Katene Rahui: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Urgent Questions Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Katene Rahui: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Urgent Questions Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:656;Page:5536] 
4.  
RAHUI KATENE (Maori Party—Te Tai Tonga) 
 to the  
Minister for Climate Change Issues 
: What advice has he received from the national hui held by the Climate Change Iwi Leadership Group and the Maori reference group executive on the Government’s climate change emissions target for 2020? 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for Climate Change Issues) 
: 
 A hui was held on the 2020 target at Hopuhopu in July at which I appreciated the Maori Party’s presence and support. A further hui was held this week in Wellington. The advice I have received from the Climate Change Iwi Leadership Group and the Maori reference group executive has been very constructive. Whereas environmental groups have promoted very ambitious targets and business groups very cautious ones Maori have a strong environmental and economic interest and like the Government are seeking a balanced outcome. I will be reporting their recommendations to Cabinet. 
Rahui Katene 
: What has been the feedback from Maori about the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that to avoid dangerous climate change developed countries need to meet at least a 25 percent reduction by 2020 and how will he ensure there is continued consultation and representation with Maori on emissions reductions? 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: The feedback I have had from Maori has been very balanced. They recognise the seriousness of climate change as well as the difficulty of reducing emissions when such a large proportion of New Zealand’s emissions come from agriculture. I think we also have to recognise that the Maori economy is very strongly focused around forestry around fishing and around agriculture and that poses some quite unique challenges not just for Maori but for New Zealand. 
Hon Nanaia Mahuta 
: Can the Minister confirm that the Maori reference group has expressed concern about the Government’s economic modelling and that it will be commissioning another more comprehensive report for release before the end of the year; if so what does this say about the level of confidence that Maori can have in the Government’s understanding of how climate change measures will affect them? 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: I met with the Maori iwi leaders’ reference group on climate change. They expressed to me strong support for the Government’s approach around that difficult issue. They expressed no concern to me about the quality of the economic analysis that they themselves commissioned from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research. It might be helpful too for me to table for members that economic analysis of the effects of climate change on Maori and I would be happy to do that. 
Rahui Katene 
: Has the Minister seen any reports on the likely impacts of different 2020 emission reduction scenarios on the Maori economy; if so what were the main findings? 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: Yes; I have seen the report that was jointly commissioned by the iwi leaders’ reference group and the Government. It does rightly identify in respect of the Maori economy and the large investment by Maori in agriculture in forestry and in fishing that the economic impacts for them are significant. I also note that the report’s overall conclusion is that the impacts of climate change policy and an emissions trading scheme are very similar for Maori and for other New Zealanders. 
Hekia Parata 
: E te Mana Whakawa tena tatou e te Whare. How significant to Maori are the international rules around carbon embedded in timber products and those in respect of flexible land use and given their significance to Maori is the Minister considering a senior Maori representative being part of the delegation to Copenhagen? 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: The rules around forestry are of huge significance to Maori particularly since the Central North Island Iwi Collective settlement which involved the largest plantation forest in the southern hemisphere. The conversion of pre-1990 forestry under current rates which are about 800 tonnes per hectare would mean that across the 439000 hectares of trees owned by Maori this issue amounts to a question of over $9 billion. An agreement that allowed offset planting would hugely reduce that liability. The rules around embedded carbon in timber products are also very significant in that they would recognise the 25 percent of wood that goes into timber products. That further provides opportunities for Maori and substantial players in the forestry sector. I am favourably disposed to the request for Maori senior representation at the climate conference in Copenhagen but Cabinet has not decided the make-up of the New Zealand delegation. 
Charles Chauvel 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am really just seeking your guidance. The Minister offered to table the economic analysis which certainly members on this side of the House would like to see. Is there a— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: If he quoted from an official document members can seek leave to have him table it but I suspect that the Minister will seek leave. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: I formally seek leave to table the report from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research on the effects of 2020 targets on the Maori economy. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is none. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.