Smith Nick: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Smith Nick: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 16 June 2004. Volume:618;Page:13638. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
11.  
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) 
 to the  
Minister of Conservation 
: Does he agree with the statement on National Radio last Wednesday by his ministerial colleague Hon Damien O’Connor in respect of the conservation land required for the Dobson hydro power scheme “Now I’m sure that a suitable trade can be arrived at.”; if so what steps is the Government taking to enable a suitable trade of land? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Conservation) 
: 
 No I am not sure that a suitable trade can be arrived at. Finding a suitable trade for an area of forest protected by a National Government that is one of the best remaining examples of a particular forest type and that has rich bird life values seems exceptionally unlikely nor is such a trade legally possible for a gazetted ecological area. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Does the statement made by Government Minister Damien O’Connor: “Yes the Dobson scheme makes good sense. I support in principle hydro development and it is a good way to supply electricity to New Zealand and particularly when it is close to the source of demand. I support the scheme.” represent Government policy; if it does not can we believe anything that Damien O’Connor says as a Minister representing the Government? 
Hon Dr Michael Cullen 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The last part of the question is out of order. This Minister has no responsibility in that respect. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Yes the last part is out of order but the rest of the question is in order. 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: The member for West Coast - Tasman is a fine advocate for his local area. He and I often discuss areas of mutual interest. We sometimes have a different emphasis on things. I will continue to discuss the issues with him. 
Dave Hereora 
: What are the wildlife values of the area proposed for flooding? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: In the early 1980s the former Wildlife Service identified these valley floor forests as having the richest known native bird life in terms of species diversity and abundance in the whole of North Westland. That was one of the key reasons why the area was protected by a National Government. Indeed Dr Smith himself recognised the reserve’s native wildlife values when he extended the area in 1997. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Supplementary— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I will come to the member. Could he just calm down. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member will please be seated for a moment. The member constantly interjects. I have counted about 40 today. He will get his question. Other members are entitled by party to ask questions. 
Deborah Coddington 
: Does the Minister think it is fair that people living in the top of the South Island face power cuts and cold showers while he will not allow a West Coast 65-megawatt power station to proceed just so that he can woo so-called Green votes in Auckland? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: There are a number of power generation options in the northern South Island from a coal-fired power station to alternative hydro schemes so I do not agree that the only power option is the Dobson dam which would generate about 60 megawatts of power. 
Gordon Copeland 
: Why does the Minister claim that he cannot legally allow a small part of the Card Creek ecological area to be flooded when section 18(7) of the Conservation Act states: “… the Minister may by notice in the  
Gazette 
 vary or revoke the purpose or all or any of the purposes for which any land or interest held under subsection (1)”—which includes ecological areas—“of this section is held; and it shall thereafter be held accordingly.”? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: Legal advice from the department would seem to be contrary to the member’s interpretation. I would be happy to give that member a briefing with the top legal expert of the Department of Conservation. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: How can taking two areas of existing forest ecosystem and destroying one of them and changing the ownership papers of the other possibly be regarded as a trade and is Dr Smith’s proposal a net loss of biodiversity no matter how one looks at it? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: The member has a good point. To change the Conservation Act which I would be required to do to destroy the status of a gazetted ecological area for 60 megawatts of power seems an extraordinary request. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Does the Minister consider it acceptable ministerial behaviour to refuse to go on National Radio to discuss this issue to suggest that his colleague Damien O’Connor do the interview then to come to the House and say that on two key points his ministerial colleague was wrong? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I think members of this House would agree that I have never been reluctant to go on national television or radio. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: I seek leave of the House to table the transcript from Radio New Zealand in which Mr Carter declined to be interviewed— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that transcript. Is there any objection? There is objection.