NZ First

Is Shane Jones really to blame?

NZ First is openly allegiant to commercial fishers, mining (fossil fuels) and tobacco companies, but is it really their fault?

NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones, who decried “Goodbye Freddie! [if nature got in the way of his mining interests]” - a reference to Aotearoa New Zealand’s highly endangered, native and small Archey’s frogs - received flak this week around news that he pushed for NZ to ignore international efforts to create a road map away from fossil fuels.

Former NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark:

“Extraordinary that a minister from a minor party in NZ’s conservative coalition government overrode official advice to the Minister for Climate Change, leading to NZ refusing to support a road map away from fossil fuels at COP30 in Brazil. Dinosaur”

Australia, the UK, the European Union and a group of Pacific nations were among 80 countries that pushed for the road map to be included in formal negotiations at COP30 in Brazil last November.1

New Zealand’s government submitted to Jones’ will.

Auckland Takapuna MP Simon Watts, who cosplays as Climate Change Minister, defended this, arguing that it was all “appropriate” and reasonable.

And Luxon simply claimed ignorance, stating he wasn’t aware when asked about it this week.

(It’s not the first time. Luxon pleaded ignorance.

In 2024 when asked which of his Ministers received donations from tobacco companies, he claimed he didn’t know. This all came as National went about repealing Labour’s Smoke Free Generation law - with NZ First Minister Casey Costello omitting the $46 billion of smoke-free benefits to the country in official papers, Shane Jones said he didn’t “care” about tobacco transparency rules, and Ministers - including Luxon - parroted tobacco lobbying talking points that contradicted NZ’s official advice. Costello also brushed off concerns that showed the tobacco companies targeted the party as easy pickings.)

Back to Jones though - as much as the criticism is justified, it’d be inaccurate to blame it all on NZ First.

No minor party could define the country’s entire climate strategy and participation in global planning efforts without the direct support of National here.

And in reality all three parties - National, ACT, and NZ First - share the anti-climate, pro-fossil fuel fervour.

From reversing protections for wetlands and our fresh water, to reinstating offshore oil and gas exploration, to repealing the Clean Car Discount that saw EV sales nosedive 74% in one year, to breaking EV charger install promises, to facilitating NZ becoming a “dumping ground” for fuel guzzlers and pollutants, to increasing methane allowances, to amending the RMA to override environmental responsibility etc.

Their actions are significant.

Nevertheless, the world is responding.

Under a new UN framework convention for international tax co-operation, the world is looking to put the price of climate events at source: fossil fuel companies.

Donald Trump, Winston Peters, Shane Jones, and Australia’s Peter Dutton all plead direct and indirect allegiance to the fossil fuel industry.

And their rhetoric rails against international organisations like the UN for obvious reasons.

Just remember, there’s always a reason, but it’s not at all what they claim it to be.

HEADLINES, OLD AND NEW

Winston Peters on WHO (2020)

“You’ve got to have every organisation in the world in the WHO if it’s to have any meaning…

“In the interests of international health, you want every country in an international organisation designed to improve the world’s health – it’s just logic.”

Source: NZ formally backs WHO role

NZ Government wants to provide Trump access to our critical minerals

Greenpeace notes:

“The specific danger here is giant opencast strip mining of the seabed in Taranaki for vanadium to be used in weapons manufacturing by the USA. Just for starters.

The immediate risk is the fast-tracking of …[it to] build US weapons - and more mining - including conservation land.

Nicola Willis & Chris Bishop contemplating privatising Lotto (2026)

Sam Sadcheva continues his scoop on National’s plans to privatise (fully or partially) Lotto, a function the government has run for ~65 years.

Despite NZ First’s assertion that the proposal is “dead in the water”, National continues mulling the activity, but Willis has redacted details of her engagement from public view (Newsroom: Willis won’t shed light on private sector Lotto proposal)

It’s worth remembering that National say that if they win again in 2026, they will take this as a mandate for privatisation across the entire country, and all sectors.

AA ceases insurance in a second NZ town (2026)

AA has put a temporary hold in issuing insurance cover in North Canterbury, Christchurch, adding the town to cessation of offers in Lincoln 7608 and Rolleston 7615.

Last week AA stopped insurance due to reaching “maximum [insurance risk] exposure” in Westport. AA claims that it has stopped North Canterbury due to seismic risks.

“I’m not a sex fiend” - Shane Jones, Minister of Pornography (2010)

Shane Jones had admitted he watched porn movies in hotels, which were paid for on his taxpayer-funded credit card. He told reporters this afternoon he was not a "sex fiend" but got in the habit of watching pornographic movies while he was away.

He also wrongly used his card to charter a plane and buy wine, magazines and books

Source: ODT

National Party ended buyouts for climate affected property last year. Article: Latest extreme weather a test for Govt’s plan to reduce buyouts, Marc Daalder, Newsroom 2026
Homeowners warned weather-event buyouts may cease in 20 years, RNZ 2025
No more buy outs for storm hit homes, RNZ 2025
No future climate adaptation assistance would leave NZers 'on their own' - expert, RNZ 2025
Almost 15,000 properties could be damaged by floods in next 35 years - report, RNZ, 2025
Opposition parties slam 'secret' critical minerals talks, RNZ 2026
"WHO has always engaged with the US, and all Member States, with full respect for their sovereignty." WHO chief says reasons US gave for withdrawing 'untrue', RNZ. 2026
‘Conflict of interest’ criticism as new minister puts commercial fishing interests ahead of environment Seafood industry donors lobby Jones over wine and oysters, Newsroom 2024
The Government has agreed to overhaul controls on fishing companies.Jones acknowledges environmental groups will be dismayed, in moves labelled nothing but a “subsidy” to fisheries groups Fishing industry nets changes to cameras, discards and catch restrictions, Newsroom 2024

Of Interest - NZ links in Epstein Files

Boyd recently wrote in The Post to defend Auckland University removing a set of mandatory Treaty of Waitangi Waipapa Taumata Rau courses from its curriculum.

The courses had been under attack by the ACT Party.