10. TARIANA TURIA (Co-Leader—Māori Party) Link to this
to the Minister for the Environment
Does he stand by his repeated statements to the House that “The Government regards the water resource as a resource that local authorities … will continue to manage on behalf of all New Zealanders.”, given that a private company, HydroTrader, has been set up to make the trading of water permits easy, anywhere in the country?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
Yes. The Government has been very clear on its position and approach to water management—that is, that water is a public resource that the Government and local authorities will continue to manage on behalf of all New Zealanders.
What protection will be given to Māori and other river users to ensure that companies are not seeking more water than they can use, which they can then sell on as a tradable resource?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
Although there may be mechanisms such as HydroTrader—and I will come back to that issue in a moment, and to the correspondence that has gone to the regional council on that matter, which in that company’s words is aimed at facilitating the transfer of permits—I tell the House that the important thing is to recognise that the HydroTrader website, or any other similar website or mechanism, cannot guarantee a water permit. It may put parties in contact with each other, but transfers of water permits are controlled under the Resource Management Act and everyone has proper access to that process.
Steve ChadwickHon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I can advise the House that the National Party appears to have endorsed the concept of water markets. I am advised that both Nicky Wagner and Jo Goodhew’s Aoraki electorate chair, Mark Oldfield, are elected members of the Canterbury Regional Council, and appear to be pushing for the privatisation of water. I can advise that the Government has no intention of establishing markets for the trading of water.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Kia ora tātou. Is the Government supportive of the trading of water as suggested on the HydroTrader website; if so, whose water is being traded by HydroTrader, and are companies specifically set up to buy, sell, or lease water ?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
No. From the beginning of the Sustainable Water Programme of Action, as is evidenced in the discussion documents for that process that the member is in possession of, the Government has made it quite clear that the process will facilitate the transfer of permits but not trading or market development.
Nandor TanczosWhy does the Government not introduce a resource rental for the commercial use of water, in order to recognise that it is a part of our common wealth and to fund environmental management and co-management, rather than allowing private commercial operators, as at present, a rent-free, pre-emptive, and exclusive right to use and pollute water, usually expecting ratepayers and taxpayers to pick up the tab for the clean-up?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
If the member or the party he belongs to would like to advocate policy change in that direction, they have the capacity to do so as part of the Sustainable Water Programme of Action.
What action, then, will the Minister take over statements made on the HydroTrader website that the Government is supportive of the trading of water as being consistent with the Sustainable Water Programme of Action?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
On this whole matter, my colleagues the Ministers of Agriculture and of Forestry and I will shortly be reporting to Cabinet on the progress that has been made on the Sustainable Water Programme of Action to date. That progress includes the proposed national environmental standard on water measuring devices, and the development of a national environmental standard on environmental flows—the work on that is progressing well. Cabinet decisions have not yet been made, however, on the national policy statement on freshwater management. That will take place once initial consultation on the proposed national policy has been undertaken with stakeholders and Māori.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. My question was on what action the Minister will then take over statements made on the HydroTrader website that the Government is supportive of trading water. He has not answered my question.
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE Link to this
I have not seen those statements. When I have done so, I will consider them.