22955 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Climate Change

22955 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Climate Change: How, if at all, does the Minister believe that the passage of a Regulatory Standards Bill would affect the quality of regulation and outcomes within their portfolio area?

Hon Simon Watts: In my capacity as the Minister of Climate Change, I believe that improving the quality of regulation can have positive impacts on economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes. However, Ministry for the Environment officials have advised that the proposed ‘liberties’ and ‘taking of property’ principles in the Regulatory Standards Bill conflict with the principles of New Zealand’s environment and climate legislation, including the Environment Act 1986, as the focus is on looking after collective, rather than individual, interests. As framed, Ministry officials have advised that the Bill may impede the ability of current and future legislation (both primary and secondary) to implement Ministers' and the Ministry's respective obligations.