11. Question No. 11—Foreign AffairsHon EUGENIE SAGE (Green) to the Minister of Foreign AffairsQuestion No. 11—Foreign Affairs11. Hon EUGENIE SAGE (Green) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Does she consider that her statement earlier this month that deep sea mining has caused some division between member States of Pacific nation Governments and NGO organisations within their own countries" is now out of date in light of the Governments of Palau Samoa and Fiji announcing the Alliance Against Deep Sea Mining at the United Nations Oceans Conference; if not why not?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Foreign Affairs): I stand by the statement earlier this month. All countries like New Zealand are focused on ensuring high standards of environmental protection and improving our understanding of the deep sea to facilitate this. Palau Samoa and Fiji have gone through their own internal processes to reach their position but they're not the only countries in the Pacific with an interest in this issue. It is worth reiterating that Pacific Island countries do have differing perspectives on a moratorium.Hon Eugenie Sage: Has the Minister updated Aotearoa New Zealand's negotiating mandate ahead of the next International Seabed Authority (ISA) meeting in July; if not can the Minister confirm to the House that she will do so?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: New Zealand's approach to the ISA negotiations which sees us calling for no deep-sea mining to occur without high environmental standards in place has not changed. We are part of a coalition of members arguing for the highest possible standards of environmental protection. In light of the declarations of Palau Samoa and Fiji we expect this view to be reflected at the July ISA meetings. We remain committed to a multilateral process that is under way at ISA as the best possible chance to deliver. New Zealand's full and good-faith engagement in ISA processes at this stage provides us with the best chance to influence an effective outcome for the environment that is respected by all States. If the ISA is not able to deliver the highest standards of environmental protection then we will be calling for no deep-sea mining to occur. As I've previously indicated after the meeting in July which will be the second round of negotiations it will be the most appropriate time to undertake a review and review our mandate.Teanau Tuiono (remote): Does she stand by officials' advice in 2021 that our approach to deep-sea mining must recognise the mana of each Pacific Island country and if so does she agree that New Zealand's opposition to an international moratorium on deep-sea mining is now out of step with that advice and needs to be revised?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: Yes the negotiations at the ISA are still in their early stages and I want to ensure that we're keeping a watching brief on what is being said across the Pacific in relation to the issues of a moratorium. It remains difficult to assess what is likely to happen as this process continues but again we maintain a watching brief. New Zealand is engaging actively in the ISA processes with a view to ensuring the effective protection of the marine environment in accordance with the obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It will be very important to see what progress can be made at the next July ISA meeting. At this early stage we remain focused on engaging fully and in good faith to push for an effective outcome for the environment that is respected by all States.Teanau Tuiono: Does the Minister consider the growing call of Pacific States for a global moratorium on deep-sea mining a request for assistance from their international partners and if so does she consider Aotearoa has an obligation to support and uphold the interests of our Pacific relatives?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: We respect the views across the Pacific and know how important this issue is. We also recognise at this point that there's no consensus amongst Pacific nations on this issue of a moratorium on deep-sea mining. Notwithstanding that New Zealand's focus is on communicating the risks we see around deep-sea mining and building on those matters in the region that we can agree on especially how we ensure key knowledge gaps in our understanding of the deep sea are filled. We consider the first step in filling these gaps is to work as a region to clearly articulate the region's ocean science priorities to ensure funding and research effort is best targeted. We already fund the Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science based within the Pacific community and are discussing with them how to do more in this particular area.Hon Eugenie Sage: Does the Minister agree that international waters outside of any State's domestic jurisdiction should be protected from environmental destruction for the common good of everyone on the planet and if so will she commit Aotearoa New Zealand to supporting a moratorium of deep-sea mining under the high seas?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: UNCLOS sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. New Zealand has a longstanding in-principle commitment to UNCLOS which we view as vital to the security and prosperity of New Zealand and the wider Pacific region. UNCLOS provides that deep-sea mining cannot take place unless the effective protection of the marine environment can be ensured. We're engaging actively in the ISA processes with a view to ensuring the effective protection of the marine environment in accordance with the obligations under UNCLOS. To that end we've been vocal in our calls for no deep-sea meaning to proceed without robust environmental protections. As I've said previously once a number of considerations have taken place once we understand the broadening position of the Pacific on these matters I'll seek to review our position and mandate in July."