Peeni Henare
The Government is progressing work in response to the Ministerial Inquiry into land use in Tairāwhiti/Gisborne and Wairoa, say Environment Minister David Parker and Forestry Minister Peeni Henare.
“The inquiry report, Outrage to Optimism, made 49 recommendations for change to forestry, infrastructure and land use following the devastating weather events earlier this year,” Mr Parker said.
“Further roading damage caused by the most recent heavy rains have underlined the need to make progress – we hear that, and we’re working hard to progress our response quickly.
“I have met with the Gisborne District Council, and officials are now working with the Council in developing its new district plan to ensure that forestry plantings are better suited to land conditions and in the most appropriate places.
“In particular, it may be necessary to shift away from large-scale forestry clear felling towards risk-based methods like ‘coupe harvesting’, which is harvesting in a lower impact patchwork manner that better protects the land.
“Additionally, the type of planting may need to change, whereby exotic and native species are planted alongside each other in smaller-scale areas determined by land suitability.”
Forestry Minister Peeni Henare said work was already under way that responded directly to some of the Inquiry recommendations, including a $10.15 million Woody Debris Clean-Up Fund for Te Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay, and a $10.5 million woody biomass research fund to promote woody residue and slash recovery.
“Two other projects are under way, developed in partnership with the forestry sector.
“One will help with the consenting of a bio-energy plant in Tairāwhiti using slash, and the other will help develop business models for continuous cover forestry in New Zealand as a viable alternative to clear-felling.”
The Government has also been reviewing the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry, to give councils more control over the extent and location of plantation and exotic continuous-cover forestry within their communities.
Last week, the Government opened consultation on a review of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme and a redesign of the permanent forest category within the Scheme.
Mr Parker said, “The Outrage to Optimism report recommendations cover a wide range of ministerial and agency responsibilities, and responses must take account of various work programmes already in train.
“Cabinet recently agreed on a process to respond to the findings of the Inquiry.
“Ministers have been assigned responsibility to work on the recommendations, and to report back to Cabinet by the end of July.”
As part of this work, ministers will consider for each recommendation whether immediate action is needed, or whether the work should progress over a longer term.
This is in line with the Inquiry Panel’s recommendations for shorter and longer-term responses.
Ministers will also consider how the different actions will work together as a comprehensive support package.
Responsible Ministers will engage with iwi and Māori as they progress this work.
Ministers Parker and Henare initiated the Ministerial Inquiry in March, in response to the damage suffered by people and communities during Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle.
The Inquiry panel, chaired by Hekia Parata, presented its report and recommendations to ministers on May 12.
Mana Taiao, organisers of a petition that led to the regional Land Use Inquiry, have welcomed the release of the initial ministerial response to the Inquiry report and specific recommendations.
“While the Cabinet paper doesn’t really provide any indication of what level of Ministerial and Cabinet support there is for each recommendation, it is reassuring to see that particular ministers and agencies have been allocated to consider each recommendation,” said Manu Caddie.
“It is also encouraging to see that the ministers are directing officials and committing themselves to maintain regular contact and consultation with the communities across the region.
“We look forward to seeing what is reported back to Cabinet by the end of July.
“We appreciated the opportunity to meet with officials this week from the Just Transitions Unit of Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment to discuss the Inquiry recommendations.
“There is a need for urgent action both from government and the private sector to support forestry and farm workers with new industries and new jobs in the region,” said Mr Caddie.