Sharples Pita: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Sharples Pita: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:646;Page:15343] 
3. 
TE URUROA FLAVELL (Maori Party—Waiariki) 
 on behalf of  
Dr PITA SHARPLES (Co-Leader—Maori Party) 
 to the  
Minister for the Environment 
: What are the “national significance” factors that prompted him to call in the application filed by Unison Networks Limited to establish a wind farm near the Te Waka Range in Hawke’s Bay? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Deputy Prime Minister) 
 on behalf of the  
Minister for the Environment 
: The criteria on which I made the decision are listed under section 141B(2) of the Resource Management Act 1991 which includes consideration that the proposal could assist with New Zealand meeting its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol by reducing carbon dioxide emissions overall on a national scale. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: What concerns has he received from Ngati Hineuru and Ngati Tu regarding the proposed wind farm of up to 44 turbines in the vicinity of the Te Waka Range? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: Ngati Hineuru and Ngati Tu will be able to make submissions to the Environment Court because the matter is being referred to the Environment Court. The member will be aware that a previous application was rejected by the Environment Court and that is another reason why it is sensible not to go through the Hastings District Council again. The council approved it and sought to have the matter called in and referred on. 
Russell Fairbrother 
: Has the Minister seen any comments on approaches to reducing emissions on a national scale? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: Yes indeed I have. Just within the last few days I have seen reports that National’s transport spokesperson— 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. The question that has been asked is well outside the primary question. The primary question was specifically about a wind farm and the resource consent process. The question from Mr Fairbrother is a very generic question about emissions that should probably be directed at the Minister responsible for Climate Change Issues and it is certainly well outside the primary question. 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: Supplementary questions may arise out of the answer given by Ministers and I refer to the phrase in my answer “reducing carbon dioxide emissions overall on a national scale.” 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Yes I think that that is correct given the nature of the answer. I also take Dr Smith’s point however as the question was phrased. But the Minister is free to give the answer and supplementary questions may come as a result of that. 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: Yes I have seen reports and comments that imply first of all that global warming is not occurring—indeed global cooling is occurring according to Dr Lockwood Smith— 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Not true. 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: We know that it is not true but Dr Lockwood Smith does not know that. I have also seen reports that Mr Maurice Williamson refused to comment on climate change; he wanted to stay a member of the National Party. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: Is the Minister aware that Unison Networks has already gone through the process of appealing the decision of the Environment Court to the High Court and now to the Court of Appeal on an almost identical application thereby exhausting local opponents to the scheme; and what leverage does he have as Minister to ensure that the Resource Management Act process is protected from abuse? 
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN 
: Unison Networks is perfectly able to submit a new application and to have that application considered. Calling in an application and referring it directly to the Environment Court of course actually reduces costs for those who wish to oppose the project whereas if the matter had gone to the Hastings District Council and hearings had been there had perhaps been approved there and had then gone on to the Environment Court there would have been two stages at that point which would have involved both Ngati Hineuru and Ngati Tu in terms of additional cost.