5625 (2024). Lan Pham to the Minister for the Environment

5625 (2024). Lan Pham to the Minister for the Environment: What evidence, if any, does the Minister have that the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM) will “not deliver the outcomes for freshwater that New Zealanders expect”?

Hon Penny Simmonds: The coalition Government aims to grow the economy to ease the cost of living. The outcomes we seek to achieve include making it easier to consent new infrastructure, allow farmers to farm, get more houses built, and enhance the primary sector. The Government's view, as reflected in both coalition agreements, is that the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 and the formulation of Te Mana o Te Wai do not reflect a balanced approach to achieving these outcomes while also protecting and enhancing the environment.