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Political Point Scoring & Industry Capture


From where we stand, it seems that central government is being strongly influenced by private interests to push for the development of Port Tarakohe. TDC looks to be the messenger in this Provincial Growth Funding process, however, council seems to be avoiding proper community consultation on the proposed development. Council is being compelled by higher forces and it needs to act fast to access funding.

Offices of central government appear to be captured by industry, and ministers from respective parties seem eager to be perceived as delivering growth to provinces. ‘More jobs’ and ‘economic growth’ being their unchallenged mantra. Not surprisingly, this ‘growth mindset’ dictates our path going forward, whether we want it or not, whether it’s good for the environment or not, or whether it’s sustainable or not.

The proposed business case for Port Tarakohe has become a political point scoring event. An event where certain ministers puff out their chests when claiming growth for provinces. It’s a double win as far as politicians are concerned. Their corporate sponsors (the marine farming industry) are appeased by gaining a public funded means for growth, while ministers attain popularity for growing an industry. The 2020 elections are fast approaching, and political parties are eager to deliver something. Minister Shane Jones has a past record of involvement with the seafood industry and close ties to Sir Peter Talley. According to Michael Morrah (2019), ‘’Talley's donated $10,000 to Mr Jones' 2017 campaign. And while Mr Jones accepts that, and that he's mates with Talley's boss, Sir Peter Talley, he says it doesn't mean anything’’.



Instead of commercial growth, the PGF could be providing incentives to develop renewable energy, community resiliency, marine fauna conservation or even just a more user-friendly community port. Surely, this is not too much to ask for from central and local government?  On the other hand, this concept would not impress an industry who sponsors political campaigns. We need the port to remain a public asset which is owned and run by council. We also need to become more resilient as a community as climate change approaches.

The Local Government Act (LGA) now includes the ‘’four well beings’’. These being social, economic, environmental and cultural aspects of our society. The well beings within the LGA provides formal recognition that councils play a significant role in lifting the quality of life for communities and the health of our environment. It could be argued that Council are merely considering one aspect of the well beings (the economy). However, by doing this the many impacts associated with marine farming are being ignored and externalized.

With Earth Overshoot Day just past (29 July) our species has used up our allotment of resources for the year. We need a holistic systems approach going forward. An approach which seeks a new paradigm. A paradigm that enables a ‘sustainable’ existence that does not rely on continual growth. As said by Sir David Attenborough, “Anyone who believes in continual growth on a planet with finite resources is either mad, or an economist’’. 



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