Aspirational vs achievable

Barbara Kuriger June 14, 2021 Share

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.

Read more

Regulation gap while bill is on hold

Barbara Kuriger June 04, 2021 Share

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.

Read more

Comments not helpful

Barbara Kuriger June 03, 2021 Share

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!

Read more

The power of two

Barbara Kuriger May 28, 2021 Share

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.

Read more

The Minister is 'off planet'

Barbara Kuriger May 28, 2021 Share

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.

Read more

We're already in trouble

Barbara Kuriger May 28, 2021 Share

“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.

Read more

Drawing the line at online services

Barbara Kuriger May 20, 2021 Share

RURAL communities are the second largest city in the country (600,000+ people), generating more than $26 billion in earnings, thanks to the dairy and red meat sectors alone.

“Yet those numbers don’t seem to rate highly enough with banks or the Government and its agencies,” says National Rural Communities spokesperson Barbara Kuriger.

Read more

A promise is a promise

Barbara Kuriger May 20, 2021 Share

NATIONAL’S spokesperson for Rural Communities Barbara Kuriger is backing yesterday’s call by Federated Farmers for the Government to deliver on its election promise to protect productive farmland.

“The Feds want a full review of government policies which are leading to the loss of productive farms, export income, employment and the undermining of rural communities,” she says.

Read more

Govt stands by while farmers brace staff shortage impact

Barbara Kuriger May 20, 2021 Share

With just 14 days until New Zealand’s dairy season begins, the dairy sector is bracing itself for the impacts of a severe labour shortage, National’s Rural Communities spokesperson Barbara Kuriger says.

Read more