Smith NickHon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment): It is a delight to be able to speak in the Estimates debate across the environment conservation and climate change portfolios. Firstly I want to reinforce our Government's approach of a science-based approach to these environmental challenges. There is no question that when it comes to the New Zealand First Party which says We're going to save our birds but oh no no no we're not going to follow the scientific advice of using key poisons like 1080." which is the best hope for survival of the kiwi—the New Zealand First Party wants to ignore science. That is why it is a threat to the survival of the very species that my friend and colleague Maggie Barry is championing with this Budget.That science-based approach equally applies to this Government's work around fresh water and I do want to challenge parties opposite. If you look at the 9 years that we have been in Government we have committed over $350 million to freshwater clean-up projects across New Zealand. That is why Lake Rotoiti in the central North Island is in a cleaner state than it has been for more than 25 years. The eutrophic levels in that lake are in great shape. If we look at Lake Taupō they are in great shape. If you look at the $100 million that is provided in these appropriations there will be over 25 individual projects around New Zealand where there will be the real practical yards that will make a difference towards that ambitious target National has set down of 90 percent of our lakes and rivers being of a swimmable standard by 2040.I also want to point out the climate change measures that are in this Budget. They are the largest portion of the vote and I do want to bring members' attention to the fact that the emissions trading scheme (ETS) is being ramped up on 1 January this year again on 1 January next year and on 1 January again in the year after that. I just challenge the critics on the Opposition benches of that emissions trading scheme to tell me of a country that has a more comprehensive emissions trading scheme than New Zealand. It is certainly not the United States and certainly not Australia. Actually it is more comprehensive than that which is provided for in Europe and I want to commend the work that Paula Bennett as the Minister for Climate Change Issues is doing in terms of strengthening that ETS taking it to the next stage and actually giving confidence to those key players who are planting trees and who are switching to renewable energy.Again I just repeat on the renewable energy line something that this Government is incredibly proud of which is that every year that the previous Government was in office the proportion of power that was renewable dropped. It dropped in Labour's period of Government from 75 percent to when it left Government in 2008 so that only 65 percent of New Zealand's electricity was renewable when we became the Government. Through the emissions trading scheme and the price signal we have got that figure up from 65 percent and we are heading now to over 80 percent. In fact the latest numbers have us up at 84 percent and we are on target to meet that 90 percent renewable target which is an important part of the climate change story. Alongside that I really want to commend the work around New Zealand's part in the Paris Agreement. It is disappointing that Trump and the United States have walked away from it. New Zealand is absolutely committed it is one of the first countries to get on and ratify it and that again shows the serious approach that this Government is taking to those issues.I also want to mention the tyre initiative. We have known for 20 years that there has been a problem with waste tyres and in funding for this year's Budget we called for bids got a programme up and running and spreading over—Dr Megan Woods: For 9 years you've had the waste minimisation legislation sitting there.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Well what of my question to the member? You had 9 years and what did you do on tyres? Zip zero—absolutely nothing. We have over nine programmes up and running and I just want to run through them. Often I am challenged around where the national policy statements are and the national environment standards flowing out of the ministry with this sort of support. Well there is a national environmental standard on aquaculture out for consultation right now. There is a national environmental standard on tyre waste out there now. There is a national environmental standard out right now on important issues of water quality. In fact this Government has produced more national policy statements and more national environmental standards—"