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Environment Minister Nick Smith today opened a new plant in Rotorua that uses innovative technology to break down biosolids reducing waste going to landfill and greenhouse gas emissions.

The opening of the thermal oxidation pilot plant in Rotorua is part of the ‘Waste 2 Gold’ project – a collaborative research project involving Crown Research Institute Scion and Rotorua District Council that received $1 million from the 2010 round of the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund. 

The completion of the Natural Resources Regional Plan and the successful resolution of all appeals a year after Commissioners were appointed is a major step forward for Canterbury, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

Traffic lights on dangerous coastal bars are to be trialled as part of a joint injury prevention initiative from ACC, Coastguard New Zealand, Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Maritime New Zealand, ACC Minister Nick Smith announced today in Greymouth.

“Coastal bars are high risk areas in which 12 New Zealanders have drowned in the past decade.  It can be very difficult to assess how dangerous conditions can be, particularly from sea.  This initiative is about improving safety by warning boat users when a bar is at its most dangerous.” Dr Smith said.

The government has approved the fast-tracking of a 10-hectare reclamation of Lyttelton's Port using rubble from Christchurch's earthquakes, Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Environment Minister Nick Smith announced today.

"A streamlined process for this reclamation is needed to enable Lyttelton Port to quickly recover and to provide a practical way to deal with some of the estimated 8.5 million tonnes of rubble and material from the earthquake," Mr Brownlee said.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced a new National Environment Standard on contaminated soil saying clear rules are needed for councils to manage public health risks.

“New Zealand has thousands of sites that have some level of contamination from previous use as gas works, timber treatment plants, livestock dips, fuel stations, chemical plants, sprayed horticulture or mines,” Dr Smith said.

A $16.2 million clean-up fund for New Zealand’s most dangerous contaminated site at Tui Mine on Mt Te Aroha was announced today by the Government as part of an agreement with local councils and the Green Party.

“We need to stabilise and make safe the 160,000 tonnes of contaminated mine tailings that sit precariously above Te Aroha. Geo-technical reports indicate that life would be put at risk and damage of up to $168 million in the event of a modest earthquake or severe storm,” Environment Minister Nick Smith said.

The Government and the Green Party today signed an agreed work programme to improve management of New Zealand’s contaminated sites.

“We have a nasty legacy of contaminated sites from old mines, gas works, timber treatment yards, livestock dips, and chemical works. The Government and the Greens agree that we need better laws, more open information, and a more consistent approach to management and clean up,” Dr Smith said.

Dispute Resolution Services Limited (DRSL) is to become an independent Crown Company on 1 July 2011 as part of the Government’s reforms to improve New Zealand’s system of accident compensation, ACC Minister Nick Smith announced today at a conference on work place safety in Wellington.

New laws and policy to better manage freedom camping were announced today by Environment Minister and Acting Conservation Minister Nick Smith at the Motor Caravan Association’s Annual General Meeting in Kaiteriteri, Nelson.

“Freedom camping is an important part of our tourism industry and great Kiwi lifestyle but we cannot tolerate irresponsible campers spoiling our most iconic areas with human waste and litter,” Dr Smith said.

Mr Speaker, I move that the Environmental Protection Authority Bill, the Climate Change Response Amendment Bill, the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill, the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Amendment Bill, the Ozone Layer Protection Amendment Bill, and the Resource Management Amendment Bill be now read a third time.

It is a pleasure to be at the last stage of this important reform to the governance arrangements for New Zealand's environment.

The passing of the Environmental Protection Authority Act today marks a major milestone in the Government’s efforts to strengthen New Zealand’s environmental management, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

“The Environmental Protection Authority will improve environmental management by providing a consistent regulatory approach across New Zealand and over a broad range of environmental issues scattered among different agencies,” Dr Smith said.

Improved performance by ACC in the Non-Earners’ Account has freed up $638 million of taxpayer funding over the next four years, Finance Minister Bill English and ACC Minister Nick Smith announced today.

The Government has agreed to a forward work programme on water reform that will involve the Land and Water Forum, iwi and ongoing analysis by officials, Environment Minister Nick Smith, Agriculture Minister David Carter and Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples say.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced the establishment of a new contestable fund to help councils and communities clean-up nationally significant water bodies polluted by poor historic management.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced a National Policy Statement for Fresh Water Management that recognises the value of fresh water to New Zealand and gives stronger national direction to councils.

“This National Policy Statement is about Government giving clear direction to councils on the importance of improving New Zealand’s fresh water management. It requires councils to set limits on fresh water quality and the amount of water that can be abstracted from our rivers, lakes and aquifers,” Dr Smith said.

Environment Minister Nick Smith and Agriculture Minister David Carter today announced the Government's fresh water policy package saying improved water management is needed to grow the economy while better caring for our rivers, lakes and aquifers.

“This balanced package is about getting the right rules and funding in place to support irrigation development and economic growth, while ensuring protection of the environment,” the Ministers said.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today launched the Love NZ recycling initiative in Wellington to coincide with Rugby World Cup 2011.

“The Rugby World Cup is the biggest event New Zealand has hosted. This Love NZ campaign is about recycling thousands of tonnes of glass, plastic and paper that would otherwise go to landfill and showing our 85,000 international guests that we care for our environment.  This is about turning a potential risk from large volumes of waste into an opportunity to reinforce our clean, green brand," Dr Smith said.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Nick Smith will visit Japan and China over the Easter recess to meet with his respective counterparts, Minister Rya Matsumoto and Minister Zhou Shengzien, to enhance environmental cooperation between New Zealand and our two major Asian trading partners.

“I am disappointed this matter has not been able to be resolved by the material being removed from the internet and legal proceedings being discontinued,” Dr Nick Smith said.

"I am unable to intervene as Minister because this is a matter between individuals before the court but I hope common sense prevails."
 

Climate Change Minister Nick Smith today welcomed reports on New Zealand's Greenhouse Gas Emissions for 2009 and the projected net position for 2008-2012 that show the Emissions Trading Scheme is working and that New Zealand is on track to meet its Kyot

ACC Minister Nick Smith today announced the appointments of former Commerce Commission Chair Paula Rebstock and actuary Jill Spooner to the eight-member ACC Board.

“These new three-year appointments are about ensuring there is a diverse range of skills around the board table of ACC. Paula Rebstock brings many years of experience in Government and business from her time as Chair of the Commerce Commission and Jill Spooner will provide high quality actuarial expertise,” Dr Smith said.

Good evening. I would like to extend a special welcome to our overseas guests to ‘Windy Wellington’.

I have heard New Zealand described as the ‘Saudi Arabia of wind’. It’s an apt description.

Our long narrow country lies in the middle of the ocean unprotected by other landforms, and across the path of prevailing westerly winds. We are smack bang in the part of the globe referred to by sailors as the ‘Roaring Forties’.

Wind is certainly one natural resource we have in spades.

The Government today announced its National Policy Statement on Renewable Electricity Generation under the Resource Management Act to encourage investment in wind, geothermal, hydro, and tidal power.

“This National Policy Statement is about Government recognising the importance of renewable energy and will help New Zealand meet its targets of 90% renewable electricity by 2025 and 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” Dr Smith said.