O'Rourke Denis: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeO'Rourke Denis: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 24 March 2015. Volume:704;Page:2491. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]5.DENIS O’ROURKE (NZ First) to the Minister for the Environment: Does he agree with the Northland Regional Council’s 2012 State of the Environment Report that “large areas of land with prime soils suited for agriculture and horticultural production continues to be subdivided for lifestyle blocks and urban development”; if not why not?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment): Yes but the report also said that it was not a regionally significant issue and they decided to not include specific provisions for protecting such soils in their proposed regional policy statement. This Government supports the growth of Northland’s agricultural and horticultural industries with initiatives like opening up trade and providing funding to support Northland irrigation initiatives. Our plans for Northland horticulture do not include the option of legalising marijuana as proposed yesterday by Winston Peters.Denis O’Rourke: Can the Minister give an assurance that the proposed reforms announced in his speech of 21 January 2015 on overhauling the Resource Management Act will not exacerbate housing development on prime agricultural land in Northland?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I welcome the fact that building consent numbers in Northland have grown over the last 3 years showing an increased level of confidence. I also welcome the fact that many landowners in Northland are converting over to products like avocados and the good work of the Korean free-trade agreement is going to enable greater wealth. We are a party that believes the best choices about land use are actually made by the landowners themselves and our Resource Management Act reforms will be good for Northland by giving those landowners the freedom to be able to use their land profitably.Jacqui Dean: What specific initiatives has the Government taken that would support the growth of Northland’s agricultural and horticultural industries?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The Northland Regional Council has indicated two particular areas in which it is working with the Government to advance the Northland economy. The first of those is a real concern that too much of the prime land in Northland is tied up in the complexities of the Te Ture Whenua Maori Act and they are very keen to work with the Minister for Māori Development my colleague Chris Finlayson and the Government to reform that Act to ensure that more of that productive land can produce more exports and wealth for Northland. The Northland Regional Council indicated its second priority was in respect of water and quite recently the Minister for Primary Industries has provided funding for the Northland region to be able to expand irrigation and expand the exports from that region although I accept we do not share New Zealand First’s enthusiasm for growing marijuana.Denis O’Rourke: Are the proposed Resource Management Act reforms which are aimed at freeing up more land for housing at the expense of agricultural land consistent with the Government’s aim of doubling agricultural production by 2025; if so how?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Members on this side of the House want a Resource Management Act that is going to protect the environment but also ensure that economies like Northland are able to grow. The consistent message I have had from organisations like Federated Farmers in Northland and the business associations in Northland is that Resource Management Act reform is pivotal to unlocking the economic opportunities in Northland and that is why members on this side of the House are committed to that reform.David Seymour: Is the Minister aware of historic reports of subdivision of productive land including as long as 70 years ago in St Mary’s Bay?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I do understand that one of the candidates in Northland has a very intense interest in St Mary’s Bay and what might occur there. Our candidate in Northland is far more interested in the practical job opportunities for the people of Northland.Tracey Martin: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! It is a point of order and it will be heard in silence.Tracey Martin: Could you please clarify how the answer had anything to do with the question.Mr SPEAKER: I am not—Hon Gerry Brownlee: Mr Speaker.Mr SPEAKER: I will hear from the Hon Gerry Brownlee.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Well the question related directly to St Mary’s Bay and was answered directly about St Mary’s Bay. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume her seat. The question asked for any historic reports on the subdivision of land around St Mary’s Bay. That is a question that is quite legitimate. I could tell where it was going but it was a legitimate question to be asked in this House and that is why the member then addressed it.