The Forum this year will be held on the 16-17th October at the Mt Vernon Lodge in Akaroa, just outside of Christchurch.

Key highlights:

Sir Geoffrey Palmer will give the keynote address. Ministers, National MPs, environmental enthusiasts and other recognised experts from key stakeholder groups will also be addressing the Forum.

We will also be hearing from Ministers Hon Bill English, Hon Dr Nick Smith, Hon Tim Groser and Hon Kate Wilkinson.

How to register:

Click on the Forum 2010 registration brochure below. Print it off and send it in with payment details to:

Bluegreens Forum
C/o Sharon O’Callaghan
P O Box 107
Kirwee 7543

Or email: liam1@clear.net.nz 

Posted by admin in Events at 11:02

BANG (Ban All Nukes Generation) Aotearoa 
(the recently launched youth campaign of The Peace Foundation )
Debate – Grand Hall Parliament, Wednesday 28th April 2010

“Has NZ dropped the Nuclear Disarmament Ball?”

Has New Zealand dropped the nuclear disarmament ball? Absolutely not.  In fact right now we are playing that ball as hard as ever - consistently working for the anti-nuke cause, in a sensible and balanced way.

Our Prime Minister John Key has just returned from Obama's nuclear security summit.
He was especially invited because President Obama appreciates that there is no point having a nuclear conference without New Zealand.  And that's because New Zealand has had a long term bi-partisan anti-nuclear policy. 

Over the years our governments have remained consistently anti-nuclear and we have proved to the world that we are sensible and balanced in how we promote that policy.

President Obama needed us at the summit because we are respected internationally and he knew that because of our balanced view many developed countries are happy to follow our lead.  New Zealand has been consistently anti-nuke from the very beginning.
 
The world’s very first anti-nuclear lecture after Japan was bombed was held at Canterbury University in August 1945.  And we have consistently fought against a nuclear presence in the New Zealand and the Pacific ever since. 
 
As early as 1957 New Zealanders called for the "universal prohibition of the manufacture of thermo-nuclear weapons." And during the 60’s the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament was very active. New Zealanders became increasingly concerned about the global nuclear threat and particularly nuclear testing in the south Pacific.
 
In 1973 after taking France to the world court to stop testing, we sent the Frigates Otago and Canterbury to Mururoa to show our displeasure.
On ANZAC day in the Christchurch RSA I meet two old sailors who had been on the Frigate Otago. I recognised them by the mushroom cloud badges pined on by their medals.
 
Throughout the 70’s and 80’s there was a movement to declare a growing number of homes, offices, schools, churches, councils and even cars nuclear free zones. My home town Christchurch became the first New Zealand Nuclear Weapon Free city in 1982 and in 1987 Parliament passed The New Zealand Nuclear Free, disarmament and Arms Control Act - the world’s first nuclear free legislation.
 
We have been helping to shape anti-nuclear policy ever since and we get creditability for our global contribution at a technical and policy level.

Ban Ki-moons five point plan is based on the New Zealand 13 point plan that was promoted in 2000, and right now we are involved in many practical and technical initiatives through different partnerships.

We are Hosting a Nuclear Suppliers Group in Christchurch this year.

We are working with the US to control nuclear terrorism and with Canada on strengthening the instructional framework of the treaty.

We are working with the Australians on greater transparency in the reporting on nuclear weapon polices, fissile material and weapons holding.

We also work with our pacific neighbors on reporting and transportation issues.

We are a strong partner in the New Agenda coalition working on nuclear disarmament and we are coordinating another group of nations working on de-alerting of nuclear weapons.

NZ has a valuable reputation internationally because we are always active, always pushing our nuclear free agenda in a balanced sensible way.

New Zealand is nuclear free by public demand - anti-nukes is ingrained in the New Zealanders psyche - it is supported by all New Zealanders and all political parties.

Every year we continue to ratify the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and we consistently push the anti nuclear agenda leading the world in a sensible and balanced way.

“Has NZ dropped the Nuclear Disarmament Ball” No definitely not.

Posted by admin in Events at 10:50

As the National MP living in Christchurch Central I have the pleasure of working with migrants and refugees from all around the world.

It is enormously important to me, and all Kiwis, to make sure that we welcome and get involved with individuals and communities so that they integrate as effectively and as smoothly as possible when we invite them to come and live in our beautiful country.

The migrants I have worked with, and had the privilege and pleasure of representing, are highly skilled individuals and I am always impressed by their dedication to their  work and their desire to make a significant contribution to the economy of our city and its cultural richness. 

To highlight the facts and to debunk some common myths regarding the value of our migrants to New Zealand, the government recently commissioned some research by the Department of Labour to determine the value of our migrant labour in NZ.

Here are the facts. The survey shows that Migrant workers are making a valuable contribution to New Zealand's economy and that employers rate them highly.

The Department of Labour's 2009 Employers of Migrants survey released last week found 87 percent of respondents rated their migrant employees good or very good.

Employers say the positive attitude displayed by migrants and their skills and experience were driving factors behind the high ratings.

Over a third of employers also reported that migrant workers had skills and experience that were not available in New Zealand which contradicts the complaint that migrant workers take local jobs.

Nine out of 10 of the employers had at least one migrant on staff and 80% had taken on a migrant in the last year.

So we can see that Migrant workers play a major role in the economy and this survey reinforces the value they provide to employers,

Their positive impact on the economy is immense. In 2005/06 migrants contributed 68 percent more in taxes than they received in services or benefits which equates to a net $3.3 billion boost to the economy.

Between 2001 and 2006, 60 percent of New Zealand's workforce growth came from permanent and temporary migrants.

The survey, was completed late last year by 424 employers who have had contact with Immigration New Zealand. And is proof positive that financially, as well as culturally, foreign born migrants add real value to our city and country.

It is a good news story that we should all be promoting. We all know that there are some Kiwis that just don’t understand or appreciate migrants in the community.

We now know that migrants add real value to our economy and that employers appreciate their contribution but we also know that coming to a new country, moving into a new community and taking up a new job are all challenging and stressful things to do. Each activity is challenging and stressful by itself so when someone has to do all three they need all the support that they can get.

So it is my pleasure to the support the new and innovative Mentoring to Migrant Job seekers programme as set up by CBA. Canterbury Business Association and the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.

It will provide a win–win-win. A win for immigrants, a win for employers, and a win for the New Zealand community.

In the survey that we have been talking about 20% of employers felt there were no particular issues in hiring a migrant, which is great news, those employers can just get on with the job. But it also means that 80% feel that they would like some support. And that is where this programme could be invaluable.

The effective integration of immigrants is both a cultural and economic imperative and any support that the Association and other agencies can give to our migrants to Canterbury is a benefit for everyone.

So I have great pleasure in officially launching the Mentoring to Migrant Job Seekers programme.

Posted by admin in Events at 09:29

Monday 22nd March 2010

We are all here because we agree that water is a critically important resource for Canterbury and for New Zealand.

But unfortunately, over the past few years we have done a poor job in managing it.

It is a key priority for this government to do better- and to create a step change in the management of our water resources.

The Blue Greens, which I chair, believe in a collaborative approach, we campaigned on environmental collaboration and although it does take longer, we believe that it is the best way to get a long-term sustainable result.

This is why the government has committed a lot of time and significant resources to two collaborative processes.

The Land and Water Forum and the Canterbury Water strategy.  We see both these processes as enormously valuable and essential to our way forward.

The government has making a careful consideration of the review groups findings about the quality of the management of our water . The Review group was very experienced in environmental and management issues. It included Wyatt Creech, Doug Martin, Greg Hill, and Doug Low.

Rt Hon Wyatt Creech was the chair and appointed for his experience in business and knowledge of farming, wine production, and accounting.

Doug Martin was appointed for his experience in Local government and the state sector. He is an expert in management performance improvement.

Greg Hill is an environmentalist and RMA specialist. He has approximately 25 years experience working with environmental issues. 

Doug Low is a civil engineer with significant experience in strategic and general management and organisational change. He has a track record of getting results using practical solutions while retaining a strategic view.

They were unanimous in their opinion. As  were the TLAs, the environmental organizations and environmentalists, the farmers, and the irrigation companies, in fact almost everyone that they interviewed during the process - that Ecan was not delivering on water..

The review group understands how important water management is to Canterbury but were struck by the extent of the gap between the capability of Ecan and what was required for it to adequately manage freshwater issues, which they said was enormous and unprecedented.

They believe that Ecan’s performance falls well short of what is essential.
So the question that the government is considering now is what is the best way to lift the performance of Ecan?

The status quo is obviously not good enough. And I think we all agree that there needs to be change. 

The government is committed to three tools that can help-
We have a strong commitment to delivering National Policy Statements
A strong commitment to delivering National Environmental Standards
and a strong commitment to an Environmental Protection Agency.
But the government is yet to decide exactly what structure will work best in Cantebury. I think we should be as sensible and opened minded as possible as we look for the best sustainable solution and I look forward to working with all the organizations that are here today.

I , like you, am strongly committed to a better long term future for Canterbury water and collaborative process and  democratic representation on water issues.

The reason we are here today, is that historically our management has not been up to scratch so we need to lift our game.

Everyone will be involved in the management of water. The government is committed to increasing our use of water to protect our eco systems and to grow our economy. That will include the more efficient use of water and smart storage schemes. But let me make it plain, there will be a good balance- this is not about development at any cost. And our commitment to that balance can be illustrated by the stopping of intensive dairy farming in the McKenzie Basin. The decisive action taken by the Minister Hon Dr Nick Smith is the reason that that will not be progressing.

So thank you all for coming today- thank you for your commitment to the better management of water in Canterbury. There are no easy answers as we need to mange many competing interests. But be assured that the government is right behind you, Now is our chance- right now Cantabarins dominate government- the chair of the Bluegreens (me) is a born and bred Cantabarian, the Minister of the Environment is born and bred in Rangiora, the Minister of Conservation stands in Rangiora and  David Carter the Minister of the Agriculture is from Christchurch and even the Prime Minister is a Cantabrian through and through.

So I am optimistic, I believe that working together- calmly, sensibly, and thoughtfully, using a collaborative model we will manage

Posted by admin in Events at 09:58

Posted by admin in Events at 12:48

I invite students between the ages of 16 and 18 to participate in the selection for the 2010 Youth Parliament.

Youth Parliament is opportunity for students to gain insight and a unique perspective on the workings of New Zealand Parliament. Youth Parliament is held once every Parliamentary term and provides young New Zealanders with the opportunity to learn about our democracy and influence public decision-making.

The date for Youth Parliament 2010 has been scheduled for 6-7 July. 

One Youth MP is selected for every one of the 122 MPs, and 10 youth will be selected as members of the Youth Press Gallery.  Youth MPs will engage in general debate, sit on committees, debate a mock Bill, ask questions of Cabinet Ministers and take tours within the Parliamentary complex.

Each student wishing to represent me in Parliament, will be asked to create a presentation of approximately 5 minutes to illustrate why we should ‘pick them’! 

In their presentation they should express their ideas about the following.

1. What it is like to be a young person in Christchurch Central.
2. The issues that concern young people in Christchurch Central.
3. Why they are the best person to represent the young people of Christchurch Central.

I would like to encourage anyone who is interested in the political process to apply to take my seat in Parliament over these 2 days.  I will accept students from each of the nine secondary schools in the Christchurch Central area to be part of a selection process.  I am happy to speak to any group who is interested in the Parliament and the democratic process.  Please advise my office of a contact person to liaise with.  The final selection will take place in Christchurch on Monday 15 March and so I need you to confirm final candidates by 05 March 2010.

Posted by admin in Events at 12:53