11. Question No. 11—EnvironmentHon RACHEL BROOKING (Labour—Dunedin) to the Minister for the EnvironmentQuestion No. 11—Environment11. Hon RACHEL BROOKING (Labour—Dunedin) to the Minister for the Environment: Does she agree with the objectives of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020; and if not why not?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS (Minister for the Environment): Thank you Mr Speaker and I thank the member for her question. This coalition Government is committed—as am I as Minister for the Environment—to improving freshwater quality for the benefit of all New Zealanders by ensuring a sustainable and balanced approach that works towards improving the environmental outcomes for our waterways. Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Point of order Mr Speaker. That really did not address the question; it was about the principles and whilst it was a policy statement it really didn't address the question on notice at all.SPEAKER: OK let's have another crack at it. Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: Thank you Mr Speaker. We consider that to have an enduring and sustainable solution there needs to be a balanced approach which recognises the interests of all water users. SPEAKER: If the Minister has a quick look at the question it's asking does she agree with the objectives of the national policy statement for fresh water. The answer she's given is an outcome but perhaps address that specifically if that's all right. Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: Thank you Mr Speaker. No we do not agree with the hierarchy of objectives and that is why we have undertaken to replace the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management to ensure more balanced enduring and sustainable outcomes.Hon Rachel Brooking: Can the Minister explain then exactly what parts of the objective in 2.1 she disagrees with and I will read that out because The objective of this National Policy Statement is to ensure that the natural and physical resources are managed in a way that prioritises: … first the health and well-being of water bodies and freshwater ecosystems; … second the health needs of people (such as drinking water); … third the ability of people and communities to provide for their social economic and cultural well-being now and in the future."?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: Well I think I have answered it but I'll answer it again and that is: the coalition Government is committed to improving freshwater quality for the benefit of all New Zealanders by ensuring a sustainable and balanced approach that works towards improving the environmental outcomes for all our waterways.Hon Rachel Brooking: Does the Minister agree with the objective AA1 in the 2014—amended in 2017—National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management that was "To consider and recognise Te Mana o te Wai in the management of fresh water"?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: One of the key objectives in our replacement of the NPS for Freshwater Management will be to ensure that a balanced approach is taken in representing the interests of all water users.Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Point of order. That was although not on notice a very clear question about whether the Minister agrees with Te Mana o te Wai and it didn't come close to addressing it.SPEAKER: Yes except that she has started off after a bit of time saying "No" and therefore any explanation around that becomes a reasonable answer. Question No. 12—Hon Rachel Brooking: Supplementary?SPEAKER: Oh sorry Dr Rachel—the Hon Rachel Brooking.Hon Rachel Brooking: Yes not a doctor. Thank you Mr Speaker. Can the Minister explain the role of district councils in managing environmental limits referred to in the Speech from the Throne which said "The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 will be replaced to ensure a local approach allowing district councils more flexibility in managing environmental limits."?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: Sorry I didn't catch all of that question but I can assure the member—SPEAKER: Let's not have any issue. Ask it again.Hon Rachel Brooking: Thank you. Can the Minister explain the role of district councils in managing environmental limits referred to in the Speech from the Throne which said "The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 will be replaced to ensure a local approach allowing district councils more flexibility in managing environmental limits."?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: Thank you to the member for repeating that. In the process of developing the replacement national policy statement on fresh water we will be consulting widely with all stakeholders including local authorities and I can assure the member that we are very invested in ensuring that local communities get the opportunity to customise and to have nuanced processes in place that ensure that at a community level they can be making decisions that are appropriate for that community."