Smith Nick: Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill — Procedure Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
Smith Nick: Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill — Procedure Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:657;Page:6169] 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment) 
: 
 The member for Auckland Central Nikki Kaye raised quite an important point. The Labour Party has not yet learnt the degree to which it alienated the voters of Auckland Central. You see Labour lost that seat for the first time ever—the first time ever—and I would be happy to bet the best bottle of Nelson wine that Nikki Kaye will be returned at the next election. Every member has been impressed with the way in which Nikki Kaye has represented that community. I am happy to bet with any member of this House that she will be returned at the next election because of that effective representation. 
Hon David Parker 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I cannot see how that in any way relates to the Committee stage of the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill. I ask that the member be called to order. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I thank the member for those comments. There was an interchange earlier on and the Minister is responding to those. However I will ask the member to come back to the essence of the bill. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: The member had a very sensible question and that was how we can be sure that the councils of Auckland particularly given the scale of change that Auckland is involved in will get on and do the sensible thing and like every other council in New Zealand schedule both groups of trees and individual trees that warrant protection. It is a good question. 
Phil Twyford 
: They’ve already said they won’t. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: They actually have not said that and I would be happy to take up Mr “Tryford” in a moment. The issue that I think in a sensible way forward— 
H V Ross Robertson 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I know what the member will say. I say to the Minister—and it has been brought up before—that the member he is referring to is Mr Twyford. I ask that the Minister respects his name either calling him Mr Twyford or Phil Twyford but not any other name. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: I am happy to get Mr “Tryford’s” name right. 
H V Ross Robertson 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. The member has been here for a considerable number of years. He should be aware of Speakers’ rulings 27/6. In reality he did not say Mr Twyford’s name correctly. He mispronounced it again. I suggest he have another go. It is rude and unacceptable. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I understand. I have asked the Minister to reflect on that and to use the member’s correct name. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: The question that has been asked is what process we can put in place to ensure that the Auckland councils sensibly address this issue. I think there is quite a sensible process and I would be happy to take up the challenge from the member for Auckland Central. There are powers that I have as Minister for the Environment around the issuing of directions to councils. I am reluctant to use them unless councils will not do what I think is sensible and what this Parliament would expect. My intention would be to write to each Auckland council and ask them to set out their programme of work for identifying the trees of significance and that should be specifically by group or individually listed in their district plans and to require those councils every 6 months to report to me on the progress they make. 
I will make a couple of points about this issue. One of the really important things members opposite need to recognise is that from 1 October these councils will not have to spend millions of dollars and will not have all sorts of staff tied up with the 3000 consents a year required for tree trimming. As of 1 October that will no longer be required. The message I have for Auckland councils in response to the concerns that have been raised by Nikki Kaye is that the resource processing all those tree-trimming consents should be redirected so representatives of the councils can get out and talk with people in the neighbourhoods and communities about what sorts of trees should be protected. This could happen over lunch for example. I spoke with the Mayor of Timaru about what happened there. The first thing the council did was to invite the residents themselves. 
Hon David Cunliffe 
: A member of the National Party. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: I do not think so. It is interesting that David Cunliffe always goes down that line. 
Hon David Cunliffe 
: I think so! Ask Jo Goodhew; they are good friends. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: I will simply address the issue. The Timaru council advertised and asked people to bring forward trees to be considered for protection. Within a period of 12 months it had brought together a sensible schedule of trees that should be protected. If the good city of Timaru can do it—in fact if 75 councils around New Zealand can do it—then why is it that Auckland cannot? I am interested in a contribution from a member. 
The last point I will make is a very simple question that I would like members on the Labour benches to address. The select committee received submissions on the tree protection rules. The Labour members have deeply held concerns that it is the end of the world for Auckland trees. Why then in this 250-page report from the select committee did Labour members vote for the changes in the tree protection rules and why is there no word in the report of any concern about those changes? 
Phil Twyford 
: It’s in there. 
Hon Dr NICK SMITH 
: Oh it is in the report! Well I have actually checked the minutes. The minutes of the select committee show that the member who interjected Phil Twyford actually voted for these provisions.