The Hon Stuart Nash (Minister of Forestry) and the Hon David Parker (Minister for the Environment) announced on 23 February (2023) a Ministerial Inquiry into Land Use (MILU) causing woody debris, including forestry slash, and sediment-related damage in Te Tairāwhiti, Tūranganui-a-Kiwa and Te Wairoa regions.
Consultation is now open until the 6th April.
The Inquiry Panel is Hon Hekia Parata (Chair), Matthew McCloy, and Dave Brash.
Ministers have asked the Panel to deliver a report and recommendations by April 30, 2023.
Tēnā tātau i ngā āhuatanga me ngā pēhitanga o te wā.
I want to acknowledge the many peoples and communities of Te Tairāwhiti, Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, and Te Wairoa. The devastation brought on by successive significant weather events, Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle in this year alone, have caused irreparable damage to people, land, property, infrastructure, and most tragically, took lives and livelihoods.
This panel does not underestimate the impact this has had on you. As Chair, I am committed to ensuring we talk to – and listen to – as many of you as possible.
As a Panel we will be accessible, flexible and we will come to you. We do not want to add any further burden, stress or strain to your lives.
It is vital that the collective knowledge and experience of our people, leaders and industries are heard and reflected to ensure we make the strongest and most well-rounded set of recommendations to the Government.
This is our opportunity to understand exactly how we got here and how we can move forward as a region.
Hekia Parata, Chair MILU
The Inquiry will be wide-ranging and look at past and existing land-uses. It will investigate:
It will include the impact of storm damage caused by woody debris (including forestry slash) and sediment on communities, livestock, buildings, and the environment. It will also look at associated economic drivers and constraints.
The Inquiry will result in a report that will make short, medium, and long term recommendations on the community's aspirations for land-use, including any recommendations needed to Government policy, and at a local council level.
This image shows part of the East Coast, North Island of New Zealand. This is the area that the Inquiry will focus on.
This image shows part of the East Coast, North Island of New Zealand. This is the area that the Inquiry will focus on.
We recognise we have a short time frame.
The first half of the Inquiry will focus on public engagement with:
The Panel is holding a series of public engagements and community hui that you are welcome to attend.
The meetings are being held as follows:
People wishing to attend any of the meetings should RSVP to ministeriallanduseinquiry@mfe.govt.nz.
Community hui are being hosted on March 20, March 22, March 27, March 28, and March 29.
Submissions close.
Our report will be delivered to Ministers no later than April 30.
If you have any questions contact our inquiry inbox.