Kia ora e hoa mā,
This month, we will continue our focus on educating and mobilising for the Stop LNG campaign, strategizing for the next stage of our Oranga Tangata Oranga Taiao community education programme, planning a screening of the new film “Earth’s Greatest Enemy” produced by Abby Marin, and designing an election candidate debates programme across Taranaki. More about these in our next newsletter.
The LNG Saga
If you need more convincing that importing LNG – Liquefied Natural Gas – is a bad idea, read the letter from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton (former National party member) to Simon Watts (recent Energy Minister). Upton wrote, “The question is: how affordable access to fossil energy can be maintained without building a new path dependency that undermines our emissions objectives?” He also pointed out that “progressing LNG with a view to “spillover benefits” undermines the Government’s argument that this proposal is about dry year risk and reducing electricity prices…” Spillover benefits here include the continuity of gas supply for industrial users.
Official information released to Radio NZ following a complaint to the ombudsman, albeit redacted still, revealed that there is low to no need of LNG to address the “dry year” risk, according to Modelling commissioned by MBIE. The Infrastructure Commission’s most recent warning that the government should slow down over its LNG plans and develop the “right solution, not the most expedient one”, is just as damning.
In the last month, we presented our concerns at the New Plymouth District Council (Public Engagement Committee meeting of 3rd June, video from 1:22:48) and sent the Urgent Plea “No LNG Import Facility at Port Taranaki” to the Prime Minister and Energy Minister. The Plea is still being signed at local markets and other public events.
To reach more people, we have also launched an online petition. Please sign it, especially if you haven’t signed the plea, and share it widely.
Continue to write to your MPs and election candidates, express your concerns and ask about their position on LNG import. Also talk to the mayor and councillors at New Plymouth District Council and Taranaki Regional Council, so they know what is at stake.
If you are in Ngāmotu New Plymouth, check out our electronic billboard this week (2-8 July) at Liardet-Devon crossing – “LNG IS EXPENSIVE, DANGEROUS AND UNNECESSARY…”. Take a picture and share with your friends to spread the message.
Public meeting – LNG Danger, 9 July, 6-7:30pm
Following the very well-attended first public meeting at the Peace Hall Lounge in Ngāmotu on May 26th, we’ve been invited by members of St James Presbyterian church in Moturoa to hold a public meeting there, on the 9th July.
Thanks to our volunteers, 5,000 copies of this flyer have been distributed around the neighborhood of Port Taranaki.
Do come along, if you’ve missed our first public meeting, and bring a friend.
Conservation Amendment Bill, submission by 13 July
The government wants to change the purpose of the Conservation Act 1987, to enable greater economic development on public conservation land. Here’s an excerpt of our short and sharp submission:
“New Zealand has ratified international treaties, notably the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These are being dishonoured by the Bill which facilitates environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and climate disruption, even as Minister Tama Potaka promised to scrap the disposal and exchange clauses of the Bill… under tremendous public pressure. During an election year however, government and ministerial promises ought to be weighed against political expediency, and some should be taken with a grain of salt.
Moreover, the Bill could undermine the rights of iwi and mana whenua when some conservation land becomes downgraded or privately owned. It becomes unavailable for return through the settlement process, removing future options for redress and limiting the ability of future generations to reconnect with, govern, or seek the return of ancestral whenua…
In the wider context, this Bill is just one of numerous pieces of legislative and policy changes this coalition government has passed or is pursuing, to strip away the protection of te taiao, erode kaitiakitanga and weaken the ability of the public to see clearly or to act. This follows the typical ‘far right playbook’…, to embolden the extractive, exploitative agenda for corporate profiteering. Resource Minister Shane Jones’ adamant push for a critical minerals deal with the US before the election demonstrates this…”
CJT encourages all to submit on this Bill using the Parliament portal. MIDDAY 13th July is the submission deadline. A paragraph stating your concerns and your recommendation is all you need.
Public Meeting with Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, 4 July, 3:30-5pm
MP David MacLeod, MP for New Plymouth, has invited Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Leader of the National Party, to a public meeting on the 4th July. The invitation says, “Join us for an opportunity to hear about the issues that matter to New Zealanders and the National Party’s vision for Fixing the Basics and Building the Future.”
Venue: The Plymouth International Hotel (220 Courtenay Street)
Ora Taiao, Ora Tangata | Thriving Planet, Thriving People
As the 2025/26 Education project nears completion, the CJT Climate Education team is reviewing the project and talking about what we will do next.
At our June 24th hui we discussed:
- how best to respond to the emotional impact of Fresk workshops; and what we’ve learned not only from facilitating, but also from our own emotional responses when we first attended a Fresk workshop,
- the results of our surveys (and how to improve them)
- who our next fresk workshop participants might be and how we can promote fresks better.
We were very pleased to see how our participants responded and how they intend to carry on the climate conversation that we are all part of.
To complete the current education project, the education team is planning a community connection and strategising day and dinner on Sunday 23rd August, all those who have so far attended a climate fresk workshop and representatives of community groups will be invited.
Healthier Ōkato Home Fair, Sat 25 July, 10am-2pm
The newly formed Ōkato Community Energy Collective is hosting a village fair where you will meet locals who are improving their whare to make them warm, healthy and use less energy. There will also be organisations and trade stalls to offer information about sustainable home designs, insulation, mould prevention, water tanks, solar panels, etc. An ‘EV to treat’ demonstration will show you how EVs cut transport emissions and can be part of energy storage and resilience.
Venue: Hempton Hall, Ōkato
The Reality of Everything Symposium
A few of us attended the symposium. We found it thought-provoking and empowering. Topics ranged from confronting the polycrisis, to white supremacy, unleashing public finance, national food security, and more. The presentation recordings will be up on the Reality of Everything website soon. Do take time and watch some. Awareness is the pre-requisite to making the right choices and being part of the solution.
Winds of Change
This article in the Forest and Bird magazine (winter 2026 issue) spans numerous topics around potential offshore wind farm development in Aotearoa. It reveals the complexity and reality of what needs to be considered, to provide for a sufficient and equitable energy system while allowing ecosystems to heal.
Election year
Do check that you are enroled to vote for the election. We have had reports that some previous voters have somehow dropped off the roll unknowingly. Make sure you put in your name and address correctly and re-enrol now if you are not on it. The final enrolment date is 25th October.
Mihi mahana,
Nā,
the Team at Climate Justice Taranaki
Climate Justice Taranaki 