Controversial plans to build a new airport in Central Otago is coming under further scrutiny.

Eleven academics have penned an open latter against Christchurch Airport's plans to build an international airport on 750 hectares in Tarras.

They've joined the growing opposition from local residents.

Otago University tourism expert James Higham who brought the academics together told Tim Dower the airport would also completely change the face of Central Otago.

He says it also contradicts all sorts of other regional, national and global imperatives to decarbonise.

LISTEN ABOVE

Controversial plans to build a new airport in Central Otago is coming under further scrutiny.
Eleven academics have penned an open latter against Christchurch Airport's plans to build an international airport on 750 hectares in Tarras.
They've joined the growing opposition from local residents.
Otago University tourism expert James Higham who brought the academics together told Tim Dower the airport would also completely change the face of Central Otago.
He says it also contradicts all sorts of other regional, national and global imperatives to decarbonise.
LISTEN ABOVE

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The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

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James Higham: Otago University tourism expert says Tarras airport would also completely change the face of Central Otago

Let me ask you this: if fast-track is the answer, then why do we still have the Port of Tauranga problems? 

Surely I don’t need to go through the fine detail of what is one of this country's most embarrassing modern travesties. 

It's a story in which a successful business wants to expand so they can be more successful, and yet can't because the court process is never-ending. 

The latest chapter of course involves local Māori wanting compensation. 

It's not like this business is in nuclear waste or mine tailings. It's simply part of our main way of making money – exports. Selling things to the world. 

If ever there was a case for an overarching “let's stop the BS and time wasting" law, the Port of Tauranga saga is it. 

It's hard to know who is at fault more; those who started the scrap, i.e. local Māori, or those who allow it to drag, i.e. the judicial process. 

But can you not mount a case that if a business cannot be allowed to be a business because they are hindered by argument and the process that allows the argument, at some point a line has to be drawn and an overarching authority (presumably the Government) comes in to settle the matter once and for all? 

Arbitration is a possibility, including compulsory arbitration. I have for years argued for it in union disputes, especially the ones like teachers and nurses who are constantly scrapping with stop-work meetings and protests and days off. 

State your case, claim/counter claim, if you're stuck then enter the referee and the call is made. 

If fast-track was the solution it's patently evident in this case it isn't working and the port are in the fast-track process, having failed in the non-fast-track process. So all the processes and they are still no further ahead. 

In my system the arbitrator would ask is this legal? Is this societally acceptable and is it beneficial for the country? I would ask that at 8.30am when the hearing starts and I reckon we'd be done by morning tea. 

If an exporting nation can't expand to export more, how broken and backward are we? 

Let me ask you this: if fast-track is the answer, then why do we still have the Port of Tauranga problems?&nbsp;
Surely I don’t need to go through the fine detail of what is one of this country's most embarrassing modern travesties.&nbsp;
It's a story in which a successful business wants to expand so they can be more successful, and yet can't because the court process is never-ending.&nbsp;
The latest chapter of course involves local Māori wanting compensation.&nbsp;
It's not like this business is in nuclear waste or mine tailings. It's simply part of our main way of making money – exports. Selling things to the world.&nbsp;
If ever there was a case for an overarching “let's stop the BS and time wasting" law, the Port of Tauranga saga is it.&nbsp;
It's hard to know who is at fault more; those who started the scrap, i.e. local Māori, or those who allow it to drag, i.e. the judicial process.&nbsp;
But can you not mount a case that if a business cannot be allowed to be a business because they are hindered by argument and the process that allows the argument, at some point a line has to be drawn and an overarching authority (presumably the Government) comes in to settle the matter once and for all?&nbsp;
Arbitration is a possibility, including compulsory arbitration. I have for years argued for it in union disputes, especially the ones like teachers and nurses who are constantly scrapping with stop-work meetings and protests and days off.&nbsp;
State your case, claim/counter claim, if you're stuck then enter the referee and the call is made.&nbsp;
If fast-track was the solution it's patently evident in this case it isn't working and the port are in the fast-track process, having failed in the non-fast-track process. So all the processes and they are still no further ahead.&nbsp;
In my system the arbitrator would ask is this legal? Is this societally acceptable and is it beneficial for the country? I would ask that at 8.30am when the hearing starts and I reckon we'd be done by morning tea.&nbsp;
If an exporting nation can't expand to export more, how broken and backward are we?&nbsp;

Mike's Minute: Why hasn't fast-track helped the Port of Tauranga?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8974be99-b3ce-410d-b23b-b472017881c4/transcript

Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest stories of the week thus far. 

They discussed the Greens’ tax plan, the truth around the alleged selling off of conservation land, and Chris Bishop’s yoga classes. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Today on Politics Wednesday, Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to delve into some of the biggest stories of the week thus far.&nbsp;
They discussed the Greens’ tax plan, the truth around the alleged selling off of conservation land, and Chris Bishop’s yoga classes.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Pollies: National's Mark Mitchell and Labour's Ginny Andersen talk the Greens' tax policy, conservation land, ACC

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2ca76859-8432-49fa-9c1f-b4720172529e/transcript

A think-tank is calling on ACC to make rehabilitation its priority ahead of paperwork.  

The Accident Compensation Corporation's claims pool stopped growing in April after once increasing 15% annually.  

A New Zealand Initiative report says there's evidence to suggest it could be achieving this by cutting back on rehabilitation outcomes.  

Executive Director Oliver Hartwich told Mike Hosking that currently a person is considered rehabilitated if ACC hasn’t paid them for five weeks – but this isn’t a real measure. 

He says the real measure of success isn’t whether they get them off the books, it’s whether they restore them to health and bring them back into the labour market. 

The problem, Hartwich says, is that some people don’t return to work at all, so we have to make sure they don’t linger on ACC, and that it doesn’t become another form of welfare.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

A think-tank is calling on ACC to make rehabilitation its priority ahead of paperwork. &nbsp;
The Accident Compensation Corporation's claims pool stopped growing in April after once increasing 15% annually. &nbsp;
A New Zealand Initiative report says there's evidence to suggest it could be achieving this by cutting back on rehabilitation outcomes. &nbsp;
Executive Director Oliver Hartwich told Mike Hosking that currently a person is considered rehabilitated if ACC hasn’t paid them for five weeks – but this isn’t a real measure.&nbsp;
He says the real measure of success isn’t whether they get them off the books, it’s whether they restore them to health and bring them back into the labour market.&nbsp;
The problem, Hartwich says, is that some people don’t return to work at all, so we have to make sure they don’t linger on ACC, and that it doesn’t become another form of welfare. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Oliver Hartwich: NZ Initiative Executive Director on the call for ACC to focus on rehabilitation, returning people to the workforce

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4d3ac67c-4184-4ec7-9b9b-b472016db271/transcript

James Higham: Otago University tourism expert says Tarras airport would also completely change the face of Central Otago

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