
Maori Trustees Review
The Maori Trustees Office is undergoing a review. FoMAs submission highlighted the following
- Supportive of a stand alone entity;
- Supportive of a long term funding agreement being established between the Maori Trustee and Crown to fund administration of uneconomic lands;
- Clarity and certainty needs to be given on this funding agreement to ensure adequacy of resource;
- Clarity and certainty that historical grievances asserted by Maori claimants against the Maori Trustee and Crown under amending law and regulations are accounted for under the new provisions of the proposed reform;
- Changes need to be added to current legislation that allow for the Maori Trustee to evolve its purpose and strategic direction. Currently as an administrator of Maori land it is our view that any value added is limited, however there is significant potential and this should be provided for in legislation;
- A commercial board to be appointed to determine direction;
- Maori should have a say in this appointment process not the Minister of Maori Affairs.
You can view our submission from here
Indigenous Flavours
FoMA and Crop and Food Research are partnering in a new project Flavours of New Zealand. This project will involve the use of Matauranga Maori to identify traditional food or flavour sources from native flora and fauna that can be added to Dairy, Meat or Seafood to provide a point of difference for market entry. For more information http://www.foma.co.nz/our_services/documents/FlavoursofNewZealand
Carbon Credits and Emission Trading
Key issues in the design of an emissions trading system for New Zealand
MOTU, Economic and public policy research are holding a seminar on the New Zealand system of emission trading on the 27th September, 1230-2pm, Ground Floor Auditorium, National Library, Wellington. The Government has recently announced that it is developing an 'all sources, all gases' emissions trading system as a key part of New Zealand's contribution to the international effort to control climate change. This seminar draws on a body of earlier New Zealand research, and a series of meetings with key actors in the private and public sector. It draws out key conceptual issues that all those with an interest in emissions trading need to understand to participate effectively in the public debate on emissions trading. It will provide a précis of key aspects of the international regulatory environment and then focus on three issues: choice of the point of obligation (and consequently monitoring and verification); the problem of 'leakage' which arises when New Zealand firms compete with firms in countries without equivalent climate change regulation; and potential compensation for 'stranded assets' (capital that will lose much of its value as a result of climate change regulation). More information is available from http://www.motu.org.nz/pdf/2007_seminars/suzi_kerr_seminar_flyer.pdf or from www.motu.org.nz
Emmission Trading
The government announced a series of initiatives to address climate change, including its proposal for a New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme which will provide New Zealand businesses with a least cost and flexible way of reducing their carbon footprint, and help put New Zealand on the path to a more sustainable future.
Copies of the reports - New Zealand’s Climate Change Solutions – an overview, The Framework for a New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, Forestry in a New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme and Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Plan of Action, and emissions trading factsheets - can be accessed from the website www.climatechange.govt.nz.
Throughout October, the government is holding a number of events to engage with you and other stakeholders on emissions trading. These events include Cross-sector emissions trading workshops and Regional forestry public meetings. You can view details from here
Government Stuff
Rates Report
The rating review panel has published a report that is available from http://www.ratesinquiry.govt.nz. The inquiry was established to identify options to enhance rates as a funding tool for local government. The report acknowledged that urgent work is needed to be done in regards to Maori Land. Complex issues concerning Maori land need to be resolved and urgent action is required to address them. Suggestion from the panel that rating laws of Maori land and the treaty of Waitangi be part of a government working program, a new basis of rating Maori land not based on a willing buyer seller assumption be established and development of a training programme to build capacity and knowledge of local councillors in regards to rating Maori land. The panel has also suggested that all rates exemptions be removed from lands except an exceptional few such as the DOC estate. There are no suggestions for additional taxes, there are suggestions for a user pay system.
Talk Environment Roadshow
Environmental issues that matter to you. The Ministry for the Environment would like to hear your views on environmental issues important to you, including:
- adapting to the impacts of climate change
- sustainable business
- encouraging household sustainability
- national guidance under the RMA
Please register to attend the Roadshow by visiting our website: www.mfe.govt.nz/talkenvironment/ or calling freephone 0800 TALKENV (0800 825 536)
Bio-prospecting
MED are currently looking at developing a framework for bio-prospecting in New Zealand, a discussion document has been made available and hui were held throughout the country. Currently there is no framework and Maori rights are not protected. This paper is now the subject of formal consultation between the Crown and iwi between 22 July and 6 September 2007 and submissions on the paper have to be completed by 12 October 2007. As well as bio-prospecting, the Crown discussion document touches on other issues including Matauranga Maori and the ownership of species. All of these issues have been the subject of the Wai 262 claim regarding indigenous flora and fauna which has recently completed hearings in the Waitangi Tribunal. More info on their document Bioprospecting - Harnessing benefits for New Zealand also http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/StandardSummary____46.aspx.
DHB Elections
Maori encouraged to vote in DHB elections – Me Poti Inaianei!
Maori are being urged to offer their awhi and tautoko for the District Health Board elections by filling out their voting forms and posting them back right away.
Voting papers for local authorities and Aotearoa's 21 District Health Boards (DHBs) will be mailed out to all registered electors from this Friday (21 September) and they must be completed and returned by midday on Saturday 13 October. Around 50 Maori candidates are among the 430 who are standing in this year's DHB elections. Almost all of the DHBs have at least one Maori candidate standing and Tairawhiti DHB leads the way with more than half of candidates being Maori. In 2004, there were 11 Maori candidates elected to eight DHB boards, which was up from five members to three boards in 2001.
DHB elections are held under the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, where voters rank candidates in order of preference. Instead of putting a tick beside candidates' names, voters put a number.
'STV is an easy form of voting. Simply write the number “1” next to the candidate you most prefer, “2” next to your second preference, and so on,’ says Ministry of Health spokesperson Rangi Pouwhare. If anyone is confused about voting under STV they should read the easy-to-follow instructions on their voting pack,’ says Ms Pouwhare. For more information visit www.maorihealth.govt.nz
Warmer housing partnership
The Victoria University student environmental group Gecko has identified an opportunity joining the forces of the New Zealand Property Investors Federation (NZPIF), the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) into a joint-campaign that offers a 55 percent subsidy for the cost of a ceiling and under-floor insulation retro-fit, provided the home was built before 1978 and is currently let out to low-income tenants. Landlords are asked to pay 45 percent of the cost of installation, a sum that can be as low as $1000 New Zealand dollars (around USD 690) for a four-bedroom house. You can read the article from www.worldchanging.com/archives/007248.html
If you have any questions or comments in regards to this Panui, please contact Maia maia@foma.co.nz
