Hobbs Marian: General Debates 
Hobbs Marian: General Debates 
[Volume:619;Page:14617] 
Hon MARIAN HOBBS (Minister for the Environment) 
: 
 Shortly I will be releasing the first ever New Zealand urban design protocol which will help make our towns and cities better places in which to live. A few weeks ago I released 14 national environment standards to improve air quality and next week I will sign the packaging accord on behalf of the Government—another plank in our drive to reduce waste and increase recycling. Almost every week this great Labour-Progressive Government has provided solutions to some of New Zealand’s most pressing environmental problems. My colleagues the Minister of Conservation the Minister of Fisheries the Minister of Energy and the Minister for Biosecurity have similar stories to tell about practical wise well-considered and partnered policies to help them protect and enhance our environment. 
That is in direct contrast to the actions of those on the other side of the House both now and when they were in Government. Just the other day at a select committee Nick Smith told me that his only job was to oppose—that is all. He was not interested in environmental solutions. He was not interested in constructive arguments. Faced by the problems in the Waitaki Valley this Government came up with a solution. We will ensure that there is a regional plan for water allocation out of the Waitaki catchment which is something the people in that community have been wanting for a long time. As usual the Opposition is prepared only to play politics rather than support the solution the community wants. Opposition members oppose the bill. They have tried to play one part of the community against the other. Nick Smith and Don Brash were helicoptered up into the Mackenzie Country—I do not know at whose expense—and they promised to move amendments to the Waitaki bill to give water to one particular group of farmers the Mackenzie farmers but not to the Aoraki Water Trust farmers or the Lower Waitaki farmers—just one particular group of farmers. They said that yes they would see the bill amended to make specific allocations of water to the Mackenzie farmers. Don Brash said in the  
Otago Daily Times 
 on 11 March Nick Smith said on a number of occasions and Sandra Goudie made it clear in this House that National wanted the Waitaki bill to reinstate those farmers’ water rights. 
The problem is that they did not actually realise what they were promising. When I pointed out that their plans would cut right across the High Court case currently under way and potentially involved a major interference in the property rights of existing water users thereby setting a very dangerous precedent they backed right off. Indeed after getting those farmers’ hopes up Drs Don Brash and Nick Smith then—after some phone calls had I think been made—changed their minds. Nick Smith is now reported as saying National will not move amendments to give specific allocations; it will just ensure that the farmers’ concerns are heard. What a way to treat people! These farmers do have valid concerns that should be heard and I have already asked that the work be done so that that happens. It does not require amendments to the bill but it also does not require getting people’s hopes up only to dash them when people who understand about property rights in this country pick up the phone and start talking to Dr Don Brash. 
But the real question is what happened here. Could it be that Drs Don Brash and Nick Smith just did not understand what they were doing? Is it that Nick Smith had a good idea about what to do in the Waitaki which poor unsuspecting Don Brash did not really understand? When Nick Smith got Don Brash on the bandwagon—even if it was in a helicopter—and Don Brash found out it involved interfering with property rights did Don Brash tell Nick Smith to back off? Did Don Brash have to rein in Nick Smith yet again? If that is the case we have to wonder about Nick Smith’s future in the National Party. My colleague David Benson-Pope caught Nick Smith out in the House last week making allegations that have since proved to be untrue. He made a song and dance about Transpower needing special legislation. Transpower issued a press statement saying that no special treatment was needed. We have only to think about these things. Do members remember that bungled citizen’s arrest on some poor unsuspecting piece of carpet here at Meridian Energy a few years ago? Nick Smith might not survive National’s reshuffle last month. Will he be the next? Sowry Scott Simich and Smith—all casualties of “Dr Don”. 
All those sideshows just hide the even sadder reality about the National Party and that reality is that under Don Brash National members have turned their backs on New Zealand’s environment. Given half a chance the high country would be gone by lunchtime.