4. Question No. 4—Climate ChangeHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Ikaroa-Rāwhiti) to the Minister of Climate ChangeQuestion No. 4—Climate ChangeHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Ikaroa-Rāwhiti): Point of order Mr Speaker. Forty-five percent of our commercially planted forests are owned by Māori. I was aware that the Minister of Climate Change wasn't going to be here in the House today but I also notice the Minister of Forestry isn't here. This is a significant question. I will seek your guidance and your ruling to have this question to have this question referred to next week.SPEAKER: No you can ask it now.4. Hon MEKA WHAITIRI (Ikaroa-Rāwhiti) to the Minister of Climate Change: Does he stand by all the Government's statements and actions regarding engagement with Māori land owners on the review of the emissions trading scheme?Hon DAVID PARKER (Attorney-General) on behalf of the Minister of Climate Change: Yes.Hon Meka Whaitiri: How can he stand by the Government's action when his own lawyers said the pre-engagement period was too short and the Crown conceded in the High Court that engagements to date have been hopelessly inadequate"?Hon DAVID PARKER: I believe that's not a correct characterisation of the Crown's position. I am aware that one group did seek an interim injunction to stop the publication of the consultation document on the emissions trading scheme review and they were not successful. There are a range of views within Māoridom—as is the case more broadly in the community—and the Government wanted consultation to go ahead so that we can hear everyone's views before we make a decision. I would also note that it is not in the interests of Māori land owners or anyone else to have a price of carbon that collapses so as to neither encourage gross emission reductions or forestry.Hon Meka Whaitiri: What is his response to the Māori forestry land owners' collective Te Taumata who have said that the lack of engagement is a breach of Te Tiriti given that there are significant potential impacts including their "ability to exercise rangatiratanga and kaitiakitanga over the land" and the potential "material loss of control and value of lands forestry and income streams"?Hon DAVID PARKER: The only value that is obtained from carbon farming is under the emissions trading scheme. If the price collapses there is no value. These issues should be consulted upon and they are.Hon Meka Whaitiri: What guarantees can he give if any that going forward engagement with Māori forestry land owners will be Tiriti-compliant and will respect the tino rangatiratanga of tangata whenua?Hon DAVID PARKER: There was pre-engagement with Māoridom ahead of engagement more broadly with the community—that was appropriate. The consultation in respect of emissions trading scheme settings is important for the broader economy as well as for Māoridom.Hon Meka Whaitiri: Will he adopt Te Taumata's three-stage engagement process which includes comprehensive briefings from officials and advisers time for Māori to properly consider the technical detail and direct face-to-face engagement between Māori land owners and the Crown; if not why not?Hon DAVID PARKER: The position of the Crown in respect of consultation has been set out in my earlier answers.Hon Meka Whaitiri: Point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to table the Te Taumata letter dated 23 June which outlines the consultation process.SPEAKER: Who is the letter to?Hon Meka Whaitiri: The letter is to the Ministry for the Environment so it's not publicly available.SPEAKER: Leave this for that purpose. Is the any objection? There appears to be none; it may be tabled. Document by leave laid on the Table of the House."