9. Question No. 9—ConservationRACHEL BROOKING (Labour) to the Minister of ConservationQuestion No. 9—Conservation9. RACHEL BROOKING (Labour) to the Minister of Conservation: 谢谢 Mr Speaker. How has Jobs for Nature supported people into nature-based employment opportunities?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Conservation): 谢谢. Jobs for Nature has been a fundamental in our efforts to build back better and support nature-based solutions. Mana in Kaimahi is one such example a community project which has to date supported 38 people into work and resulted in 136660 plants being grown 56508 trees planted 29.5 hectares treated for weeds and 132878 plants planted in riparian lake and wetland areas. Grassroots projects such as these are helping us build a network of conservation champions up and down the country while also supporting employment opportunities and environmental outcomes that will benefit us for decades to come.Rachel Brooking: How have projects such as Mana in Kaimahi supported young people?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: These projects often do a lot more than providing employment and conservation outcomes. They also provide our young people with opportunities to upskill across the board. This includes support to access New Zealand Qualifications Authority qualifications and opportunities to reconnect people with the community with supports from groups such as Te Whāngai Trust. They are giving our young people the chance to grow be mentored and thrive in our natural environment. Hon Jacqui Dean: Why in October 2021 did the Government's Implementation Unit recommend that Jobs for Nature stop further approvals and for funding to be returned to the Crown because There would not be a labour force to do the work." and can the Minister assure the House that none of the jobs she is counting towards Jobs for Nature already existed before the programme started?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: In answer to the first part of the question the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet's Implementation Unit did undertake a stocktake report in October 2021 and the department has addressed the key recommendations of that report by strengthening Jobs for Nature link with internal systems and processes through improved engagement with our operations business group; continuing to strengthen assurance systems and insights reporting conducting deep-dive learning review site visits in five regions; and commencing the regional investment review.Rachel Boyack: What other groups has Jobs for Nature partnered with?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Jobs for Nature has partnered with groups such as Sustainable Business Network in collaboration with iwi hapū and other local groups to link community restoration and nursery groups nationwide with Jobs for Nature funding. These projects are supercharging conservation efforts of the department iwi hapū councils and the wider community. It will have tangible benefits for decades to come.Rachel Brooking: How has Jobs for Nature supported communities through the economic challenges of COVID-19?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: The Jobs for Nature programme has been instrumental in providing flexible employment opportunities for staff who were affected by the tourism downturn following the onset of COVID-19. This has meant that tourism operators have been able to retain talent as we worked to reopen our borders.Rachel Brooking: What have been the overall benefits of Jobs for Nature across the country?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Since the programme began over 4000 people have been placed into work by the 212 conservation projects across the country. To date the Department of Conservation has invested over $460 million into providing nature-based employment opportunities and tangible benefits for New Zealand's biodiversity.Hon Jacqui Dean: I seek leave to table a document from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet titled Jobs for Nature Stocktake of Progress.SPEAKER: Is that publicly available?Hon Jacqui Dean: Yes it is.SPEAKER: I can't then."