The Government has been quizzed on why it's not putting money into a renewable electricity scheme.

It has partnered with worldwide asset management company BlackRock to launch a $2 billion infrastructure fund.

It'll have a particular focus on the path to 100 percent renewable energy, such as solar, wind and green hydro.

Energy Minister Megan Woods says they're acting in New Zealand's interests.

"One of the jobs of Government and of ministers is to work actively to bring overseas investments to New Zealand, and that's exactly what we've been doing."

LISTEN ABOVE

The Government has been quizzed on why it's not putting money into a renewable electricity scheme.
It has partnered with worldwide asset management company BlackRock to launch a $2 billion infrastructure fund.
It'll have a particular focus on the path to 100 percent renewable energy, such as solar, wind and green hydro.
Energy Minister Megan Woods says they're acting in New Zealand's interests.
"One of the jobs of Government and of ministers is to work actively to bring overseas investments to New Zealand, and that's exactly what we've been doing."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Megan Woods: Energy Minister defends $2 billion infrastructure fund partnership with BlackRock, says they're acting in New Zealand interest

ACT is promising to freeze the minimum wage for three years and make it more tricky for unions to collect membership fees if it returns to Government. 

The party would also introduce a training wage for under-20s' first year of employment, at 60 percent of the minimum wage. 

It also wants to shorten the personal grievances time-frame, and require they be raised with the Employment Relations Authority within three months.

EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald has raised concerns with aspects of this - and says an 'indexed' approach to the minimum wage would be a better idea. 

"What we've seen in the last two or three minimum wages - they've been quite small steps up, they've been 20 or 50 cents. And that, to me, makes more sense than freezing them completely, because there is inflation."

LISTEN ABOVE

ACT is promising to freeze the minimum wage for three years and make it more tricky for unions to collect membership fees if it returns to Government.&nbsp;
The party would also introduce a training wage for under-20s' first year of employment, at 60 percent of the minimum wage.&nbsp;
It also wants to shorten the personal grievances time-frame, and require they be raised with the Employment Relations Authority within three months.
EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald has raised concerns with aspects of this - and says an 'indexed' approach to the minimum wage would be a better idea.&nbsp;
"What we've seen in the last two or three minimum wages - they've been quite small steps up, they've been 20 or 50 cents. And that, to me, makes more sense than freezing them completely, because there is inflation."
LISTEN ABOVE

Alan McDonald: EMA Head of Advocacy on ACT proposing to freeze the minimum wage and cap pay for under-20s

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/69b818aa-12dc-4a21-8fad-b4c6004f4101/transcript

The Finance Minister's brushing off concerns about the government's fast track programme. 

Local Government New Zealand is calling on central Government to pause all referrals on housing projects - claiming they're bypassing council decisions.

It wants a review to clarify the housing fast track's role within the new planning system.

Nicola Willis says she wants to make clear fast-track approval doesn't give developers a free pass to charge ahead.

She says expert panels still impose conditions - requiring roads, wastewater and other infrastructure to be in place, before construction.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Finance Minister's brushing off concerns about the government's fast track programme.&nbsp;
Local Government New Zealand is calling on central Government to pause all referrals on housing projects - claiming they're bypassing council decisions.
It wants a review to clarify the housing fast track's role within the new planning system.
Nicola Willis says she wants to make clear fast-track approval doesn't give developers a free pass to charge ahead.
She says expert panels still impose conditions - requiring roads, wastewater and other infrastructure to be in place, before construction.
LISTEN ABOVE

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister brushes off worries about fast track for housing projects

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/55cdbb3c-28b4-44dd-bde7-b4c5008c1096/transcript

Kiwis are catching on to the benefits of solar panels - and demand's spiking.

Solar company Electrify Nelson says inquiries have gone up a couple-of-hundred percent on a year ago.

But the industry warns we need about six thousand more trained electricians - across the country - to do the work.

Rewiring Aotearoa Chief Executive, Mike Casey told Heather du Plessis-Allan he hopes interest will continue over time.

He says oil shortages because of the Iran war is keeping demand high - with energy prices climbing.

He says solar is the one reprieve Kiwis get.

LISTEN ABOVE

Kiwis are catching on to the benefits of solar panels - and demand's spiking.
Solar company Electrify Nelson says inquiries have gone up a couple-of-hundred percent on a year ago.
But the industry warns we need about six thousand more trained electricians - across the country - to do the work.
Rewiring Aotearoa Chief Executive, Mike Casey told Heather du Plessis-Allan he hopes interest will continue over time.
He says oil shortages because of the Iran war is keeping demand high - with energy prices climbing.
He says solar is the one reprieve Kiwis get.
LISTEN ABOVE

Mike Casey: Rewiring Aotearoa CEO on shortage of electricians as solar panel demand soars

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2434e2b1-039c-4356-b390-b4c5008837a3/transcript

Megan Woods: Energy Minister defends $2 billion infrastructure fund partnership with BlackRock, says they're acting in New Zealand interest

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