Some of Nick Smith latest press releases indictate he doesn't actually know what these programs do, or should I say did. To lump the Govt3 program in with "recycling programs", is incorrect. On the Govt3 website, the awards from last year give an indication of some of the money this program was saving the government on things like reductions in travel, energy efficient buildings, paper reduction. The reason this program was so popular with the departments implementing it was that it was saving the departments money. To axe them without appreciating this shows short sightedness. To say that it will happen because it is good practice, fails to acknowledge history. It was not happening before Govt3 started, so we can only hope that some of these things continue to happen now Govt3 is no longer.

The problem is people working in Government cannot speak out against this, otherwise we would have a hell storm of debate and sensible arguments about the insanity of this coming. But unfortunately their lips are sealed.. The two programs I know that have been axed are the Carbon Neutral Public Service programme and the Gov3 program. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/sustainability/public-service-carbon-neutrality.html http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/sustainable-industry/govt3/about.php The Carbon Neutral program was about measuring emissions, reducing them and offsetting the rest. It was still in it's infancy but ultimately, from a bigger picture view, would have "saved" government money. i.e. less, energy, less waste, less travel etc Many emerging organisations in the green space were benefiting. Including companies focused on alternative energy programs or emission sequestration such as tree planting. And other services such as auditing and solutions around sustainable practices. John key and his cronies are cutting a number of green entrepreneurs off at the knees. The Gov 3 program is similar in some ways and is focused on improvements in value for money in buying practices, maximising energy efficiency, minimising greenhouse gas emissions, use of materials, the amount of waste sent to landfill, incorporating sustainability into procurement arrangements; and credibility - walking the talk. All of these lead to opportunities for companies to provide sustainable solutions and also lead to cost savings. Sustainability actually makes business sense.

Murray - thank you for putting my mind at rest that the Ian McKinnon poster was most probably an impostor.

Though if it wasn't indeed the man, one wonders why a person would want to 'make believe' they were Mr McKinnon in the first place...

Let's hope/pray that our Councilors are at least a little smarter and less conservative than the post in question makes out.

What precisely are the "several other green schemes" that are being cut, how much will they each save, why were they set up in the first place if they were so pointless? Why is this article so frustratingly vague on the detail???

The person who frequently posts and signs himself "Ian McKinnon" cannot possibly be the said "Ian McKinnon" who is Deputy Mayor of Wellington City.

God Help Us if that standard of communication would ever survive an election. It would show that it is nothing other than the "Wellington Shitty Council".

I take comfort with the fact that I have read a post on this website signed "John Key" which certainly did not rate as that which would be expected from a prime minister of New Zealand, and I do not believe it was written by the Prime Minister.

I have read a post on Colin Espiner's blog signed "Trevor Mallard" and Espiner addressed him with a response using the name, but I guess when in opposition there could be a broader public interaction.

One thing I will say for Don Brash, the prolific emailer, he did get his team out canvassing their electorates when National had fallen to around 20% support.

In response to "Cheap Slogan"

-It shows how little we now value our grandchildrens' lives, and that we have no qualms about handing them a massive environmental mess.

The idea that we must always have economic growth started the climate problem, now it seems the financial collapse will stop even the most basic of attempts to mitigate it.

When will people we voted into power start looking at the big picture, rather then just the bottom line?

Ian - by "green appeasing crap", are you referring to the significant environmental sustainability issues that major New Zealand companies and organisations are addressing through the likes of the high-profile New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development (www.nzbcsd.org.nz)?

If indeed you are same Ian McKinnon as Wellington's fine Deputy Mayor - a brief look at the Council's own 'residents surveys' on their website shows that "94% are concerned about climate change".

Green Crap? Well put Ian.

I just hope National remembers that a government SPENDS its economy out of recession, rather than just planning on a possible free trade deal to ride on the coattails of a (hopeful) US recovery in the next few years.

I thought tourism was our biggest earner? What message is this sending the rest of the world? Besides that, measuring then reducing carbon emissions is a way to reduce costs and save money overall? Using less paper, less energy, less travel etc are many ways that will reduce costs. A rather narrow minded, easy way out, very short term thinking decision by National!

In addition to these latest cuts to green initiatives, John Key has axed funding for recycling receptacles at major tourist spots throughout NZ. NZ markets itself aggresively on its clean green image yet our PM, and Minister of Tourism, cannot seem to recognise that tourists notice this stuff - it is normal in their own countries and they are aghast at the lack of recycling facilities in NZ. On one hand we have Tourism New Zealand spending public money to instigate programmes like Qualmark Green, while at the same time the PM cans funding for tourist recycling. Get with the programme John Key. Our tourism industry has grown dramatically over the last 10 years with a lot of hard work. We don't need you buggering it up with your stupid tory logic.