11. TE URUROA FLAVELL (Māori Party—Waiariki) Link to this
to the Minister of Energy and Resources
Kei te whakaae a ia ki te kōrero a Api Mahuika, te Manakura o Ngāti Porou, nā te kore kōrero tahi ki te iwi kua waiho e te Karauna te Tiriti ki rahaki, ā, hinga tonu atu te tino rangatiratanga o te Māori i roto i te whakaaetanga o te Karauna kia keri-whenua a Petrobras; ki te kore, he aha ai?
[Does he agree with Ngāti Porou leader Api Mahuika that the Crown acted outside the Treaty because it has not consulted and has failed to honour a guarantee to protect the rights of Māori, in its granting of an exploration permit to Petrobras; if not, why not?]
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister of Energy and Resources) Link to this
No. The minerals programme for petroleum 2005 lays down requirements for consultation with relevant iwi when issuing petroleum blocks offers. In this case, the Raukūmara block offer, that consultation did take place. I seek leave to table a chronology of engagement with iwi relating to the Raukūmara block offer.
Mr SPEAKERTe Ururoa Flavell Link to this
He aha tāna ki Aotearoa whānui ki te whakahē i tā Manu Caddie i kōrero nei, he “shameful environmental record” tā Petrobas, ā, ka raru te taiao i ngā mahi keri-whenua?
[What assurance can he give New Zealanders to counter the claims by Manu Caddie that Petrobras had a “shameful environmental record” and that there are environmental risks inherent in the oil drilling operation?]
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
I do not know who Manu Caddie is, and I do not have any responsibility for any comments that he makes. However, I would say that it is widely acknowledged that Petrobras has spent many billions of dollars on safety over the past decade. The company has developed its own robust, 15-point health, safety, and environmental guidelines. Most important, New Zealand—since the National Government introduced it—now has the Environmental Protection Agency, soon to be a stand-alone agency, which will have responsibility for issuing permits in the exclusive economic zone. I would expect that the agency will develop the very highest of standards required for anyone undertaking any exploratory activity in the exclusive economic zone.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Ka aha ia ki te whakatau i ngā āwangawanga kua koropupū ake i roto i a Te Whānau-a-Apanui, a Te Tai Rāwhiti, a Ngāti Porou, a Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa nā ngā mahi o te Kāwanatanga ki te tuku i te Raukūmara basin ki a Petrobras International?
[What actions will he take to address the evident loss of goodwill being felt by Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Te Tai Rāwhiti, Ngāti Porou, and Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa because of the Government’s action in signing over the Raukūmara basin to Petrobras International?]
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
I think I heard enough of it to understand what the gist of it was. The first point I would make is that goodwill and good faith is something that goes two ways, and I would suggest to the member that I also feel as if there has been a breach of good faith by the parties mentioned in their dealings with me. But I will make clear that I was prepared to publicly apologise—and I did so—to both Ngāti Porou and Te Whānau-a-Apanui immediately after the block offer was signed up with Petrobras. But I also tabled today, for all members to see, a very lengthy consultation exercise undertaken with those iwi. I think we have discharged our responsibilities appropriately. I am sorry that it is not to the standard that those two groups particularly would demand for themselves. But, in the end, these are nationalised minerals and the Crown has a right on behalf of New Zealand to consider what potential they may have to add to our economic well-being.
Hon David ParkerHas the Minister advised the Māori Party that if it does not like the fact that oil and other petroleum products are nationalised and will not form part of Treaty rights—or, indeed, foreshore and seabed rights—that it could actually vote against the foreshore and seabed legislation that his Government is bringing forward?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
I think the efforts of my opponent over there to try to sow seeds of discord are a total waste of time. This matter has been discussed widely between all parties, and what we are seeing is a disagreement between one Minister of the Crown and two parties to the arrangements. I am sure that it will be sorted out, because in the end—[ Interruption]; once we get past all the trumpeting—what those parties want, what National wants, and what the Māori Party wants is the same thing. It is for people’s rights to be protected as their interests stand in the foreshore and seabed, and I am confident that that is where we are heading.