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Kia ora huihui tatou katoa

Can I start by acknowledging your president Helen Atkins, the other speakers, and members of the Resource Management Law Association.

There are four dimensions I want to cover this morning regarding resource management law.

First up, I want to set the scene on why it matters and the context of our RMA reforms in the broader environment and economic policies of this Government.

Second, I want to review progress on our first phase of resource management changes and the results of the 2010/11 RMA report on Council performance.

Mr Speaker, I move that the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill be now read a first time.

I intend to move that the Bill be referred to the Local Government and Environment Committee.

Mr Speaker, this Bill is an integral part of the Government's bluegreen programme to strengthen New Zealand's environmental and resource management systems.

Kia ora hui hui tatou katoa

It is great to join you for this special celebration of a quarter of a century of the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.

Tonight, I want to join with others and acknowledge the huge contribution made by Helen Hughes, Morgan Williams and Dr Jan Wright and their staff, and to outline the Government’s ideas for expanding the role of the Parliamentary Commissioner.

First some acknowledgements:

Speech to the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Conference, Auckland 

Introductions/Acknowledgments

Kia ora hui hui tatou katoa

Can I start by acknowledging our distinguished speakers and international guests as well as the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand for organising this conference.

Unfortunately we are unable to be in Christchurch as originally planned but I commend the Society for moving this important event to Auckland.

Thank you for the opportunity to give this keynote address.

I commend the Environment Defence Society on this conference, this year, focusing on coasts and the sea.  It has become the premier annual think tank on how New Zealand can improve its environmental management. I acknowledge Garry, Raewyn and the executive team for your leadership, but also the dynamic speakers that contribute to this conference’s success.

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.

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.

Kia ora hui hui tatou katoa

I am delighted to join you for this symposium today, and I want to congratulate the Lake Water Quality Society on its role and for this event.

This morning I want to talk about the Government's agenda to improve freshwater quality in New Zealand. This includes: closer collaboration; increased funding; stronger central government direction; improved regulation; the need for better science; and a set of consistent and transparent reporting that will ensure we can monitor progress.

Mr Speaker, I move that the Environmental Protection Authority Bill be now read a second time.

Mr Speaker, the establishment of the Environmental Protection Authority marks an exciting new era of environmental management in our country.

Mr Speaker, I move that the Environmental Protection Authority Bill be now read a second time.

Mr Speaker, the establishment of the Environmental Protection Authority marks an exciting new era of environmental management in our country.

New Zealand deserves no less than a world class regulatory system that reflects our environmental values in conjunction with our economic interests.  We need to be smarter in developing ways to grow our economy while lifting our environmental management.

Introduction

Thank you for the invitation to address the Second Annual Fresh Water Management Forum which I have titled Fresh water reform: a work in progress.

It’s great to see so many major stakeholders from the fresh water sector here today. I’d like to specifically acknowledge Dr Bryan Jenkins and wish him well in the key role of heading the Waterways Research Centre jointly funded by Lincoln and Canterbury Universities.

This 12th Bluegreens Forum in the beautiful coastal and heritage village of Akaroa is a landmark in our work to advance our ideals for a cleaner and more prosperous New Zealand. This morning I want to do some thank yous, I want to reinforce the values we have developed and advocated for a decade, and I want to make some important Government announcements on the environment.