Environmental Protection Authority claims Shane Jones’ criticism hurting staff

NZ First minister Shane Jones has criticised the Environmental Protection Authority regarding its role in the fast-track consenting process. Photo / Mike Scott

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is preparing to lock horns with the Environmental Protection Authority after its board chairman claimed the minister’s criticism is negatively impacting staff.

The minister told Herald NOW today he had received a letter from the authority’s board chairman Barry O’Neil, which referenced Jones’ concerns about the authority’s role in the Government’s fast-track consenting process.

On August 6, BusinessDesk reported Jones saying potential issues with the process could be because of the authority’s culture.

“It’s either a matter that the personnel are the problem, the culture is the problem, or the law is the problem – because I refuse to accept that all the applicants are the problem,” he said to BusinessDesk.

“The applicants are trying to invest and develop jobs and create infrastructure, and if I get any hint that they’re being deliberately undermined, then as God as my witness, that problem will be exterminated.”

In a letter sent on August 29, obtained by the Herald, O’Neil expressed his “disappointment” to Jones about his recent comments regarding the “EPA’s performance of its fast-track function and, particularly, the performance of EPA staff”.

“I can assure you that the EPA is committed to fulfilling its role to implement the fast-track process,” O’Neil said.

“Unfortunately, in the past week, staff have begun to hear reservations from applicants about whether it’s worth engaging in the fast-track process.

“In addition to the negative impact on EPA staff, we are concerned that these statements may be reducing confidence in the process for applicants.”

O’Neil made clear EPA staff did not assess or make decisions regarding consent applications, saying they provided secretariat support.

He stressed staff had done an “enormous amount of work in a very short timeframe” to help deliver the fast-track process on time and within budget.

Jones, speaking this morning, said he would be meeting with O’Neil.

“Not that he needs a crash helmet, but I’m expecting big things from the chair of the EPA board.

“We were asked to support him by the National Party and in nine months, I see no evidence of what he’s done [that] helps us to achieve our mission, so I’m looking forward to that meeting.”

When contacted by the Herald this evening, O’Neil was unaware if a meeting had been scheduled and said he hadn’t seen Jones’ comments today.

Asked to clarify what previous comments from Jones had impacted staff, O’Neil referred to public comments in the media but refused to outline what they were, saying it was a matter for him and Jones.

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.