4515 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform

4515 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: What measures, if any, are in place to prevent undue political influence in project selection and approval under the Fast-Track process, who holds final decision-making authority, and have any conflicts of interest been declared since 17 December 2024?

Hon Chris Bishop: The Minister for Infrastructure will make decisions whether applications for referral are referred or declined. There are requirements in the legislation to guide these referral decisions. The Minister will not make decisions on the substantive application as this is the role of expert panels. The Minister also does not appoint the expert panels who make decisions on substantive applications, as this is the role of the panel convener/associate conveners. Expert panels are required to assess the environmental impacts of the project against the relevant criteria. If they decide to grant an application, panels can also recommend conditions to ensure adverse effects of the project on the environment are managed appropriately. This process will be managed by the Environmental Protection Authority. Ministers involved in the fast-track approval process will identify and manage their conflicts in accordance with the Cabinet Manual and with the advice of the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office, on behalf of the Prime Minister, supports Ministers in identifying and managing conflicts of interest that may arise in relation to their portfolios or other ministerial responsibilities. Details regarding conflicts of interest disclosed to the Cabinet Office are not generally released, in order to ensure the confidentiality of Cabinet proceedings, to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs and, in some cases, to protect personal privacy. This has been the approach taken by successive administrations over many years because it is in the public interest that the Cabinet Office can obtain and assess information about conflicts of interest and provide advice to Ministers on how to resolve them on a confidential basis.