New Zealand Has a Choice

Greenpeace New Zealand’s chief political analyst and strategist Nathan Argent argues that New Zealand’s “clean, green values” and its “history of progressive reform” are being undermined by the current government. “New Zealand, once considered a champion and protector of the Southern Oceans, now stands accused of thwarting efforts to protect this magnificent region,” Argent writes in an article for The Diplomat. “There is dismay amongst progressive businesses that the government is so staunchly aligned with heavy-polluting industries, and that it’s missing opportunities to capitalize on its wealth of renewable energy expertise and world-beating ability to innovate. New Zealand has a choice. It could become the graveyard to failed, 19th century thinking. Or it could seize the opportunity to be part of the 21st century solution to global environmental and economic challenges.”