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New oil and gas permits welcome news
Barbara Kuriger 
July 09, 2021
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National is welcoming the news that two new oil and gas exploration permits have been granted, National’s Energy and Resources spokesperson Barbara Kuriger says.
“Labour’s banning of offshore exploration in 2018 came without warning and severely undermined industry confidence.
“Such was the shock to confidence that in just three years since the announcement, over 80 per cent of offshore exploration permits have been relinquished.
So proud to be rural
Barbara Kuriger June 23, 2021
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It was wonderful to be back at Mystery Creek for 2021’s National Agricultural Fieldays after COVID-19 led to a virtual experience last year.
My congratulations to chief executive Peter Nation and the team on persevering even though COVID scares earlier this year made it feel like a risky proposition.
Biting the hand
Barbara Kuriger June 15, 2021
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“Be careful.”
That’s the response by National’s Rural Communities spokesperson Barbara Kuriger to Sunday’s unveiling of the Government’s electric vehicle rebate scheme.
Aspirational vs achievable
Barbara Kuriger June 14, 2021
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Wednesday’s final report by the Climate Change Commission challenged the target of 100% renewable electricity by 2030 saying it was more “aspirational” than achievable.
In the 419 pages, dubbed by some as the ‘road map to becoming carbon neutral by 2050’, that goal was lowered to somewhere between 95%-98%.
That’s fortunate as our current level of achievement with renewable electricity has dropped from a 84.9% high in 2016, to 78% (June 10, MBIE Quarterly Energy Statistics) — an 8.5% decrease.
It’s a trend that could continue.
Regulation gap while bill is on hold
Barbara Kuriger June 04, 2021
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NATIONAL’S Food Safety spokesperson Barbara Kuriger is throwing her support behind Natural Health Products NZ (NHPNZ).
The industry body with more than 145 members represents 85% of the country’s natural health industries, manufacturers, suppliers and branded goods companies.
Comments not helpful
Barbara Kuriger June 03, 2021
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I posted a clip on my Facebook page after a climate change discussion on TVNZ’s Q&A, Sunday May 30.
The topic wasn’t the problem, but there was a comment by one panelist, Iwi Chairs Forum spokesperson Mike Smith, supporting reducing the nation’s herds, who referred to dairy farmers using terms of “selfishness” and “greed”, “producing products for an elite market in Europe”!
He also wants more than a 15% nationwide reduction. This kind of uninformed, totally out-of-touch view of our country’s agribusinesses and how they operate is staggering!
The power of two
Barbara Kuriger May 28, 2021
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NATIONAL’S spokesperson for Energy and Resources is sending a shout out to two of New Zealand’s biggest energy companies.
Barbara Kuriger says winter is looking considerably better thanks to an agreement announced today by Genesis Energy and Methanex.
The Minister is 'off planet'
Barbara Kuriger May 28, 2021
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I’ve decided Minister O’Connor and I must live in an alternate reality.
And that’s a problem as it’s affecting Rural New Zealand and its communities badly.
We're already in trouble
Barbara Kuriger May 28, 2021
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“LISTEN to the experts.”
That’s National Energy & Resources spokesperson Barbara Kuriger’s recommendation to the Government following the release of a Gas Industry Company’s consultation paper on Monday.