3. TE URUROA FLAVELL (Māori Party—Waiariki) Link to this
to the Minister for the Environment
Ki a ia nei, he taonga hoko te wai; mēnāehara, he aha ai hoki?
[Does he believe that water is a tradable commodity; if not, why not?]
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
Let me reiterate the words of my colleague the Associate Minister in the House last week that “water is a public resource that the Government and local authorities will continue to manage on behalf of all New Zealanders.” I can further advise the member that the management of water in New Zealand is based on consents, not on property rights.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Has the Minister read the article in the Dominion Post,“Call for market in water”, in which Simon Carlaw, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Water and Wastes Association, proposes law changes to facilitate water trading, and is this what is intended in the proposed “cap and trade” strategies outlined in the Sustainable Water Programme of Action Cabinet paper; if not, what is?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
No, but it will not surprise the member to know that this Government and I do not generally agree with the policies of the Business Roundtable or its acolytes.
Hon Peter DunneCan the Minister confirm, as he said in his original answer, that it is the Government’s policy and intention that the water resource will be administered fairly and without discrimination by the Crown and by local government on behalf of all New Zealanders?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I cannot be clearer than to repeat the answer I gave in reply to the primary question. The Government regards the water resource as a resource that local authorities and Government will continue to manage on behalf of all New Zealanders.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Is the Minister aware of the statement from Te Rūnanga o NgāiTahu chairman, Mark Solomon, that NgāiTahu were frustrated that they were not consulted in the drafting of the Government’s Sustainable Water Programme of Action; and what is the reason for denying NgāiTahu when they applied to participate in the consultation process?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
Yes, I am aware of that statement and I must say that it puzzled me somewhat, given the extensive involvement and engagement with Māori that has taken place on these issues as far back as July 2003, and, also, the fact that, as the member will doubtless be aware, the ministerial advisory group that advises Mr Anderton and myself on this matter includes Edward Ellison from NgāiTahu and George Asher from NgātiTūwharetoa.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What progress has the Minister achieved in addressing the two goals that emerged from the iwi chief executives’ forum held on 21 November 2006—namely, the importance to iwi of kaitiakitanga in water management, and the need for the Crown to address Māori rights and interests in water?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
Cabinet will be considering and responding to those issues in due course.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
I seek leave to table the article in the Dominion Post,“Call for market in water”.
Madam SPEAKERTe Ururoa Flavell Link to this
I seek leave to table an article from the Southland Times of 24 March 2007 in which NgāiTahu accused the Government of injecting fear into the community by suggesting that Māori want ownership of fresh water.