Parata Hekia: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Parata Hekia: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
[Volume:674;Page:20450] 
Hon HEKIA PARATA (Acting Minister of Energy and Resources) 
: 
 A tena koe e te Heamana. Huri noa i to tatou Whare tena koutou katoa. Aotearoa New Zealand is blessed with abundant natural resources and together with smart New Zealanders we are able to come up with a portfolio of energy options that meets the needs of New Zealanders today and into the future. This Government is focused on striking a balance between our concern for ensuring sound environmental management and exploring the economic opportunities open to us. We are a Government that is focused on “and and and”—not either one thing or the other but what balance in a mixed portfolio we can bring to bear for New Zealanders now and into the future. 
We are absolutely committed to energy and resources as a cornerstone of our growth agenda of our economy and of our long-term sustainable commitment to our environment for ourselves and for future generations. We have on the one hand renewables. We have a goal in this country of achieving 90 percent renewable energy sources as the basis of our electricity generation. I am pleased to say that in 2010 we achieved 74 percent of that target and in the March quarter of this year we achieved 79 percent. 
Hon Shane Jones 
: Labour policy. 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: In 2005 9 percent of our renewable energy was made up from geothermal and wind of which we seem to be getting a significant amount on my left. Today in 2011 we are at 17 percent. This Government remains committed to achieving that target so not only have we achieved the highest-ever deliverables in this regard—at 79 percent—but also we have had the largest consented amount of renewable energy. 
We have an emissions trading scheme which puts a price on carbon and we are already seeing behaviour changing in that regard. We have a national policy statement that will inform decision makers under the Resource Management Act about the commitment of this Government to see more renewables. New Zealand joined the International Renewable Energy Agency for the first time this year. The report by the International Renewable Energy Agency commented positively on New Zealand’s balanced approach to using its resources in a sustainable way. It commended New Zealand for its target on renewables while also identifying that the world of which New Zealand is a part is on a journey to a low-carbon future but it will take some transitioning. 
So as part of this Government’s balanced commitment to taking advantage of all of our abundant resources in 2009 we announced a commitment to our petroleum action plan. In partnering with the science institutes of New Zealand we have identified significant potential in oil and gas and minerals here in Aotearoa New Zealand. The member who recently left the Chamber bemoaned the fact that two football teams of people have left the north to go and seek jobs in Perth. Guess what jobs those people have secured? They have secured jobs in the mining industry in Perth. Many of the 77000 Maori who have gone overseas—[ 
Interruption 
]—many of whom are related to the Hon Shane Jones and Kelvin Davis who applaud their aspirations to be involved in employment—would prefer the opportunity for higher jobs and better incomes right here in New Zealand. 
This Government does not resile from its commitment to explore the oil and gas and mineral potential that has been identified here in New Zealand. We have established New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals within the Ministry of Economic Development which is very focused on how we can ensure that the permitting processes we have in place are sound and inclusive of those who have interests around the country such as iwi regional and local government and regional development agencies. The focus is on ensuring that we bring in the best possible price for New Zealand in the oil and petroleum area. 
I want to tell the Chamber tonight that petroleum is New Zealand’s fourth-largest export earner. In the 2009-10 financial year exports totalled $2.1 billion. In the 5 years between 2004 and 2009 the New Zealand Government earned approximately $1.4 billion in tax and $1.1 billion in royalties. Where does that money go? It goes to fund our schools it goes to fund our hospitals and it goes to fund our roads and our police force. All of that money supports all the aspirations of New Zealanders who are committed to being participants in a First World economy. 
But I have more good news to share in the energy and resources area. In respect of the electricity reforms that this Government instituted upon coming into Government we have brought about significant changes. The sector is able to operate more efficiently and more effectively than it ever has done before. We have as a cornerstone of those reforms the establishment of the Electricity Authority which has a significant work agenda set out in legislation. It is on target to achieve its targets notwithstanding the fact that it came into force only on 1 November last year. We expect that it will be able to deliver on that work agenda by 1 November this year. 
But one of the significant reforms that I want to talk about which the Electricity Authority has overseen reflects this Government’s commitment to ensuring that competition exists not only on the supply side but also on the demand side. On the supply side for instance this Government has ensured that there is better competition in the South Island by transferring Tekapo A and Tekapo B from Meridian to Genesis Energy. On the demand side many members will have observed and I hope participated in the What’s My Number campaign which requires just a short trip onto the internet to www.whatsmynumber.org.nz. 
Aaron Gilmore 
: Say it again. 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: I repeat it for the member. It is www.whatsmynumber.org.nz. I share this with members because 448952 New Zealanders have visited that website and they have accrued estimated savings of $55 million to $56 million. The average time spent on that website—time more productively spent than on other websites that may be mentioned tonight—is 2 minutes and 43 seconds. 
The point of that website is that we as a Government are very conscious of cost of living issues. Electricity power consumption in homes is a significant part of that and this website and the opportunity to switch power companies puts power in the hands of consumers to decide whether they are getting the best deal from their retailer. If not they can switch. Unlike members on the Opposition benches we actually trust that if consumers are given information and tools they will make powerful choices for themselves. Some 349477 unique visitors to this website are making those choices and 29453 have initiated a switch. That switch means that they will accrue savings but more than that it will continue to drive down prices by increasing the competition between retailers. I am sure that that gladdens the heart and warms the homes of many New Zealanders. I would like to happily segue in the minute I have left into the Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart campaign being run— 
Hon Simon Power 
: Segue; nice word. 
Hon HEKIA PARATA 
: Thank you very much. The campaign is being run by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. This Government has invested in 188500 homes by installing insulation that will warm the homes. In addition we are installing efficient heating to reduce people’s power bills and improve their health and that means better sleep for students so that they can go to school the next day sharp and ready to be taught by teachers who have been able to identify through national standards which students at an early age need assistance. 
The Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart campaign has been extremely effective around the country. We have passed the milestone of insulating 100000 homes and we look forward to working with more and more local councils with targeted rates schemes to make that available to more New Zealanders. Thank you.