Nick Smith
National to give resource consent hurry-up
The National Party says it will introduce a six-month deadline for resource consent applications for medium-size projects, if re-elected. Audio
The Rena disaster
The Rena remains firmly stuck on the reefs but is still intact. Attempts will be made this morning to get a crew onto the Rena to begin oil recovery. Kathryn talks to Head of Papamoa Surf Lifesaving… Audio
Environment minister says worse to come with Rena
The minister for the environment, Nick Smith, is in Tauranga. Audio
Environment Minister on ecological disaster
The Environment Minister Nick Smith joins us. Audio
Many locals join in beach cleanup
The Government is describing the stranding of the Rena as the worst environmental disaster in New Zealand in decades. Audio
Urgent changes ahead for RMA to plug natural hazards loophole
The Government is being forced to make urgent changes to plug a major planning loophole, after finding a fifth of the homes wrecked by February's earthquake were built in places known to be highly… Audio
Environment Minister responds to reports findings
The Minister for the Environment, Nick Smith. Audio
Fiscal cost if ETS review recommendations are taken up
Suggested changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme could cost taxpayers an extra half a billion dollars. Audio
New Zealand's most polluted lake to be cleaned up
New Zealand's most polluted lake is to get an 11 million dollar clean up. Audio
New legislation proposed for NZ's Exclusive Economic Zone
Stricter rules and tougher penalties are on the way to protect the Exclusive Economic Zone - that's the seabed between 12 and 200 miles off New Zealand. Audio
National e-waste network opens today
A national network of electronic waste depots opens today as the Government hopes to avert vast numbers of televisions and computer monitors ending up in landfills or worse, being dumped on the side… Audio
Exide sueing Govt over toxic battery shipments
The American-owned Exide battery recycling plant in Lower Hutt is suing the Commerce Minister for allowing toxic lead batteries to be shipped overseas. Audio
Environment Minister defends policy after critical report
The Minister for the Environment, Dr Nick Smith, defends his government's freshwater management policy despite research findings indicating the state of this countries wetlands is in continued… Audio
National accused of manufacturing a crisis around ACC
National is being accused of manufacturing a crisis around ACC to try to justify privatising it. Audio
Decision to cut ACC levies shows finances sound: Labour
The Labour Party says the decision to cut ACC levies just months out from the election shows there was never any real financial crisis at the corporation. Audio
The Government wants to cut the cost of ACC
The Government wants to cut the cost of ACC for workers and businesses from April next year. Audio
Australia's carbon tax 'shows up NZ's ETS as weak'
The Australian government yesterday unveiled plans to impose a tax on carbon emissions for the country's worst polluters. Audio
Government signals ACC levy reductions
ACC is expecting a two-point-five-billion dollar surplus this financial year and as a result its levies may go down. Audio
Freedom Camping Bill one step closer to law
Stricter rules for freedom campers are one step closer to becoming law. Under the Freedom Camping Bill, councils will be able to fine illegal campers and prosecute them for dumping sewage from their… Audio
Insurance industry claims ACC will be tough to tackle
The insurance industry says it will struggle to break the Accident Compensation Corporation's grip on workplace accident insurance. The Government is planning to allow private insurance to compete… Audio
