7. Hon RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) Link to this
to the Minister of Research, Science and Technology
Has he seen Hon Barry Brill’s article Crisis in New Zealand climatology raising questions regarding the integrity of NIWA’s “seven-station” series, published on Quadrant Online and picked up by Anthony Watts’ science news site, and what action, if any, has he taken since becoming Minister to ensure that NIWA maintains reputable scientific standards?
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP (Minister of Research, Science and Technology) Link to this
Yes, I have read the article that the member refers to. I have also discussed the climate research done by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) with the chair, the chief executive, and the chief climate scientist of NIWA, Dr Wratt. I have confidence that NIWA maintains reputable scientific standards.
Does he have concerns about NIWA when Dr Jim Salinger, who manufactured The NIWA ‘Seven-Station’ Temperature Series for New Zealand without any supporting documentation, was sacked from NIWA for inappropriate behaviour and now figures prominently in the email loop of the discredited and demonstrably dishonest climate scientists exposed in “climate-gate”; if not, why not?
Hon David Cunliffe Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I was disturbed to hear that question, because the member appeared to be impugning the integrity, on the record, of a member of the public. From my understanding, the matter to which the member referred has been before the courts as an employment matter and bore no relation whatsoever to the data the Minister referred to. So he is impugning, incorrectly, a member of the public.
Mr SPEAKERIt was difficult for me to hear exactly what the member was saying, which happens when the House is noisy. But I picked up that the member’s question included some unnecessary comments about individuals—comments that were not essential to the question he was asking. I ask him to reword his question to avoid allegations that are not essential to the question.
Does he have concerns about NIWA when Dr Jim Salinger, who manufactured the “seven-station” temperature series for New Zealand without any supporting documentation, was sacked from NIWA for misconduct and, we now learn, figures prominently in the email loop of the discredited and demonstrably dishonest climate scientists exposed in “climate-gate”; if not, why not?
Hon Gerry Brownlee Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The question is fine to the point where there is a description of those whose evidence the question is relying on. I think you would need to rule that at least part of the question is out of order.
It would seem to me that the point the Hon Gerry Brownlee makes is reasonable. I do not believe it is necessary in that question to allege that anyone is dishonest. The question can be asked without that unnecessary description, which is an opinion of certain evidence. We have heard the question, and I rule that part—where he alleged that certain scientists have been dishonest—out of order.