4. RAHUI KATENE (Māori Party—Te Tai Tonga) Link to this
to the Minister for Climate Change Issues
What advice has he received from the national hui held by the Climate Change Iwi Leadership Group and the Māori reference group executive on the Government’s climate change emissions target for 2020?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for Climate Change Issues) Link to this
A hui was held on the 2020 target at Hopuhopu in July, at which I appreciated the Māori Party’s presence and support. A further hui was held this week in Wellington. The advice I have received from the Climate Change Iwi Leadership Group and the Māori reference group executive has been very constructive. Whereas environmental groups have promoted very ambitious targets, and business groups very cautious ones, Māori have a strong environmental and economic interest, and, like the Government, are seeking a balanced outcome. I will be reporting their recommendations to Cabinet.
What has been the feedback from Māori about the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that to avoid dangerous climate change, developed countries need to meet at least a 25 percent reduction by 2020, and how will he ensure there is continued consultation and representation with Māori on emissions reductions?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
The feedback I have had from Māori has been very balanced. They recognise the seriousness of climate change, as well as the difficulty of reducing emissions when such a large proportion of New Zealand’s emissions come from agriculture. I think we also have to recognise that the Māori economy is very strongly focused around forestry, around fishing, and around agriculture, and that poses some quite unique challenges, not just for Māori but for New Zealand.
Hon Nanaia Mahuta Link to this
Can the Minister confirm that the Māori reference group has expressed concern about the Government’s economic modelling, and that it will be commissioning another more comprehensive report, for release before the end of the year; if so, what does this say about the level of confidence that Māori can have in the Government’s understanding of how climate change measures will affect them?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
I met with the Māori iwi leaders’ reference group on climate change. They expressed to me strong support for the Government’s approach around that difficult issue. They expressed no concern to me about the quality of the economic analysis that they themselves commissioned from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research. It might be helpful, too, for me to table for members that economic analysis of the effects of climate change on Māori, and I would be happy to do that.
Has the Minister seen any reports on the likely impacts of different 2020 emission reduction scenarios on the Māori economy; if so, what were the main findings?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
Yes; I have seen the report that was jointly commissioned by the iwi leaders’ reference group and the Government. It does rightly identify in respect of the Māori economy and the large investment by Māori in agriculture, in forestry, and in fishing that the economic impacts for them are significant. I also note that the report’s overall conclusion is that the impacts of climate change policy and an emissions trading scheme are very similar for Māori and for other New Zealanders.
Hekia ParataE te Mana Whakawā, tēnā tātou e te Whare. How significant to Māori are the international rules around carbon embedded in timber products and those in respect of flexible land use, and, given their significance to Māori, is the Minister considering a senior Māori representative being part of the delegation to Copenhagen?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
The rules around forestry are of huge significance to Māori, particularly since the Central North Island Iwi Collective settlement, which involved the largest plantation forest in the southern hemisphere. The conversion of pre-1990 forestry under current rates, which are about 800 tonnes per hectare, would mean that across the 439,000 hectares of trees owned by Māori, this issue amounts to a question of over $9 billion. An agreement that allowed offset planting would hugely reduce that liability. The rules around embedded carbon in timber products are also very significant, in that they would recognise the 25 percent of wood that goes into timber products. That further provides opportunities for Māori and substantial players in the forestry sector. I am favourably disposed to the request for Māori senior representation at the climate conference in Copenhagen, but Cabinet has not decided the make-up of the New Zealand delegation.
Charles ChauvelI raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am really just seeking your guidance. The Minister offered to table the economic analysis, which certainly members on this side of the House would like to see. Is there a—
Mr SPEAKERIf he quoted from an official document, members can seek leave to have him table it, but I suspect that the Minister will seek leave.
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
I formally seek leave to table the report from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research on the effects of 2020 targets on the Māori economy.