A near majority of people are concerned government is unduly influenced by ‘big interests’. But party funding laws are complex and overdue for reform.
Articles on Fast-track Approvals Bill
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The tail wagging the dog is a risk in any coalition arrangement. But with two tails wagging vigorously, the National-led government is testing the limits of consensus and policy coherence.
Many datasets have gaps and biases due to how the information was gathered. Developers must account for this to avoid embedded wrong assumptions being carried across to train future AIs.
Resource laws and processes have tried to keep politics out of decision making. But this technocratic approach carries its own problems. The challenge is getting the balance right.
The major benefit of agrivoltaics is that solar panels shelter crops and animals from the heat, while providing more warmth at night. Soils also retain more moisture and some crops grow better.
New Zealand is far from a tyranny. But there are signs its democratic institutions are not as robust as they might be – with the proposed ‘fast-track’ legislation bringing concerns to a head.
If a future government wanted to block fast-tracked projects, it could trigger investor-state dispute settlement clauses built into existing trade agreements, with billions potentially at stake.
With submissions about to close on the government’s proposed fast-track consenting legislation, its possible impact on New Zealand’s diminished and delicate ecosystems demands proper scrutiny.
Top contributors
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Professor of Ecology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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Professor of Law, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
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Honorary Research Associate, School of Built Environment, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
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Professor and Chair in Sustainable Energy Systems, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Stellenbosch University
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Associate Professor in Planning, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
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Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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Professor of Law, University of Waikato
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Professor of Politics, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
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Senior Lecturer in Comparative Politics, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
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Professor of Political Science, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington