29211 (2025). Lan Pham to the Minister for the Environment

29211 (2025). Lan Pham to the Minister for the Environment: Is the Minister intending to develop Nationally Consistent Water Quality Standards for coastal waters; if so, what progress has been made?

Hon Penny Simmonds: No, I am not currently intending to develop any specific Nationally Consistent Water Quality Standards for coastal waters under the Resource Management Act 1991. As the member is aware, the Government is currently working to reform the Resource Management system. The new Resource Management system aims to support development and growth within environmental limits, including making greater use of standardisation. This will include looking at environmental limits for coastal waters and how we set consistent guidelines and instructions across the country.