50762 (2025). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for the Environment

50762 (2025). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for the Environment: Further to replies to Question for Oral No. 11 on Oct 15 Does the Minister agree with the statement "To suggest that a single Minister or a Government or 5.2 million people at the distant end of the South Pacific can effect change when larger climate change emitters are doing zero is fanciful" and if so, why, and if not, why not?

Hon Penny Simmonds: The science is clear on the fact that climate change is driving significant changes in our marine environment as demonstrated in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report. This report documents widespread and rapid shifts in the oceans and cryoshere including ocean warming, ocean acidification, and marine heatwaves and was used as a source of evidence in the Our Marine Environment report. New Zealand is committed to playing its part in the global effort to reduce the impacts of climate change, including in the marine environment. I also refer the member to the Minister of Climate Change's response to written parliamentary question 49795 (2025).