11. Question No. 11—Local GovernmentSIMON WATTS (National—North Shore) to the Minister of Local GovernmentQuestion No. 11—Local Government11. SIMON WATTS (National—North Shore) to the Minister of Local Government: How many if any parks and reserves that also serve a storm water function will be transferred to the proposed water services entities as part of the Government's three waters reforms and does she stand by all her statements on three waters reform?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Local Government): The public can be assured that where the primary purpose of council-owned land is as a park it will remain a park and remain in council ownership. In this instance the public will have the same access to parks that they currently have and enjoy.Simon Watts: On the basis that she will not confirm how many parks and reserves will transfer which also have a stormwater function what does it say about these reforms that this far into the process nobody is even able to confirm what assets will transfer into these entities? Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: This will be the first time to comprehensively understand and identify the extent of the stormwater network and its profile. That's why we established a Stormwater Technical Working Group to help provide a definition that would better ensure that we were capturing a range of stormwater assets if we integrated it into a waters network system. On that basis I'm really pleased that the Stormwater Technical Working Group helped to define secondary water assets. All property whose primary or predominant purpose is not the delivery of water services will be clearly identified and listed in a schedule of assets that should not transfer from councils to entities. Ultimately councils will help us identify what will not be transferred.Simon Watts: Does she stand by her statement in the House last week that I quote Councils have the ability to work with water establishment entities to decide which assets and land will transfer" and if so will she commit that councils will be the ones to have the final say over the transfer of their assets to water services entities? Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: I do on the basis that the definition that was developed by the Stormwater Technical Working Group in relation to the predominant use of land can enable councils to make that decision.Simon Watts: Does she stand by her statement made in the House earlier today that establishment of the principles of Te Mana o te Wai and I quote "included a number of stakeholder groups: the rural communities … Federated Farmers … industry users … horticulturalists as well as iwi" and if so why can only iwi submit Te Mana o te Wai statements in the Government's three waters reforms?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: In developing Te Mana o te Wai aspirations in 2014 under the then Minister Nick Smith it was important that those aspirations were communicated and engaged with across many communities. In terms of who develops Te Mana o te Wai statements—because this essentially is grounded in holistic concepts of relationships to water bodies—that is why the Water Services Entities Bill ensures that iwi mana whenua are developing these statements.Simon Watts: Is it three waters or five? Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: This is about ensuring we have safe drinking water better environmental outcomes ensuring that we protect source water—the use of it in whatever form—but also when water gets discharged back to our lakes rivers streams and beaches we won't end up with no swim notices.Simon Watts: Point of order Mr Speaker. My question was six words: is it three waters or five? I don't believe the Minister answered my question.Hon Kieran McAnulty: The member referred to three waters in the primary.SPEAKER: The question was definitely addressed. I counted; every member should have counted the number.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Well three or five? What was the count? SPEAKER: Well I'd encourage the member to go back to Hansard and next time you want to speak to me you should take a point of order."