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Why, as reported in the Northern Advocate, did the Department of Conservation agree to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mercury to establish a fund for bittern conservation work as mitigation for construction of the Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm, rather than through a legally binding deed as required by the Kaipara District Council-issued consent, finalised in 2022?

Answered Question 35157 (2026)
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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • Why, as reported in the Northern Advocate, did the Department of Conservation agree to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mercury to establish a fund for bittern conservation work as mitigation for construction of the Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm, rather than through a legally binding deed as required by the Kaipara District Council-issued consent, finalised in 2022?

Answered by

Hon Tama Potaka

Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Minister of Conservation

Answer

I have been advised by the Department of Conservation that that party representatives entered into discussions regarding the Departments concern over protection of bittern. Agreement was recorded in an MOU. This approach rather than a deed was authorised by the consenting authority.