Simpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSimpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 09 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9515. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]9.SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel) to the Minister for the Environment: What new details of the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary have been announced and how will these help protect the 620000 square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean covered by this initiative?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment): Yesterday the Government announced the details of the bill to create the sanctuary that was announced by the Prime Minister at the United Nations in September. The bill provides for a new conservation board with responsibility for the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary as well as the existing Kermadec Marine Reserve and the nature reserves on the five Kermadec Islands. This integrated approach makes good sense and given the size of this area being twice that of New Zealand’s land it makes sense with its unique challenges for management to have a dedicated board. The second change is that we have tightened the dumping prohibitions and adjusted the scientific research provisions to maximise the protection while also making sure that it is compliant with New Zealand international law of the sea.Scott Simpson: What feedback has he had both domestically and internationally to the new Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The sanctuary has been widely welcomed and the Prime Minister’s announcement was noted very positively in both the European and the North American media partly because of the sheer scale of it being an area larger than the land area of France. The Pew Charitable Trusts which has advocated for ocean sanctuaries globally has noted that New Zealand has set the gold standard with the Kermadecs and it is a powerful international example. I have also welcomed the support of key organisations like Forest and Bird and World Wide Fund for Nature. They have acknowledged that it is a very significant global initiative and an extraordinary achievement for nature. The sanctuary increases New Zealand’s area protected from 0.4 percent of our ocean space to 15.4 percent—i.e. this single sanctuary is 35 times larger than the existing 44 marine reserves that we have.Scott Simpson: What particular species and special features will benefit from the protection of this new ocean sanctuary?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The sanctuary is home to 6 million seabirds of 37 different species; 35 species of whales and dolphins; three species of sea turtle—it is the only area where sea turtles are found in New Zealand waters all of which are endangered—as well as 150 species of fish. The extraordinary nature of the area is due to it being deeper than Mount Everest is tall and having the longest chain of underwater volcanoes anywhere in the world. The combination of the undersea volcanic activity and the extreme depths means that there are life forms and ecosystems found nowhere else on the planet but that will be protected in perpetuity by this bill.Clayton Mitchell: How does the Government plan to feasibly protect the 620000 square kilometres of proposed Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary effectively when there is only one frigate and three Orions which at best could fly over once a week not to mention the one lonely Department of Conservation worker working on Raoul Island?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Firstly the member is incorrect about the number of Department of Conservation staff who are on Raoul Island and in the Kermadecs. Secondly this is a Government that has actually under Gerry Brownlee’s leadership invested in the sort of defence capability that enables New Zealand to be able to secure an area of protection like the Kermadecs.Marama Fox: What consultation has there been with the two iwi with a statutory acknowledgment over their interests on the Kermadecs and what changes have been made to the proposals as a consequence?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I have had extensive discussions with both Ngāti Kurī and Te Aupōuri who have for many years supported the establishment of the sanctuary. Both with their input and the input of the Māori Party we have provided for both those iwi having direct representation on the conservation board. I have also had representations that there are other iwi in New Zealand who have an interest in the Kermadecs and so with the work of the member’s colleague Te Ururoa Flavell we are providing for him to be able to also appoint someone to ensure that that broader and very deep historic interest that Māori have with the Kermadecs is also provided for in the way in which we are putting this unique area into permanent protection.David Seymour: By what quantity will this announcement change the total allowable catch under New Zealand’s quota management system?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I am advised that there are about 20 tonnes of fish per year that are taken in the Kermadecs area. Obviously that will be banned from the time—it will be an area of full protection from all forms of fishing. Secondly there was an application for deep-sea mining in the area and the Government’s view has been that the area will also be fully protected from mining activities.