10. HONE HARAWIRA (Māori Party—Te Tai Tokerau) Link to this
to the Minister of Local Government
He aha atu ngā whakamaherehere kua whiwhi i a ia mai i te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Muriwhenua whai muri i tā te Pirimia i kī rā, whiriwhiria, wānangahia e ngā kaunihera ā-rohe ngā take, ki hea ngā tāone tū ai?
[What advice, if any, has he received from the Far North District Council following the Prime Minister’s reported comments that local councils need to talk through issues about where towns are situated?]
Hon MARK BURTON (Minister of Local Government) Link to this
I have not received any advice directly from the Far North District Council, although I am sure the member can understand that it is somewhat occupied at this time. But I have had the benefit of direct advice from my colleagues, including the Prime Minister, Rick Barker as Minister of Civil Defence, and local MPs Dover Samuels and Shane Jones. I agree with the Prime Minister’s comment that in an age of human impact on climate change, the future-proofing of communities needs to be seriously considered. Both central and local government have a role to play in resolving issues such as the location of settlements and whether any engineering solutions could minimise the impact of changing weather patterns. We need to balance the right to determine where we live and how we live against the Government’s responsibility to ensure the security and safety of our communities.
Ā, he aha rā tō whakautu ki ngā whānau o Mātangirau, ki ngā uri o Karangahape marae i kōrerohia atu ki te Pouwhakaata Māori, anei rā tā mātou marae, tā matou awa, tā mātou maunga me wā mātou whenua katoa, ā, ka noho tonu mātou ki konei mō ake tonu atu.
I would say that it reinforces the point the Prime Minister was making—that the issues about the security and safety of our people in their communities are serious issues that need proper consideration. The answer to those questions may well be relocation in some cases, and in others, clearly not. In many situations it will be about finding solutions, and it may include engineering, elevating houses, and all manner of possibilities. But the issue is that we have to make changes in some situations in order to secure the safety and security of our people.
John CarterIs the Minister aware that the council and the lead agencies called a meeting, sponsored by the local iwi, in Whangaroa - Kaeō on Monday—there are to be further meetings tomorrow and in a fortnight’s time—where the community came together to discuss the issue in a very positive way to the extent of considering the raising of houses, the widening of the river, land-management issues, the impact of roading and forestry, and perhaps addressing issues around stopbanks and silting; and can the Minister also advise whether he has the opportunity yet to discuss with the Minister of Agriculture the matter of the problem around the Hikurangi Swamp farmers and the devastation they are facing with having had two floods in 3 months?
The latter matter is a matter that the member has raised with me, as have a couple of my other colleagues from the north. As to the former matter, yes, I am aware of that meeting. I think it illustrates the point I was making in the primary answer. It is encouraging that the local community is taking the initiative and understands that these are complex and serious issues. Local people will be at the heart of making the decisions about their own future.
Tēnā koe. Ā, he aha te tino tautoko a te Tari Kāwanatanga ā-Rohe o Aotearoa ki ngā whānau o Mōtatau, Kawakawa, Waikare, Matawāia, o Kaeō, o Whangaroa hoki mō ngā whare e noho waipuke tonu ana?
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]
What immediate support can Local Government New Zealand provide to the whānau in Mōtatau, Kawakawa, Waikare, Matawāia, Kaeō, and Whangaroa whose homes remain waterlogged right now?]
I clearly cannot speak for Local Government New Zealand, but certainly central government has already made a number of provisions. Cabinet will continue to take advice on a daily basis as to further support that will be required to work alongside local government and local communities.