9. Hon STEVE CHADWICK (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Conservation
Does she support the Director-General of the Department of Conservation and his vision for the future of conservation in New Zealand?
Hon KATE WILKINSON (Minister of Conservation) Link to this
Yes, and in the statement of intent I agree with the vision that “New Zealand is the greatest living space on Earth.”, although I prefer to say that New Zealand is the best country in the world.
Hon Steve Chadwick Link to this
Does the Minister agree with the Director-General of Conservation, who said in the annual state of the environment speech that it is “a necessary investment in natural capital that sits at the base of our economy. Water, soil, air, nutrient cycles, climate regulation, pollination—these and other services are the natural capital we need to survive and prosper.”, contrary to the belief that “only rich countries can afford clean environments”?
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
I will not go through, point by point, the director-general’s speech. But I can tell the member that I agree with him that conservation is good for business and business is good for conservation.
Hon Steve Chadwick Link to this
Does the Minister, therefore, not agree with the Minister of Energy and Resources, Gerry Brownlee, that “it is only through a strong economy that New Zealand can afford the expenditure required to look after and improve our environment.”?
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
I think it is fairly patently obvious that we need a strong economy, and under the current National Government we will get a strong economy—which we did not get under the previous Labour Government in 9 years.
Hon Steve Chadwick Link to this
Given her agreement, why is she, then, giving the energy Minister, who has the opposite intention, the power to sign off on mineral exploration permits in the conservation estate?
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
I think the member is assuming far too much there. As the member knows, it is proposed that access arrangements be by way of a joint decision-making process. No access can occur on conservation land without my signature.
Hon Steve Chadwick Link to this
I seek leave to table the speech given by Director-General of Conservation, Al Morrison, at Lincoln University on 7 October, stressing the value—
Mr SPEAKER