9537 (2024). Hon Marama Davidson to the Minister of Conservation

9537 (2024). Hon Marama Davidson to the Minister of Conservation: What advice, if any, has the Minister received indicating the Fast-track Approvals Bill will benefit iwi conservation projects and interests?

Hon Tama Potaka: The Bill is intended to provide for the developmental aspirations of iwi, which can include any project that meets the criteria set out in the Bill. The Department of Conservation has not been able to quantify the benefits to different types of potential iwi projects, including conservation projects. I’m aware that pre-introduction advice provided to Ministers regarding the fast-track approvals bill is to be proactively release by the Minister for RMA Reform, and I judge it not to be in the public interest to provide this in advance.