Farmers say land-use inquiry needs ‘urgent reset’

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

Dave Brash, who led the Government rcovery effort after the Kaikoura earthquake, has been appointed to the panel conducting the ministerial inquiry into land use in Tairāwhiti and Wairoa.

He fills the vacancy left when Bill Bayfield resigned, and joined the panel today.

Inquiry panel chair Hekia Parata welcomed the experience and expertise Mr Brash brings to the table.

“Understanding the importance and priority of the inquiry, Mr Brash has made himself available to join the panel in Gisborne from Thursday, which is much appreciated,” Ms Parata said yesterday.

Mr Brash was National Recovery Manager for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, leading the Government recovery effort after the Kaikōura earthquake and then later the Whakatāne floods. This involved coordinating across government agencies to deliver all aspects of the recovery for local communities.

With over 30 years’ experience in governance and senior leadership roles in the public sector, including managing planning and investment at Waka Kotahi, he is a consultant to public and private organisations on public policy solutions, strategic change and organisational reviews, and major investments programmes.

Speaking of the standing down of Mr Bayfield, Environment Minister David Parker said yesterday that it was the right thing to do as Mr Bayfield had entered into employment contract negotiations with Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

Meanwhile, Federated Farmers is calling for an “urgent reset” of the ministerial inquiry into land use on the East Coast, in the wake of Mr Bayfield standing down and the sacking of Forestry Minister Stuart Nash.

“Forestry slash and other woody debris washed down in Cyclone Gabrielle caused major damage. Communities on the East Coast need to be given the respect they deserve after such a significant event,” said Toby Williams, Gisborne farmer and Federated Farmers meat and wool chair.

“The land-use inquiry didn’t get under way until late February and its report is due April 30. Federated Farmers says this ridiculously short time frame needs to be extended so that the issues can be thoroughly considered and all relevant evidence can be collected and analysed.”

The federation also argues that it’s sensible to include Hawke’s Bay in the inquiry.

“Hawke’s Bay has been as badly affected as Tairāwhiti and this Government needs to show them some respect as well.

“If this Government is serious about environmental, community safety and production outcomes, then the only thing left for them to do is to allow the inquiry panel a proper chance to do their job. We cannot afford to make the same mistakes that have been made in the past by rushing a solution because it was politically expedient for a minister to do that.”

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the decision to exclude Hawke’s Bay  from the inquiry was made by the whole of Cabinet, and that was a decision unaffected by forestry players who might have made political donations to Mr Nash.

Mr Hipkins said he was “confident” the inquiry would result in a “robust” review.

Environment Minister David Parker, the minister in joint charge of the inquiry, also confirmed he was the driver behind Hawke’s Bay being excluded, not Mr Nash.

He told Parliament that was because the two regions were different.

Tairāwhiti’s issues were down to steep and eroding land, with existing evidence that pine forestry plantation was a cause of woody debris.

In Hastings, the issue was down to willow trees being uprooted from river banks in flood waters.

Megan Woods was appointed Acting Forestry Minister yesterday.