Environment Minister Nick Smith says the Ministry for the Environment needs to “lift its game” over developing resource management and water policies. The ministry has been criticised for being tardy in completing guidelines for local and regional councils. In the 19 years since the RMA was passed only 2 national policy statements have been gazetted, (for the coast, and for electricity transmission), along with 4 environmental standards, (for air quality, drinking water, telecommunications and electricity transmission).
Environmental Defence Society chairman Gary Taylor says “it’s a disgrace” almost 20 years on there is not a national policy statement on landscapes, biodiversity and freshwater management. The Minister acknowledges the problem but dismisses it as an excuse for lack of progress by ECan.

Smith says”It’s a fair criticism that the Govt passed the RMA in 1991, gave those powers to local and regional councils, then sat back for 15 to 20 years doing very little on the issue. I don’t necessarily blame the ministry. Environmental standards and policy statements are the responsibility of the elected Govt and are granted by Cabinet.Mfe is not perfect and there are areas where it needs to lift its game, including the skills and resources involved with freshwater management. I make no apology for the National Govt wanting to take stronger leadership. We recognise some of these issues are too big and too hard for local authorities.”

Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Jan Wright says only 2 policy statements in 19 years is slow by anyone’s measure. The statements were hard to develop because they have to set priorities for competing objectives and be flexible for use across the country. Meanwhile there is speculation the Govt could turn to former PM Jenny Shipley to play a role in a new Canterbury water authority following the highly critical report on ECan’s performance in water management.

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