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Following Reply 37168 (2026), what prompted the Minister to write his undated letter to "Mayors, Chairs and Chief Executives" of councils "regarding the use of climate change assumptions in council planning, infrastructure investment, asset management, and regulatory decision-making"?

Answered Question 39117 (2026)
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Asked by

Lan Pham

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • Following Reply 37168 (2026), what prompted the Minister to write his undated letter to "Mayors, Chairs and Chief Executives" of councils "regarding the use of climate change assumptions in council planning, infrastructure investment, asset management, and regulatory decision-making"?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Climate Change

Answer

This is set out in the letter itself: "The Government is increasingly concerned that some climate-related planning and investment decisions may be relying on high-end emissions scenarios in a way that results in unnecessary costs being imposed on ratepayers, businesses, and communities."