JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS
Ponsonby News interview with Ponsonby resident the Hon Nikki Kaye Thank you for agreeing to talk about the proposed amendments to the Resource Management Act, Nikki, you describe yourself as a blue/green and have a record as an environmentalist... PN - Sir Geoffrey Palmer’s suggestion about the merits of “process-oriented changes” will hopefully address issues like fences, decks, hedges and unnecessary bureaucratic interference and time wasting especially on private land. Do you agree? Nikki Kaye - I agree that at the moment there’s too much bureaucracy around parts of the RMA focused on process issues. It’s Nick Smith’s intention that the reform will address this. PN - Would you agree, however, that so-called private land is only held in trust by present owners and must not be desecrated for financial gain at the expense of the wellbeing and enjoyment of future generations? Nikki Kaye - The purpose of the RMA is to ensure that land is there for the well-being and enjoyment of future generations. However, there needs to be a balance to ensure that people’s basic property rights here and now are also respected. PN - Don’t you think that is enough change to the Act, and that Palmer’s criticism of changes to Part 2 are a totally different matter and will result in a weakening of environmental protection? Nikki Kaye - It is important to understand that there’s a lot of discussion happening around what potential changes will happen. It’s a bit soon to be making criticisms before final decisions have been made.
PN - We all know that time is money, but when there is a potential challenge to environmental or species protection, the matter must be carefully considered and will take time. Surely that is a strength of the RMA and not a weakness? Nikki Kaye - I agree there needs to be careful consideration, particularly when it comes to species protection. However, this is different to taking advantage of the process simply to stop something from happening that you disagree with. There needs to be a balance, because continued conflict and litigation through the courts can be unhelpful to all parties. PN - There is a perception that proposed changes to the RMA are a Government attempt to increase the relative importance of development principles to the detriment of environmental ones. Is this a fair complaint? Nikki Kaye - It’s important to stress that final proposals haven’t been agreed on. These are complex and challenging issues, but the Minister for the Environment has stated a number of times that the RMA is there to deal with the environmental impacts associated with development that occurs when ordinary people are getting on with their lives. He does not support the RMA becoming an Economic Development Act or an equivalent of the Town and Country Planning Act which in its time produced a number of unintended consequences. PN - How can weakening the environmental importance of Part 2 of the RMA specifically help the housing situation in Auckland?
Nikki Kaye - It is my understanding that the minister is not proposing to weaken the environmental importance of Part 2 of the RMA. PN - Is it the environmental preoccupation of the Greens that antagonises National and Labour, or is it more their perceived ultra-left position on the left-right political spectrum, and so-called socialistic stances?
Nikki Kaye pictured with Lily Kaye
Nikki Kaye - I think we can make greater steps as a nation when these issues aren’t seen as a matter of left or right. Ultimately it should be about outcomes. We need to get to a position where all parties are able to advocate greater conservation and environmental protection without having a political label attached to it. We’re focused on achieving greater environmental protection and reporting, and better overall conservation outcomes, but it’s important that decisions can be made in a faster and less complex, bureaucratic and costly way. PN (JOHN ELLIOTT) F
photography: Martin Leach
Above L to R: Kelly McEwan & Greer Stephens; Kevin Stephenson & Deborah Kelland
Above L to R: Valeria Carbonaro & Kevin Stephenson; Jaala Smith & Paula Stephenson; Darryl Ojala & Richard Brasell
STUDIO ITALIA NEW SHOWROOM Great night tonight for the opening of the Studio Italia’s new showroom with nibbles, pasta and pizza from Tito’s team at Pane e Vino. It was so nice to catch up with friends. If you haven’t seen the showroom, check it out... it’s the best in Auckland with some of Italy’s most iconic brands.
18 PONSONBY NEWS+ June 2015
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)