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Leader's Letter
December 2006
Future Fish
A recent scientific survey highlighted the very real problem of
over-fishing in the world’s oceans, and warned of the total loss
of wild seafood this century if action is not taken immediately
to arrest this trend.
The report in Science magazine analysed 32 controlled experiments, UN global catch data since the 1950s and historical records and found that global marine diversity had declined dramatically, with 29 percent of species already in collapse.
The response from the Government was in my view somewhat complacent. It pointed to our Quota Management System (QMS) and marine reserves as evidence that we are doing the right things to ensure sustainability of the fisheries resource. However our experiences with the collapse of orange roughy stocks and the imminent demise of hoki are evidence that we don’t always get it right. Further, there is a need for strong local and community support for marine reserves to be effective.
Another concern is that if stocks worldwide are declining, then our fish stocks will become more susceptible to poaching, which raises the issue of policing and protection. I would suggest that we’re fighting a losing battle on that front at the moment, and we need to have an effective strategy that will combat further illegal fishing in our waters. That’s going to mean more coastal patrols and a lot more fisheries officers.
The EU, Russia and South Korea have recently blocked measures to protect fragile ecosystems in the South Pacific, suggesting that mismanagement of their own fisheries is leading them to look to our region to fulfil their fishing needs. This is extremely disappointing, particularly in light of the Science magazine report, and highlights the need for eternal vigilance when it comes to protecting our valuable fisheries resource.
It’s imperative that we stop using fishing methods that destroy ecosystems. Bottom trawling has been identified as a major danger to biodiversity in our oceans, as it just destroys everything in its path. We can no longer accept that somehow the ecosystem can come back and replenish from that. The evidence is undeniable that it cannot, and research suggests that fish stocks would fare better if efforts were made to protect entire ecosystems rather than individual species. This obviously calls into question the efficacy of the QMS, with its focus on individual stocks.
The good news is that the damage can be reversed by careful management of fishing, more marine reserves and protected areas, and pollution control. Some governments are redrafting their fisheries policies, and I sincerely hope that our Government is not above refining its policy, within the broader context of an overarching Oceans policy, to ensure the availability of fish for future generations.
Pita Paraone MP
2006 Policy Gains
This year has seen a number of policy gains and successes for New Zealand First. We are very pleased to be able to report our progress on many fronts, on issues that are very dear to our hearts. We promised to use our critical position responsibly for the benefit of all New Zealanders to deliver what we said we would.
Over the last 12 months we have:
Won major policy concessions leading to:
- A rise in the minimum wage, which meant that from 27 March onwards, workers earning the minimum wage received a pay rise of nearly eight per cent taking it to $10.25 an hour . an important step towards our $12 target.
- A lift in the minimum rate of superannuation to 66 percent of the Net Average Wage as of April this year.
- An additional $126 million for the elder care sector ($58 million in additional funding for home-based support and $68 million for age related residential care) in this year's Budget.
- 1000 more frontline police staff, complete with the necessary nonuniform and other resources by 2008. New Zealand First is very pleased to be able to report that the drive to recruit this target number of officers over the next three years is well on track.
- A reduction in totalisator gaming duty for racing to 4% of gambling profits and an accelerated writedown regime for bloodstock. This is something New Zealand First has campaigned for over many years. The changes came into effect with the new racing season.
Introduced new legislation to:
- Reduce the number of MPs in Parliament. New Zealand First MP Barbara Stewart had her Electoral (Reduction in Number of Members of Parliament) Amendment Bill proceed through to select committee. We are disappointed that most other parties were unable to honour the result of the 1999 referendum in which 81.5% of voters supported a reduction in the number of MPs.
- Eliminate all references to the "principles" of the Treaty of Waitangi from all New Zealand Statutes. New Zealand First MP Doug Woolerton introduced his Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Deletion Bill in July this year.
- Reduce the age of criminal responsibility. New Zealand First law and order spokesperson Ron Mark's Young Offenders (Serious Crimes) Bill is at select committee. The Bill seeks to introduce tougher penalties for youth offenders who commit serious violent crimes. New Zealand First has long been calling for tougher penalties for serious youth offenders and an attack on entry level crime. Just recently it was announced that the Government is considering doubling the length of some sentences for young criminals. New Zealand First will be making sure this is given serious consideration.
- Remove potential conflict of interest in roles on Maori Land Court and the Waitangi Tribunal. Pita Paraone has introduced his Treaty of Waitangi (Removal of Conflict of Interest) Amendment Bill. In the interests of removing any cause for inference of bias, and in the interests of justice being seen to be done, this bill seeks to remove the ability of serving Judges to be members of the Waitangi Tribunal in any capacity.
- Establish a new category of tertiary institution, a university of technology. Brian Donnelly has had his Education (Establishment of Universities of Technology) Amendment Bill introduced to Parliament. Looking at the feasibility and benefit of establishing a non-university class of institution for technology was part of the Confidence and Supply agreement and the bill is aimed at establishing closer links with business and industry.
Achieved inquiries into:
- Immigration legislation and administrative policies within the immigration service. A comprehensive review is continuing after public submissions closed in July.
- An independent rates inquiry . the terms of reference being announced at the beginning of November. New Zealand First has long campaigned on this and was the only party calling for an independent inquiry when the rates issue intensified earlier this year.
- A review of ACC funding for physiotherapy services which is now underway, after serious campaigning by New Zealand First's deputy leader Peter Brown.
- Casualisation of the workforce. The costs and benefits of demerging police and traffic. The inquiry is underway now.
Provided impetus for:
- The development of a new tax policy to benefit business. We welcomed the release of a policy paper on business tax in July this year. From the option of the 3% cut in the company tax rate, which would bring us into line with Australia, through to tax cuts for key sectors groups, in particular exporters, and the cutting of red tape, the business sector can now have an open and honest discussion about those options that will improve New Zealand's long term growth. Progress on this front was a critical part of New Zealand First's Confidence and Supply agreement with the Government.
- Export Year 2007. Planning is now well underway, and New Zealand First has welcomed the appointment of Ken Stevens as Business Champion for the initiative. New Zealand First aims to greatly expand our country's exports in real terms and provide a sustainable base for economic growth that will lead to job creation and social progress, and this is why we insisted on an Export Year as part of our Confidence and Supply agreement.
- A review of eligibility for overseas pensions.
- Improvements in the home detention scheme. New Zealand First is involved in the planned review of the home detention system. We intend to see an end to the use of home detention as an option for any offenders with a past history of violence.
Brought about:
- The building of a toll free Harbour Bridge in Tauranga. New Zealand First campaigned very hard on having the harbour link designated as a fully funded state highway so that Tauranga residents were not faced with further impositions of tolls. The Land Transport Management (Road Tolling Scheme for Tauranga . Mt Maunganui Harbour Link) Order in Council was revoked in September this year.
- We are also pleased that a carbon tax has been ruled out as a response to Kyoto Treaty obligations, and New Zealand First continues to work on home grown practical solutions.
Achieved:
- The introduction of a Supergold Card for seniors. New Zealand First, in conjunction with the Government, launched the Supergold Card on 11 November which, when fully implemented, will improve affordable access to quality health and elder care and will ensure that all public sector entitlements, as well as a range of commercial discounts, are able to be located in a single card. The cards are scheduled for release in August 2007.
- One of our party's less heralded achievements has been the Government's discontinuation of its politically correct social engineering agenda . as an analysis of the legislation that has come before the House this term confirms. We said we would protect our country from extremes . and we are doing that.
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