Housing Minister downplays using Crown guarantee for social house building any time soon and says Govt wants more leasing, despite calls from CHiPs for guarantees and less leasing
Bishop comes up short again. Great opportunity for Kieran to add the guarantee to official Labour policy while still keen to resuscitate Kainga Ora. Greens and TPM too, and maybe even NZF?
Fast comment on Scoop du jour - Low/Medium level nuclear waste storage.
Maybe some serious community eduction is called for because - you know - it has to go somewhere and this is so much better than putting it in concrete barrels and dumping it Cook Strait or offshore - where it still lies.
There are strict international standards for monitoring - we can only hope this government doesn't slice and dice around the edges (à la the $3 school lunch model) in aid of increasing the landlord tax rebates to 100% next year (as per the coalition agreement).
The issue the people interviewed have is the lack of transparency ie. it was built using a non-notified resource consent. Had they consulted the locals even through a limited notified process, arguments like yours could've been explored. Not talking to neighbours on the basis of 'national security' only makes it sound dodgy and causes consternation.
Agree -tho I think no amount of consultation or knowledge about the facility or process - or even better signage (or landscaping) would have changed the minds of the people they interviewed. The bottom line was that the people interviewed didn’t want the facility anywhere near their properties - they just “want it gone”.
That aside it’s still a huge consultation/communication /education/signage fail for at least two governments, MoH and MoD and the seemingly still confused council. The signage around automatic period product disposal units is clearer and more informative. Amazing that the MoH thought it could build this facility and no one would notice - or have the “audacity” to ask ‘WTF is going on?’ or that people would be satisfied with ‘National Security’ for an answer?
Add to this a council clerk who was able to access and copy the facility plans and then send them out (so much for NZ’s National Security), the guard going off script with a joke when asked what’s happening inside the building, and the mysterious ‘What IS going on here"‘? music and the clip becomes Men in Black Aotearoa.
Again the real issue is that sustainable, secure and monitored storage facilities for radio-active waste have been safely used internationally for decades, and - so far - these are the only alternative to dumping concrete drums-full of the stuff into the ocean - or, as has been seriously suggested, putting them into orbit.
And, from what I read, the dishes are the radioactivity risk according to the signage, if anything is, and how long have they been accepted there?! Lots of small stored items, not so much. Big ugly barn, though! If they'd done better with blending the exterior design, it might have flown under the radar. Should have invested in some landscaping. ...Another entitled, NIMBY outburst. Exactly! Where should they have put the storage?
The Nats seem to be waging war on the poor, sick and disadvantaged. Maybe their polling shows we don't vote for them anyway so why not stick the boot in?
The CHiPs proposal is like a PPP except they want access to the govt's cheaper finance so they can build more dwellings at a lower cost for NZ inc. The KO budget will be underspent this year so why not just give them the $$$?
It's not surprising that the CHP sector would prefer to own its housing stock rather than lease. And the sector's collective financing costs is surely something that could be lowered with long-term partnering with central government.
There might be other sectors where it would be better to start to go down the leasing track and have investors partner with government to provide housing for staff who typically move for their career and can be more likely to rent than own. An example from Australia, operating since 1988, is housing for defence personnel. https://www.dha.gov.au/investing/ways-to-invest/lease-your-property-to-dha
More generally, Chris Bishop is a minister who has a good grip on issues but is seemingly outmaneuvered politically by his Cabinet colleagues who get priority for their projects (with or without evidence). One year in, and with the next election around the corner given our short cycle, and he is still at the dismantling stage.
As usual the reporting and headlining of Bishop's speech in the media paint a picture that this government is "getting us moving" (can't remember the slogan) whereas, the real truth is obfuscation, delay, advice from multiple agencies, and general mucking around. All so they can cut costs this year. It's remarkable short-termism in all it's glory.
I wasn't aware of this song - thanks for leading me to it. I rate it higher than Imagine and the handful of other Lennon numbers I am familiar with. Will have to explore his legacy more.
It's so easy to undo policies, it's a way of getting lots of stuff done very quickly... now the government finds themselves at the hard part one year later, coming up with their own policies.
This govt took credit for moving 1000 people (if I remember correctly) out of temporary housing. Most probably moved to houses the Labour govt built, they just neglected to mention it.
How are they going to remove more people out of temporary housing if they do SFA to build more houses?
Let's not forget that kianga ora target is 400 state houses this year, down from 2,000 houses last year. These are 400 houses that are left from the cancelled Labour Party's approved projects from last year.
Bishop wants efficiencies and houses built at lower cost.
Kainga Ora was big enough (getting closer to the size of the old Ministry of Works) to produce standard designs and order enough factory-built houses to make it possible to achieve that objective. Kainga Ora were also building above NZ Building Code standards. BUT the CHA's will never be big enough (and not funded enough) to achieve these visionary results. The NZ Building Code is way below the standard required to prevent householders being left to bear the huge ongoing energy operating costs caused by sub best-practice designs. Poverty will continue to grow. Private sector builders are not going to build above code to achieve the desired results. It is like the Cook Strait ferry decision - just when the best solution for NZ is close to being achieved, the rug is pulled out from underneath.
Bishop comes up short again. Great opportunity for Kieran to add the guarantee to official Labour policy while still keen to resuscitate Kainga Ora. Greens and TPM too, and maybe even NZF?
Agree, seems crazy in a housing crisis nearly an entire election cycle will be wasted on ‘dismantling’.
I agree!
Fast track some stuff. Drag your feet , be obstructive with other things. Instant help for the wealthy, punishment for the poor.
💯
So true.!
Fast comment on Scoop du jour - Low/Medium level nuclear waste storage.
Maybe some serious community eduction is called for because - you know - it has to go somewhere and this is so much better than putting it in concrete barrels and dumping it Cook Strait or offshore - where it still lies.
There are strict international standards for monitoring - we can only hope this government doesn't slice and dice around the edges (à la the $3 school lunch model) in aid of increasing the landlord tax rebates to 100% next year (as per the coalition agreement).
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350219143/radioactive-waste-sitting-bottom-cook-strait-concrete-block
The issue the people interviewed have is the lack of transparency ie. it was built using a non-notified resource consent. Had they consulted the locals even through a limited notified process, arguments like yours could've been explored. Not talking to neighbours on the basis of 'national security' only makes it sound dodgy and causes consternation.
Agree -tho I think no amount of consultation or knowledge about the facility or process - or even better signage (or landscaping) would have changed the minds of the people they interviewed. The bottom line was that the people interviewed didn’t want the facility anywhere near their properties - they just “want it gone”.
That aside it’s still a huge consultation/communication /education/signage fail for at least two governments, MoH and MoD and the seemingly still confused council. The signage around automatic period product disposal units is clearer and more informative. Amazing that the MoH thought it could build this facility and no one would notice - or have the “audacity” to ask ‘WTF is going on?’ or that people would be satisfied with ‘National Security’ for an answer?
Add to this a council clerk who was able to access and copy the facility plans and then send them out (so much for NZ’s National Security), the guard going off script with a joke when asked what’s happening inside the building, and the mysterious ‘What IS going on here"‘? music and the clip becomes Men in Black Aotearoa.
Again the real issue is that sustainable, secure and monitored storage facilities for radio-active waste have been safely used internationally for decades, and - so far - these are the only alternative to dumping concrete drums-full of the stuff into the ocean - or, as has been seriously suggested, putting them into orbit.
And, from what I read, the dishes are the radioactivity risk according to the signage, if anything is, and how long have they been accepted there?! Lots of small stored items, not so much. Big ugly barn, though! If they'd done better with blending the exterior design, it might have flown under the radar. Should have invested in some landscaping. ...Another entitled, NIMBY outburst. Exactly! Where should they have put the storage?
Considering their Chernobyl-like leakage concerns I guess the only place they'd be satisfied to put NZ radioactive waste facilities is Australia.
The Nats seem to be waging war on the poor, sick and disadvantaged. Maybe their polling shows we don't vote for them anyway so why not stick the boot in?
The CHiPs proposal is like a PPP except they want access to the govt's cheaper finance so they can build more dwellings at a lower cost for NZ inc. The KO budget will be underspent this year so why not just give them the $$$?
It's not surprising that the CHP sector would prefer to own its housing stock rather than lease. And the sector's collective financing costs is surely something that could be lowered with long-term partnering with central government.
There might be other sectors where it would be better to start to go down the leasing track and have investors partner with government to provide housing for staff who typically move for their career and can be more likely to rent than own. An example from Australia, operating since 1988, is housing for defence personnel. https://www.dha.gov.au/investing/ways-to-invest/lease-your-property-to-dha
More generally, Chris Bishop is a minister who has a good grip on issues but is seemingly outmaneuvered politically by his Cabinet colleagues who get priority for their projects (with or without evidence). One year in, and with the next election around the corner given our short cycle, and he is still at the dismantling stage.
As usual the reporting and headlining of Bishop's speech in the media paint a picture that this government is "getting us moving" (can't remember the slogan) whereas, the real truth is obfuscation, delay, advice from multiple agencies, and general mucking around. All so they can cut costs this year. It's remarkable short-termism in all it's glory.
Bishop is jam-packed with blatant lies and sloppy insulting answers.
The great John Lennon ramble Just Give Me Some Truth comes to mind -
Ah, I'm sick to death of hearing things
From uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocrites
All I want is the truth, now
Just give me some truth now
I've had enough of reading things
By neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians
All I want is the truth, now
Just give me some truth, now
I wasn't aware of this song - thanks for leading me to it. I rate it higher than Imagine and the handful of other Lennon numbers I am familiar with. Will have to explore his legacy more.
much higher than Imagine for so many reasons but mainly because it’s less schmaltsy
Love it!!
Absolutely agree Craig!
It's so easy to undo policies, it's a way of getting lots of stuff done very quickly... now the government finds themselves at the hard part one year later, coming up with their own policies.
Destroying is easy, construction is hard.
This govt took credit for moving 1000 people (if I remember correctly) out of temporary housing. Most probably moved to houses the Labour govt built, they just neglected to mention it.
How are they going to remove more people out of temporary housing if they do SFA to build more houses?
That is the 2.9 billion dollar question.
Let's not forget that kianga ora target is 400 state houses this year, down from 2,000 houses last year. These are 400 houses that are left from the cancelled Labour Party's approved projects from last year.
No mention of bringing forward Operating Supplement?
Very pleased to hear the j swap quarry on qe 2 land not going to happen. Hope it's not on the fast track list.
Bishop wants efficiencies and houses built at lower cost.
Kainga Ora was big enough (getting closer to the size of the old Ministry of Works) to produce standard designs and order enough factory-built houses to make it possible to achieve that objective. Kainga Ora were also building above NZ Building Code standards. BUT the CHA's will never be big enough (and not funded enough) to achieve these visionary results. The NZ Building Code is way below the standard required to prevent householders being left to bear the huge ongoing energy operating costs caused by sub best-practice designs. Poverty will continue to grow. Private sector builders are not going to build above code to achieve the desired results. It is like the Cook Strait ferry decision - just when the best solution for NZ is close to being achieved, the rug is pulled out from underneath.
You’ve nailed it Ian!