Delahunty Catherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Delahunty Catherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 28 June 2012. Volume:681;Page:3493. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
2. 
CATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) 
 to the  
Minister of Energy and Resources 
: Why is he conducting an aerial survey for minerals within a world heritage area? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Acting Minister of Energy and Resources) 
: Although I will not personally be conducting the aeromagnetic survey I am advised that the data will be used for geological mapping forestry agriculture and horticulture engineering and construction investigations digital elevation modelling and geological hazard assessment. The Alpine Fault of course the member may note runs right through the area and in light of the Canterbury earthquakes it is hoped the information will give us a better understanding of the tectonics in that area. I note again for the member the Government’s previous comments that there would be no tender for permits for schedule 4 or World Heritage areas. 
Catherine Delahunty 
: Is he saying that no information about mineral potential is being collected by his Government in the South Westland World Heritage area? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: A whole range of information is being collected. I am explaining to the member why the aeromagnetic survey is actually going on in that area. I have said to the member and will repeat for her benefit that there will be no tender for permits for schedule 4 or World Heritage areas. 
Catherine Delahunty 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It is a simple question. Is he saying that no information about mineral potential is being collected? He did not answer that bit. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I accept the member’s point. The question actually asked whether information on mineral potential would be collected. It did not repeat the primary question. It did not ask why the survey is being doing. It actually asked that specific question and it is not unreasonable for the member to be expecting an answer to it. 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: Well I thought I did at the outset say that some of that information will be collected alongside all the other information but again I noted for the member the Government’s previous comments that there will be no tender for permits for schedule 4 or World Heritage areas. 
Catherine Delahunty 
: If he is looking but not planning to touch our World Heritage areas why is he spending taxpayer money on the minerals part of the survey within one? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: At the risk of repeating the answer to the primary question for the member I am advised that the data is used for geological mapping forestry agriculture and horticulture engineering and construction investigations digital elevation modelling and geological hazard assessment. I presume that is why we are spending the money. 
Catherine Delahunty 
: Will he give a 100 percent guarantee that our World Heritage areas will not be mined? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: I answered that question in the affirmative in both the primary answer and the first supplementary answer. 
Catherine Delahunty 
: If he can guarantee that no mining will take place in World Heritage areas will the Government place the entirety of our World Heritage areas under the legal protection of schedule 4? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: In so far as the Minister is responsible for that issue I call the Hon Steven Joyce. 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: That is a question the member has to put down to the Minister of Conservation. 
Gareth Hughes 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I know that it is uncommon to table legislation but in fact the Minister of Energy and Resources has concurrent powers with the Minister of Conservation. 
Hon David Parker 
: My understanding is that this is done by way of an amendment to the Crown Minerals Act which has a schedule to it and which is the responsibility of the Minister of Energy and Resources. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The Speaker is in a dilemma here because although the Speaker can ask Ministers to answer questions I cannot debate with Ministers what issues they are responsible for. Only the Minister can have that knowledge. I call the Hon Steven Joyce. If there is anything further he could add I would appreciate it. 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: To clarify it for the members I do not see that the matter actually comes up because the Government has made the commitment not to mine in those areas. 
Catherine Delahunty 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My understanding is that we are discussing the Minister’s responsibility for placing it under schedule 4 which is the responsibility under the Crown Minerals Act of the Minister of Energy and Resources. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I thought I heard—forgive me I— 
Chris Hipkins 
: Let us have the question again. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I will let the member repeat her question to avoid any doubt on the question. I apologise for taking the House’s time for this. I blame myself for this situation. 
Catherine Delahunty 
: If he can guarantee that no mining will take place in World Heritage areas will the Government place the entirety of our World Heritage areas under the legal protection of schedule 4? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: In light of the Government’s commitments I do not think that will be necessary. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: Will he consult with the Minister of Conservation in regard to any proposals to mine on any conservation land or does he agree with her description of her role as being responsible only for looking for things not for doing things? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: The Government takes a collective approach on these matters and of course I would consult with the Minister of Conservation if there was such a matter to discuss. 
Catherine Delahunty 
: So is he telling New Zealanders that we have to rely on his word rather than on legal protection to make sure that the minerals survey he is conducting in a World Heritage area will not be used for mining? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: Yes.