If the phrase “40 by 2020” was foreign to New Zealanders last week, it’s certainly likely to mean more to them now. From TVNZ’s Q and A programme, to last night’s 6 o’clock news, to Newstalk ZB’s breakfast show, to all the major daily...

Over the past two weeks, something extraordinary has happened; the Government has handed the torch of leadership on climate change to Greenpeace.   At a series of public meetings to discuss what emission reduction target New...

On the Q & A show a few days ago Nick Smith made some pretty wild claims about the supposed costs to New Zealanders if NZ was to comit to the '40 per cent by 2020 on 1990 levels' emissions that the scientists say is required. Of...

Went down to Hamilton tonight for the latest instalment of Nick Smith’s climate targets roadshow – the public’s chance to have its say on what NZ’s 2020 target should be.  But I’m feeling more and more this is simply a PR exercise than...

Christchurch had its consultation this evening and nearly 200 Cantabrians came out to have their say to Climate Change Minister Nick Smith and NZ Climate Ambassador Adrian Macey. There were 40 by 2020 stickers and signs galore and...

The Auckland target consultation meeting last night was full to the brim. By my rough calculations, about 450 people attended, including media, politicians, greenies and business people. Latecomers were forced to sit on the floor or...

Last night, the final public climate change 2020 target consultation wrapped up in Nelson. It was a lively crowd with 180 odd people packing the Rutheford Hotel. The mood was upbeat, and like all the consultations I’ve attended, the...