9. Hon STEVE CHADWICK (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Conservation
Did he discuss the proposed removal of the Minister of Conservation’s powers to make the final decision on applications for restricted coastal activities under section 119 with the Māori Party before agreeing to remove this power from the Resource Management Act?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
No, the Minister did not have any direct discussions with the Māori Party, but he was advised by the Minister for the Environment that there were extensive discussions with the Māori Party on all aspects of the resource management reform bill.
Hon Steve Chadwick Link to this
Did the Minister raise with the Minister for the Environment any of the concerns raised in the Department of Conservation’s submission to him on the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill; if not, why not?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
The Minister of Conservation had an extensive discussion with the Minister for the Environment about the veto on restricted coastal activities that was provided by the Minister. It is my view that the veto used by the previous Government completely discredited the process, and I think most New Zealanders welcome the fact that future decisions will be made by the Environment Court, and not by Ministers of the Crown, on individual consents.
Hon Steve Chadwick Link to this
Does that confirm that the Minister made no effort to protect his statutory responsibilities as the final decision-maker on restricted coastal activities, which enable him to fulfil his role as an advocate for the preservation and protection of New Zealand’s natural and historical resources, because discussion between Ministers went in a different direction?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
I note that the member, who is the previous Minister of Conservation, did not change one single decision on restricted coastal activities.
Hon Ruth DysonHon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
Well, it is very important. Let me tell members why it is important. Why would we want to hold up consents for months and months when the court has decided that the powers that the Minister holds, which the member is making such a big deal of, are very, very narrow and it would be only in extreme circumstances that a Minister could overturn a decision of the Environment Court?
Hon Steve Chadwick Link to this
I seek leave to table a paper to the Cabinet economic growth and infrastructure committee on 16 February on the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill, with the comment “Discussion amongst Ministers went in a different direction.”
Mr SPEAKER