Criticism is vital if NZ's climate-change policy is to survive

Criticism is vital if NZ's climate-change policy is to survive
Overstatement and exaggeration are skewing the debate about NZ's climate-change response. (Image: Greenpeace)
Pattrick Smellie
One of the most dangerous problems of both politics and policymaking is groupthink.Diverse views generally inform better outcomes.This is as true in setting climate-change policy as in any other area.Our decision over the last week to publish a series penned by two highly credible analysts covering how and why New Zealand has developed its climate-change policy reflects that.This was not a series that sought to argue the toss about whether or not climate change is real.That debate is settled, other than for a small and shrinking group...

More Opinion

Let the people hold the paintbrush
Policy He Poneketanga

Deb Te Kawa: Let the people hold the paintbrush

Central government works best when communities get a real say.

Deb Te Kawa 13 Jan 2025
BlackRock gives foreign investment a bad name
Opinion

Pattrick Smellie: BlackRock gives foreign investment a bad name

If it had set out to be disliked in NZ, BlackRock would be succeeding handsomely.

Pattrick Smellie 13 Jan 2025
My top columns from 2024
Opinion

Dileepa Fonseka: My top columns from 2024

From Spark losing its literal Mojo to fleeing talent and overpriced houses. 

Dileepa Fonseka 11 Jan 2025