Heated debate on cooling climate response

Deputy Mayor Jonathan Larsen. Kaipara District Council is cancelling its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting contract and halting the development of Kaipara’s climate policy to save $33,000. Deputy Mayor Jonathan Larsen’s notice of motion split the council, provoking lengthy debate at its meeting last month, before being passed by six votes to four. “There is no statutory requirement to carry out either of these activities,” the notice of motion read, adding that they delivered no tangible benefits to ratepayers and the funds would be better spent on projects that would. During the debat...