Hutchison Paul: Resource Management Amendment Bill (No 2) — Instruction to CommitteeCWH In Committee Speaker Recalled In Committee 
Hutchison Paul: Resource Management Amendment Bill (No 2) — Instruction to CommitteeCWH In Committee Speaker Recalled In Committee 
[Volume:608;Page:5536] 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (NZ National—Port Waikato) 
: 
 This is the first time I have had the opportunity to speak on this somewhat iniquitous Resource Management Amendment Bill (No 2). I want to concentrate on the area of historic heritage. I think it is in the interpretation clause in subpart 1. There were of course 18 parts which have been compressed so skilfully and manipulatively by this Labour Government. 
I want to go over the area of historic heritage with particular reference to one of the most significant developments or consents that have taken place in New Zealand in the last few years. 
I am referring to the Hampton Downs dump—the largest proposed dump in New Zealand’s history. To add insult this dump is next to the prison. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: They put rubbish in both of them. 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON 
: That may be so but the difficulty is that it is rubbish coming from halfway around New Zealand. I will point out the relevance 
to the historic heritage part of the bill. The extraordinary thing about this development is that it was consented to under this Labour Government—the Government that propounds an interest in waste minimisation. It is allowing the largest dump in New Zealand’s history to take place in the virgin Waikato countryside to take garbage from Auckland Tauranga possibly Rotorua possibly Hamilton and all around yet in this bill the Government is bringing in this historic heritage part. 
I have ticked off the various aspects of the definition. In relation to archaeological value this area was pristine countryside so we cannot say that—nor was it of architectural value. However we then come to cultural value. This is an area absolutely steeped in culture from as far back as New Zealand has ever existed. As for historic value it has been of huge historic importance to Maori and to Pakeha particularly during that very sad period of the New Zealand wars. In relation to spiritual value being next to the Waikato River it is of huge spiritual significance both to Maori and of course to all those who live in the Waikato. It also includes “historic sites structures places and areas;”. Cultural landscapes are undoubtedly there as are archaeological sites and sites of significance to Maori. They are all there. 
But when it is convenient to this Labour Government it does not give a toss. The Minister in the chair the Hon Damian O’Connor might like to take a call. The Minister at the time the Hon Marian Hobbs had the opportunity to use her call-in powers because this area was of such huge significance to New Zealand. However she said that it was a local issue. What is the use of putting all these provisions in this bill when if it is convenient to the Government it takes absolutely no notice whatsoever? That is the absolute hypocrisy of this Labour Government. 
Hon David Carter 
: No objection! The truth hurts. 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON 
: The truth hurts as the Hon David Carter said. This is a hugely important development in the Waikato. It is hugely important for those people living in the area who hopefully under the Resource Management Act had the opportunity as small landholders to have a reasonable say about this enormous development. They had nowhere near the resources of the applicant. This was one opportunity where a Labour Minister for the Environment could show that she was truly sincere about the environment.