National MP for Kaikoura stuartsmith.national.org.nz I attended the Taxpayers Union’s ‘Stop Central Planning Committees’ meeting in Blenheim recently. Kudos to the Taxpayers Union for raising awareness about David Parker’s RMA reform bills which propose the establishment of 15 ‘Regional Planning Committees’ (RPCs). These RPCs – co-governed
Stuart Smith National MP for Kaikoura This article was first published at The Platform Professional bodies have a crucial role in establishing standards of conduct and protecting the reputation of their respective professions. It is expected that their directives remain apolitical and do not infringe upon the freedom of their
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Energy Minister Megan Woods recently announced their plans to provide significant financial support through the Government Investing in Decarbonising Industry Fund (GIDI). However, allocating funds to projects like replacing New Zealand Steel’s coal furnace with an electric arc furnace raises questions about the necessity
Professional bodies have a crucial role in establishing standards of conduct and protecting the reputation of their respective professions. It is expected that their directives remain apolitical and do not infringe upon the freedom of their members to hold their own political views. However, the recent proposal by the New
Stuart Smith National MP Kaikoura The behaviour displayed by Te Pati Maori in Parliament last week was highly inappropriate and disrespectful. Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer seem more interested in theatrical displays than engaging in debate on the issues that matter to New Zealanders. Despite proclaiming their strong commitment to
Stuart Smith National MP Kaikoura It’s incredible to think that this is already the 100th edition of the newsletter. It’s a good time to reflect on why I started writing these weekly updates in the first place. I was frustrated with the mainstream media for not fact-checking the
Stuart Smith National MP for Kaikoura http://stuartsmith.national.org.nz/ This week we celebrate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. For many of us, this will be the only coronation we have experienced. As we celebrate the coronation of our new head of state it is timely
The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment recently released the Indicative Business Case (IBC) for the New Zealand Battery Project. However, the IBC has raised more questions than it has answered. Last month, Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods announced that the New Zealand Battery Project will move forward to
Stuart Smith National MP for Kaikoura stuartsmith.national.org.nz Democracy in New Zealand is being challenged from within. And those who fought and died to protect our freedom would never have believed that the biggest threat to our democracy is not a foreign power, but our very own government.
Stuart Smith National MP Kaikoura Did you know it is estimated that there is potential for biogas to provide 80% of the gas needs for the East Coast of Australia? Last week I had the opportunity to visit several renewable gas projects in Australia with Gas NZ to see what
Stuart Smith National MP Kaikoura Last week, Christopher Luxon launched our energy policy, Electrify NZ, which will double our renewable energy generation to accelerate our transition to a low-emissions, high-growth economy. This followed the launch of our education policy to ‘Teach the Basics Brilliantly’, which was incredibly well received. Briefly,
Stuart Smith National MP for Kaikoura The right to freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, and it is crucial for the functioning of a democratic society. It allows individuals to express their opinions and beliefs, even if they are unpopular or controversial. This right is protected by international
Stuart Smith http://stuartsmith.national.org.nz/ A silver bullet solution is hard to resist: it is easy to promote and potentially the stuff that legacies are made of. Last week we saw Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods succumb to this, when she doubled down on the Lake Onslow
Stuart Smith National MP Kaikoura The condition of our infrastructure has reached a critical point where it is significantly affecting our economy – particularly evident with ferry services in the Cook Strait. Prior to 2002, Interislander was the only road, rail and passenger option on the Cook Strait. The introduction of
MP for Kaikoura stuartsmith.national.org.nz It is undeniable that we are living in a fascinating era. Unfortunately, there are those who are emulating Joseph Goebbels, the former Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, under Hitler’s regime. Goebbels worked to create a totalitarian society in which the state
There is only one political party in New Zealand with an environmental wing: National Party’s BlueGreens. Politics is a strange game. It is far easier to point out the obvious than to offer workable solutions, which requires doing policy homework, challenging beliefs and at the very least considering other
