Debate on Crown Entities, Public Organisations, and State Enterprises — Environmental Protection Authority

The Environmental Protection Authority is a Crown agent, and it is responsible for functions concerning New Zealand’s environmental management. The authority is new. It was established by the National Government in 2011. What it does is bring together the various functions previously part of the Environmental Risk Management Authority, the Ministry of Economic Development, and the Ministry for the Environment.

The Environmental Protection Authority was established to be New Zealand’s national environmental regulator with responsibilities under several different pieces of legislation. It is responsible, under the Resource Management Act, for proposals of national significance. It is responsible, under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, for the regulation of hazardous substances and new organisms. It is responsible for the administration of the emissions trading scheme and the regulation of ozone-depleting substances and hazardous waste. It is also the agency nominated to manage marine consents monitoring, compliance, and enforcement within the exclusive economic zone. During the first year of operation, we were told, the organisation was focusing on—

I am sorry to interrupt the honourable member. The time for this debate has expired. The debate on the performance in 2011-12 and the current operations of Crown entities, public organisations, and State enterprises has therefore concluded. I will report the debate to the House presently.

Debate to be reported presently.