12. METIRIA TUREI (Green) Link to this
to the Minister of Conservation
Does he stand by the national goals of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy to “turn the tide on the decline of our biodiversity, and to maintain and restore a full range of our remaining natural habitats and ecosystems and viable populations of all native species.”?
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Conservation) Link to this
Yes, that remains the vision and goal to be pursued within the available resources over time.
How, then, does the Minister reconcile these goals with his decision to permit Solid Energy to transfer 250 Powelliphanta augustus snails and then mine their natural habitat on Mount Augustus, given that this species may well become extinct directly as a result of his decision?
Madam SPEAKERIn making our decision, the Associate Minister of Energy and I had to consider the welfare of Powelliphanta augustus under the Wildlife Act, and the economic benefits that flow from the efficient development and use of New Zealand’s coal resources under the Coal Mines Act. On balance we have decided to allow the snails to be moved. However, we are requiring a larger mitigation package than was originally offered by Solid Energy.
Gordon CopelandWhy are animals such as deer and thar still considered exotic pests when people of, say, Irish or Chinese descent who have been in New Zealand for the same length of time are now considered indigenous by Trevor Mallard, and in what circumstances will he accept deer and thar as an integral part of New Zealand’s biodiversity?
I have never really considered animals to be the same as people, but I am happy to discuss the matter with the member further.
Dr Pita SharplesKei te āwangawanga ia, mō te pāpātanga o te hangarau patu i ngā kākano, kua waia ki te whenua mō te maha o ngā tau, arā, ngā purapura o te iwi tangata whenua me ō rātou pārekereke, ā, he aha ngā kōrero kua puta mai i ōna hui i te taha o te Māori mō taua āhuatanga?
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]
[Is he concerned about the impact that terminator technologywill have on the ability of indigenous people to renew crops based on centuries of seeds that have naturally adapted to their environment; and what have his consultations with Māori told him about that phenomenon?]
Will Solid Energy be prevented from mining the endangered snails’ last remaining natural habitat until the relocation described by the Minister has been proven to be successful; if not, is this an example of his understanding of the precautionary principle?
In exploring the option of how long we would have to monitor the site to determine success we were told it would be up to 20 years. That is why we have taken very extensive steps in mitigation, such as the relocation by hand of as many snails as possible, the establishment of an expanded new habitat, the protection of the area with an expensive, intensive predator-proof fence, and also a captive breeding programme. These are very extensive mitigation actions.
If the mining occurs, the relocation is unsuccessful, and all the snails die, will he have any qualms that as Minister of Conservation he and his colleague the Minister of Energy will have approved New Zealand’s first State-sanctioned extinction of an endangered native species?
I take my responsibilities to protect New Zealand’s unique biodiversity very seriously. The issues involved in the application to move Powelliphanta augustus were finely balanced. In reaching the decision, I had to operate—as did my colleague the Associate Minister of Energy—under two statutes, that is, the Wildlife Act and the Coal Mines Act. The only possible decision I could make under those was the decision we made.