Kia ora e hoa mā,

As the winter days lengthen, there’s a growing hope that the days of the present leadership in Wellington will end in November.

Amongst other groups, Action Station has been sowing seeds of such a hope, with an unashamedly directive campaign to encourage those not yet enrolled to enrol to vote and provide compelling reasons to vote a different leadership into Te Whare Pāremata.

The first of our three election debates was held in Kohanga Moa at the Inglewood Town Hall, with candidate David Pattemore (Labour) and current MPs Teanau Tuiono (Green) and Barbara Kuriger (National) responding to questions from MC Urs Signer. The venue was magnificent – Edwardian style with an immensely high ceiling. There was good-natured rivalry between the speakers; and the crowd of around 30 people was engaged, generally patient, with occasional heckling comments. Don’t miss our next two election debates (see below), again focussing on climate policy, the environment and social justice.

Earth’s Greatest Enemy film and kōrero, 30 August 12 noon-4pm
Our hosts at the Taranaki Cathedral for the “Earth’s Greatest Enemy” screening and kōrero, having watched the film, say they were struck by the connection between militarism and climate change: something they’d never considered before. Indeed, this film is provocative, urgent and eye-opening.

Following the film, we will hear from our very special panellists:

Jay Ruka, Taranaki Cathedral Dean

Ruakere Hond, Parihaka rangatira

Teanau Tuiono, Green Party spokesperson for Defence and Disarmament

Kate Cole, Palestinian Solidarity Taranaki and Climate Justice Taranaki

Liz Remmerswaal, World Beyond War Aotearoa

Grant Kitto, Warbirds over Wanaka activist

Their role is to help us draw links between US militarism and NZ, share past successes in resistance/campaigns and explore present/future avenues for local action.  

Remember the goals of our event are:

• People waking up (gently and firmly) to global reality
• Awareness of NZ involvement in this whole context
• Making linkages between climate change and military activity
• Finding strength in unity / being together
• People leaving empowered to feel we can do something

If you’d like to attend this thought-provoking and empowering event, please register now.

Election debate, New Plymouth, Wed 9th September 5:30pm

Waimanaako, 35 Octavius Place

In the New Plymouth electorate, sitting MP David MacLeod (National Party) will face his challenger Amanda Clinton-Gohdes (Labour Party). New Plymouth has been one of these swing-electorates that has gone backwards and forwards. Is former district councillor Amanda riding the ‘change-the-government’ wave to parliament this year? We will talk about the proposed LNG terminal, public transport, oil and gas drilling and how we get people out of poverty. Who has the solutions for a renewable energy strategy? Amanda and David will be joined by Green Party MP Scott Willis and Sarah Lucas from the Opportunity Party.

Election debate, Hāwera, Thur 10^th September 6pm

Senior Citizens Hall, 81 Victoria Street

In the Whanganui electorate that stretches well into South Taranaki, sitting MP Carl Bates (National Party) will face his challenger Angela Roberts (Labour Party). Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and her opponent Te Pūoho Kātene from Labour will meet kanohi ki te kanohil in a Te Tai Hauāuru debate – expect some fireworks for sure. They will be joined by Green Party MP Scott Willis. We will talk about seabed mining, offshore wind, agricultural emissions and constitutional reform. Who has the solutions for a fair and just Aotearoa?

Toitū a Taiao: Connection & collaboration for climate & social justice

On Sunday, 23rd August, the CJT Education team hosted an afternoon of games, in-depth discussion, local organisation presentations, skill-sharing and collective strategy.

We knew our participants already had a lot of climate change knowledge and are already busy advocating for te taiao and for social justice, so the purpose of ‘Toitū a Taiao’ was to connect us more, stretch our knowledge, help the conversation go deeper, help each other with successful group strategy and to collaborate on and co-ordinate our action/projects better.
We hope that this was the outcome. We do know that some intentional collaborations to strengthen efforts for tree planting, social cohesion and political engagement have emerged.

Tina Ngata and Tāwhana Chadwick’s ‘Good Ancestor Game’, in which we imagine ancestors to be honoured in the future, was a highlight. Imagining successes and the values, skills and community required to achieve them works as a motivation to connect with each other and persist with the possibility that the ancestors that we become can and do make an impact and a difference. It’s a welcome change to feelings like exhaustion and hopelessness that can accompany climate advocacy. To support us through such feelings, we are grateful to have two climate-aware therapists in attendance who offered to help if you would like to get in touch.

We finished the afternoon with a delicious plant-based feast cooked by another not-for-profit group (Taranaki Hindu Cultural Trust). Thanks to everyone involved!

Stop LNG sign-waving

Some of us, including residents who live within the potential blast zone of the planned LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) import facility at Port Taranaki, have continued to wave our ‘STOP LNG’ signs in New Plymouth, twice a week. This helps a great deal in raising awareness and getting people to see how irrational the LNG plan is.  We’d love you to join us, get in touch for details.

Screening: Fight for the Wild 2- Defiance, 29 September

The acclaimed four-part documentary series showcases some of New Zealand’s most ambitious biodiversity and conservation efforts, including the Taranaki Mounga Project, alongside other community-led initiatives from around the country. 

The screening will be followed by discussions with passionate local conservation leaders as they share the stories behind Taranaki’s restoration journey, the challenges, the milestones, and their vision for a thriving, biodiverse future.

Get your tickets from the 4th Wall Theatre.

Consultation: NPDC proposed Resilience, Energy and Climate Action Plan, open till 15 September

This plan outlines New Plymouth District Council’s responsibilities in climate change and building resilience, sitting within a global and national response. It also proposes key actions over coming years. Funding the proposed Plan will be considered as part of the Long-Term Plan 2027-2037. There are some good practical proposals like replacing gas boilers with electric alternatives in Council assets. Do have a read of the plan and give some constructive feedback.

Petition: Stop the Climate Amendment Bill

“We call upon the government to abandon the Climate Change Response (Tort Liability) Amendment Bill which aims to specifically prevent the important case Smith vs Fonterra  (and any future claims by any other citizens regarding climate related damages inflicted by companies) and restore the rule of law and separation of powers.” 

The National Party / ACT / NZ First coalition government has already removed all previously useful emissions reduction laws and policies, leaving us only with the failed ETS scheme. This Bill is yet another dangerous and draconian attack on our rights and our ability to act on climate change mitigation.

Please stand with Mike Smith and all others who care about our climate and sign this petition.

Kia hauora, kia kaha, kia rangimārie.

Nā,

Climate Justice Taranaki