10. TARIANA TURIA (Co-Leader—Māori Party) Link to this
to the Minister of Local Government
Will he take any action to ensure consultation with NgātiPareraukawa and the Muaūpoko Tribal Authority regarding the decision of the Horowhenua District Council to allow the transfer of rubbish from the Kapiti district to the Hōkio Beach landfill, in light of the Crown’s responsibility to maintain and improve opportunities for Māori to contribute to local government decision-making processes?
Hon MARK BURTON (Minister of Local Government) Link to this
Under the Local Government Act 2002, decisions relating to a council’s waste management plan are for a council to make within the requirements of that Act. Decisions relating to specific resource consents, such as those at the Hōkio Beach landfill, fall under the Resource Management Act 1991. Accordingly, any questions relating to the council’s decision-making process under that Act are the province of the Minister for the Environment.
What consultation has there been with the Muaūpoko Tribal Authority about the decision to open up the Hōkio Beach site as a repository for nationwide rubbish—a site that has sacred significance for the people in terms of its close proximity to traditional burial grounds?
As I indicated in the opening answer, the decisions, and the executing of those decisions, under the Local Government Act are the province of the local council in question. I am advised that the long-term council community plan for that district provided for out-of-district waste to be dumped at the Hōkio Beach landfill. Of course, that plan was, as is required by law, a matter of consultation.
In light of section 4 of the Local Government Act 2002, which places a very clear requirement on local authorities to consult with mana whenua, what consultation has been undertaken with NgātiPareraukawa, given that the landfill is literally on the backyard of their tribal marae at Ngātokowaru?
As I have answered twice already, this is a decision and responsibility, under the very Act that the member is referring to, of the appropriate territorial local authority. It is, of course, potentially judicially reviewable under that Act, should the conditions for such a review be met.
Nandor TanczosDoes the Minister agree that building a landfill on a highly porous base such as sand, then relying on a plastic liner to catch all of the leachate, on the assumption that it will never fail, which is what is happening at Hōkio, is a stupid and unnecessary risk that leaves the council exposed to future liability, and directly cuts across the ability of NgātiPareraukawa and the Muaūpoko Tribal Authority to exercise their kaitiakitanga, or, indeed, of the Pākehā community to care for their waterways?
As I have tried to explain—three times now—this decision is properly made by the territorial local authority, which among its staffing expertise should have drainage and disposal engineering expertise. That is not expertise that I would ever claim to have.
Is the Minister aware that NgātiPareraukawa, as a party directly affected by this activity, have raised their concerns over subsequent decades about the longstanding pollution caused by the sewage discharge, which has compromised the health of their streams, affected their marine environment, and impacted adversely on the health of their tuna; and what initiatives will he take as a result of this, to ensure that waste disposal policies do not at the same time create environmental hazards?