35157 (2026). Lan Pham to the Minister of Conservation

35157 (2026). Lan Pham to the Minister of Conservation: Why, as reported in the Northern Advocate, did the Department of Conservation agree to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mercury to establish a fund for bittern conservation work as mitigation for construction of the Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm, rather than through a legally binding deed as required by the Kaipara District Council-issued consent, finalised in 2022?

Hon Tama Potaka: I have been advised by the Department of Conservation that that party representatives entered into discussions regarding the Departments concern over protection of bittern. Agreement was recorded in an MOU. This approach rather than a deed was authorised by the consenting authority.