Taxpayers' Union representative, Peter Williams, sent me the following press release. As an aside, Peter and I go back a long way to when we were long-haired students at Otago University in the 1970s. We have sometimes met since because we both like to protect our country from stupid, evil, and greedy people.
What follows is the Taxpayer Union's press release and my letter to the leaders of the political parties in parliament, which you are welcome to copy and use. I have written my letter in a strong way, but please remember the Union's advice to be respectful. Like me, you may be shocked and angry by what we are being told our children must pay. Their form letter is here for you to copy, or use mine below as a template.
While you are at it, why not join the Taxpayers' Union?
January 31, 2025 NZTU Media
At 8pm last night – timed, presumably, to avoid pick up on the morning news shows – Climate Change Minister Simon Watts released New Zealand’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution to combatting climate change under the Paris Agreement.
The target, which locks unavoidable agricultural emissions into New Zealand’s international targets, are even more ‘ambitious’ than the 2030 targets made when Jacinda Ardern/James Shaw flew to Glasgow. They will cost future taxpayers literally tens of billions of dollars in penalties.
Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said “Ardern’s 50% emissions reduction by 2030 target was ludicrous.
Treasury estimates that in just five years taxpayers will be on the hook for up to $24 billion - that’s $12,000 per New Zealand household. The Government has now signed us up for another bill for five years later.”
“To not only lock this cost in, but go even harder for 2035 is economic sabotage. Watts and his Cabinet colleagues are not going to be around in a decade to have to pay the bill, but are doubling down on Paris at the very time our trading partners are pulling back.”
“Half of New Zealand’s emissions are agricultural. To achieve the 51-55% reduction Simon Watts has put NZ on the hook for would mean we either must shut down parts of our agricultural sector, or just about everything else. To say this is fantasy does Mickey Mouse a disservice.”
“The only way New Zealand avoids paying tens of billions in international carbon credits is if every square inch of Otago and Southland is planted in pine. But even the Government’s own experts advise that pathway is not credible.”
“So this decision will see New Zealanders having to stump up billions more to buy international credits in a decade’s time.”
“The Taxpayers’ Union has long supported sensible emissions reductions using our world leading Emissions Trading Scheme. But such a scheme can only operate with realistic targets and collective international action. Sacrificing our economic prosperity at the altar of good intentions when other countries are pulling back is nothing short of economic sabotage.”
“Minister Todd McClay was on radio this morning talking about how the Government want to ‘power up’ agricultural exports. He’s sure in for a shock.”
“Meanwhile, Simon Watts has just harpooned the Prime Minister’s ‘Going for Growth’ plan.
Mr Luxon, Mr Peters, and Mr Seymour need to step in and overrule this decision.”
Here are the email addresses for the leaders of New Zealand's main political parties:
National Party: Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon – christopher.luxon@parliament.govt.nz
Labour Party: Leader Rt Hon Chris Hipkins – chris.hipkins@parliament.govt.nz
ACT Party: Leader David Seymour – david.seymour@parliament.govt.nz
Green Party: Co-Leader Marama Davidson – marama.davidson@parliament.govt.nz
New Zealand First Party: Leader Winston Peters – winston.peters@parliament.govt.nz
Te Pāti Māori: Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi – rawiri.waititi@parliament.govt.nz
My Letter for you to copy-paste and edit:
[Date]
To: [Name]
New Zealand Parliament
Wellington, New Zealand
Subject: Immediate Withdrawal from New Zealand's 2035 Climate Commitment
Dear [Name],
I am writing to express my utter dismay and deep frustration at the Government's reckless decision to commit New Zealand to the 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. This decision, made without public consultation or a proper cost-benefit analysis, is nothing short of economic sabotage. It risks our nation's future as a First World country and places an unbearable financial burden on taxpayers, businesses, and the agricultural sector — our economic backbone.
The Taxpayers' Union released a press release that shows how much New Zealand households will pay for our current 2030 goals. This is up to $12,000 per household. This is a huge $24 billion penalty in just five years. Now, Minister Simon Watts and his Cabinet colleagues have doubled down on this economic insanity, committing us to even harsher targets for 2035. By doing so, they are locking in an unsustainable future cost that will cripple our economy, force drastic agricultural shutdowns, and push ordinary New Zealanders into deeper financial hardship.
This decision flies in the face of reality:
Our trading partners are pulling back on their climate commitments, while we blindly escalate ours.
Half of our emissions come from agriculture, meaning these reductions will either require widespread farm closures or draconian cuts in every other sector.
The only alternative is to buy billions in international carbon credits, which even government advisers acknowledge is not a credible or affordable pathway.
It directly contradicts the Government's "Going for Growth" plan, which aims to power up agricultural exports while simultaneously gutting the sector's viability.
New Zealanders deserve real leadership, not preformative climate virtue-signalling at the expense of our prosperity. If this decision is not overturned, future generations will look back at this Government as the one that sold New Zealand down the river, destroying our status as a thriving, self-sufficient nation.
I demand that the Government immediately withdraw from the 2035 commitment and reassess its climate policies based on:
A cost-benefit analysis that reflects economic reality.
Alignment with our key trading partners — rather than exceeding their commitments at our own expense.
Protection of our agricultural sector, which underpins our economy.
An approach that ensures New Zealand remains competitive, rather than self-inflicting economic hardship.
The future of New Zealand as a prosperous, First World country is at stake. Reversing this disastrous decision must be a top priority.
I look forward to your urgent response on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name and Contact Details]
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