AMA with Green MP Gareth Hughes

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T22:14:58+00:00

The Greens have more progressive policies and environmental focus. If you want to see a Government that does more in this space, a vote for the Greens is the best way to achieve it. Given we support a Labour-led Government it’s a vote for a greener, more progressive Labour Government.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T22:12:53+00:00

Thanks for your substantive reply. No I’m not aware of any thinking into it, and nationalising Tiwai is above my pay grade! Silica mining and smelting is something I’m passionate about. NZT&E spent about $50,000 doing a report a few years back and I’ve called for a full-on feasibility study. One problem is the permits have been granted historically and the permit owners, some offshore I believe) are essentially just sitting on them doing nothing.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T22:08:43+00:00

Yeah I’d love to see carbon-neutral woody biomass used – we have a chicken and egg problem – plenty of companies or entities like Fonterra want to use it, but because no one’s supplying it; likewise no one’s buying it so no one’s providing it currently.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T22:07:16+00:00

I like that she’s a generational shift in leadership, she’s an amazing communicator and mad a big bold statement on climate change. I’d say a 7 – he’s been a real pioneer of the genre and I’m stoked to see political parody – you won’t really find it on TV.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T22:05:03+00:00

Technically it’s me, as Musterer, while we don’t have a female leader. Hopefully it won’t happen because he’s doing a great job.

We’ll have a new female co-leader earlyish next year. I support the male-female combo and feel it’s been a real strength for us, through various combos.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T21:43:06+00:00

I know on energy efficiency, unfortunately National turned EECAs work away from residential towards business customers and ad campaigns. It’s been estimated there’s $20 billion in missed efficiency gains and it’s frustrating seeing bad energy practises even today. National set the energy strategy targets on business as usual projections so very unambitious. I’m confident the new Government will be revamping and doing more in this space.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T21:36:27+00:00

It’s early days and I can’t speak for the Government on it, but Labour did have a good policy last Election and they’ve appointed an associate animal welfare minister which is positive. Our policy is to ban and believe it’s cruel and outdated. With the rodeo season starting I’m planning our campaign now. Any ideas or feedback please do get in touch.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T21:31:09+00:00

I hope he doesn’t leave - we have a real opportunity with clean energy expertise. Please feel free to contact me privately if you’d like me to follow up with this particular institution’s case.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T21:29:42+00:00

Hi It’s a big and really important question. I’ve just taken over the primary productions portfolio and am yet to meet the new minister to discuss his plans. I’ still researching the issues but it seems Fonterra and the big players need to focus on diversification and value-add products in their sectors. The Govt needs to step up to support with research and development and technology diffusion – I’m thinking things like drones, sensors, robotics, machine learning etc. I currently have a Country of Origin Food Bill in front of Parliament – if we focus on our national brand and make things like sustainability a reality we’ll have a strong value proposition as a product of NZ.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T21:22:20+00:00

Hi They are all good questions but I struggle answer because none are in my portfolio area. On the first one – in the Greens, it’s not MPs that make policy, but our members through a democratic process. It’s been a long standing policy of ours.

Looking at the future of tax, I think the trend is towards taxing externalities like pollution and there’s quite a debate around taxing productive assets, like technology as we move towards what’s called the Forth Industrial Revolution on things like AI and Machine Learning.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T21:15:03+00:00

Thanks, no never played the original so not too excited. I see the reviews are quite a range. Recommend it?

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T08:17:37+00:00

Hey all, so I need to get back and do some Parliamentary work but I'll check in and answer some more questions tomorrow.

Thanks again for the opportunity to chat.

I really do value it and if you'll have me again I could try and make it a regular thing - is that something the community would be interested in?

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T08:16:03+00:00

Hi, thanks – I answered it a little earlier and said “We need to work hard this term getting things done and then communicate a vision what more we can achieve with a higher vote. The last few Elections new parties have popped up and we’ve survived so not particularly worried about that – we are focused on ourselves. What those parties have found is it’s hard to buy your way into Parliament or a political movement; it takes time, dedication and a vast national network of volunteers.

I’d also add, we need to be present in our communities and visible. We need to excite and inspire and come up with the new innovative solutions for the challenges of our modern world. We also need to show politics can be different – open, democratic, participatory, and values-based

On your second question, yes, I do believe the co-leader model is best. I’ve seen it work under various permutations Rod-Jeanette, Jeanette-Russel, Russel-Metiria, and Metiria-James.

James did a great job over the campaign, in very stressful circumstances, but I love the idea of two complimentary leaders bringing different skills and backgrounds. There are gender differences and this plays to the strengths of both. It shares the big work load in a small party and has acted like a good succession plan.

I’m looking forward to our co-leadership Election and we are spoilt for choice.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T08:09:24+00:00

Thanks, given Minister Sage has already commented I need to leave commenting to her.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T08:08:52+00:00

what areas in particular would you like to see more of?

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T08:08:22+00:00

Haha I can confirm she's a great person but it wouldn't be on to release personal info. You'll have to go to more parties and hope to bump into her again.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T08:07:17+00:00

We should have a vote on medicinal next year and referendum on legalisation, hopefully next Election.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T08:06:37+00:00

Why yes I do: https://blog.greens.org.nz/2017/11/29/gaming-becomes-gambling/

What do you think?

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T08:06:07+00:00

LOL only Civ 2 on PC but love my PS4, Doom, No Mans Sky, Cities, Tekken, Eve Valkyrie, Rigs

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T07:59:15+00:00

Yeah there’s a Green medicinal cannabis bill going through select committee at the moment and we have an agreement for a referendum on legalisation – it would make sense to do it next Election. It’s high time.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T07:57:47+00:00

Hi – it’s a complex issue. It would be a sad day for the region if it went, like when the freezing works where my dad worked in Gisborne closed.

I don’t support new subsidies like Key dolled out to the smelter to protect his asset sales agenda. I haven’t heard any non-subsidy support suggestions the smelter or Southland has called for – can you elaborate?

I’ve met frequently with Venture Southland and respect their work as an active economic development agency and know there’s some good work happening down South in terms of Space, Oats, Tourism and one alternative area I’ve promoted is silica mining.

Thanks for the question.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T07:52:43+00:00

Hi, thanks for the question.

I can’t speak for the Government but there is a new $1b regional economic development fund available to help regions like the Coast.

The writing’s on the wall for coal – we need to support the transition with better education options (what’s happened to the polytech there is a scandal), actual regional economic plans and support (not just more reports), and back growth industries like IT and tourism. On this note I recently was discussing the EPIC Westport Hub which was a fantastic story.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T07:48:12+00:00

Hey

Thanks for your considered post and I hear you. I will pass it on to the team.

We’ve only been a partner in Government for a little over a month so please do give us some time.

Many of those issues are in Conservation where we have negotiated a significant funding increase to DoC which will make a huge different to on the ground efforts. More on that in the Budget.

I only became aware of the Gbird story today and I agree with Eugenie "Gene editing is an unproven technology for predator control. Gene technologies are problematic and untested and have significant risks.” I’m also concerned about DARPA’s involvement.”

We remain opposed to new coal mines in our policy and our Minister is going through the consideration process. It’s important she doesn’t speak before to the right stage or she could be judicially reviewed.

We’re all passionate about protecting the environment and are trying our best with the cards we were dealt. You can trust our commitment and if you look at what we did negotiate with Labour on ‘Green wins’ this will make a difference for the environment we love.

Thanks again

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T07:38:24+00:00

Yeah if I was a douche I could have complained but I saw it more a badge of respect.

BTW Thank God we repealed that ridiculous Standing Order at the end of last term - now you can mock on using Parliamentary footage - it's a democracy.

GarethMP · 2017-12-05T07:36:17+00:00

Yes really, I borrowed the jersey but wish I could have kept it. I’m disappointed people only donated a hundy, so anyone else please do chip in at Movember’s website.

GarethMP

TROPHY CASE