David CUNLIFFE

Labour Leader

Regional Development Spokesperson

4 October 2013        MEDIA STATEMENT

Media complaint by Council out of order

A complaint by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council against Radio New Zealand for reporting concerns about the proposed Ruataniwha dam is out of order, Labour Leader and Regional Development spokesperson David Cunliffe.

“The Council yesterday lodged a formal complaint against the state broadcaster for publishing a draft submission by the Department of Conservation which was never presented to the Board of Inquiry because of direct intervention by Conservation Minister Nick Smith.

“Radio New Zealand was well within its rights to report on the submission which raises important issues such as the unproven impact of allowing nitrate levels in the Tukituki River to rise by up to 500 per cent. It is unclear what effect this would have on fish life in the lower Tukituki and estuary.

“The Council appears to be in danger of blurring its role as advocate for the dam and consenting authority. It must be careful to manage potential conflicts of interest.

“I met with the local iwi Ngāti Kahungunu in the Hawke’s Bay yesterday. They are concerned they have not been given the whole picture. Māori in the region are divided on the project with many hapū and iwi opposed to it.

“There is strong feeling in the Hawke’s Bay community that this process lacks transparency.

“This is a huge investment and one of the largest economic developments in the country. It needs to be independently considered with all relevant information in the public domain.

“Rather than attacking media, the Council should be welcoming free and frank public debate,” David Cunliffe says.

ENDS

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