Baldock Larry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Baldock Larry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:624;Page:18971] 
12.  
LARRY BALDOCK (United Future) 
 to the  
Minister of Conservation 
: How many new marine reserves if any are currently being proposed or considered by the Department of Conservation and what are their proposed locations? 
Hon RICK BARKER (Minister for Courts) 
 on behalf of the 
 Minister of Conservation 
: There are currently three formal marine reserve applications under consideration by the department: one near New Plymouth one on the eastern side of Great Barrier Island and one in Akaroa Harbour. In addition eight marine reserves are proposed in the Fiordland Marine Management Bill and other specific marine reserve proposals are being investigated at Mimiwhangata at Nugget Point in Otago and in the subantarctic ocean. 
Larry Baldock 
: What progress if any has been made on the promised inquiry into the Department of Conservation’s consultation processes with regard to the proposed Aotea (Great Barrier) Marine Reserve? 
Hon RICK BARKER 
: As I understand it there is good progress being made on that. As far as the possible outcomes go I am not prepared to make any comment because it is still under due process. 
Jim Peters 
: Has the Minister seen the press statement made last month by my colleague Edwin Perry for the setting up of independent and objective hearing groups to adjudicate upon the department’s proposals on applications for present and new marine reserve applications; if so is the New Zealand First proposal being properly considered? 
Hon RICK BARKER 
: No I have not seen that statement. 
David Parker 
: How many marine reserves has the Government created in the last 3 years? 
Hon RICK BARKER 
: The Government has created four marine reserves over the last number of years covering half a million hectares. My colleague the Hon Chris Carter has announced the fourth reserve today at the Glenduan marine reserve at Nelson which has received the concurrence of the Hon David Benson-Pope the Minister of Fisheries. This reserve covers 948 hectares and protects an adjoining area the famous Nelson boulder bank. I expect it to be increasingly popular with divers snorkellers and others wishing to study marine life. 
Larry Baldock 
: Does the Minister agree that the Department of Conservation should be removed from being the initiator in the application process for new marine reserves and be replaced with something along the lines of the Fiordland Marine Guardians model in light of the ongoing negative reaction from large sectors of the community to the department’s proposals for new marine reserves? 
Hon RICK BARKER 
: I do not specifically agree with the removal of the Department of Conservation and Government agencies in decision making about marine reserves but I am aware that the select committee has been looking at the decision-making process and the Minister is open to any good suggestion on this matter. I invite the member to speak to the Minister and his department. 
Larry Baldock 
: Will the Minister give an assurance in light of the fact that the Marine Reserves Bill is now unlikely to pass before the election and of the ongoing work on the oceans policy and the marine protected areas policy that the Department of Conservation should pause for a cup of tea and stop overzealously proposing more and more new marine reserves and upsetting communities all over New Zealand; if not why not? 
Hon RICK BARKER 
: No I will not give that assurance and I do not agree with the member that the department is overzealous. There is a proper process to go through there is due process and those applications that are in the system are entitled to go through that due process and be heard. 
Jim Peters 
: I seek leave to table the press statement “Marine Reserves Bill should not stand alone”. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is.