G A L L E R Y

NEW ZEALAND REINVIGORATES GREEN PLANNING VISION

Leo Koziol

The election last November of a new Labour/Alliance coalition government looks set to reinvigorate the green planning vision of New Zealand. The Labour Party was the original architect of the Resource Management Act (RMA) in the late 1980s. A decade later, they have returned to power in coalition with the Alliance party and with strong support from the New Zealand Green Party.
In her inaugural speech, newly elected Prime Minister Helen Clark outlined the nation's commitment to a sustainability agenda. Included in the government's plan for the next three years are:

Establishment of a new agency called Industry New Zealand, that will provide advice on economic development issues, including ecological sustainability.
Establishment of a Royal Commission into Genetic Modification. Until the findings of this commission are released, a moratorium will be placed on the commercial planting of genetically modified crops.
Introduction of a simple and comprehensive system of labeling of genetically modified food.
An inquiry into the impact upon the nation of climate change and ozone depletion. To meet its Kyoto commitments, New Zealand will increase public education programs, provide greater investment in public transport, and implement stronger measures on energy efficiency.

Additionally, high priority will be given to funding for rescue programs and habitat protection for the kiwi and other threatened species, and more marine reserves will be created with the aim of covering ten per cent of the nation's coastline by 2010.

Most promising is the new government's support for the viability of the RMA, which is at the heart of the nation's green planning program: "The proposed amendments to the Resource Management Act at present before the House are to be revisited," stated the Prime Minister. "Those amendments which weaken the Act will be dropped. Those that do not will proceed. Issues of cost, delay, and unevenness in implementation of the Act will be addressed. Additional national policy statements will be prepared."

A more recent development is the establishment of the New Zealand World Business Council for Sustainable Development. In February 2000, the leading CEOs of the nation met with national environmental leaders to look at the potential for sustainable economic development. Among the participants were Prime Minister Helen Clark, and Labour Party President Mayor Bob Harvey, who recently visited the U.S. for a range of RRI-sponsored events. Overall, signs are positive and RRI will continue to monitor progress.

New Zealand Reinvigorates Green Planning Vision, International Green Planner, Vol. XV, 2000.

http://www.rri.org/newsletters/News00/article4.html

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