Auckland February 3 2009

Weakening the Resource Management Act (RMA) deals a further blow to New Zealand’s clean green brand, says Greenpeace.

“New Zealand’s reputation is already weakened by one of the worst climate change records in the developed world, water pollution from industrial dairying and unsustainable fisheries,” said Greenpeace Political Advisor Geoff Keey. ”Today’s announcement just makes New Zealand look worse.

“The reforms prioritise growth and development over the environment, which is nonsensical when the sustainability of that growth is entirely dependent on the environment. As Tourism Minister, John Key should know that gutting New Zealand’s environment protection law is not going to serve us well in the long term.”

Keey said the Prime Minister should look to UK Conservative Leader David Cameron and new US President Barack Obama, who were both making environmental action a priority. “New Zealand is looking increasingly isolated and behind the times on the world stage.

“The Government seems to have forgotten that many overseas consumers won’t visit New Zealand or buy New Zealand products if they discover our clean green reputation is a con.

“In these times of economic crisis, one of our key means of survival will be our clean green brand. Weakening New Zealand’s environmental laws is counterproductive because it will leave that brand in tatters.”

Keey said the changes to the RMA would help electricity companies build fossil fuel power stations without worrying about local opposition, such as from John Key's constituents near the proposed Rodney power station.

The lack of consultation over the reforms was insulting.

“They mark a major change to the rights and duties of New Zealanders and they should have put out to public consultation before being tabled in Parliament. New Zealanders will struggle to understand an attack on their rights of this scale before it becomes law, which smacks of an ambush.”

Keey said the only part of the reform that was good for the environment was the proposed increase in fines for non-compliance.

ENDS

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