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Newsroom
12 hours ago
- Business
- Newsroom
Govt set to announce special development deal with one city
The Government is on the cusp of declaring its first 'city and regional deal' to unlock growth potential around one major centre – most likely to be Tauranga. It hopes a deal can be a game-changer for the western Bay of Plenty region. Two other centres, almost certainly to include Auckland and possibly Queenstown, are likely to be announced as next off the rank, priority deals to be negotiated through 2026. Cabinet reportedly scrutinised on Monday officials' assessments of cities' so-called 'light-touch proposals', or applications for the unique central government-local government funding and planning deals for roads, housing and infrastructure. A first, signed memorandum of understanding, to underline the coalition Government's commitment to 'going for growth,' had been listed in its latest quarterly action plan ending June 30, next Monday. In February, cities and regions submitted their bids for the special government treatment, which could mimic some of the principles followed most famously by the UK government with Manchester. Applicants had been urged to put forward up to five priority projects in their area that would unlock economic growth. The expected deals would be long-term commitments by those cities, having consulted their private sector and local iwi, to pursue development that also meets central government goals. While guidelines from the Internal Affairs Department to potential applicants said deals should rely on existing resources, rather than new funding, they said the agreements would set out a framework of how new funding could be used when available. So Tauranga, which those close to the process expect to have made a compelling case for Wellington backing given its population, housing and transport growth, would not be in for an initial financial windfall In March, the two ministers leading the policy, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts, said it was 'designed to help reduce New Zealand's infrastructure deficit through unlocking productivity, attracting investment and improving connectivity across the country. 'Delivering a joint long-term vision for regions will ensure they remain focused on delivering what matters most to ratepayers, including critical infrastructure like housing and transport.' Watts said successful councils would need to show how each initiative would match other government priorities such as the Local Water Done Well reforms of water services. One of the features of the deals will be that central and local government budgets and investment strategies will be synchronised to maximise the impact of resources. Committee for Auckland director Mark Thomas wrote for Newsroom at the start of this government's term that more than 30 city deals were operating in the UK – some focused beyond infrastructure and housing. Edinburgh, for example, had struck a $600m innovation city deal with the Scottish and UK governments to accelerate productivity and growth by funding data-driven innovation, research, development and technology hubs. In Australia 12 city deals were already in operation when our coalition Government took office, covering urban priorities from transport infrastructure, entertainment centres and stadiums to workforce development. Thomas says 'city deals need guaranteed funding arrangements to be credible and innovative arrangements involving the private sector can play an important part.' The Internal Affairs guidelines required an initial 10-year strategic plan with 'clear outcomes and actions required to achieve them' and there had to be a 30-year vision for the region. Auckland councillors were tipped by their chief executive Phil Wilson at their monthly meeting on Thursday to expect to hear the Government's city deal news next week. Chris Bishop's office did not address Newsroom's questions over whether the Cabinet had considered the city and regional deal assessments last Monday, or if one would be announced next week. It offered seven timeless words of deflection: 'Ministers will make announcements in due course.' The Tauranga-based bid was in the name of three councils, Tauranga City, the Western Bay of Plenty District and the Bay of Plenty Region and developed with iwi and the area's economic development agency Priority One. Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale said: 'Government has done a great job of signalling investment in the region through the Roads of National Significance programme, and now we want to build on that initiative to deliver growth in core infrastructure that will enable 40,000 additional homes and unleash jobs and economic growth.' Regional council chair Doug Leeder said another key component of the deal would be to enable increased exports and export income for New Zealand via the Port of Tauranga. The bid proposal listed three priorities: 1. Deliver the Western and Northern Corridors with major roading projects – Tauriko Network Connections and Takitimu North Stage 2, enabling housing and industrial land development. 2. Develop the Eastern Corridor by unlocking key land development projects; Te Tumu, Rangiuru and Te Kāinga. 3. Enable exports, resilience and decarbonisation of freight led by the Connecting Mount Maunganui project. The committee for Auckland's Mark Thomas told Newsroom the Auckland proposal was also strong. 'The Auckland deal has been put together with high-level private and public sector and iwi involvement and is a quality product. 'Two years of State of the City reports on Auckland have confirmed a long-term partnership, like a regional deal, between Auckland and Government is the only way to address the systemic and long-standing issues impacting Auckland's performance such as our low peer innovation performance, our skills deficits, and underinvestment in transport.'
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
New Zealand departs climate action group
New Zealand has left the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, a group of governments advocating a shift to cleaner energy sources, becoming the first nation to do so. In a decision that confirms the coalition government's embrace of fossil fuels, Climate Minister Simon Watts told parliament on Wednesday he had written to the alliance to signal their departure. Since taking office in November 2023, Chris Luxon's government has repealed a Jacinda Ardern-era ban on exploration for offshore oil and gas, and fast-tracked mining projects, including for coal. Mr Watts said those acts meant New Zealand no longer sat comfortably inside the grouping. "The New Zealand government made the decision to withdraw, in good faith, our associate membership, and informed the alliance of this decision on 21 June, 2025," he said. New Zealand was approached to join the alliance by co-founders Costa Rica and Denmark and did so in late 2021 alongside COP26, the UN climate conference of that year held in Glasgow. A released cabinet paper showed Kiwi officials believed joining would be a "useful vehicle for advancing effective global climate action" and also "does not involve binding legal commitments". Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Amanda Larson was scathing of the government's embrace of both mining and agriculture through "intensive livestock", which she said were two of the world's most polluting industries. In May, the government was also named by the Financial Times for accounting practices which downplay the impact of methane from agriculture. "It is the first time in Luxon's political or business career that he has made the front page of the Financial Times - and it was humiliating. He should expect more international criticism to come," Ms Larson said. New Zealand was an associate member, alongside California and Belize, but as of Wednesday, was scrubbed from the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance website. Resources minister Shane Jones called the grouping "an indulgent, vanity-belief community". New Zealand has left the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, a group of governments advocating a shift to cleaner energy sources, becoming the first nation to do so. In a decision that confirms the coalition government's embrace of fossil fuels, Climate Minister Simon Watts told parliament on Wednesday he had written to the alliance to signal their departure. Since taking office in November 2023, Chris Luxon's government has repealed a Jacinda Ardern-era ban on exploration for offshore oil and gas, and fast-tracked mining projects, including for coal. Mr Watts said those acts meant New Zealand no longer sat comfortably inside the grouping. "The New Zealand government made the decision to withdraw, in good faith, our associate membership, and informed the alliance of this decision on 21 June, 2025," he said. New Zealand was approached to join the alliance by co-founders Costa Rica and Denmark and did so in late 2021 alongside COP26, the UN climate conference of that year held in Glasgow. A released cabinet paper showed Kiwi officials believed joining would be a "useful vehicle for advancing effective global climate action" and also "does not involve binding legal commitments". Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Amanda Larson was scathing of the government's embrace of both mining and agriculture through "intensive livestock", which she said were two of the world's most polluting industries. In May, the government was also named by the Financial Times for accounting practices which downplay the impact of methane from agriculture. "It is the first time in Luxon's political or business career that he has made the front page of the Financial Times - and it was humiliating. He should expect more international criticism to come," Ms Larson said. New Zealand was an associate member, alongside California and Belize, but as of Wednesday, was scrubbed from the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance website. Resources minister Shane Jones called the grouping "an indulgent, vanity-belief community". New Zealand has left the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, a group of governments advocating a shift to cleaner energy sources, becoming the first nation to do so. In a decision that confirms the coalition government's embrace of fossil fuels, Climate Minister Simon Watts told parliament on Wednesday he had written to the alliance to signal their departure. Since taking office in November 2023, Chris Luxon's government has repealed a Jacinda Ardern-era ban on exploration for offshore oil and gas, and fast-tracked mining projects, including for coal. Mr Watts said those acts meant New Zealand no longer sat comfortably inside the grouping. "The New Zealand government made the decision to withdraw, in good faith, our associate membership, and informed the alliance of this decision on 21 June, 2025," he said. New Zealand was approached to join the alliance by co-founders Costa Rica and Denmark and did so in late 2021 alongside COP26, the UN climate conference of that year held in Glasgow. A released cabinet paper showed Kiwi officials believed joining would be a "useful vehicle for advancing effective global climate action" and also "does not involve binding legal commitments". Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Amanda Larson was scathing of the government's embrace of both mining and agriculture through "intensive livestock", which she said were two of the world's most polluting industries. In May, the government was also named by the Financial Times for accounting practices which downplay the impact of methane from agriculture. "It is the first time in Luxon's political or business career that he has made the front page of the Financial Times - and it was humiliating. He should expect more international criticism to come," Ms Larson said. New Zealand was an associate member, alongside California and Belize, but as of Wednesday, was scrubbed from the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance website. Resources minister Shane Jones called the grouping "an indulgent, vanity-belief community". New Zealand has left the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, a group of governments advocating a shift to cleaner energy sources, becoming the first nation to do so. In a decision that confirms the coalition government's embrace of fossil fuels, Climate Minister Simon Watts told parliament on Wednesday he had written to the alliance to signal their departure. Since taking office in November 2023, Chris Luxon's government has repealed a Jacinda Ardern-era ban on exploration for offshore oil and gas, and fast-tracked mining projects, including for coal. Mr Watts said those acts meant New Zealand no longer sat comfortably inside the grouping. "The New Zealand government made the decision to withdraw, in good faith, our associate membership, and informed the alliance of this decision on 21 June, 2025," he said. New Zealand was approached to join the alliance by co-founders Costa Rica and Denmark and did so in late 2021 alongside COP26, the UN climate conference of that year held in Glasgow. A released cabinet paper showed Kiwi officials believed joining would be a "useful vehicle for advancing effective global climate action" and also "does not involve binding legal commitments". Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Amanda Larson was scathing of the government's embrace of both mining and agriculture through "intensive livestock", which she said were two of the world's most polluting industries. In May, the government was also named by the Financial Times for accounting practices which downplay the impact of methane from agriculture. "It is the first time in Luxon's political or business career that he has made the front page of the Financial Times - and it was humiliating. He should expect more international criticism to come," Ms Larson said. New Zealand was an associate member, alongside California and Belize, but as of Wednesday, was scrubbed from the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance website. Resources minister Shane Jones called the grouping "an indulgent, vanity-belief community".
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
New Zealand departs climate action group
New Zealand has left the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, a group of governments advocating a shift to cleaner energy sources, becoming the first nation to do so. In a decision that confirms the coalition government's embrace of fossil fuels, Climate Minister Simon Watts told parliament on Wednesday he had written to the alliance to signal their departure. Since taking office in November 2023, Chris Luxon's government has repealed a Jacinda Ardern-era ban on exploration for offshore oil and gas, and fast-tracked mining projects, including for coal. Mr Watts said those acts meant New Zealand no longer sat comfortably inside the grouping. "The New Zealand government made the decision to withdraw, in good faith, our associate membership, and informed the alliance of this decision on 21 June, 2025," he said. New Zealand was approached to join the alliance by co-founders Costa Rica and Denmark and did so in late 2021 alongside COP26, the UN climate conference of that year held in Glasgow. A released cabinet paper showed Kiwi officials believed joining would be a "useful vehicle for advancing effective global climate action" and also "does not involve binding legal commitments". Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Amanda Larson was scathing of the government's embrace of both mining and agriculture through "intensive livestock", which she said were two of the world's most polluting industries. In May, the government was also named by the Financial Times for accounting practices which downplay the impact of methane from agriculture. "It is the first time in Luxon's political or business career that he has made the front page of the Financial Times - and it was humiliating. He should expect more international criticism to come," Ms Larson said. New Zealand was an associate member, alongside California and Belize, but as of Wednesday, was scrubbed from the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance website. Resources minister Shane Jones called the grouping "an indulgent, vanity-belief community".
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
NZ pulls out of global coalition for phasing out fossil fuels
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says the government's decision to repeal the ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration was the main reason for leaving the coalition. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro The New Zealand government has quietly pulled out of an international coalition for phasing out fossil fuels. The move follows the announcement of $200 million funding to support new drilling for fossil fuel fields at the Budget. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts said the catalyst for leaving the alliance was the government's decision to repeal the previous government's ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration. New Zealand joined the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance at the Glasgow climate summit in 2021. The international alliance of governments works together on the "managed phase-out of oil and gas production". It was led by Denmark and Costa Rica, and includes France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and several Pacific island nations. Watts confirmed New Zealand had exited the group after the move was reported by Carbon News. He said he did not think it would have a significant impact on New Zealand's international reputation. Watts said the government notified the alliance members in June that the repeal of the oil and gas exploration ban was coming, and removed itself from the group. He said he had asked the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade to communicate the decision in advance to Pacific countries, and had not received any negative feedback from other countries on the move. Being an associate member - as New Zealand was - required working to end subsidies for oil and gas and ending public finance for fossil fuel development. Newsroom reported in November that the coalition's decision to restart oil and gas exploration had raised questions among members about New Zealand's continued participation. The Green Party said the move was the latest sign the government cared little for the climate crisis or its impacts on the cost of living. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said the coalition's fossil fuel subsidies helped secure profits of fossil fuel executives but made life harder for regular people. The news came a day after the Green Party released legal advice saying the coalition's $200 million dollar investment fund for local gas exploration was a "clear breach" of an international trade agreement with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland . The Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability deal focuses on trade in sustainable goods and services and was signed by the government last November. It has been described as a "ground-breaking" trade agreement that delivered commercial opportunities to New Zealand's economy, while addressing climate change and sustainability challenges. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Opposition mounts to new tax for organisations
Federated Farmers says the tax change is sector-wide and creating "huge concern". File photo. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller Federated Farmers and an organisation representing the country's chartered accountants have added their voices to concerns about a proposal to apply more tax to the not-for-profit sector. Inland Revenue (IR) plans to make some societies and associations' membership fees subject to tax . Under current practice, not-for-profits structured as mutual associations do not pay tax on income such as that from members' fees. This principle, known as mutuality, is based on the idea that a group of people cannot make profit from dealing with themselves. The update to IR's interpretation of how tax should be applied seemed to be based primarily on an Australian case from 2004, after which the Australian Government enacted legislative change to avoid the sort of changes IR is suggesting. Federated Farmers said Revenue Minister Simon Watts should rule out the change. It would mean Federated Farmers was charged tax on its membership for the first time. "This is not a routine tax consultation - this is a significant new interpretation that overturns 20 years of settled practice," Federated Farmers board member Richard McIntyre said. "This isn't a minor tweak - it's a fundamental shift in how the Inland Revenue Department interprets the law. "It would have serious consequences for New Zealand's not-for-profit sector. This would pull the rug out from under about 9000 not-for profits, advocacy groups, professional associations, unions, community organisations, and political parties who rely on membership fees to fund their operations," McIntyre said. "This is not just about Federated Farmers - it's sector-wide and is creating huge concern." Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) tax leader John Cuthbertson said the change would "undermine New Zealand's volunteer spirit". "New Zealand has a strong culture of people banding together to deliver not-for-profit community services and companionship. Mutual organisations are amazingly diverse - think your local sports club, community group, professional bodies and social or hobby clubs. "They have created huge public value along the way, and we do not believe their work should be undermined through additional taxation." He said most were operating on very small budgets and aiming to break even each year. "As it stands, there is inconsistency of tax treatment of not-for-profits. As a result, some organisations are treating member subscriptions and levies as tax exempt, while others are not. Ultimately, tax compliance should not overburden small clubs and societies who rely on volunteers. "Chartered Accountants ANZ believes that, because of the unique nature of the not-for-profit sector, any financial transactions made by not-for-profit organisations should not be subject to taxation. "If there are concerns that some people or organisations might be misusing the tax-free status, for example, by disguising taxable activities as not-for-profit ones, then authorities should respond by conducting focused investigations and enforcing the rules where necessary." He said the law should be changed to confirm the tax exempt treatment of member subscriptions and levies received. "Thousands of chartered accountants give their time to not-for-profits for free, to enable their public good, and they are telling us they are concerned about their future viability if additional tax must be paid," he said. Both organisations said they had made submissions outlining their concerns. Inland Revenue has been approached for comment. It earlier said there would be no implications for income that is subject to specific exemptions from tax such as the charitable exemption. "The draft statement is being consulted following changes or perceived changes to the Commissioner's interpretation of the law as it relates to associations whose income is not tax exempt, the object being to test whether the legal reasoning for the interpretation is sound." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
