11. Overseas Ownership of New Zealand Property—Water Bottling ActivitiesHon DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) to the Minister for Land InformationOverseas Ownership of New Zealand Property—Water Bottling Activities11. Hon DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) to the Minister for Land Information: Does she stand by all her statements and actions?Hon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister for Land Information): Yes in the context in which my statements were made and my actions were taken.Hon David Bennett: What were the compelling factors in convincing her to allow the purchase of land near Whakatāne by a Chinese water bottling plant and can we expect that future applications will be similarly granted by the Minister?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: The factors are set out in sections 16 and 17 of the Overseas Investment Act. They are things like increased export receipts and things like increased jobs. Cresswell NZ Ltd was proposing an additional 60 jobs in Whakatāne and $42.5 million in investment.Hon David Bennett: Has she taken to Cabinet any proposals to change the criteria that left her with no choice but to support that application?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: As the member will be aware this Government is changing the Overseas Investment Act to make it fairer for New Zealanders. We are doing that to prevent overseas speculators buying our houses and Mr Parker who is leading the policy on that has on the agenda other changes and a review of the Act.Hon David Bennett: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. That was a very straight and simple question: has she taken to Cabinet any proposals? We did not get that addressed at all.SPEAKER: It was certainly addressed and it was made very clear the Minister in charge has it as an agenda item.Hon David Bennett: What is the Minister's timeline for taking proposals to Cabinet that could see bottles of New Zealand's highest-quality water subject to some royalty on their product?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: That is not an area I have ministerial responsibility for. Minister Parker is leading that work as environment Minister.Hon David Bennett: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Once again she refused to answer the question.SPEAKER: No. I'm slightly flabbergasted. It was a very clear response: I am not the Minister responsible for this; Mr Parker is. I don't think that could be much clearer.Hon David Bennett: Has the Minister discussed with the Minister of Trade and Export Growth how the overseas investment criteria could be changed to implement core Green Party policy to impose an immediate moratorium on new bottling?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: I am confident that the Minister who has responsibility for that issue of water bottling is looking at all the issues and we will have discussions.Marama Davidson: Was the Minister able to consider the environmental impacts of taking the water when she made this decision?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: That is not a matter that the Minister for Land Information can take into account under the Overseas Investment Act; it is a matter that is considered under the Resource Management Act. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council notified its application.Marama Davidson: Was she able to take into account Te Tiriti concerns and the opposition of mana whenua when making this decision?Hon EUGENIE SAGE: The application concerned the purchase of sensitive land under the Overseas Investment Act. That Act limits the issues that can be considered. I considered those issues and I wasn't able to take those concerns into account.Hon David Bennett: I'd just like to table a document from the—SPEAKER: You mean you want to seek leave.Hon David Bennett: I seek leave to table a document from the Green Party co-leader saying We don't like this decision."SPEAKER: What document Mr Bennett?Hon David Bennett: It's a news report.SPEAKER: Oh Mr Bennett. I have indicated to members previously that attempts to table documents which they know Speakers have repeatedly stopped even taking the leave of the House for was disorderly. This is the final warning for members on that issue."