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The start of the new standalone Environmental Protection Authority tomorrow will provide stronger and better coordinated central government leadership on environmental regulation, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

“The new Environmental Protection Authority will strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of New Zealand’s environmental regulation,” Dr Smith said at the official launch of the EPA at Parliament today.

Greater collaboration from the regional council, farmers, environmentalists, iwi, and the Government is needed to reverse declining water quality in Southland’s Waituna Lagoon, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

Dr Smith visited the lagoon today where he talked to Environment Southland and locals about the major issues facing the internationally recognised site.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today visited Foxton to launch an action plan instigated by the Manawatu River Leaders Accord for cleaning up the Manawatu River. 

The Green Party’s opposition to the Freedom Camping Bill shows it puts people camping where they like ahead of responsibility to our environment, Environment Minister Nick Smith and Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson say.

The Bill passed its First Reading in Parliament yesterday with only the Green Party and former Conservation Minister Chris Carter opposing it.

Minister for the Environment Nick Smith last night announced the 14 winners of the 2011 Green Ribbon Awards, including the Supreme Winner, Eco Stock Supplies.

“The Green Ribbon Awards recognise the efforts of New Zealanders who are taking action to address environmental challenges such as climate change, water quality, biodiversity, waste, and protecting our coasts and oceans,” Dr Smith said.

New Zealand’s sports clubs will have the incentive to reduce their environmental impact, thanks to a $300,000 grant to Project Litefoot from the Government’s Community Environment Fund, Environment Minister Nick Smith announced today.

Celebrating World Environment Day Dr Smith also announced another $300,000 will go to the Dune Restoration Trust of New Zealand from the same fund to restore indigenous biodiversity in coastal environments throughout the country.

To mark World Environment Day Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced the 29 finalists for the 2011 Green Ribbon Awards which honour outstanding contributions to protecting New Zealand's environment.

“Over the 21 years of the Green Ribbon Awards, more than 100 environmental champions have been recognised for their initiative, commitment and dedication to tackling environmental issues,� Dr Smith said.

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.

The Board of the new Environmental Protection Authority was today announced by Environment Minister Nick Smith at the Environment Defence Society Conference in Auckland.

“The new authority is about strengthening New Zealand’s environmental management and efficiently bringing together the regulatory functions that were previously across four different agencies,” Dr Smith said.

New laws to manage the environmental effects of activities like petroleum exploration and mining within New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) were announced today by Environment Minister Nick Smith at the Environmental Defence Society Conference in Auckland.

"This area of ocean, 20-times New Zealand's land area, offers significant economic opportunities, but we must also ensure we have robust laws in place to protect the environment", Dr Smith said.

The Government is to invest $9.3 million over the next six years in fresh water research, Environment Minister Nick Smith and Minister of Science and Innovation Wayne Mapp announced today.

“Along with climate change, improving the management of our country’s fresh water is one of the Government’s top environmental priorities,” the Ministers said.

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.

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.

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.

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.