4517 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform

4517 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: What specific mechanisms, if any, have been established to uphold environmental and cultural accountability in the Fast-Track process, who is responsible for monitoring compliance, and how will environmental and cultural impacts be assessed at each stage of approval?

Hon Chris Bishop: The Fast-track Approvals Act includes various provisions relating to managing the environmental and cultural impacts of projects, including (among others): a. requiring referral and substantive applications to include assessments of environmental effects b. requiring applicants to engage with relevant iwi and Māori groups before lodging applications c. requiring the Ministry for the Environment to produce a report for the Minister for Infrastructure on Treaty settlements and other obligations d. requiring Minister for Infrastructure and the Expert Panels to seek comments on applications from relevant Māori groups e. allowing Minister for Infrastructure to decline referral applications where a project would be inconsistent with Treaty settlements, Mana Whakahone ā Rohe, Joint management agreements, the Takutai Moana Act, the Ngā Rohe Moana o Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Porou Act, or where it would have significant adverse effects on the environment f. requiring an Expert Panel to decline an approval if granting it would breach section 7 (all persons must act in a manner consistent with Treaty settlements, the Takutai Moana Act and the Ngāti Porou Act) g. allowing an Expert Panel to decline an application if the adverse impacts are out of proportion to the regional or national benefits.