Search written questions to Ministers and the replies they have received.
Showing 1 to 50 of 394 written question sets.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following Reply 41268 (2026), which potential or final members of the Expert Advisory Group were suggested or endorsed by Under-Secretary Simon Court?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following 41270 (2026), what conflicts of interest, if any, did the Ministry for the Environment "conflict of interest process" identify for each of the Expert Advisory Group members?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following Reply 41270 (2026), who was on the "initial list... of potential EAG members" provided to the Minister by the Ministry for the Environment?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following Reply 41270 (2026), which, if any, of the final members of the Expert Advisory Group on Resource Management Reform were not included on the "initial list... of potential EAG members" provided to the Minister by the Ministry for…
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following 41338 (2026), who suggested to officials that they should consider how best to reduce regulatory overlap between the Natural Environment Bill and the Fisheries Act 1996?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following 28217 (2026), what is written in the header and footer of the document the Minister received for the workshop titled 'RMA Reform: Background Document for 18 March Meeting'?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
The header and footer of the document titled 'RMA Reform: Background Document for 18 March Meeting' was an In-Confidence security classification.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How has the Minister considered lobbying, if there was any, in the public interest against lobbying from vested interests in the development of the Natural Environment and Planning Bills?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Does the Minister consider he has been lobbied in the development of the Natural Environment and Planning Bills?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following 28222 (2026), does the Minister consider that environmental Non-Government Organisations have a direct financial interest in the final form of the Natural Environment Bill?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following 28222 (2026), does the Minister consider that environmental Non-Government Organisations advocate for the public interest or for their own financial interest?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following 20230 (2026), does the Minister consider that the agricultural industry groups have a direct financial interest in the final form of the Natural Environment Bill?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following 20230 (2026), does the Minister consider that the agricultural industry groups were advocating for the public interest at this workshop, or for their own interests?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How much influence has the New Zealand First Party had on Resource Management Act reform?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Where did the suggestion to include clause 10B "Rules that control fishing" in his Amendment Paper 710 to the Natural Environment Bill come from?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
Removing the ability of councils to control fishing from the Planning and Natural Environment Bills was an option developed by officials when considering how best to reduce regulatory overlap with the Fisheries Act 1996.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence or meetings, if any, did the Minister have with Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones, about the contents of his Amendment Paper 710 to the Natural Environment Bill, prior to its introduction?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
In March 2025, Cabinet authorised the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries and I to make decisions relating to the work on the Coastal Marine Area (CMA), in consultation with relevant portfolio Ministers. As such, we jointly made decisions on…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following 39738 (2026), what was the crux of the advice on the "potential exclusion" of "metaphysical matters and spiritual matters"?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
Officials from the former Ministry for the Environment (now the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport) provided me and Under-Secretary Court with advice that the exclusion of spiritual or metaphysical effects was not…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following 39740 (2026), what was the crux of the advice on "consent duration for water services under the Planning Bill"?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
Officials from the former Ministry for the Environment (now the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport) advised me that the default duration of consent under the Planning Bill is unlimited (unless otherwise specified) and…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following 39740 (2026), what was the crux of the advice on "potential duplication between coastal occupation charges and natural resource levies"?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
Submitters on the Natural Environment Bill noted that it is unclear about the relationship between coastal occupation charges and natural resource levies, and the potential for duplication. Officials advised the Select Committee that…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following 39740 (2026), what was the crux of the advice on wildlife authorisations?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
Officials from the former Ministry for the Environment (now the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport) provided me with advice on decisions required to finalise the wildlife authorisation framework, including how Treaty…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice other than the "Blueprint for resource management reform" and "Blueprint for RM reform - Minority Report", if any, did the Minister receive on the inclusion of the regulatory relief/regulatory takings in the Planning Bill as…
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
Prior to introduction of the Planning and Natural Environment Bills, officials provided advice on the regulatory relief regime primarily through the following advice briefings: 26-BRF-6045 Replacing the RMA – Regulatory takings and…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, aide-memoires, or recommendations from officials, if any, did the Minister receive about his Amendment Paper 710 to the Natural Environment Bill, prior to its introduction?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
Officials provided advice relevant to Amendment Paper 710 through briefings and in meetings. The key advice documents for Amendment Paper 710 were: • 25-BRF-00018 Advice on the Coastal Marine Area in the new planning system • 26-BRF-01543…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence or meetings, if any, did the Minister have with Minister for Agriculture Todd McClay about the contents of his Amendment Paper 710 to the Natural Environment Bill, prior to its introduction?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
I met with Hon Todd McClay, Hon Andrew Hoggard (as Associate Minister for the Environment), Under-Secretary Simon Court and officials on 29 July 2026 regarding changes relating to Freshwater Farm Plans which were given effect to through…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence or meetings, if any, did the Minister have with Environment Minister Nicola Grigg about the contents of his Amendment Paper 710 to the Natural Environment Bill, prior to its introduction?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
I have had no specific conversations with Hon Nicola Grigg regarding the contents of Amendment Paper 710 to the Natural Environment Bill prior to its introduction. On 28 July 2026, Minister Grigg along with other relevant portfolio…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence or meetings, if any, did the Minister have with Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard about the contents of his Amendment Paper 710 to the Natural Environment Bill, prior to its introduction?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
On 28 July 2026, Hon Andrew Hoggard along with other relevant portfolio Ministers attended a meeting I held with representatives from the primary sector about the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill as reported back by the…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence or meetings, if any, did the Minister have with Under-Secretary Simon Court about the contents of his Amendment Paper 710 to the Natural Environment Bill, prior to its introduction?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
Under-Secretary Court and I meet and communicate regularly on matters relating to the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill as per our portfolio delegations. To identify and collate every meeting or communication that I have had with…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence or meetings, if any, did the Minister have with environmental Non-Government Organisations about the contents of his Amendment Paper 710 to the Natural Environment Bill, prior to its introduction?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
I met with and received correspondence from a range of stakeholders following the Environment Select Committee’s report back on the Natural Environment Bill, prior to making decisions on the changes made through Amendment Paper 710. This…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence or meetings, if any, did the Minister have with councils about the contents of his Amendment Paper 710 to the Natural Environment Bill, prior to its introduction?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
I met with and received correspondence from a range of stakeholders, including Councils, following the Environment Select Committee’s report back on the Natural Environment Bill, prior to making decisions on the changes made through…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence or meetings, if any, did the Minister have with any group or individual representing the agricultural, horticultural, or viticultural industry about the contents of his Amendment Paper 710 to the Natural Environment…
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
I met with and received correspondence from a range of stakeholders following the Environment Select Committee’s report back on the Natural Environment Bill, prior to making decisions on the changes made through Amendment Paper 710. This…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence or meetings, if any, did the Minister have with Federated Farmers about the contents of his Amendment Paper 710 to the Natural Environment Bill, prior to its introduction?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
I met with and received correspondence from a range of stakeholders following the Environment Select Committee’s report back on the Natural Environment Bill, prior to making decisions on the changes made through Amendment Paper 710. This…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence or meetings, if any, did the Minister have with any group, organisation, council, industry, business, or individual about the contents of his Amendment Paper 710 to the Natural Environment Bill, prior to its…
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
I met with and received correspondence from a range of stakeholders following the Environment Select Committee’s report back on the Natural Environment Bill, prior to making decisions on the changes made through Amendment Paper 710. To…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence, if any, did the Minister have with any groups representing Māori, iwi, or hapū regarding clause 10B "Rules that control fishing", which he included in 'Natural Environment Bill - Amendment paper No 710'?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
Te Ohu Kaimoana wrote to me on 27 August 2026 expressing their support for the inclusion of clause 10B within the Natural Environment Bill.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence, if any, did the Minister have with groups representing recreational fishers regarding clause 10B "Rules that control fishing", which he included in 'Natural Environment Bill - Amendment paper No 710'?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
None.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence, if any, did the Minister have with regional councils, district councils, and unitary authorities regarding clause 10B "Rules that control fishing", which he included in 'Natural Environment Bill - Amendment paper No…
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
None.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
How much influence has the ACT Party had on Resource Management Act reform?
Parliament dissolved: no reply received
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Which Ministers, if any, had oversight or input into who the members of the Expert Advisory Group on Resource Management Reform were?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
I had oversight of the process to determine the members of the Expert Advisory Group in consultation with my Ministerial colleagues and Under-Secretary, Simon Court.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What was the process for determining the members of the Expert Advisory Group on Resource Management Reform?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
In August 2024, Cabinet agreed to objectives and principles to guide the replacement of the RMA and noted that the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) would establish the EAG. MfE provided an initial list to me of potential EAG members…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What "correspondence" from Federated Farmers, referred to in "Resource Management Act Reform Weekly Update" for 8 May 2026, did the Minister receive in relation to an exemption application for Tasman District Council's Plan Change 84?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
Federated Farmers wrote to me on 22 August 2025 regarding Tasman District Council’s Plan Change 82 and Plan Change 84. I am advised a copy of this letter is available on the Federated Farmers' website.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following 28226 (2026), what correspondence, if any, did the Minister for RMA Reform have with Minister for Agriculture Todd McClay regarding resource management reform, following Minister McClay's 11/02/2026 meeting with "Wayne Langford,…
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
None.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What written documents in digital or physical form, if any, has the Minister received in 2026 from or via Minister for Agriculture Todd McClay regarding resource management reform?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
I received routine transfers of correspondence from members of the public via the office of the Minister for Agriculture on matters relating to my responsibilities as Minister Responsible for RMA Reform. No other documents have been…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence or discussions, if any, has the Minister's Under-Secretary for RMA Reform, Simon Court, had with Federated Farmers about the Natural Environment and Planning Bills since their introduction in December 2025?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
I am advised that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for RMA Reform has had regular correspondence and discussions with stakeholders regarding the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill since their introduction, including Federated…
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Following Reply 28220 (2026), what other Ministers, Associate Ministers, Members of Government, individuals, or industry organisations were invited to the "agriculture and horticulture sector workshop" but could not attend?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
There weren’t any other Ministers, Associate Ministers, Members of Government, individuals or industry organisations who were invited but didn’t attend, that I’m aware of.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence, if any, did the Minister have with his Under-Secretary Simon Court regarding any of the meetings he (Simon Court) had with Federated Farmers on "RMA Reform" dated 03/04/25, 26/06/24, 19/03/24, 18/12/25, and 11/02/26?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
I have had no specific conversations with Under-Secretary Simon Court regarding meetings the Under-Secretary has had with Federated Farmers.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence, if any, did the Minister have with environment Non-Government Organisations regarding clause 10B "Rules that control fishing", which he included in 'Natural Environment Bill - Amendment paper No 710'?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
The Environmental Defence Society wrote to me on 17 September 2026 requesting that clause 10B be removed from the Natural Environment Bill.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
Did the Minister receive any advice for his meeting on 6/03/2024 titled "MEET: Federated Farmers" (with "Mark Hooper, Colin Hurst and Paul Melville, Federated Farmers, Hon McLay, Officials") regarding "RMA Reform"?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
I received a meeting briefing setting out the topics Federated Farmers wished to discuss. The briefing did not provide advice on any specific proposals from Federated Farmers.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What notes or records, if any, were made of the meeting on 6/03/2024 titled "MEET: Federated Farmers" (with "Mark Hooper, Colin Hurst and Paul Melville, Federated Farmers, Hon McLay, Officials") regarding "RMA Reform"?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
None as far as I am aware.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
When, if ever, has the Minister met with Federated Farmers and Under-Secretary Simon Court (in the same meeting) to discuss Resource Management reform?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
The Under-Secretary and I have met twice with a group of agriculture sector representatives that included Federated Farmers. The first meeting was a workshop on 18 March 2026, the second was a discussion on 28 July 2026.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What correspondence, if any, did the Minister have with organisations, groups, or businesses representing the fishing industry regarding clause 10B "Rules that control fishing", which he included in 'Natural Environment Bill - Amendment…
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
None.
Asked by
Lan Pham
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
What advice, if any, did the Minister receive about the clause 10B "Rules that control fishing", which he included in 'Natural Environment Bill - Amendment paper No 710'?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
I received advice on this matter from the former Ministry for the Environment, now the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport, in March 2026 (25-BRF-00018: Advice on the Coastal Marine Area in the new planning system…
Asked by
Steve Abel
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
If Council becomes aware of a land owners intention to destroy a tree and wishes to offer regulatory relief under the Government's proposed resource management bills what process are councils expected to follow to determine the value of a…
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
The Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill do not prescribe a process for determining the level or nature of relief available.
Asked by
Steve Abel
List MP · Green Party
(matches this search)
If a Council is seeking to protect trees, how will they be able to identify when trees are at risk of destruction following the changes made to tree protections through the planning act?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister responsible for RMA Reform
Under the Planning Bill, individual urban trees will be able to be protected where they have significant historic heritage value. Where protected trees are destroyed, enforcement tools are available to councils to address non-compliance.