New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern signs coalition deal, names Winston Peters Deputy PM
October 24 2017
ABC News
New Zealand's incoming Government is hoping to make the nation greener by planting 100 million trees each year, ensuring the electricity grid runs entirely from renewable energy, and spending more money on cycle ways and rail transport.
Key points:
Incoming prime minister Jacinda Ardern signs coalition deal with NZ First and the Greens Party
Ms Ardern says the country aims to generate 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035
She also plans to raise the minimum wage by 27 per cent
Prime minister-elect Jacinda Ardern and NZ First Leader Winston Peters who will serve as deputy prime minster and foreign affairs minister in the new Government signed the coalition agreement on Tuesday and outlined their priorities.
In addition to the environmental initiatives, Ms Ardern also outlined plans to raise the minimum wage, stop foreigners from buying existing homes, and possibly change how New Zealand's Reserve Bank operates.
The 37-year-old will be New Zealand's youngest leader in more than 150 years and hopes to take the country on a more liberal path following nine years of rule by the conservative National Party.
"I don't need to be influenced on climate change," she said.
"It will sit at the heart of what this Government does."
Ardern aiming for 100 per cent renewable energy
Ms Ardern's plan is for New Zealand to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by the year 2050.
Some of the targets will require only incremental changes.
What to expect from NZ's new PM
New Zealand's new government will take office next week, and we can expect to see slashed immigration and a referendum on legalising marijuana.
New Zealand already generates about 85 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources including hydroelectric, geothermal and wind.
Ms Ardern plans to increase that to 100 per cent by 2035, in part by investigating whether solar panels can be used atop schools.
She said the country would need to double the amount of trees it plants each year, a goal she said was "absolutely achievable" by using land that was marginal for farming animals.
Her plans also call for the Government's vehicle fleet to be green within a decade.
Not everybody is happy with the plans. Many farmers are worried they will be required to pay more if they are absorbed into an emissions trading scheme.
"There is concern that if this should happen, New Zealand will become less competitive with other food-producing nations," said Katie Milne, the president of advocacy group Federated Farmers.
She also plans to raise the minimum wage by 27 per cent
Prime minister-elect Jacinda Ardern and NZ First Leader Winston Peters who will serve as deputy prime minster and foreign affairs minister in the new Government signed the coalition agreement on Tuesday and outlined their priorities.
In addition to the environmental initiatives, Ms Ardern also outlined plans to raise the minimum wage, stop foreigners from buying existing homes, and possibly change how New Zealand's Reserve Bank operates.
The 37-year-old will be New Zealand's youngest leader in more than 150 years and hopes to take the country on a more liberal path following nine years of rule by the conservative National Party.
"I don't need to be influenced on climate change," she said.
"It will sit at the heart of what this Government does."
Ardern aiming for 100 per cent renewable energy
Ms Ardern's plan is for New Zealand to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by the year 2050.
Some of the targets will require only incremental changes.
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