8. Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) Link to this
to the Minister of Conservation
What will be the impact on the Department of Conservation’s Blue Lake Track in Rotorua of the proposed logging of the 90-year-old Douglas Firs on the side of the lake?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK (Minister of Conservation) Link to this
There is a track on the scenic reserve near the logging area and there will be some restrictions on public access during the logging for safety reasons. However, public access will be maintained during the evenings and the weekends and the scenic reserve itself will not be affected.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Why, after the National Party candidate in Rotorua, Todd McClay, raised the issue publicly did the Minister issue a Government press release stating that she had been working for some time to resolve the issues, when in fact she had told constituents there was little that she could do?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
Actually, I have been working on this issue for some considerable time—long before the National candidate was selected. I meet regularly with the district council, and on this issue we have been working to preserve access for recreational use of this beautiful iconic forest. That is my role as the MP for Rotorua, and I will continue to do that.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
What did the Minister mean when she emailed a constituent, in response to devastating photos of the logging: “God, Ray, get the tree huggers there. There is little more that I can do.”?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
I understand that Nick Smith has been in the region just recently hugging a tree, so it is good to know he was there to support us on this issue, which is incredibly important to us in Rotorua. On this issue, that gentleman, as a recreational cyclist, works with me to try to ensure that we preserve access for walkers and mountain bikers into our beautiful Blue Lake, Green Lake, and Whakarewarewa Forest. That is my job as the MP for Rotorua and I will carry on doing it—and I will be a tree hugger, too.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
What faith can New Zealanders have in their Minister of Conservation when confronted with the logging of 100-year-old trees on the Department of Conservation’s very popular Blue Lake track at one of the most iconic tourism spots in New Zealand, and in her own electorate, when her response is: “God, Ray, get the tree huggers there. There is little more that I can do.”?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
This forest is managed by Timberlands forestry. It is interesting to see an Opposition member now saying that the Government should interfere in relation to forestry farmers felling trees selectively in our area that have grown around Rotorua for as long as I have been there. We are not in the business of telling an industry how to manage itself.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Does the Minister think she has her ministerial priorities right when the very day she sent the email saying to get the tree huggers and that there was nothing she could do was the Friday prior to the Labour congress, when she was putting together the ditty for the congress attacking National leader, John Key; and does she think that if she were perhaps a little more focused on her electorate and ministerial duties we might have saved some of those trees?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
I wish I could sing, as an MP, about the values of our fantastic community, which is working on preserving the values of the trees in our area, and also our pathways and recreational reserves. This logging is not happening on Department of Conservation land, let me correct the Opposition.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Is the Minister aware that the Conservation Act provides an advocacy role for the Minister, that Professor Hamilton from Waikato University has said that this pristine, iconic lake may die as a consequence of the runoff from the logging, and that the covenants, held by the Crown on the forest, state: “shall promote the natural and intrinsic values and landscape amenity of the forest”; and, noting that, what specifically will she and her department do to ensure that these great trees are not lost?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
These trees are Douglas firs, and we need to be very clear on that issue. These Douglas firs have been grown for the purpose of forestry farming. We love these trees—absolutely. I am not the Minister responsible for the covenant but I am the member for Rotorua, and am very much responsible for ensuring ongoing access to these cycleways and walkways, while at the same time working with the forestry company to know its forward-forestry management plans and making sure we can adjust our tracks. That is what I have done in respect of the mountain track users in our community. In terms of the water quality of the lake, I met last week with the chief executive of Environment Bay of Plenty, who assured me that the organisation is regularly monitoring the runoff into the water, as is its responsibility for monitoring lake-water quality.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I have in my hand the email stating: “God, Ray, get the tree huggers there. There is little more that I can do. Cheers, Steve.”—
Madam SPEAKERHon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
I seek leave to table the harvesting operation plan, which shows that this operation is not on Department of Conservation land.