February 3, 2009

Media Release (For Immediate Release)

RMA Changes Welcomed

One of the country’s leading environmentalists has welcomed today’s announcement of changes to the Resource Management Act.

Bob Harvey says a review of the Act is timely and provides more certainty for both Councils and the development community.

Harvey, who is also the Mayor of Waitakere City, says that in the past implementation of the Act was largely open to interpretation. “I have never met two Councils, or two people, who saw this complex piece of legislation in the same way.”
“A much streamlined process also gives greater certainty to investors and developers in these tough economic times.”

He particularly welcomes the establishment of a national Environmental Protection Agency. “Again, this will mean that some aspects of the regulations are managed consistently, on a nation-wide basis, rather than being open to interpretation.” tightening up of the objection process. “

And Mayor Harvey says limitations put on trade competitors are long overdue- a point made in Waitakere’s own submission to the Government. “Too often in the past major projects with solid social and economic benefits have been held up because of petty competitors or vexatious neighbours,” he says.

“The RMA was a ground breaking piece of legislation and its intent is laudable. However, after 10 years it was time to re-look at what was working and, more importantly, what was not. These changes will usher in more and better development.”

ENDS

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Arguably Reassuring: Inspector-General Finds GCSB "Arguably" Legal

Of the 88 individuals:

• 15 cases involving 22 individuals did not have any information intercepted by GCSB.

• another four cases involving five individuals were the subjects of a New Zealand Security Intelligence Service warrant and the GCSB assisted in the execution of the warrants. The Inspector-General is of the view that there were arguably no breaches and the law is unclear.

• the Bureau only provided technical assistance which did not involve interception of communications, involving three of the individuals, so no breach occurred.

• the remaining cases involved the collection of metadata, and the Inspector-General formed the view that there had arguably been no breach, noting once again that the law is unclear.
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