Turia Tariana: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Turia Tariana: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:624;Page:19356] 
2.  
TARIANA TURIA (Leader—Maori Party) 
 to the  
Minister of Conservation 
: What initiatives have been put in place along the west coast of the North Island to protect the Maui’s dolphin the world’s smallest and rarest marine dolphin given it has been classified as “critically endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ red list? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Conservation) 
: 
 In October 2003 the Minister of Fisheries closed areas to set-netting on the west coast of the North Island within the range of Maui’s dolphin as this fishing method had been identified as a major threat. Further work is being undertaken by my department and the Ministry of Fisheries to gain more information about other possible threats to Maui’s dolphin. 
Tariana Turia 
: What effect will the possible excavation and dredging of ironsands on the coastline between Taranaki and Kaipara Harbour have on the ongoing survival of Maui’s dolphin? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: As yet we do not know what the answer to that question will be but I can assure the member that the Department of Conservation will be watching those activities—should they take place because at the moment there is only an application to explore—very carefully to see that there is no negative impact on this critically endangered species. 
Dr Ashraf Choudhary 
: Have the existing measures to protect Maui’s dolphin been successful? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: Yes. The outlook for Maui’s dolphin has improved as there have been no recorded deaths from set-net entanglement since the closures were put in place. In the 3 years before that there were seven deaths from human-related causes. 
Tariana Turia 
: What assurance will the Minister give this House that he will advise the Associate Minister of Energy that any consultation on the Black Sand Exploration permit application must include an opportunity for environmental objections relative to Maui’s dolphin to be heard from mana whenua who are kaitiaki of these dolphins? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: My department is developing a code of conduct to minimise the impact of mining exploration on marine mammals. This code is still in draft form but most exploration companies over the past few months have been keen to work to it regardless. We are dialoguing closely with the Ministry of Economic Development. 
Tariana Turia 
: Is the Minister prepared to call in a mining licence in this area given that the World Wide Fund For Nature has indicated that Maui’s dolphin may become extinct in 25 years? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I can assure the member and the rest of the House that the Department of Conservation will be taking every measure possible to ensure the survival of this critically endangered species. 
Nanaia Mahuta 
: Could the Minister clarify whether any mana whenua group along the west coast has made an application to protect Maui’s dolphin? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: To my knowledge no. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Can the Minister confirm that if this application were for the total habitat of a similarly critically endangered species on conservation land the Minister would have the power to refuse consent to mine on the conservation estate but that with no similarly protected areas in the sea he does not have this power; and what opportunities if any does the Minister have to protect this unique animal from almost certain extinction if mining proceeds on that scale? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I will repeat the comment I made earlier in answer to a previous question: the department is developing a code of conduct to minimise the impact of mining activities. We will be working very closely with other Government departments to ensure that that takes place. It is also my understanding that the size of the activity determines whether in my role of Minister of Conservation I have an opportunity to be a decision maker. If it is a significant activity it then falls under a restricted coastal activity and I become decision maker.