44190 (2025). Lan Pham to the Minister for the Environment

44190 (2025). Lan Pham to the Minister for the Environment: Why did the Minister choose not to provide comments on the fast-track application for the Tekapo Power Scheme?

Hon Penny Simmonds: I did not comment on the Tekapo Power Scheme on the basis that the application relates to the reconsenting of an existing activity in a statutory context where the existing dam likely must be considered part of the environment being assessed. The applicant is engaged with the regional council to negotiate relevant conditions to manage the existing effects of the proposal. Any gaps in the assessment (with respect to understanding the ongoing impacts) can be managed by an experienced expert panel that will decide on appropriate conditions on the basis of the information provided to them by other parties.