Latest News

Decommissioning bill another blow to energy affordability and security

November 17, 2021 Share

National will repeal Labour’s decommissioning legislation for the oil and gas industry that will push energy prices up and risk more blackouts, says National’s Energy and Resources spokesperson Barbara Kuriger.

 

 

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Fibre optimism

November 10, 2021 Share

“Yesterday’s decision to merge two of New Zealand’s wool entities is fantastic news for growers,” says National Agriculture spokesperson Barbara Kuriger.

 

Mrs Kuriger says the vote by Wools of New Zealand (WNZ) of 99.7% and outright 100% yes by Primary Wool Co-operative (PWC) shareholders to merge sent a strong message.

 

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New climate change target could cripple New Zealand’s economy

November 01, 2021 Share

The announcement of a Glasgow climate change target of 50 per cent reduction by 2030 goes beyond New Zealand’s fair share and will cost the country billions of dollars, say National’s Climate Change spokesperson Stuart Smith and Energy and Resources spokesperson Barbara Kuriger.

 

“The previous National Government took a target of a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 to Paris in 2015, says Smith.

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Removing conflict will provide peace of mind

October 26, 2021 Share

The Financial Professional Services Trading Advice Transparency Bill, which was drawn from the ballot last week, will remove an inherent conflict of interest that exists for those providing advice on the trading viability of troubled companies, National’s Barbara Kuriger says.

 

“Businesspeople, creditors and investors need to be assured any perception that an element of self-interest might exist for those providing professional advice about the viability or future of businesses, such as accounting firms, is removed.

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No MIQ spots for dairy workers

October 22, 2021 Share

“The fact that only two dairy workers have made it past the post and into the country instead of the 200 granted border exceptions by the Government is again a reflection of the shambles of our MIQ system,” says National Agriculture spokesperson Barbara Kuriger.

 

“Minister O’Connor is blaming COVID’s Delta strain for lack of numbers making it through. 

 

“So I find myself reflecting on what I said last week regarding the lack of 50 MIQ spots for qualified vets who are desperately needed and trying to get into New Zealand.

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While we wait for the lights

October 22, 2021 Share

Clear, concise ideas.

Tangible solutions, the Government could pick up and run with right now, to get New Zealand open and back in business.

It’s what National has been working on to get us out of COVID-19/Delta variant grievance mode, while the Government dithers.

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Vets need dedicated MIQ spaces now

October 13, 2021 Share

“An acute shortage of vets could lead to animal welfare issues if the Government does not respond to the New Zealand Veterinary Association.”

 

National Agriculture spokesperson Barbara Kuriger says the association contacted her this week after months of lobbying the Government for managed isolation and quarantine spaces (MIQ) to get overseas vets into NZ.

 

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Rural NZ urged to take the lead

October 12, 2021 Share

National Agriculture spokesperson Barbara Kuriger is urging rural Kiwis to get out and get vaccinated, if they haven’t already, on Saturday.

 

“Many of our rural industry sectors have been devastated by the challenges of COVID-19, especially tourism and hospitality, and there is no end in sight,” she says.

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Labour ignores 15,000 rural New Zealanders

September 24, 2021 Share

By refusing to back a practical change that would lessen the regulatory load on farmers, Labour have shown they remain completely out of touch with rural New Zealand, National’s Agriculture spokesperson Barbara Kuriger and Local Government spokesperson Christopher Luxon say.

 

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The human cost of no response

September 22, 2021 Share

The Prime Minister’s ‘Be Kind’ message is obviously struggling to get past Wellington’s 50k boundary and out to Rural New Zealand.

You can tell because, if there was any response from her or her ministers to the concerns Rural NZ has, I’d know. To date, the tally is 0.

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