Williams Andrew: Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill — In Committee 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Williams Andrew: Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 21 August 2012. Volume:683;Page:4604. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
ANDREW WILLIAMS (NZ First) 
: 
 I will take a call on the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill. New Zealand First will be supporting Part 2 of the bill as we did Part 1 of the bill. In that respect as we have said in this House before we will support what we believe is good policy but we will oppose bad policy. In this case in New Zealand’s interest we believe it is in the interests of New Zealand and of this Parliament to pass this bill in its entirety and for the country to get on with it. This has the potential to increase the economic performance of this country. With the fifth-largest economic zone in the world we owe a level of responsibility to the people of New Zealand to ensure that there is an Act in place to cover the 200-mile economic zone and this bill when it becomes an Act of Parliament will do that. We do understand of course that there are some reservations on the part of some parties over some of the clauses and some of the terminology but in many cases it is very much just words and in a sense pedantry over the determination of how the wording is best put. We do believe however that it achieves the outcomes that we are seeking in the main. In the vast majority of cases it serves the purpose that we are seeking. 
I also would like to concur with other members of Parliament who have made the comment that the officials have done a great job through this whole process and through the Local Government and Environment Committee process over this year. This has been a very very significant part of the Local Government and Environment Committee’s work this year. There were a huge number of submissions from a great many organisations and the officers and officials have done a great job of bringing all that information together reporting back to the committee and providing very very good feedback information and advice as to how those various submissions impact on the overall parameters of the bill. 
Likewise I would like to thank the Minister for the Environment too for her input in being able to address many of the concerns and issues that were raised by the committee agreeing to some changes where appropriate and agreeing to some wording changes to give effect to some of the concerns that were there. Although not meeting all the concerns the bill we believe again goes a sufficient way to meet the vast majority of the concerns of those who were submitting and those who were raising the concerns. We are somewhat appeased by the fact that the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright has advised that she has a level of support for the bill now that many of the concerns have been addressed and it is very very heartening to hear that in her role she does feel that the bill now has great merit to move forward. For many of the submitters to the bill and many of the environmental organisations I am sure that they likewise although still having some concerns about the marine environment must be greatly relieved at some of the changes that were made to assist. 
In terms of New Zealand’s economic performance we do have a huge responsibility here. When you are talking about the vast area of ocean and the fact that the New Zealand landmass that we inhabit or the above-the-surface landmass is something like only 5 percent of the total area of the zone that is taken up by this exclusive economic zone and you think of this mass of water out there then you can appreciate the implications that it has for the New Zealand economy. We looked at many many submissions on many areas of the exclusive economic zone which included areas like the Chatham Rise. I had not realised how significant the Chatham Rise is and how vast it is and the resources that are out there that potentially could have a huge impact on the New Zealand economy. Likewise many of the other areas around the coast that were brought to our attention and the potential that is there provided it is done in an environmentally sustainable way and in a very sound and secure manner that ensures the environmental concerns and protections are there and that the environment is given the benefit of the doubt. Should there be any grave concerns about any planned projects then certainly the New Zealand First Party will want to ensure that those procedures are in place. 
We believe that the wording now provides sufficient safeguards—sufficient for the Environmental Protection Authority to effect what is the will of the Government and what is the will of this Parliament to ensure that the exclusive economic zone is properly policed and properly administered. It also ensures that there are also options for appeals through the High Court and through the Court of Appeal and also for some aspects being handled by the Environment Court in terms of some of the applications for various things to ensure that there are also the legal sides for recourse should that occur. 
 We constantly hear in this Parliament about the need for increased economic development in this country for more jobs for opportunities for our young people and for our people to have a more secure workforce. Our marine environment does offer the opportunity to provide that in New Zealand. We are very very fortunate as a small country of 4½ million people to have such a vast marine environment out there and a potential resource that could greatly impact on the well-being of the people of New Zealand. We therefore have to do all we can to both protect that environment and make sure that it is there for future generations but at the same time make sure that the resources that are available there can be properly taken and properly used in a proper manner and that that is done so for the benefit of this country. New Zealand First will be supporting this bill.