Does the Minister believe he should have been consulted on the development of changes to the National Environmental Standards for sources of human drinking water, rather than not being included as either a "policy lead" or "consulted minister" as noted in the 'Ministerial Groupings for Delegated Decisions on National Direction Package'?

Answer

I am advised that officials at the Ministry of Health are working closely with officials at the Ministry for the Environment on the whole of the resource management system reform, including the National Environmental Standards. Several of my Ministerial colleagues are identified as Policy Leads or Consulted Ministers associated with changes to the National Environmental Standards for sources of human drinking water, including the Minister for the Environment and the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform. I am comfortable with this arrangement.