Managed retreat is no one-size fits all solution
We've been told to get used to hearing "managed retreat" over the next few years but for some, the concept is at odds with their reality and their world view
In today’s edition: water charges could go up under National’s water plan; reports Rob Campbell will lose his job as chair of the EPA; one year on — where key figures from the occupation of parliament are now; but first, the ubiquity of the phrase “managed retreat” masks a range of differing views
New houses in Whangaroa still being built on the side of cliffs (Photo: Nadine Anne Hura)
Managed retreat and adaptation on cyclone recovery task force’s agenda
Yesterday, the government released the Terms of Reference for the Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery Task force. Cyclone recovery minister Grant Robertson said the task force’s work will cover issues to do with managed retreat, as well as other adaptation and resilience issues. Sir Brian Roche has been appointed to lead the task force and says repairing state highways and red-zoning uninhabitable communities are “immediate issues'' facing the rebuild. Climate change adaptation and managed retreat are terms we’ve been hearing a lot of but they’re also quite bureaucratic, politicised and complicated ideas, and in some instances, conceptually at odds with a range of world views.
“When the government says “managed retreat?” I say, “managed by who?” Managed for who?
In the first in a series of short features by Nadine Anne Hura profiling New Zealanders who are often overlooked in news coverage, Hura visits Whangaroa in the Far North, and shares the words of Nyze Manuel – trustee of Karangahape Marae, kaiwhakahaere of Taitokerau Border Control and business owner employing local whānau. It’s a revealing and vital look at how the concept of “managed retreat” is being received. “When the government says “managed retreat?” I say, “managed by who?” Managed for who? Managed where? We know that Māori will not be a priority in this conversation. The priority will be the flash-as whare that are falling down the cliff,” says Manuel.
Letting owners decide and hiking insurance premiums
The New Zealand Initiative’s Eric Crampton offers a different perspective on managed retreat writing that “higher insurance premiums in risky places would encourage more building in safer places, without anyone having to issue edicts.” Stuff columnist Ben Thomas bridges the gap between Crampton’s thinking and the truths revealed in Hura’s profile with a focus on Wairoa in Hawke’s Bay. “Government bailouts encourage more risk-taking behaviour, so surely owners can decide their own risk profile according to insurance costs. But how would the market signal of increased premiums work in communities like Wairoa, where the majority of residents are low income and without insurance anyway?”
The seductive appeal of saying it’s too late to mitigate climate change
Managed retreat fits into the paradigm of climate change adaptation. This morning on The Spinoff Max Rashbrooke picks up on the appeal of embracing adaptation as a way of solidifying the idea that it's “too late” to mitigate climate change. Rashbrooke says that the message is “seductive” “for those who wish to leave their lifestyles undisturbed, and an understandable response to the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle, an event that concentrates attention on how best to protect vulnerable communities. But it is absolutely the wrong lesson to draw from that disaster.”
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Luxon says rates won’t go up but water charges could
In an interview with Newsroom’s Jo Moir (paywalled) National party leader Christopher Luxon has again insisted the party’s water infrastructure policy won’t result in rate hikes. When pressed, Luxon then went on to accept that councils increasing water charges could be one of the options on the table. “That may be one of the options, I don’t know … there’s a number of ways they can work it out,” he said. The policy gives councils the ability to form council-controlled organisations (CCO) where councils can merge their water infrastructure assets. Luxon said that in instances where some of those councils have managed water assets poorly, they could end up needing to contribute more to the CCO and one of the mechanisms for doing that would be to increase water charges. Newsroom’s Jono Milne reports on a warning from S&P Global where the international rating agency says “No matter who delivers the required [water] infrastructure, the cost of such investment is astronomical. If councils fund the investment, general property and targeted rates will likely soar to record levels. If water services entities fund the investment, water charges will likely soar instead."
Reports Campbell will lose position as chair of the Environmental Protection Authority
Prime minister Chris Hipkins said yesterday that environment minister David Parker was in talks with Rob Campbell about his future as chair of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Speaking from Hawke’s Bay, Hipkins once again said that there was a “natural justice” element at play. Campbell said he had received Parker’s letter yesterday afternoon, would respond to it and that he hoped to continue in the role. Campbell reiterated his desire to stay in the role in an interview with Newshub’s Amelia Wade. He also said "It feels even a little bit like a witch hunt,” and acknowledged that was a dramatic phrase.
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Click and collect
Te Whatu Ora figures show a 46% increase in the number of people waiting for a specialist appointment in Counties Manukau
Enough rain to fill 72 Olympic swimming pools fell every minute for six hours in Esk Valley during Cyclone Gabrielle
Canada and the US have made moves to ban TikTok on government-issued devices. New Zealand will not be following suit
“Huge spike” in feather boa sales in the lead-up to next week’s Harry Styles gig
After an online excoriation of National’s Three Waters policy, Rob Campbell has insisted he will not be “politically neutered” and has been sacked as Te Whatu Ora chair. Was that fair? And was he right about National’s policy? Annabelle, Ben and Toby declare they will not be neutered and discuss this and the political events of the week in the latest espisode of Gone By Lunchtime
Got some feedback about The Bulletin, or anything in the news? Get in touch with me at thebulletin@thespinoff.co.nz.
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One year on from the end of 23-day occupation of parliament, Toby Manhire looks at where key figures from the protest are now. Duncan Greive on how to save your company director from being radicalised on LinkedIn. A reminder from me that the Rob Campbell saga once again proves unemployment is always just a post away. Charlotte Muru-Lanning talks to a first-time Te Matatini performer. Chriz Schulz reports on a minor footpath repair job that’s become a major issue for one Auckland suburb. Tara Ward pens the final Treasure Island power ranking after what might be the show’s most dramatic week ever.
Sporting snippets
Lunchtime yesterday: New Zealand Rugby confirms it will name the coach of the All Blacks for 2024 and beyond in the next four to six weeks. A few hours later… Ian Foster confirms he will not be reapplying for the job. The Herald’s Paul Lewis (paywalled) says he’s “seen cleaner disembowelments than this.”
More joyful cricket coverage: Dylan Cleaver says put the Black Caps’ one-run win over England in Te Papa and how the Black Caps celebrated their win over England (featuring a perfect photo from the dressing room)
