National say they will "unleash growth". That may be by selling / exchanging 5 million hectares of conservation land, much of it with "high ecological value" - representing 2/3 of the entire estate.
I'm normally have an optimistic outlook on life but Nicola Toki's comment about the firehouse is pretty much how I feel. Our little efforts (Mountain Tui and the like) are worthy and illuminating but the success of causes like Save Manapouri way back, was partly, maybe even largely, because of mass media of the day, the newspapers giving it and its leaders wide publicity and in so doing galvanizing the general public to get behind the campaign. Now, getting the public engaged is much more problematic with a fractured and, it almost seems, compliant media.
Toki - a wonderful warrior in my view. I can imagine and relate to what she is saying.
"It feels like guzzling...from a firehose....too many sneaky reforms...they're trying to get in through the back door...even we [Forest and Bird] can't keep up anymore....the most destructive government in my lifetime....nothing like what I've seen before....people may not understand what is happening.....death by a thousand cuts"
To care is to feel that burden I imagine.
I can only thank her and her organisation for their efforts.
Yes. Our mass media companies are so owned and social media fractures and misinforms. Our status in the World Press Freedom Index is not as good as once it was.
I do like Newsroom but they are a more indepth paper and don't get the same level of clicks but a worthy one. Need RNZ regardless of flaws. Ditto 1News.
The issue is Stuff and NZME have the largest blanket reach but they are corporate media.
I will never see the attraction of having the country run by a spine less morally bankrupt boys club set on feathering their own nest at the country’s expense.
As is the case with these clubs, membership confers its own moral lens. Those who want to join fawn sycophantically, imitate slavishly, support blindly, in the hope of being admitted.
I’m really passionate about this aspect because Luxon and his C-O-C has become so incredibly damaging to New Zealand’s interests,its environment, and its people.
Luxon has become a relentless, recidivist, and proven economic vandal, who is laser-focused on running beautiful New Zealand into the ground. He spruiks his ‘professional’ marketing credentials and expertise, but he has never demonstrated the intellectual rigour or critical analysis required by the discipline to make informed commercial decisions based on any type of research. He wouldn’t know what a market insight was if it hit him the face. He literally just makes shit up and starts spinning. They are not the traits of a professional marketer or manager, they are the traits of the conman and grifter.
As a Western Australian, I have always believed New Zealand’s true super power comes from its unique landscapes and its quirky, resilient, endlessly curious, and friendly people. Those two elements when combined produce incredible mountain climbers, sailors, scientists, explorers, adventurers, writers, artists, musicians, athletes, food producers, creators, entrepreneurs…..the list is endless. In turn, this talent - powered by empathic, resilient, caring people - has demonstrated that it can invent and innovate the incredible. It has also proven over and over, that it can do the impossible. New Zealand’s strength is in its unity, which Luxon and his weak leadership is allowing to be ripped apart.
New Zealand’s ingenuity includes all sorts of sectors, from the engineering brilliance of Hamilton Jet to the world-class creativity of Weta works, and everything in between. It has been - I say that with tears in my eyes - a nation that has lead the world in humanity. It has done the right thing. It leads with values. It demonstrates integrity. It walks its talk or did once. It has always been a beacon of light to the world. Luxon, in 18 months, has relentlessly sold out New Zealanders, supported by KPIs and quarterly targets aimed at destroying everything that is great about the nation. Under Luxon Mojo and futures are now on the endangered list. The country is on a backwards track to nowhere.
What is it about New Zealand’s incredible landscape and its people that someone like Christopher Luxon cannot see? One of his key goals appears to be finding ways to sell it all to the highest bidder? I have never seen such egregious, short-sighted, stupidity in my life. It is malicious in its bad intent. Luxon is a bad actor and he has managed to slip under the old guardrails.
It is now also well beyond doubt, Luxon is a full blown libertarian who serves ‘capital’ one hundred percent of the time. He does not, and will not, put the New Zealand environment or the people who live in it first. The ‘secret sauce’ which enables all of this is the disengaged and naive New Zealand public, who do not realise the downstream ramifications of all this. Their primary concern is house prices. This unfortunate situation is allowing the coalition the cover they need to restructure the system to suit their own interests and the interests of capital. Capital that has captured and corrupted what was once a fairly ‘egalitarian’ centrist governing structure that on the whole tried to do the right thing by New Zealanders.
That has been extinguished. Also up against it are 76% of freshwater fish, 68% of freshwater birds, 78% of terrestrial birds, 93% of frogs, and 94% of reptiles, which are currently threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened. New Zealand’s unique biodiversity has a high proportion of threatened or at-risk species – one of the highest amid the global biodiversity crisis.” And still, Luxon wants more and more and more. Growth-growth-growth. For what? For who? For him?
Sorry, MT, a bit grim today aren’t I. Tell me I’ve got it wrong, please.
We can only trust and hope nature is more resilient than us fools....
"It is now also well beyond doubt, Luxon is a full blown libertarian who serves ‘capital’ one hundred percent of the time. He does not, and will not, put the New Zealand environment or the people who live in it first."
I agree - some say it's the ACT Party or NZ First. There is no doubt in my mind the agenda we see is one they all share collectively.
One hundred percent MT. They’re fusing and morphing into a singular organism, which is frightening and it will be very challenging for the left to counter. Not impossible, but challenging. You’re so onto it with ‘the left votes, the left wins’. That is where the left needs to get laser focused. My fear is they will try and win in the centre and that’s going to be tricky because the centre has been hollowed out. Same problem the Dems have got in the USA. Ironically, they did it to themselves by not looking after people. Hello NZ Labour, pay attention.
We lead the world in many admirable qualities: safety, transparency, and democratic ideals... These are not qualities that one can sell off quite so quickly for a killing.
This CoC are vile corporate puppets and must be voted out now. I would support civil unrest with my dying breath should we have to endure another term of them.
It’s all very frightening - Luxon is a traitor to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. The economy is his GOD - tragically no other VALUES matter. He’ll burn the Country and leave it as a smouldering ruin that will offer NO future to future generations! Let’s make sure he doesn’t get a chance - vote he and his Govt out in 2026. Rally the troops!
On point Paul x2. 1) "Beloved leader" follows the gospel of prosperity where to be wealthy means to be one of God's chosen (thus 'sorted'),
2) that schtick comes with a belief in the Endtimes so giving a helping hand to the destruction of the planet is virtuous conduct to these hollow humans. I kid you not.
Evidence? Living under two terms of Hillsonger Scott Morrison and his coalition of vandals in Australia. Same same.
This is just the next step in their attack on conservation and the environment after the Fast-track Act and the pending Regulatory Standards Act and changes to the Overseas Investment Act!
In his statement in support of the application for a National Water Conservation Order to be applied to the water of the Ahuriri River and its tributaries in September 1983 Sir Charles Fleming KBE FRS FRSNZ FRAOU (1916–1987), the pre-eminent New Zealand scientist of his day, said that because of its high proportion of endemic flora and fauna our country ranks as a biogeographic province with a native biota far more distinctive than that of any equal area in the continental regions of the world. Further, that the endemic plants and animals of a nation are as much part of its heritage as is its art and history, that they form part of the family of life and to neglect the obligation to conserve species is “the mark of a banana republic, not a responsible advanced democracy.”
Unfortunately it certainly feels like we are fast becoming a banana republic!
Here’s an idea for you to consider regarding footnotes which give the source for examples you give in your writing. Now, it may be that I’m just an old guy with a failed memory, but when i come to a footnote I have two choices:
Scroll immediately down to the bottom of the article and then have to navigate back to where I was up to - time consuming and frustrating and I lose the flow of my reading.
Look at the footnotes when I get to the end, by which stage I have no idea what they refer to.
Why not a sidebar at the actual point of the comment, or an italicised note immediately at the end of the sentence containing the note number. Much more easy.
The Finance Committee's web site shows that there were 3,556 submissions on the Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. Perhaps the reported 300 submissions are those asking to be heard?
Toki is a star, no doubt. She communicates in a clear, breezing but intelligent way that l think resonates easily. Also your comment.. “if the last 18 months has taught us anything, it’s that the National Party’s real goals fail to match up to the public interest test, evidence based expertise and democracy” .. never a truer word spoken Tui. Incredibly, they manage to sound more alarming and repugnant with each passing day.
Kia ora Christine, I wrote this elsewhere and it's relevant to this question too:
What I've found with this government is they will pretend to acquiesce at times if there's significant pressure, but what they end up doing is just going back to a similar version/outcome once the eyes of the public have abated.
Same with fast-track - they said Ministers would not have authority but in the end, reports showed they were still making decisions for donors.
I also expect them to spring the RSB on us at any time.
Can we halt it?
We would have a chance with widespread public awareness, media support, campaigns....
Quentin, thanks. I've updated the article with MPI by-catch info above too. Re: PCE report, I haven't seen the comments reported but may have missed it.
I'm not sure why but this article really got me today. Great article as always.
I feel so emotionally wrecked by what this government is doing to the country I moved home to. A country, where I could raise my children, that valued what mattered and gave opportunities to most. I know that the last coalition wasn't perfect but at least there was a sense of hope, pride and prosperity. I was proud of the way we respected our whenua, and native species, stood up for the little guy and worked hard for a brighter and better future. I was so excited to know that my children would never be able to buy smoking products legally. Now it just feels like it's all being destroyed, should I move my family back to Australia????
I hear you so much Frith. So many feel the same way and even ones born here - there is a reason so many are leaving. I have thought about it myself given everything they are doing here - and how fast they are wrecking it. Not only that, doing it in ways to make it hard for future governments to undo.
You can only answer that for yourself of course. I think if they win a second term, it will be very disastrous. Hopefully a future government can stymie the corruption and the sheer scale of misinformation allowed to perpetuate under this lot. However, I also know misinformation is a global thing - it's how Trump got in.
Albanese was lucky to be able to escape it but they have more media choices...it's a hard one.
Go easy. When it's too hard I find breaks reinvigorate me. I hope you find the time for respite and a smile later on :-)
I also don't think it helps that I'm listening to Jacinda Ardern's book "A Different Kind of Power" and wonder how the hell we went from that to what we currently have.
Reminds me of Trump. If you haven't seen this documentary about the decimation of an are of scientific significance / ecological importance in Scotland - it's a must see.
The earlier You've Been Trumped, is also a devastating watch.
Yes there is significant correlation including Trump planning to sell off public land and waterways to commercial interests - removing protections in place for over a quarter of a century.
Unfortunately I nearly always see us as a minor image of what they are doing there which is attention worthy considering this is the first term here but speaks to the emboldened nature we are dealing with.
Sarah - have also added the Trump links to the end of the article. Thanks for reminding me and yes environmental non-care seems to be part of the playbook unfortunately
For those who are interested- a short interview with director Anthony Baxter after his first documentary on this subject.... matter was shown at a film festival in Scotland.
I saw the very first documentary about Trump's Scottish golf course - it preceded Baxter's film. It was black and white and very amateurish, but this enhanced its sincerity. I've disliked Trump every since!!
What on earth is wrong with these people? How is it that they are unable to see how valuable our conservation lands and oceans are? Are they just so driven by the dollar that nothing else matters?
The following updates have been made to the article since publication:
- Updated by catch information on commercial fisheries boats
- Added in article links showing Donald J Trump selling off public lands in USA for commercial interests, and rescinding protections
- Updated number of submissions on OIA
Coalition Facism as the Economy Flushes itself down the toilet. 😭
Virtually Zero Reaction from Lackluster.. 🤮
Even Chamber of Commerce (right wingers) are calling the economy an emergency.. 🥸
haha at Simon Bridges wanting taxpayer funding and an 'injection' for Auckland businesses
I'm normally have an optimistic outlook on life but Nicola Toki's comment about the firehouse is pretty much how I feel. Our little efforts (Mountain Tui and the like) are worthy and illuminating but the success of causes like Save Manapouri way back, was partly, maybe even largely, because of mass media of the day, the newspapers giving it and its leaders wide publicity and in so doing galvanizing the general public to get behind the campaign. Now, getting the public engaged is much more problematic with a fractured and, it almost seems, compliant media.
Toki - a wonderful warrior in my view. I can imagine and relate to what she is saying.
"It feels like guzzling...from a firehose....too many sneaky reforms...they're trying to get in through the back door...even we [Forest and Bird] can't keep up anymore....the most destructive government in my lifetime....nothing like what I've seen before....people may not understand what is happening.....death by a thousand cuts"
To care is to feel that burden I imagine.
I can only thank her and her organisation for their efforts.
Yes. Our mass media companies are so owned and social media fractures and misinforms. Our status in the World Press Freedom Index is not as good as once it was.
Yes corporate media is out on this one.
I do like Newsroom but they are a more indepth paper and don't get the same level of clicks but a worthy one. Need RNZ regardless of flaws. Ditto 1News.
The issue is Stuff and NZME have the largest blanket reach but they are corporate media.
I will never see the attraction of having the country run by a spine less morally bankrupt boys club set on feathering their own nest at the country’s expense.
As is the case with these clubs, membership confers its own moral lens. Those who want to join fawn sycophantically, imitate slavishly, support blindly, in the hope of being admitted.
That so underpins these incompetent stooges, well put
No surprises MT, sadly.
I’m really passionate about this aspect because Luxon and his C-O-C has become so incredibly damaging to New Zealand’s interests,its environment, and its people.
Luxon has become a relentless, recidivist, and proven economic vandal, who is laser-focused on running beautiful New Zealand into the ground. He spruiks his ‘professional’ marketing credentials and expertise, but he has never demonstrated the intellectual rigour or critical analysis required by the discipline to make informed commercial decisions based on any type of research. He wouldn’t know what a market insight was if it hit him the face. He literally just makes shit up and starts spinning. They are not the traits of a professional marketer or manager, they are the traits of the conman and grifter.
As a Western Australian, I have always believed New Zealand’s true super power comes from its unique landscapes and its quirky, resilient, endlessly curious, and friendly people. Those two elements when combined produce incredible mountain climbers, sailors, scientists, explorers, adventurers, writers, artists, musicians, athletes, food producers, creators, entrepreneurs…..the list is endless. In turn, this talent - powered by empathic, resilient, caring people - has demonstrated that it can invent and innovate the incredible. It has also proven over and over, that it can do the impossible. New Zealand’s strength is in its unity, which Luxon and his weak leadership is allowing to be ripped apart.
New Zealand’s ingenuity includes all sorts of sectors, from the engineering brilliance of Hamilton Jet to the world-class creativity of Weta works, and everything in between. It has been - I say that with tears in my eyes - a nation that has lead the world in humanity. It has done the right thing. It leads with values. It demonstrates integrity. It walks its talk or did once. It has always been a beacon of light to the world. Luxon, in 18 months, has relentlessly sold out New Zealanders, supported by KPIs and quarterly targets aimed at destroying everything that is great about the nation. Under Luxon Mojo and futures are now on the endangered list. The country is on a backwards track to nowhere.
What is it about New Zealand’s incredible landscape and its people that someone like Christopher Luxon cannot see? One of his key goals appears to be finding ways to sell it all to the highest bidder? I have never seen such egregious, short-sighted, stupidity in my life. It is malicious in its bad intent. Luxon is a bad actor and he has managed to slip under the old guardrails.
It is now also well beyond doubt, Luxon is a full blown libertarian who serves ‘capital’ one hundred percent of the time. He does not, and will not, put the New Zealand environment or the people who live in it first. The ‘secret sauce’ which enables all of this is the disengaged and naive New Zealand public, who do not realise the downstream ramifications of all this. Their primary concern is house prices. This unfortunate situation is allowing the coalition the cover they need to restructure the system to suit their own interests and the interests of capital. Capital that has captured and corrupted what was once a fairly ‘egalitarian’ centrist governing structure that on the whole tried to do the right thing by New Zealanders.
That has been extinguished. Also up against it are 76% of freshwater fish, 68% of freshwater birds, 78% of terrestrial birds, 93% of frogs, and 94% of reptiles, which are currently threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming threatened. New Zealand’s unique biodiversity has a high proportion of threatened or at-risk species – one of the highest amid the global biodiversity crisis.” And still, Luxon wants more and more and more. Growth-growth-growth. For what? For who? For him?
Sorry, MT, a bit grim today aren’t I. Tell me I’ve got it wrong, please.
No unfortunately I cannot disagree.
We can only trust and hope nature is more resilient than us fools....
"It is now also well beyond doubt, Luxon is a full blown libertarian who serves ‘capital’ one hundred percent of the time. He does not, and will not, put the New Zealand environment or the people who live in it first."
I agree - some say it's the ACT Party or NZ First. There is no doubt in my mind the agenda we see is one they all share collectively.
One hundred percent MT. They’re fusing and morphing into a singular organism, which is frightening and it will be very challenging for the left to counter. Not impossible, but challenging. You’re so onto it with ‘the left votes, the left wins’. That is where the left needs to get laser focused. My fear is they will try and win in the centre and that’s going to be tricky because the centre has been hollowed out. Same problem the Dems have got in the USA. Ironically, they did it to themselves by not looking after people. Hello NZ Labour, pay attention.
Watch Jeremy Corbyn in UK, he may show us the way…
Context is king eh?
Grace sums it up for me Keith. I think many / most people have completely missed the fact that the systems they knew are gone forever. Here’s the link: https://open.substack.com/pub/graceblakeley/p/no-one-is-coming-to-save-you?r=1bzot&utm_medium=ios
We hope so 🙏 A lot of mahi ahead.
Baby steps….as MT has outlined, ‘if the left votes, the left wins’, that’s our objective Leonie. Hang in there, wild ride coming up.
James, please send this to Luxon.
What we need to send to Luxon is an empty ballot box Leonie. Luxon doesn’t listen to anyone. Did you know he used to run an airline?
"RUN" an airline? Into what?
That’s tongue in cheek obviously, aye.
We lead the world in many admirable qualities: safety, transparency, and democratic ideals... These are not qualities that one can sell off quite so quickly for a killing.
This CoC are vile corporate puppets and must be voted out now. I would support civil unrest with my dying breath should we have to endure another term of them.
It’s all very frightening - Luxon is a traitor to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. The economy is his GOD - tragically no other VALUES matter. He’ll burn the Country and leave it as a smouldering ruin that will offer NO future to future generations! Let’s make sure he doesn’t get a chance - vote he and his Govt out in 2026. Rally the troops!
On point Paul x2. 1) "Beloved leader" follows the gospel of prosperity where to be wealthy means to be one of God's chosen (thus 'sorted'),
2) that schtick comes with a belief in the Endtimes so giving a helping hand to the destruction of the planet is virtuous conduct to these hollow humans. I kid you not.
Evidence? Living under two terms of Hillsonger Scott Morrison and his coalition of vandals in Australia. Same same.
This is just the next step in their attack on conservation and the environment after the Fast-track Act and the pending Regulatory Standards Act and changes to the Overseas Investment Act!
In his statement in support of the application for a National Water Conservation Order to be applied to the water of the Ahuriri River and its tributaries in September 1983 Sir Charles Fleming KBE FRS FRSNZ FRAOU (1916–1987), the pre-eminent New Zealand scientist of his day, said that because of its high proportion of endemic flora and fauna our country ranks as a biogeographic province with a native biota far more distinctive than that of any equal area in the continental regions of the world. Further, that the endemic plants and animals of a nation are as much part of its heritage as is its art and history, that they form part of the family of life and to neglect the obligation to conserve species is “the mark of a banana republic, not a responsible advanced democracy.”
Unfortunately it certainly feels like we are fast becoming a banana republic!
Here’s an idea for you to consider regarding footnotes which give the source for examples you give in your writing. Now, it may be that I’m just an old guy with a failed memory, but when i come to a footnote I have two choices:
Scroll immediately down to the bottom of the article and then have to navigate back to where I was up to - time consuming and frustrating and I lose the flow of my reading.
Look at the footnotes when I get to the end, by which stage I have no idea what they refer to.
Why not a sidebar at the actual point of the comment, or an italicised note immediately at the end of the sentence containing the note number. Much more easy.
I'll give it a whirl the next time I write Doug. Another reader once said the footnotes made it easier to read so it's an interesting one.
I do like to source it but perhaps the hyperlinks may be enough. Thanks for the feedback.
The Finance Committee's web site shows that there were 3,556 submissions on the Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. Perhaps the reported 300 submissions are those asking to be heard?
That’s a better stat - I will update Andrew. Thank you
Toki is a star, no doubt. She communicates in a clear, breezing but intelligent way that l think resonates easily. Also your comment.. “if the last 18 months has taught us anything, it’s that the National Party’s real goals fail to match up to the public interest test, evidence based expertise and democracy” .. never a truer word spoken Tui. Incredibly, they manage to sound more alarming and repugnant with each passing day.
Great work on this as always mate.. thank you.
Outrageous. Can we halt this terrible plan.
Kia ora Christine, I wrote this elsewhere and it's relevant to this question too:
What I've found with this government is they will pretend to acquiesce at times if there's significant pressure, but what they end up doing is just going back to a similar version/outcome once the eyes of the public have abated.
Same with fast-track - they said Ministers would not have authority but in the end, reports showed they were still making decisions for donors.
I also expect them to spring the RSB on us at any time.
Can we halt it?
We would have a chance with widespread public awareness, media support, campaigns....
Thanks MT. Have just written to my "Blue/Green" MP, quoting extensively from the PCE's report. Not holding out much hope.
Quentin, thanks. I've updated the article with MPI by-catch info above too. Re: PCE report, I haven't seen the comments reported but may have missed it.
This is not their fucking land and oceans. It is OURS. I’m so angry…
I'm not sure why but this article really got me today. Great article as always.
I feel so emotionally wrecked by what this government is doing to the country I moved home to. A country, where I could raise my children, that valued what mattered and gave opportunities to most. I know that the last coalition wasn't perfect but at least there was a sense of hope, pride and prosperity. I was proud of the way we respected our whenua, and native species, stood up for the little guy and worked hard for a brighter and better future. I was so excited to know that my children would never be able to buy smoking products legally. Now it just feels like it's all being destroyed, should I move my family back to Australia????
I hear you so much Frith. So many feel the same way and even ones born here - there is a reason so many are leaving. I have thought about it myself given everything they are doing here - and how fast they are wrecking it. Not only that, doing it in ways to make it hard for future governments to undo.
You can only answer that for yourself of course. I think if they win a second term, it will be very disastrous. Hopefully a future government can stymie the corruption and the sheer scale of misinformation allowed to perpetuate under this lot. However, I also know misinformation is a global thing - it's how Trump got in.
Albanese was lucky to be able to escape it but they have more media choices...it's a hard one.
Go easy. When it's too hard I find breaks reinvigorate me. I hope you find the time for respite and a smile later on :-)
Tui
I also don't think it helps that I'm listening to Jacinda Ardern's book "A Different Kind of Power" and wonder how the hell we went from that to what we currently have.
Yeah for sure... The dirty politics won I guess.
Thank you MT.
Reminds me of Trump. If you haven't seen this documentary about the decimation of an are of scientific significance / ecological importance in Scotland - it's a must see.
The earlier You've Been Trumped, is also a devastating watch.
https://youtu.be/k9RweR9EUSg?feature=shared
Yes there is significant correlation including Trump planning to sell off public land and waterways to commercial interests - removing protections in place for over a quarter of a century.
Unfortunately I nearly always see us as a minor image of what they are doing there which is attention worthy considering this is the first term here but speaks to the emboldened nature we are dealing with.
https://www.wilderness.org/articles/blog/congress-making-more-250-million-acres-public-lands-available-sale
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/climate/trump-end-protections-for-58-million-acres-of-national-forests.html
Sarah - have also added the Trump links to the end of the article. Thanks for reminding me and yes environmental non-care seems to be part of the playbook unfortunately
https://youtu.be/WPVlea985HA?feature=shared
For those who are interested- a short interview with director Anthony Baxter after his first documentary on this subject.... matter was shown at a film festival in Scotland.
I saw the very first documentary about Trump's Scottish golf course - it preceded Baxter's film. It was black and white and very amateurish, but this enhanced its sincerity. I've disliked Trump every since!!
What on earth is wrong with these people? How is it that they are unable to see how valuable our conservation lands and oceans are? Are they just so driven by the dollar that nothing else matters?