17716 (2026). Lan Pham to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform

17716 (2026). Lan Pham to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: Why was the Minister of Health not given any discretion as a "decision-maker" or "policy lead", and not even "consulted" on National Direction decisions for the 'National Environmental Standards for sources of human drinking water (NES-DW)', as noted in Appendix 3 of the 26 June 2024 'Cabinet Economic Policy Committee Minute of Decision: Resource Management Reform Phase 2 National direction'?

Hon Chris Bishop: I refer the Member to my answer to Written Parliamentary Queston 17715 (2026). In February 2024, the Prime Minister assigned portfolio responsibility for phase 2 national direction to me. I have exercised these powers in accordance with section 7 of the Constitution Act 1986. Ministry for the Environment officials have advised me that managing source-water pollution risk is better progressed through the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) and National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES-F), rather than the National Environment Standards for Sources of Human Drinking Water (NES-DW).