Conservation Minister needs to start doing her job

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson needs to start taking her role as an advocate for New Zealand's natural heritage seriously, Charles Chauvel says.

Environment Spokesperson Charles Chauvel was supporting Science Minister Wayne Mapp's support, expressed today, for the Kermadec Islands Region, 1000 km north of New Zealand, to receive heritage protection.

"Wayne Mapp has looked at the scientific evidence, and can see that there is a strong case for better protection for the seas surrounding the Kermadec Islands. He should be congratulated for taking an evidence-based approach, and for making this call.

"The seas around the Kermadecs are likely to be rich in minerals. But they are also a fragile ecosystem, which is why fisheries activity has already been restricted there. Dredging within 100m of the seabed is already banned, as is bottom trawling within 100m of the seabed. These are evidence-based restrictions, and they make sense.

"At least until the completion of scientific studies into what impact mineral exploration and extraction would have in the Kermadec Sea, the precautionary principle means that similar restrictions should apply to those activities as apply to fisheries there.

"Instead of not commenting, Kate Wilkinson should state that the Government's position favours protection for the Kermadecs. As Conservation Minister, she has been silent while her more senior colleagues like Gerry Brownlee have sought to hastily expand mineral exploration activities without considering the environmental consequences, and without taking into account local concerns about those activities. It is her responsibility in law to advocate for our country's natural environment. It's time she started doing her job," said Charles Chauvel.

ENDS

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