7. Mining in Conservation Areas—CoalminingJAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green) to the Minister of ConservationMining in Conservation Areas—Coalmining7. JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green) to the Minister of Conservation: How will a coal mine on conservation land support today's Threatened Species Strategy announcement?Hon NICKY WAGNER (Associate Minister of Conservation): on behalf of the Minister of Conservation: The Government recognises the importance of protecting important conservation values while allowing regional economic development. Conservation and mining are not mutually exclusive. No decisions have been made in respect of any proposed coalmine and today we are highlighting our commitment to protecting native species through Minister Barry's launch of the draft Threatened Species Strategy for New Zealand. This is a groundbreaking strategy. It aims to safeguard all our vulnerable threatened species and to set them on the path to recovery.James Shaw: Given the high profile of the kiwi in the Threatened Species Strategy how can the Minister possibly consider opening a coalmine in a kiwi habitat?Hon NICKY WAGNER: The New Zealand Threatened Species Strategy—that is the draft in consultation and I do invite the member to be involved in that process—prioritises 150 species that we have selected to manage and to increase their population. Obviously the kiwi is part of that and the areas that it is found in will be looked after. It is the clear measurable goals for the future that come from this strategy that will safeguard all our species.James Shaw: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My supplementary question was in relation to coalmining and she did not reference coalmining once in her answer.Mr SPEAKER: No the member needs to go back and have a look at his question. He talked about the Threatened Species Strategy announcement in the lead-up to his question. If he had asked the second part of his question alone I might have been able to help him.James Shaw: Does she stand by the answer given in her name in question time yesterday that the $22 million pay-off from Bathurst Resources coalmining company to the Department of Conservation (DOC) did not happen."?Hon NICKY WAGNER: Yes I do stand by my statement yesterday. What you said—an assertion that DOC was being paid off—is absolutely ridiculous. There is a longstanding practice that mining companies contribute financial resources to address environmental impacts of their mine. Moreover these arrangements resulted in some fantastic conservation gains. For example we have had long-term funding for kākā pest control a 35-year biodiversity enhancement project for the Heaphy catchment willow control in Lake Brunner predator control for the blue duck protection and the funding of weed-buster programmes.James Shaw: So to be clear has DOC already received or is it going to receive in the future any part or all of the $22 million package from the Bathurst Resources mining company that is listed on DOC's website?Hon NICKY WAGNER: In the case of the escarpment mine at Bathurst it has agreed to fund $22 million for pest and weed control. The payment schedule for that is tagged to the development of the mine. They have already made some payments but it is only in its early stages.James Shaw: What other areas of conservation land is she considering opening up for coalmining?Hon NICKY WAGNER: The process which the member may not be aware of of any coalmining access applications is that they need to go to the Environment Court. It is not a decision that the Minister makes.James Shaw: Can she explain to the House how coalmining on conservation land is in any way consistent with the Department of Conservation's view that "Climate change poses a significant risk to New Zealand's native species and ecosystems."?Hon NICKY WAGNER: Climate change is only one of many threats to our endangered species. These include predation biosecurity incursions pollution and other pressures on their habitat. The draft strategy which is designed to be a living document is designed for solutions to all these programmes and you will find that climate change will be considered along with all the other things. If the member believes that climate change is not being given enough emphasis I suggest he submit to the consultation process.James Shaw: Given that the strategy says that the survival of our threatened birds is the responsibility of everyone will she now ask Steven Joyce not to take any more helicopter joyrides with coalmining companies over conservation land?Hon NICKY WAGNER: I would like to focus on the threatened species strategy because that is what we are going to be doing to protect our native species. It prioritises 150 species and these have been selected to be managed to increase their populations. It will have clear measurable goals for the future to safeguard all our vulnerable species and it will inform decision making on priorities and ensure that resources are allocated effectively. All New Zealanders can be and should be involved with this strategy. Kia ora."