Not out of the Woods

Megan Woods’ article Bright future for Taranaki (TDN, Nov 27) highlights lots of positives, but she unfairly attributes these to the Government.

Her upbeat column fails to assuage the anxiety many feel about the future – especially in the wake of the Government’s decision to suspend future offshore oil and gas exploration. She also omits to mention how the Government’s legislative intentions to improve our waterways are stressing farmers. Ironically Woods crows about Taranaki’s unemployment being lower than it was in December 2017 (when the Government came to power). But she blithely ignores the ignominious fact: Taranaki (now) has the highest unemployment in NZ (six per cent). Woods fails to explain this inconvenient conundrum. Yes, the December 2017 unemployment rate (6.5 per cent) was marginally higher than today. However, we must remember the context. Back then a barrel of oil was selling for just $30. This had dire consequences for Taranaki resulting in a thousand job losses in the energy-engineering sector.

Woods portrays a smooth transition to renewable energy, but doesn’t acknowledge that more coal is being burned in the generation of electricity. Yes, the 2050 Road Map consultation has gone well and Taranaki remains in the vanguard with respect to energy and engineering.

But the fact remains: farmers still feel picked on, and business continues to be in a state of funk. Bryan Vickery, New Plymouth