Turei Metiria: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Turei Metiria: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
[Volume:656;Page:5635] 
METIRIA TUREI (Co-Leader—Green) 
: 
 Pest control is a core function of the Department of Conservation and it is an absolute necessity for the protection of New Zealand’s incredible biodiversity. This is especially so in our forests for the protection of vulnerable birds endangered insects and fragile plant species. In the 2009-10 Budget this National Government cut pest control funding to the Department of Conservation by $82000. This cut is highly irresponsible. Pest control has more than just biodiversity benefits. Indeed it is a key component of New Zealand’s response to climate change and to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. 
The Green Party has called on the Government to set a responsible target for the meeting in Copenhagen which as we know the Government has failed miserably to do. In order to demonstrate the practicality of a responsible 30 to 40 percent target the Green Party has released a plan called  
Getting There 
 which shows exactly how the Government can reduce emissions both drastically and cheaply. In order to meet a responsible target of between 30 and 40 percent New Zealand will need to take responsibility for 48 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. That will require both actual cuts in our emissions and the purchase of some credits. 
How will pest control help New Zealand to meet this responsible target? Pest control on just 219000 hectares of juvenile forest will capture 8.75 million tonnes of emissions. That is pest control alone will capture 17 percent of the emissions that New Zealand needs to save to meet a responsible target of 30 to 40 percent. How does this work? Over 200000 hectares of easily identifiable public conservation estate land is juvenile forest and shrubland. Pests are the reason why those areas never grow into mature forests which are an important carbon sink. Eliminating pests from juvenile forests will enable those forests to mature and store carbon. Pest control focused on these juvenile forests will return the fastest result. That is the benefit of much of this carbon storage will occur in time to meet New Zealand’s 2020 target. 
How much will this pest control cost? It is easiest to describe the cost in terms of cost per tonne of carbon. A pest control programme over 219000 hectares of juvenile forest will cost between $5 and $10 per tonne. This will save the taxpayer money. At today’s prices the cost of purchasing carbon credits is around $25 per tonne. By 2020 the cost may well be as high as $100 per tonne. If we act now it will cost us $5; if we delay it will cost us $100. If we do this pest control now we will save money and emissions and meet our obligations as a credible and responsible international citizen. Extra jobs would also be created by this pest control programme. The biodiversity of our native birds and forests would flourish benefiting our tourism industry. In a recession every job and every dollar count. In a climate crisis action now will save us money. 
The Green Party is a specialist in practical solutions that deal with both the climate crisis and the recession and that is what the Green New Deal is all about. Investment in pest control—as set out in our plan  
Getting There 
—will easily achieve this. Biodiversity of our forests will be enhanced native bird and tree species will be saved jobs will be created through pest control and through our burgeoning tourism industry precious and scarce public money will be saved through taking early action and carbon emissions will be cut. 
This National Government has no plan and is using bogeymen to frighten the public away from acting as a responsible international citizen and protecting New Zealand’s fragile biodiversity. Only the Green Party has the plan to get us through the twin crises of climate change and recession.