Anyone with half an eye on current affairs in Aotearoa will know that there’s only one show in town at the moment. It’s full of talk about right wing, left wing, who’s taking control of the important centre ground. There’s big set pieces, off-the-cuff moments that swing momentum, and keenly reported press conferences. And in October, the end result will be decided. Then, just two weeks after the NRL grand final (#UpTheWahs), there’s the New Zealand general election.
As I keep hearing in meetings and conversations up and down the motu, there’s a worrying lack of vision when it comes to the real era-defining issue of our age: climate change.
‘Climate change’ as a term doesn’t really convey the impacts we could face. It’s more ‘everything change’, than ‘climate change’. The impacts could, if left unchecked, slam the economy, blow up costs of living, and force entire New Zealand communities out of their homes forever.
So where is the vision from our political parties on this? It is, at the moment, largely as absent as the insulation in many New Zealand homes.
It’s up to us – all of us, together – to ask the questions of our political parties on the biggest concern facing our country, our economy, our homes and built environment, and our people.
We’ve got some great ways to do this.
Firstly, we’re going to be hosting our first ever political panel discussion on 12 September, as part of World Green Building Week, giving you the chance to hear directly from New Zealand’s major political parties.
Just a month out from the general election, this is your best chance to hear first-hand what those hoping for your vote envision for our country, what policies they have planned, and to ask any questions you may have.
The panel will be moderated by BusinessDesk’s Dileepa Fonseka, and will include Brooke van Velden (ACT), Julie Anne Genter (Greens), Dr Megan Woods (Labour), Chris Bishop (National), Tanya Unkovich (NZ First), and Damian Sycamore (TOP).
Besides the panel, we’ll be publishing a stock take of political party positions on some of our key policy asks – keep an eye out for that shortly.
And remember too that those politicians vying for your vote will be in your community, speaking at events. You may be meeting them. This is great chance for you to chat to them and ask the questions you want answered. We’ve compiled some key questions on homes, buildings and climate change we’ll be asking, and you might like to as well.
Lastly, thanks to all of you who got involved in the Green Star Buildings consultation events around the country. We’ve had some great feedback and input as we work to making it the best it can be - a reminder that consultation closes September 15.
Ngā mihi,
Andrew