7. Question No. 7—ConservationRACHEL BROOKING (Labour) to the Minister of ConservationQuestion No. 7—Conservation7. RACHEL BROOKING (Labour) to the Minister of Conservation: What recent announcements has she made regarding the Milford Opportunities Project?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Conservation): Today marks the next step in the delivery of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape how we do tourism in Piopiotahi / Milford Sound. The mass tourism approach of pre-COVID times with 870000 visitors in 2019 was putting the natural environment and infrastructure at this UNESCO World Heritage site under significant pressure. Today we have announced an impressive line-up of experts to drive the project forward grounded in conservation and cultural values.Rachel Brooking: Who has been appointed to the Milford Opportunities board and what skills do they bring to the table?DEPUTY SPEAKER: Sorry. Can I ask Joseph Mooney to stand withdraw and apologise. Your conversation was so loud I did not even hear the question being asked.Joseph Mooney: Withdraw and apologise.David Seymour: Point of order. Mr Speaker how can someone be asked to withdraw and apologise for being too loud but not for accusing a member of the public of corruption?DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have addressed the former issue and that is concluded. The member knows the rules. When Mr Mooney has withdrawn and apologised David Seymour will withdraw and apologise.David Seymour: I withdraw and apologise. Point of order. Mr Speaker I ask you to reflect on the consistency of those three rulings when you have a chance.DEPUTY SPEAKER: You can leave the Chamber please.David Seymour withdrew from the Chamber. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I'll get Rachel Brooking to ask that question again.Rachel Brooking: Who has been appointed to the Milford Opportunities board and what skills do they bring to the table? Hon POTO WILLIAMS: As the jewel in the crown of New Zealand's conservation estate and arguably the eighth wonder of the world we can't afford to get this wrong. That is why I'm excited to announce this impressive line-up of experts who will help drive this project. This includes mana whenua representatives Muriel Johnstone and Michael Skerrett as well as Michelle Trapski Bill Day and Andrew Patterson who collectively have extensive knowledge in sustainable tourism design and management. The board will be chaired by Dr Keith Turner who has decades of experience in economic and environmental policy. The board will also be supported by local government representatives from Southland District Council and Environment Southland.Chris Bishop: Point of order. This question is essentially the Minister reading out board appointments which she issued a press release about. Is this seriously what the Government is using its parliamentary questions for today? DEPUTY SPEAKER: And your point of order is what?Hon Jacqui Dean: Does the Minister intend that the Milford airstrip be closed as part of this process?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: We are now engaged in a feasibility process which is being managed by the board and the project manager who will soon be appointed. As part of the master plan that is a feature that the board and project leader will be looking at. However as Government we will wait until we see the results and the report from the project before we make any decisions.Rachel Brooking: What are the other next steps for the project?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: With the ministerial advisory board in place and the Milford Opportunities Project unit being established they will undertake the feasibility testing of the master plan recommendations including getting feedback from key stakeholders and international visitors.