Tag: Government

Weakening Environmental Protection in the Middle of an Ecological Crisis – A Good Thing?

Posted on by Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn in Uncategorized

Last month, I submitted a formal objection to the Environment (Disestablishment of Ministry for the Environment) Amendment Bill (the Bill) to Parliament’s Environment Committee. What the Bill seeks to do is abolish the standalone Ministry for the Environment and absorb its functions into a consolidated mega-ministry dominated by housing, transport, infrastructure, and local government portfolios. … Continue reading Weakening Environmental Protection in the Middle of an Ecological Crisis – A Good Thing? →

In a time of governance failure, citizens’ powerful imagination will be a much-needed boost

Posted on by cmikenn in Local Government, System Change

Photo credit: "My life through a lens" on Unsplash. (This article was first published 27 June 2019 at catherinemikenn.com). On June 27, Whangārei residents (led by local group Extinction Rebellion) were the latest to publicly address a meeting of their District Council and make an impassioned call to declare a climate emergency. Affected citizens are optimistic that in … Continue reading In a time of governance failure, citizens’ powerful imagination will be a much-needed boost →

Feeling underwhelmed by the “revolutionary” Wellbeing Budget? Here’s why.

Posted on by cmikenn in Climate activism, Policy, Politics

Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash (This article was first published 16 June 2019 at catherinemikenn.com).Last month, members of the Labour Party’s Māori Caucus held a public consultation meeting on the Government’s celebrated Wellbeing Budget (hosted by Te Puawaitanga marae, Otangarei). I arrived with much anticipation, hoping to hear from our elected representatives about the smorgasbord of progressive … Continue reading Feeling underwhelmed by the “revolutionary” Wellbeing Budget? Here’s why. →