Turei Metiria: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Turei Metiria: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:630;Page:2696] 
12.  
METIRIA TUREI (Green) 
 to the  
Minister of Conservation 
: Does he stand by the national goals of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy to “turn the tide on the decline of our biodiversity and to maintain and restore a full range of our remaining natural habitats and ecosystems and viable populations of all native species.”? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Conservation) 
: 
 Yes that remains the vision and goal to be pursued within the available resources over time. 
Metiria Turei 
: How then does the Minister reconcile these goals with his decision to permit Solid Energy to transfer 250  
Powelliphanta augustus 
 snails and then mine their natural habitat on Mount Augustus given that this species may well become extinct directly as a result of his decision? 
Madam SPEAKER 
: There were interjections during that question. Would the member please just leave. 
Shane Ardern withdrew from the Chamber. 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: In making our decision the Associate Minister of Energy and I had to consider the welfare of  
Powelliphanta augustus 
 under the Wildlife Act and the economic benefits that flow from the efficient development and use of New Zealand’s coal resources under the Coal Mines Act. On balance we have decided to allow the snails to be moved. However we are requiring a larger mitigation package than was originally offered by Solid Energy. 
Gordon Copeland 
: Why are animals such as deer and thar still considered exotic pests when people of say Irish or Chinese descent who have been in New Zealand for the same length of time are now considered indigenous by Trevor Mallard and in what circumstances will he accept deer and thar as an integral part of New Zealand’s biodiversity? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I have never really considered animals to be the same as people but I am happy to discuss the matter with the member further. 
Dr Pita Sharples 
: Kei te awangawanga ia mo te papatanga o te hangarau patu i nga kakano kua waia ki te whenua mo te maha o nga tau ara nga purapura o te iwi tangata whenua me o ratou parekereke a he aha nga korero kua puta mai i ona hui i te taha o te Maori mo taua ahuatanga? 
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.] 
[ 
Is he concerned about the impact that terminator technology 
will have on the ability of indigenous people to renew crops based on centuries of seeds that have naturally adapted to their environment; and what have his consultations with Maori told him about that phenomenon?] 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: The New Zealand Government does not support the technology. 
Metiria Turei 
: Will Solid Energy be prevented from mining the endangered snails’ last remaining natural habitat until the relocation described by the Minister has been proven to be successful; if not is this an example of his understanding of the precautionary principle? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: In exploring the option of how long we would have to monitor the site to determine success we were told it would be up to 20 years. That is why we have taken very extensive steps in mitigation such as the relocation by hand of as many snails as possible the establishment of an expanded new habitat the protection of the area with an expensive intensive predator-proof fence and also a captive breeding programme. These are very extensive mitigation actions. 
Metiria Turei 
: If the mining occurs the relocation is unsuccessful and all the snails die will he have any qualms that as Minister of Conservation he and his colleague the Minister of Energy will have approved New Zealand’s first State-sanctioned extinction of an endangered native species? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I take my responsibilities to protect New Zealand’s unique biodiversity very seriously. The issues involved in the application to move  
Powelliphanta augustus 
 were finely balanced. In reaching the decision I had to operate—as did my colleague the Associate Minister of Energy—under two statutes that is the Wildlife Act and the Coal Mines Act. The only possible decision I could make under those was the decision we made. 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I seek leave to table the document:  
A Vision Goals and Principles for Managing New Zealand’s Biodiversity 
. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.