Extension for land-use inquiry due to weight of submissions

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A 12-day extension has been approved for the Ministerial Inquiry into woody debris (including forestry slash) and sediment in Tairāwhiti/Gisborne and Wairoa.

The original deadline was April 30.

The three-member panel for the Ministerial Inquiry, chaired by Hekia Parata, sought the extension from the Inquiry’s two lead Ministers, David Parker and Peeni Henare, due to the number and substance of the submissions received.

“The panel has advised that they received 313 submissions, many of them full and comprehensive,” Environment Minister David Parker said.

“The panel was pleased by this level of engagement and has asked for the delivery date for their report to be extended until May 12, to allow them enough time to give the submissions the consideration and weight they deserve,” he said.

“We support the panel’s request. A short extension will ensure the submissions are fully considered, helping ensure a more comprehensive and full report.”