Yule LawrenceLAWRENCE YULE (National—Tukituki): This is a glorious day for water storage in New Zealand. To actually bring a scheme and a piece of legislation to this House that unlocks the potential for the Tasman District is actually one of the very reasons I came into this Chamber and into this House. I congratulate the last Government on putting together a package of around $42 million which got this scheme under way because frankly without it we wouldn't be having this discussion.I'm the National Party spokesperson for horticulture and I proudly know that that is a shining industry that's going from strength to strength. Current exports are around $7 billion and they're targeted to go to $10 billion. If you look at horticulture it has got everything New Zealand needs: high-value high-quality products; it is job-rich and environmentally clean. It's an intensive form of agriculture but it's incredibly gentle on the environment. This scheme has everything. It is a win-win-win in terms of water quality—and we've heard previous speakers including the Hon Dr Nick Smith talking about the increase in minimum flow in the Waimea River. It has better availability and security of supply for both the productive sector and the urban residents in Nelson and the Tasman District. Fundamentally it also adds the potential for significant jobs and job growth in this part of New Zealand.I want to acknowledge the tension that seems to exist when it comes to irrigation. It's actually not about the water; it's actually about water quality and nutrients. We need to unwind that conversation in New Zealand and in this House if we're going to make use of schemes like this into the future as we battle pretty significant challenges around climate change. In my maiden speech I said I thought it was unfair to link irrigation to nutrient loadings. If you deal with the nutrients then irrigation is a fantastic technology that can help New Zealand grow. In this Parliament I want to be a champion of water storage and I was pleased to hear the Hon David Parker's speech earlier. I was a little bit surprised I might say because what he said is fundamentally what I agree with on how water can enhance our economy.This project has been going on for 15 or 18 years and it does go right to the heart of what New Zealand's going to have to do as it seeks to address economic growth along with climate change. This is a unique proposal. It has the agreement now of all the local authorities Fish & Game Department of Conservation iwi and we're being asked in this Parliament to deal with 11 hectares of land. As the Hon Dr Nick Smith has just said the stewardship land is largely—I can't remember the number he said but a very small 1.5 hectares of 165 hectares. It is a very very small amount.I want to acknowledge the leaders in this community that have fought for this. I don't know them all but the ones I do know I hugely respect: John Palmer Julian Raine my friend and colleague Mayor Richard Kempthorne who I know has championed this for a long time as a fundamental part of the Tasman and Nelson success. I want to pay particular tribute to the gentleman in front of me the Hon Dr Nick Smith who has worked in this House and with this community for 15 years at least to advance this scheme. I want to acknowledge his tenacity and courage—that even in Opposition he is supporting a local bill through this Parliament that will allow this scheme to happen.This morning Dame Jenny Shipley said at the 125-year women's suffrage celebratory breakfast that when you come to Parliament you have to come with a couple of things that you want to do. I give notice to this House in supporting this bill that I am a hugely strong advocate of water storage and at every opportunity I'll bring those schemes back to this House. Thank you.