6. Question No. 6—Foreign AffairsTEANAU TUIONO (Green) to the Minister of Foreign AffairsQuestion No. 6—Foreign Affairs6. TEANAU TUIONO (Green) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What policies for regulating seabed mining in the Pacific if any is New Zealand promoting in its engagement with the International Seabed Authority?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Foreign Affairs): New Zealand is actively engaged as a member of the International Seabed Authority—ISA—in the development of a regulatory framework to govern seabed mining. The member may be aware that New Zealand is one of the few countries to have a robust regulatory framework to govern seabed mining within our national jurisdiction and we're drawing on our experience as we contribute to the development of the international mining code. In the Pacific attitudes towards deep-sea mining are mixed. New Zealand does not take a position for or against mining on the seabed within the jurisdiction of Pacific Island countries. We respect the mana and sovereignty of these Governments. However we continue to engage with ISA and call for robust legal frameworks effective governance structures and high standards of environmental protection. We need to work together with all our partners to advocate for a regulatory framework that provides for a high level of environmental protection. Over recent years New Zealand has made several submissions to ISA to this effect and will be submitting a further contribution this week.Teanau Tuiono: What is the Government's view on Nauru triggering a rule at the International Seabed Authority which will allow seabed mining in Pacific waters by 2023?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: Nauru's decision to trigger the two-year rule at a time when the International Seabed Authority cannot meet in person as a result of COVID has been expressed by New Zealand as unwelcome and presents a challenge because of the COVID circumstance. New Zealand will however continue to engage within the ISA and will redouble our efforts to ensure seabed mining does not occur unless high standards of environmental protection are met. To this end we'll work closely with Nauru other partners in the ISA area and those sponsoring mining activities. A rushed process during the pandemic risks an inadequate mining code that does not appropriately protect the environment. This would undermine the reputation of the ISA and galvanise opposition to deep-sea mining. In-person meetings will be important to finalise the mining code.Teanau Tuiono: In the preparation of New Zealand's latest submission to the International Seabed Authority on Saturday has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade consulted with representatives of the Pacific Blue Line a coalition of organisations seeking a ban on deep-sea mining; if not why not?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: Thank you for this particular question as I sought advice on the very issue of engagement understanding that it would be important from a New Zealand perspective. New Zealand's developed its contributions within the ISA through consultations with a range of relevant Government agencies and stakeholders. Public stakeholders including Māori stakeholders with a known interest in oceans issues have been invited to provide comment on draft elements of the mining code to inform New Zealand's submissions. In particular comments have been received from a number of stakeholders including Greenpeace and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition. Ministry officials have met with representatives of both organisations to discuss this issue and make it a part of our submission.Hon Eugenie Sage: What specific environmental protections is the New Zealand Government seeking in the International Seabed Authority's framework to regulate deep-sea mining?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: We're committed to ensuring that the ISA adopts a robust mining code that provides for a high standard of environmental protection in all deep-sea mining including the application of the precautionary approach. This is consistent with the requirements of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which requires the International Seabed Authority to develop a regulatory framework that ensures the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-sea mining.Teanau Tuiono: Will the Minister support international calls for a moratorium on deep-sea mining?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: We're acutely aware of the environmental risks associated with deep-sea mining. As a member of ISA New Zealand is working to ensure that deep-sea mining cannot take place unless high standards of environmental protection can be met. With regards to our advocacy within the ISA New Zealand has continually engaged on the development of its draft regulatory framework for the exploitation of seabed minerals in the area including submissions in 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 and 2020. We will submit a further contribution this week. We urge any country considering deep-sea mining to ensure it is only done subject to robust legal frameworks effective governance structures and high standards of environmental protection. We do this mindful that New Zealand's own regulatory framework allows for deep-sea mining under certain conditions and subject to robust regulatory control.